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Hello everyone. My name is Nathan Chmura and I am from Cumberland, RI. I have been living in Okinawa, Japan for the last 3 years. I am planning on moving back to Rhode Island in a year or so, but have run into a problem. I have a Japanese girlfriend and I plan on bringing her to the US. However she has a 3 year old daughter who will be turning 4 this year in November. She is just starting to go to english classes, however she can speak Japanese. So I am not sure how well she would do if put into a public elementary school. I was wondering if anyone knew of any specialty school where she could learn English as a second language and Japanese as her first. I could just be overly worried and she may be fine to jump into a public elementary school seeing as it would be a year to a year and a half before moving back to RI. But I would like to look at all available options. I have been looking around the 'net with no lucky, the closest thing I could find was the Greenwich Japanese School, however that is in CT and some 3 hours away. I'm not looking for any particular city in Rhode Island, it could even been in nearby CT or MA, as if I found a school it might dictate where we would move to. Any help is appreciated.
There aren't any Japanese communities in RI. I would think only in Boston area. Just make the effort to speak Japanese with her at home, and she'll learn English at school. You can speak both with her- as long as you start young. I spoke one language w/ mom and another w/dad. Now, if your Japanese girlfriend needs to learn more English when she's here then that could make thing more difficult. Good luck.
My girlfriend can speak English, we are both worried about her daughter. I didn't think I would have much luck finding anything in Rhode Island but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I don't think it'll be so much about her knowing how to speak English it'll be making the transition to only speaking English at school. Just looking at all the options for making it the easiest for her. Thanks for the input.
I would check with the Rhode Island Japan Society, and see if they can offer any advice or support. It is true that there is not a large Japanese population in RI, but there are many bilingual families, so you should be able to find ESL programs.
Since she is a native Japanese speaker, hopefully she can begin learning kanji, etc., as well! It will only help her later in life. Good luck with your decision!
My girlfriend can speak English, we are both worried about her daughter. I didn't think I would have much luck finding anything in Rhode Island but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I don't think it'll be so much about her knowing how to speak English it'll be making the transition to only speaking English at school. Just looking at all the options for making it the easiest for her. Thanks for the input.
You should be really careful about making that transition. Please don't just jump into it. You need to make a language plan and culture plan and stick to it. You should talk to all of the School's teachers where you will live and tell them culturally sensitive stuff like Japanese people are called Japanese not "***". Teach your girl how to explain where she is from and who she is. Don't leave it to chance. I my family will be moving to Woonsocket in May of 2010. So I can help if you like. I am an English teacher and my daughter is Japanese too(2 and a half).
I am half-japanese myself and I do speak Japanese. It is very difficult to find anyone that speaks japanese as well. I know your post is over a year old, but if you still need help, I am here as well. I currently live in Woonsocket, RI and I am currently attending school at Rhode Island College.
I just moved to Rhode Island in April 2015. My wife is Japanese and my 6 yo son is bilingual. We live near Providence. If anyone wants to meet up or get our families introduced please let me know.
Last edited by CaseyB; 09-15-2015 at 08:36 AM..
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