@lewelma all of this is enormously helpful - thank you x

Is this true for all language study in the US - even Spanish? And there I was thinking that language study in the UK wasn't great; other Europeans always speak much better English than we do their languages. That could be partly to do with available resources - books, videos, movies, etc - but I know it's also because they start earlier and learn a lot more grammar. Kids in the UK typically don't start languages until 11 years old, and then spend a lot of time on just 'getting the gist of it' rather than learning the nuts and bolts of a language.

Maybe one day I'll have enough information to pin this all down and create a definitive equivalence chart!

So as far as I'm aware, Canadian degrees are like US ones - 4 years long and they start with a more general first year which is common to most students across the same faculty. However, I have heard of kids doing a year at the equivalent of a community college in order to give them the necessary leg-up to a degree; they will do this if they didn't get good enough grades in their high school diploma to warrant them being giving a university place straight from high school. As you probably know, the UK degree is 3 years, and you can do a Foundation Degree to get you onto a degree course if you don't have the right A levels or enough of them. FDs are usually only available to mature students but again this isn't a hard and fast rule. So blending the two (going from UK schooling to Canadian university), I would assume that since AS levels are usually sufficient to get you into university there, there would be no need for a foundation year other than the first year of the degree.. especially if you had A levels. I can't remember off the top of my head what MUN originally asked for - it was something like either 4 AS levels or 2 A levels - but when it came to my daughter applying, like I said above, she was accepted on the basis of her IGCSEs and the O level because her grades were very high.

That's interesting. So you're saying that AS level French is more difficult than AP French? Now I am wondering how the European languages framework fits into all of this... 🤔 Maybe it differs according to which province or even which university you apply to? There doesn't seem to be a consensus as to what they will accept if you present with international qualifications. One of my older girls got into MUN in Newfoundland on the basis of 6 very good IGCSEs and an O level. No AS or A levels required. But her younger sister is now having great difficulty getting attention from universities in Ontario and Quebec with pretty much the same educational background, plus some distance learning (online) courses from places like Penn State.

Yes and no. In terms of how many years before university, then yes; in terms of difficulty, no. GCSEs or IGCSEs are typically taken at 16yrs old. Those who are academically inclined then go onto A level study, which is two years from 16-18yrs old. At that point, university is an option; but in the UK, university degrees only take 3 yrs to complete. This is because we don't have a more general foundational year where many people in the same faculty are doing the same courses/modules, or at least they get choices of what they do. When you apply to university here, you apply to do a specific subject, like Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or English Literature. Those who are on your degree all do the same modules from the start, and certainly in Year 1 and possibly also Year 2 of the degree you don't really get any choice of what modules you do. If you work back down the educational pathway, you will understand that the second year of A level therefore equates to the first year of a US degree, or perhaps AP courses - whatever would get you further ahead and at or nearly at your second year of a degree. So the first year of A level then equates to Grade 12, and in fact it is accepted as such by the Canadian universities I've spoken to in the past. Working back again, the two GCSE/IGCSE years are therefore Grades 10 and 11 in terms of academic difficulty. The other thing that this does is that it forces young people to make academic and career choices earlier. Around the beginning of Year 9, the year before GCSE study begins, students choose their GCSE subjects from what their school offers. Taking two languages often means not being able to take any Humanities (Social Sciences, I think you would say) like History or Geography. Taking Music often stops students taking any other arts. And so on. Having not taken History at GCSE, it is then harder to be accepted onto an A level History course; and not taking a specific language at GCSE means you cannot take it at A level, and therefore not at degree level either. The choices you make at 14 literally dictate what you can and cannot do for several years. The educational system/pathway here is more rigid, and there are no real options for backtracking and doing a lower level of, say, French when you are 17. The schools just don't schedule things that way. Does that make sense? The advantage to homeschooling for us, of course, is that we can be more flexible in things like this. My daughter has done a couple years of Latin, and two years of German. If she now wanted to do French or some other language for the next 2-3 years, she could do that at home and probably achieve a GCSE in it. We can therefore broaden her education to suit her interests and our knowledge of what would be most advantageous, rather than having to straitjacket her into a system which by no means suits all students.

That would be really helpful, thank you!

It’s looking like we will finally be moving to Canada from the UK – after many years of wishing to do so! So, I need to get my head around how one does a HS transcript for my youngest. We don't have educational transcripts here - just lists of exams taken, if you do them. Can anyone here help me out?

Another UK resident here... London is great for a short period of time! You've got some good suggestions. When we stay in London (we live in Yorkshire) we usually find a cheap AirBnB either west or north - favourite places of mine are Hammersmith, Notting Hill, Highbury, Hampstead. All have very good transport links into the centre - overground train, underground, or bus. My family come from south London, Sutton/Hackbridge area, which is okay but it probably takes longer to get into the tourist/shopping area of London. One place I haven't seen mentioned on here - although I may have missed it - is Covent Garden. Home to the Opera House for operas and ballets, the market, and numerous little backstreets with charming architecture. It's well worth having a wander around on foot. And speaking of markets, you could venture up to Camden Lock and/or Portobello - two eclectic street markets selling everything under the sun. I lived round the corner from Portobello as a student, and spent a lot of time there browsing. The Borough Market in south-east London is a great example of Victorian architecture; it's mainly a food market. If you're into outdoor swimming, check out the various Lidos - Parliament Hill, for example - or wild swim on Hampstead Heath at the Ladies Pond or the Mixed Pond. The ponds are checked for water quality regularly and have outdoor showers. All have a small charge and may require booking in advance. For a hot sultry day in June, it can't be beat. Have a great time!

