Spending a year in an English speaking environment?

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[Kenneth]

Spending a year in an English speaking environment?

Hi Ken,
 
I have a question for you. I am involved in a JALT debate session and the motion is 'Children spending a year studying in an English speaking environment in their primary school years is the best and most cost-effective way for them to develop English speaking ability'
 
In Japan it isn't so normal for parents to send their kids overseas at say 8 -11 unless they are with at least one parent - and even then it is really quite unusual. Children do go overseas in the high school years in greater numbers.
 
I heard that in Korea and Taiwan sending primary school kids overseas to study is more popular with parents. Is it true?
 
Do you know of any surveys or research being done on young learners spending a years overseas?
 
We're completing a web page for the debate, here is the URL (it is still being developed so needs a bit of tweaking and correcting here and there- but you can get the general idea.)
 
http://www.geocities.com/jaltsendai/ryuugaku/
 
I'd be really glad of any information or links you can point me to.
 
Thanks,
Elaine

[steve184]

With Korean students this has been popular.

Some countries now have rules against this to protect the welfare of the children.

New Zealand implemented a 'Code of practice' for schools several years ago that only allows children under 11 to do a long term stay in New Zealand with a family member.  Short term stays (summer camps and study tours) with a group leader are still allowed though.

My impression of Taiwanese parents though (I live in Taiwan) is that they would be more reluctant to send their younger children abroad alone for any longer than a month or so.

Steve