Paris: bilingual primary schools (EAB-Monceau)

[MunchkinMom]

My family and I moved to Paris this past summer and we are not happy with the school we chose for our 2 daughters this year. We did not consider a bilingual school when we first moved but are reconsidering. Our girls are currently not getting enough french and the curriculum is lacking so I am on a mission to get it right next year, maybe even in Jan. for our eldest. I have already visited several schools and am visiting EAB Monceau next week. We want to give our children the gift of a second language but are a bit nervous since neither my husband nor myself speak french.

I actually have many questions....here goes....

How stressful is it for the children in the immersion program at EAB-Monceau? We do not know how many years we'll be here but are guessing 2 more school years.

Are we crazy to not be consistent with an American curriculum if they end up back in that system later?

I am curious of you opinions regarding moving an anglophone child mid-year. We hate to waste the rest of the year for our 9 year old but don't want to stress her too much. Our other daughter, age 6, is doing very well and has a good teacher so we will leave her where she is until year end.

Also, will it be a problem that neither my husband nor myself speak french? How much homework will they have where they need someone who speaks/reads/writes french to help them?

Help!!!! Please!!!!

[frakkinaroundthechristmastree]

I can only speak for EABJM but their adaptation programme is supposed to be extremely good.

No, you're not being crazy not to be consistent. They will catch up with the work if there are any discrepancies and them being happy is more important.

Not speaking French will be a problem BUT you can find French students who will help out. My ex-charge (not adaptation) had about an hour's homework a night in CE1 and I definitely need to be able to speak French for that. The best thing you can do is talk to the school.

Are you at ISP or ASP currently? I don't know how easy it would be to move mid-year from one international school to another, especially into an immersion programme as even those without any French at all will have picked up a lot by Jan.

[frakkinaroundthechristmastree]

Incidentally if you post this in Living Overseas you should find Bonsoir and teafortwo, both of whom have children at EAB-Monceau and can help you much more than I can.