My good friend moves to live in Saint Martin where in the northeast Caribbean years ago, from what…read moreI see in her fb, the tropical town is tiny but still beautiful with many beaches and always sunny. She was still pregnant in my memory since last time in Hong Kong, and after few years she is back for holiday with the nearly four-year-old girl. Living in the island under the sovereignty of France, not to mention the girl can speak basic French, also is full of French character. Similar to many western children (and different from typical Hong Kong kids), my friend's daughter is friendly and curious to everything. She is independent, like to explore the city and enjoy outdoor. To help the girl keep learning and revise French, my friend brings her to French Touch child playgroup, and she gives a big thumb to this school. From what she says, the teachers are all native French and they can organize small class. The school understands student and the lesson suits her girl - just pick up and revise basic French, not to give too much pressures and assignment. I really like her kid, she is smart, easy going and super positive, I just wish more kids in Hong Kong can enjoy learning language rather than be forced to study.

Not the mega-store that some of their other locations are, but perfectly fine and surprisingly…read morefriendly. It's must be that universal love of music thing. I do wish they'd offer second-hand instruments and buy-back programs, though. Because it's always a shame for perfectly good instruments to collect dust after you've moved on.

A sleek, clean educational building conveniently located in Causeway Bay? Oh, yes. There are plenty…read moreof food options in the area, so if you're taking a late-night class, you can still grab some food before you go home. There are small break-out areas on most floors, which are great for studying or holding group meetings. Be weary of when you need to get to class -- lines for the elevator can get quite long during peak hours. Similarly, don't be surprised if you need to wait for a few elevators to go by after class is over to take you back downstairs.

The HKU is a public research university, which is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong…read more There are so many stairs here and there surrounding the campus, and expect hiking from spot to spot, and currently ongoing construction has made it less convenient.

Warning: it's apparently a review with very biased views as this is my alma mater…read more All these things are some of the best, if not THE best, in Hong Kong education: 1. Although the Hong Kong education system as a whole has been criticized as spoon-fed education, HKU is one of the better places actually requiring critical thinking. (For god's sake, some of the other universities here in town still take attendance at glass to make sure everyone's presence.) 2. Its network of people due to its longest history of establishment in Hong Kong. You can't work in any major companies in Hong Kong without meeting at least some alumni. I'm being realistic here, but the connections may help you in a way you don't even realize. 3. Fairly consistent quality in terms of teachers, students and other supports, across all curricula. But these things happening these days too.. ah well, I have noticed them, but since I've since graduated, I don't really care anymore: 1. For exchange students, there's a strong trend skewing towards Mainland Chinese students. I have no problem with Chinese students, but the diversity of different nationalities is what makes exchange program works. It may be politically correct, but it doesn't help the University. 2. It's not really a campus, it's just a "collection of buildings" in the city. It gets worse after they expended the campus further west. You don't really feel like you are studying in a proper campus, like CUHK or HKUST. Ah well, I didn't really mind when I started, after all, I chose the other factors listed above over a nicer campus, but it seems like now something is missed that I never had a real campus life.

Come check out the training restaurant located on B2, it's open to the public for lunch and dinner…read more Make sure to call ahead to for a table and find out what's on the menu.

If you are new to HK, or even an old hand, you may want to learn a bit of Chinese. Whether it is…read moreMandarin or Cantonese, I would thoroughly recommend that you call Sasha O, quite frankly the best Chinese teacher in HK, in my humble opinion! What makes Sasha great, is not that she is a better Chinese person than anybody else (she is however very lovely and good natured, and learning with her is easy and stress free), but it is because she teaches you what you need, and want, to know. Sure, teaching kids is very structured, and there are prescribed syllabus requirements, all of which Sasha can teach. However, when it comes to adults, do I really need to know how to say, "This is my friend Richard, he likes to skateboard in the park."? The last time I went skateboarding, the bottom of my trousers were much wider than the tops (OK, only oldies like me will get that!). What is great about classes with Sasha, is that you are flexible to learn what is useful to you. For Mrs L, it's about learning a new language from scratch (and being able to ask for the vegetarian menu). For my friend C, it's about learning business lingo in Mando for trips to the mainland. For me, it is all about going "street" and improving my tones and pronunciation, as I am already a Canto speaker - but just a bit ropey. Sasha specialises in 1-to-1 classes, or small groups (i.e. couples, families). This ensures that her teaching is effective and personalised. Also, as a freelance "gun for hire", her charge out rate is very affordable. As she is based in Lamma, Sasha will travel to your location for classes. I currently learn at work in the IFC. You've come all the way to HK, why not learn a bit of the lingo. You should at least try to learn enough to say "Oi, mate, don't take Garden Road, we'll be here all bleeding day!".

my daughter, 13, is taking lessons from Sasha. She loves her. Sasha is very creative. She is…read moreteaching her both Mandarin and Cantonese. We feel fortunate that we found her.