Those living in Non-English speaking countries - do you send your children to Bi-lingual schools?

[bebespain]

I know this is probably too early for me to be even thinking about as DS is still only 15 mos. However its been on my mind lately and I´m bored tonight so thought I´d ask the question...

I always thought I´d send DS to the local Spanish primary school being than I am English and he will learn English from me. (That´s assuming we´re still living here...)

Lately I´ve been wondering if that´s going to be enough especially in terms of developing his written English sufficiently. Then further down the line I wonder if it would hinder him if he wanted to go to University in the UK...

Yes I know I´m jumping the gun a bit but...

...what are your thoughts...?

Hi bebespain!

It's a tough (and very personal)decision schooling but if the only thing you're worrying about is his written English then I would just go ahead with the state school. Maybe you can spend some time with him on that at home or get some private classes just for that. Who know what he'll want to do in the future but I understand why you want to keep his options open.

I'm in Madrid and will be sending my DS to a state school. I'll try and help him with written English out of school time. Also many schools in Madrid are now ´bilingual´ but that's debatable!!

Hi bebe!

Good to plan ahead

We're in Denmark, and don't have the option of a bi-lingual school where we are, but even if we did, I don't think we would take it. Your son will learn plenty of english from you, and I think he will find it easy to become much better at it in later years with just a bit of coaching.

My 4 are completely bi-lingual - even the youngest aged 2

Hi Lokka

I agree with everything you say and I´m sure I´m thinking too much about this. As I said before I had always planned to send DS to local state school...

Ahhh yes the "bi-lingual" schools. I have heard about those but don´t know that much about them. We have just moved out to Miraflores de la Sierra and there are only 2 primaries here so that should make the decision a bit easier!

BTW are you in central Madrid?

We are in France (DH is French) and our 10yo and 8yo go to a French school simply because there is no bilingual option locally at primary level. But DD1 starts secondary in Sept and we're considering a bilingual section because it opens more doors long term.

They have been having a weekly lesson with a native English speaking student for the past 3 years to work on their written language through creative writing, and it has really helped - they are "properly" bilingual now and can both read as well in English as in French (DD1 learnt at school in the UK as we lived there for 3 years, but I taught DD2).

What language to you and your DH speak to each other? If he hears both languages at home your son's dominant language is likely to become Spanish quite quickly unless you bring in reinforcements in the shape of A tutor, lots of time in the UK, books and TV/DVDs in English, etc and are very firm about expecting him to speak to you in English.

Yep..I'm pretty central! How's Miraflores? I want to get out of the centre next year. Must be great with kids out there.

The state bi-lingual schools are popping up everywhere, maybe one where you live is bi-lingual..but don't hold your hopes up for any miracles. The levl of English that the teachers have is appalling in general.

The prices of private bi-lingual schools put me off!

Castille - You hit the nail on the head when you said that DS´s dominant language will quickly become Spanish and I suppose that´s what´s worrying me. The reinforcements you suggest are a good idea and I like the idea of employing a native student further down the line.

Tickle - thanks for the reassurance, just what I need Great name BTW

Lokka - Miraflores is lovely but very wet

I live in Belgium and ds goes to the local international school, which is the British School of Brussels, therefore, English is spoken throughout.

We moved here when he was 10, and may go back to UK when he is 14, so he needs to be able to slot back into the British system, so as this school also does the National Curriculum, it was the best solution available that didn't involve leaving him in the UK at boarding school.

Hi,
we're in Spain too and only speak English at home to our 2 DDs, although DP's 1st language is Spanish.
At 4.6 yo and after 2.5 years of Spanish infant school DD1 still has better English than Spanish and I would say her English is near native. So I'm pleased about that. DD2 is exposed to a little more Spanish than DD1 was at her age as DD1 sings or chats to herself in Spanish sometimes.
I have considered English only or bilingual schools for later down the line (gulp - actually quite soon) but only if the school was good regardless of the fact that it also had some/all classes in English, iyswim. There aren't any truly bilingual state schools where we are anyway.

Aren't Spanish state schools supposed to be moving towards bi-lingual teaching anyway?

Actually, since we're probably going to move back to the UK next year it's not really an issue anymore, instead we'll be looking at ways to keep the DDs' Spanish alive...

I also live in Spain, and wonder/worry about this for the future (only TTC at the moment!).

DH´s nephew and niece go to a ´bilingual´ private school, and at 6 and 3 can understand things like car, bike, blue, but don´t speak English at all. Their teachers are native English speakers, but it´s only half the time.

I´ve taught older students from the same school at First Certificate level and they are probably a couple of years ahead of any other student, but no where near bilingual.

So, I think when the time comes We´ll go along the cheaper route of state schools, supplemented with books, tv, etc in English at home.

Chica - I agree. I think most of the bilingual schools here are just aimed at the pijos who want to give their kids a head start, I have a few friends who have worked in these types of schools and they say the general quality has a lot to answer for.

I think the parents, or parent, using the language at home plus frequent trips 'home' and story books, tapes, DVDs in English and having English-speaking friends is the way to go.
If they have been in nursery from a very young age or only one of the parents speaks the language it may take years before your kids actually use English spontaneously. What I've seen among friends who are long term residents in Spain but whose partners don't speak English is that only after years of trips home and time spent in the company of relatives who don't speak Spanish do the kids really see the need for English.

It's hard work and often demoralising if your DC won't answer you in English but you have to keep at it.

I'm glad we have English only at home and that I waited till DD1 was 2 before putting her into nursery. I think those two things were the key to her English still being dominant at 4.6 yo.

I know that if we stayed here Spanish might become her first language of choice, once her peers became more important a reference than us.

I agree with everything you say Chica and Shitemum but like the OP says the most difficult part is the written English which is so much more complicated than written Spanish.

That's where they'll fall behind and need axtra effort at home IMO.

Very interesting - thanks all

So shitemum, you´re going back to the UK? Lucky things! Do you know which part?

have a look at this old MN thread

We send our kids to local schools - the international schools in Japan are unbelievably expensive and we wouldn't send them even if we could afford to TBH.
As Japanese is so different from English, they need to have the basics taught properly at school. They have conversational English lessons at primary level, and then start English as a subject in Junior high school (from age 13)
My two have kind of taught themselves to read English - mostly from the computer. Writing is a different matter, but they will get there in the end I am sure!

Thanks for that sakura - will read the thread with interest!