Possible move to Brussels - schools and languages

[wildstrawberryplace]

How tough would it be on a 5/6/7 year old to go to a French speaking school?

We would be there for 1-2 years, and have been looking at renting in Wezembeek-Oppem area (or similar suburb).

DH's company will foot the bill for BSB but I don't want DC to only mix with expats or live in a bubble - is that likely with BSB?

Also, surely it would be better if they were immersed in French/Flemish (not sure if it is even called that!) so that they don't feel alienated outside school?

On the other hand, it may be better for their education if they continue their schooling in English surely?

Seem to have been a lot of posts about Brussels recently!

Spud, there are quite a few of us in Auderghem now it would appear. I think you're the fifth! Without wanting to pin you down too much, which other commune are you near?

Five in Auderghem! Incredible...
V near W-B...

I'm near the Beaulieu metro stop so on the border of both W-B and Ixelles really. There are three near the Pétillon metro stop. Actually I think one of those may actually be in Woluwe St Pierre.

I have a spreadsheet (Porto laughs at my spreadsheet though I really made it for her so it would be easier for her to organise gettogethers) so can add you if you are interested in that sort of thing and tell you the mumsnet names of the other mums in Auderghem who have given me permission to do that. Don't worry if not. I totally understand that some mumsnetters prefer to keep their identity secret.

I never laughed at your spreadsheet! I thought it was a good idea! @ spreadsheet....

Superspud - are YOU on the spreadsheet? Longtime, that Matt Damon film starts this week iirc. I am up for it....

No, superspud's not on it! Ooh yes, quite fancy a trip to the cinema. When and where? Anyone else?

The Adjustment Bureau is on this week at 20.45 Kinepolis Bruxelles and 19.45 Kinepolis Leuven. And 1930 UCG De Brouckere. Dh is about all week as far as I know so I am easy!

I'm coming now that dh is back.

What night are you thinking?

Does Sat/Sun night work? I have to admit I prefer the weekend to week because I am generally knackered, but I am flexible...

My family moved to Brussels for 3 years when I was 11 & my sister was 8. My parents went for a half way house so we could learn French AND stay in touch with the english speaking system so we could integrate easily when we went back home. We went to St John's International SSchool in Waterlool, but they deliberately lived outside of the Waterloo "ghetto" and we had a bilingual French/Dutch nanny who talked to us those languages to help us absorb it quickly.

At the time we moaned and sulked because all our freinds were in Waterloo BUT having now sent several years working in Holland and France I am eternally grateful to them for doing it. Best thing that ever happened to me :-)

St Johns was fantastic and at the time, felt less "exclusively British". Gave me a much broader view of the world. If I coyld have me time again. I'd go their again. Class of '85 :-)