French sc

[Clara101]

My DD is currently at our local French international school. (We live outside UK and went for this school because although we are a British family we wanted her to have the opportunity of learning young and I speak Fr too.) She just finished Grande Section so starts CP in Sept. We are currently torn on whether to continue or move her to British intl system.

On upside she's speaking great French. On downside she doesn't love school as much as I wd like. Often says she is bored etc. I'm not sure if this is because the approach is a bit more old school, less child led etc. It does seem a bit more old fashioned when we've been in to observe.

How have others found the French system? I wd love to hear your experiences to help us decide with her.. Thank you!

Hmm, some kids might find school boring at times. My DD used to say this during nursery, when she was in British system, saying phonics was boring etc. But she already seemed to know the phonics, so maybe she thought it was too slow. We switched her to french bilingual school and she is very happy there, but does say French class is not as fun as English, for obvious reasons, she understand more English. But also teachers selected, the English teacher was way more fun and lively personality. She is entering GS, so we will see what happens.

The particular teacher makes a huuuuge difference each year, regardless of the system.

That said, The French International systems IS pretty old school and suits some kids better than others. There's still a strong emphasis on memorization (mostly poetry, which is charming!!!) and firm discipline. I did CE1 in France and 6e-4e in the international system. I LOVED it and would totally consider sending my daughter there. That said, it wasn't a good fit for my brother, for whom the days were too long and the discipline too draconian. I say stick it out for CP - it becomes a bit more academic and could be more engaging, your child may have a better teacher, plus changing schools is hard! - but if mid-year you're still concerned then think about other options.

Hi Mamabear and HJE, thanks for your help. I'm sure you're right on teacher. I think she'll get on better with new one. We are hoping that that, and sone good friendships in the new class will help. So yes I think we'll do exactly what you suggest HJE.

For British families w kids in Fr schools, is it better to wait til they've learned to read in French at school and then help them with English at home. Or vice versa...??

In my DD french bilingual school, they teach them to read in MS and GS for English. So my daughter reads English already. They wait to teach reading in French when they are in CP. I would have suggested to start teaching the English reading in MS or GS so they get that down first. Bc it might be confusing to learn to read French and English same time. I think it makes a big difference if they have friends in the class. Make an effort for play dates. And of course the teacher makes a difference. I am hoping my kids have good friendly French teachers this year! Last year all the kids did not like the French teacher, but LOVED the English teacher.

Thx Mamabear. That's really helpful.. We are doing lots of play dates w new classmates atm so hopefully that will help.

For reading they start Reading in French soon in CP and she hasn't learnt to read in English yet. We have dr Seuss hop on pop which she loves. I'm not sure what books to order to teach her to read in English at home. Ladybird series 1 or the phonetic ones. Wd love advice if anyone knows?

There are so many options. My daughter first learned with biff kip and chipper books. You can find the pack on amazon. It's not expensive and great for learning. We used snap dragons as well. We got from the book people, which has Loads of cheap books. It's AMAZING. First my daughter learned phonics at her nursery when she wa sage 3 and was reading by age 4. I didn't do any phonics with her and she learned at school. But once she was in reception (she transferred to French school .Jan so then it was called MS), but anyway she was reading at started of reception. I helped her use her phonics knowledge to sound out and read. But all kids are different. My dad used to read to me these learning books and suddenly age 4 I started reading to him and he was surprised. Good luck!