Yes - I use an App called The Bible in One Year, which I find really helpful. I'm not really recovered, if I'm honest. Thank you for asking. I have sarcoidosis, which has been pulmonary and musculoskeletal. Just recently, I started having some symptoms of neurosarcoidosis, which is worrying because the prognosis isn't good. Plus, with the current situation with Covid-19, it's harder than ever to get suitable treatment unless you are at death's door. The most troublesome thing right now is daily, frequent nosebleeds which happen randomly, and with no warning. I had 5 yesterday and ended up feeling very weak. I talked with my sarc support group, and a number of them suggested that I look into the link between (peri) menopause and sarc flare-ups - yay me! So yeah - I'm feeling rather overwhelmed at the moment.

Been MIA.. I've been ill. Long story, but basically a combo of physical health problems and then extended family issues. I took a few days off my tutoring, and I'm glad I did. So today's list: Tutoring: a profoundly dyslexic 9yo; a 1hr science session for 10-13yos; and a 1hr English session for 13-15yos Friday's workout with my online group Listening to my bible readings whilst sewing A short walk with DD12 Resting/relaxing in the evening That last one is really important and a new thing for me. I am putting rest and relaxation on my list, because I need to get into the habit of giving myself those spaces. I instinctively don't do that, but it needs to change for my own mental and physical health.

I meant to log in and post here this morning, and ended up having to get my a** in gear quick because I had an English student waiting for me! However, I'm feeling quite achieved today. I managed to do the following: A little Bible study Teach two students - one of them new, who has crippling anxiety, but she did really well My online workout Check and correct DS14 and DD12's schoolwork A little of my cross stitch Order Thai takeaway (in lieu of cooking, haha) I'd like to say that I managed to mark the English homework for my Friday group, but I didn't. It's gone midnight here now and I have no brain, so it will have to wait until tomorrow.

I wouldn't dare! I have very fast growing, thick hair which is best thinned out by an actual hairdresser. Obviously that isn't happening right now, and my hair is a mess. Good thing I'm not going anywhere! I've cut everyone else's hair in the family, and recently DH offered to do mine. But he's got MS, bless him, and his fine motor control isn't what it was.. so I have declined 😉

New week - pick myself up and try again! I've had quite a few setbacks lately, and last Friday I pulled my back. It's still not happy, but it's not as bad as it was. Three English students today - a profoundly dyslexic 9yo, a 12yo on the autistic spectrum, and a 13yo who had a rather disastrous time at school and who hasn't really done any English for quite some time. But then, neither had the 12yo before doing sessions with me and she seems to be doing alright now! I'll need to check DS14 and DD12's work at some point Repot the sunflowers because they're getting a bit leggy Remind DH to pick up the bikes from the place that services them in town, and also pick up a couple more hanging basket brackets for the back of the house Do my Monday workout in the evening when it gets cooler, or if my back is still dodgy, then a Yoga session

It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK, which is sort of equivalent to a North American Labor Day. I gave the kids the day off schoolwork and went out to potter in the garden. Feeling quite achieved.. I managed to give the trees along the side of the driveway a trim, so that we will no longer get out of our cars into holly branches and wild rose claws; Planted up a hanging basket with sweet pea seeds, fingers crossed they will germinate okay; Helped DD20 plant up another couple of hanging baskets with flowers that she had chosen from the garden centre last week; Watered all of the remaining potted flowers and the seedlings I carefully started 2-3 weeks ago; Planted the strawberry plants in a pot and put it out of temptation's reach in the front yard (one of our dogs loves to dig up our pots, so we have gated the front yard to prevent her from ruining them); Had a chat with DD12, who is struggling with lockdown and teenage hormones. DS14 seems to be coping a little better; Went for a walk with DH in the evening just as the light was falling, which was really special as we don't often get the chance to do little things like that. I really hope I am not going to feel utterly wrecked tomorrow as a result of today's activity! Hope y'all are well and happy. 💜

You have way more self-control than me! Snakes - any kind - give me extreme heebie jeebies.

Well - the last couple days have been a washout. Not in terms of weather - it's actually been really nice, for the UK! Back in February, I got Covid-19, and I've literally not gotten back on my feet since. I keep picking myself up and making another attempt at getting life together again, only to fall a few days later, back into what I can only describe as a slump of absolute exhaustion. I haven't been this wiped since I had my first bout of sarcoidosis, 12 years ago. Covid has really played havoc with my health. I would really appreciate some prayer, or positive thoughts.. whatever works for you. Hedgehog x (who feels more like a beetle on its back most of the time)

Missed church altogether this morning, because I had a rotten night. Didn't get to sleep until 4:30am 😭 So.. it's been a very quiet day. I made no plans. I've been sitting in my caravan most of the time, sewing, listening to music (just discovered VOCES8), and having video chats with my MIL and kids. Also played a game of online Scrabble with my aunt on Word Chums, and got DH to move the seedlings onto the windowshelf so that they get more sun.

