Language choices in quatrième.

[pinkhousesarebest]

Just wondering if someone could help me out as I am a bit conflicted. Ds chose German in 6ème and is happy with his choice. He now wants to take Spanish next year and not English. We speak English at home and he is a bookworm and his written skills are solid, so I would be happy to see him gainfully employed as it were. But strategically I also see the benefits that doing English would bring, when things get tougher later on. Would he be able to play the English card ever or is this it? Any advice gratefully accepted as we have to decide this weekend.

My DC are in the native English section of a French school. This means they will do the French Bac, but they do five hours native English a week with native English speakers (teachers and kids) including English literature, history and geography. This avoids the problem mentioned by the OP of wasting time learning basic English with French speakers. It also keeps their options open when it comes to choosing where to go to University. Being English gives them a massive advantage when it comes to the Bac as it carries such a large percentage of the marks, however in Terminale they still need to attend lessons along with LV1 pupils so they know how to answer the questions to get top marks. I think it is important for my dc for all the reasons already mentioned. Also I feel quite strongly that they are not French and so having an English element to their education is important - one of the most wonderful things about the native English section is that lessons are conducted in the native English style so they are encouraged to ask questions, be curious and creative. It is without doubt their favourite part of the school day even though it adds extra hours for them. For me it is having the best of both worlds.

The OIB is clearly very "nice to have" and it certainly develops DCs' written English skills way beyond the level of the normal French bac LV1 (with which I am well acquainted via my DSSs).

However, for those bilingual families who cannot access a section internationale it is important not to worry! I know lots of French students who have got to top-10 British universities without an OIB (and without even being exceptionally good at English - yes, looking at you, DSS1 ) and have flourished on their course. If you have to choose between a mediocre lycee with a section internationale and a great plain vanilla lycee, go for the latter every time. Bac marks are far more important than perfect English for securing a university place.

Bonsoir's comment above makes good sense. At secondary, I want DCs to have access to science labs, maths teachers and computing, and some free time, maybe other languages. I am Overseas, surrounded by adults thriving in their jobs, many Europeans who are fluent now in English but certainly did not do OIB, never mind having one English speaking parent. I also know many in Paris who had involved FR-EN parents and did not do OIB etc; so I am not sure the comment above that those with OIB gain better uni entry.

Going back to OP, let your child try the language they want, or otherwise give them lots of opportunity to go to Spain and learn it at weekend classes or holidays. So much easier to start at 14 than at 24,34,44 etc!

Well he has gone for Spanish after discussion with the school. Bonsoir we went for the strong French school over the one with the section international, but every now and then I get a bit nervous, especially when friends do otherwise, so your advice is timely.

pinkhouses - it's super difficult to give advice without taking the specifics of the local schools market into consideration but I am sure you are right to place academic content in whatever language over bilingual English at school for its own sake.