Virtual Schools: Enriching Learning Opportunities for Expatriate Children

One of the most obvious and overlooked methods for achieving this is to supplement your child's "foreign" education with one from back home. This is actually a lot easier to accomplish than you might think. In fact, the nearest school might just be as close as your computer, if you enroll your child in a virtual school. A virtual school has all the main characteristics of a real school. The main difference is that the "classes" are conducted online. Virtual schools, which are popping up all over the world, offer children the opportunity to learn based on your native country's curriculum. This opens a whole new bag of books for kids living abroad.

Now don't get me wrong… I am not suggesting by any means that you forgo an education in the land you are living in for one that is delivered over the World Wide Web. First of all, there are just too many things that children learn from social contact with their peers that are vital to their future success. Second, you would not be taking advantage of all that was available to you to help you raise a truly bi-cultural person if you didn't enroll your child in a school locally. What I am suggesting is that you combine the two.

In this day and age, almost every kid is of the Internet era. Children, especially teens, are completely fluent in the language of instant messaging, chat and emails which also happen to be the main forms of communication applied by virtual schools. In addition, private international schools abroad are known for two things that you won't find in virtual schools: high price and high pressure to "keep up with the class." One of the main traits shared by almost all virtual schools is that they offer education on a go-at-your-own-pace basis.

How Does a Virtual School Work?

Virtual schools have set curriculums just like any other school; the difference is when classes begin and end. Flexibility is the key word here. Time zones are usually not a factor, and children can log on and get their assignments anytime that is convenient for them. Just as with "real" schools, the world of virtual schools is highly competitive, which helps to raise the standards in education across the board. Depending on your needs, you can enroll your child in the full curriculum, or just the classes that you think they need for reinforcement, such as math or reading and writing.

Many of the virtual schools will also let you download and study examples of their assignments as well as their curriculums, so you know exactly what your child will be studying in advance. You can also get an idea of the various styles of teaching that the different schools employ. This is something that is usually impossible to do beforehand in a real wooden-desk-and-chalkboard school. Lastly, most virtual schools are completely accredited. If your child were to complete an online education, he or she would also be the proud recipient of an internationally recognized diploma. This is an extremely attractive bonus.

Is a Virtual Education Right for Your Child?

In the end, you as the parents must decide whether your child will enjoy the extra assignments or feel overburdened. Most kids love to "play" on the computer, and if it is presented as a game instead of *dreaded homework* it will be a lot easier to accept for your mini-scholar. Also, it's probably best to start off slowly with one class as opposed to a full curriculum. If your child enjoys the lessons you can always add more at a later date.

You should consider enrolling your child in a virtual school if you would like:

• To reinforce your child's reading and/or math skills
• To reinforce your child's understanding of your native tongue's grammar and spelling
• To broaden your child's knowledge base
• Your child to understand your native country's history
• Your child to receive credits and/or a diploma from a school in your native country
• To expose your child to new opportunities for exploration and discovery
• To enable your child to make new friends around the world

Your own enthusiasm and participation will go a long way in encouraging your child to strive harder. Give your child a reason to want to do the extra assignments... Some may call this bribery but I prefer to call it an *incentive* -- and it works wonders for lagging motivation.

Below are two links to a wide variety of virtual schools all around the world:

www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/vicountry.html Virtual schools by country. www.ontariohomeschool.org/correspondencesch.html An extensive list of Canadian virtual schools.

Anne Alexander Sieder is the director of www.JetSetLiving.com, a comprehensive resource for discovering how to start a business from anywhere on the globe doing what ever you love. Interviews, articles, tips and more from successful offshore entrepreneurs who are living the dream in some of the world's most beautiful locations.

© 2004 by Anne Alexander Sieder. All rights reserved.