It feels like it's been a busy day today, and I'm tired. Listened to my bible readings this morning and did some more on my cross stitch Chivvied the kids to do their weekend chores Made curry (this takes a long time, but I had bits of time in between chopping, stirring, and adding spices; mostly spent chatting with my SIL in Canada) Quiz night with church on Zoom: this is usually great fun, but the husband got all serious about it and ended up being rude to all of us, so I am still feeling a little salty about that Zoom chat with my oldest, who I haven't seen in person since February. *weeps* We spent most of it screen-sharing some videos of Newfoundland while chatting. 💜 Hope y'all are doing okay. Is anyone else still effectively under lockdown, as we are in the UK?

Morning, lovely people 😊 I'm beginning to sleep better now, so feeling more human and getting up earlier. Hurrah. My list for today - Have a cuppa with DH and do our bible reading together Order seedling trays online Errands: pick up some tomato and pepper plants from a friend (social distancing compliant! She's going to leave them in her garden for me); pick up some more biodegradable seedling pots from the farm shop; pick up said seedling trays from the local DIY store Check DS14 and DD12's work and go through any mistakes with them Get out for a WALK. I have been stuck at home for several days, as a result of being cripplingly tired. I want to see the fields with their spring flowers, and stretch my legs. I also have a general list for the week - Tidy some of the small caravan, at least so that I can change the beds Re-organise the schoolbook crates Get out for a swim. I'm desperately needing the cold water therapy! All the fibro pain is coming back 😢 Work out with DH how we are going to fit the electric piano into the big caravan a bit better than it is now. It possibly needs to be turned 90deg, but we will have to take out a portion of the lounge seating to do it. - we don't use that seat anyway, it's just a dumping ground, but it will take a bit of DIY skills to sort it so it's not really something I can do alone It's raining, which is a good thing, because unusually for the UK it's been sunny every day lately and rather hot. Our plants needed more rain than they got! And suddenly I can see lots of wildflowers springing up in the yard - mostly in the space that can't be attended to yet and is rocky, because all the leftover earth was dumped there when the extension foundations were built. There's clumps of forget-me-not, buttercups, nettles, yellow poppies, red campion, foxglove. I frequently see our cat slinking through the leaves, intent on his hunting, no doubt.

Again.. no list today. I'm still getting back on my feet. Co-op is now online, on Zoom, and on Fridays; so I was teaching an English session today for 13-15yos, and then Science for 10-13yos Bit of self-care.. hairwash and shower A game of Psych with a few friends online.. Tomorrow is a new day. Hope y'all are doing alright. x

So... my week fell apart early on, and it's taken me a few days to put things back together again. All because of the moon. 🌝 This is totally a thing - being affected by the moon. I get insomnia really badly sometimes, and I have discovered that it's almost always tied to the phases of the moon. I'll be ticking along in life, and seem to slide into a patch of sleeping really badly, and everything goes to pot. I suddenly think.. hang on, is it a full moon or something? and lo and behold, it is. This week we've had a supermoon (I think?) and that seems to have made it worse. I can feel it receding slightly now. Boy, will I ever be glad to get a proper night's sleep again. I am feral without decent sleep! I didn't even set myself a list of things this morning. However, I did manage to: - Teach an English student for an hour without losing my mind - Correct some work from my tutored students and from my kids - Take part in a bible study group with some youngsters.. not too difficult, since they are great and mostly carry it themselves - make tea. Okay. It was store-bought pizza. But I still cooked it. Hopefully I'll get better sleep tonight, and tomorrow will be easier. Hope y'all are doing okay. x

Tell me about it! I had one yesterday. No shame, people, no shame.

I had a better night's sleep last night, and consequently woke up feeling more the thing. We're doing a scaled down version of Co-op on Zoom now, and Friday is Co-op day. I had two classes to teach - IGCSE English prep (IGCSE is the exam British kids take when they are around 16) and Science for 10-13yos. They're a really nice bunch of kids, who make it easy for me to teach. And the prep doesn't take too long for it either any more - I'm getting into the swing of it. The slight hiccup today was DS14 and DD12 were being a bit scratchy towards each other in my English group. Not to mention being a bit embarrassed, I do find it a bit difficult to teach them in a group when they are feeling like that and acting up. Roll on them growing out of it. Aside from that, I ought to kickstart weekly tidying and chores a bit later on. The caravan is a bit of a state. Five people, two dogs and a cat will do that to a place! I could also use popping up to the farmshop and seeing if they have anything appealing for our tea. Otherwise we'll be having bacon sandwiches again!

No problem. I'll see if I can get an answer tomorrow. 😊