I work in an international school here, and I find that a lot of foreign families come here unable to speak the language. We have a bilingual program at school, though, and the kids learn quickly. For those of you with kids, are they learning in French, in English, or both?
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My kids aren't old enough to be in school yet, but I think it's very important to learn in both, although I know that sometimes total immersion in something is the best way to learn. At least that's what my college French teacher thought!

karenlyn, out of curiousity are many of the kids at the international school American? For my own kids, they are at French schools and after 2 years are all bilingual, which is, according to people we've spoken to, the exception, in terms of time to become bilingual, rather than the rule, ie other kids take far longer to reach the same level.

The only problem is that, although we try to speak in English most of the time at home, the kids grasp of English vocabulary is not as good as it would be if we lived in an English speaking country; we correct/help when we can, but I can see the day coming, long down the line, when they know more French than English, which would be bizarre for kids of English nationality.

For my own kids, they are at French schools and after 2 years are all bilingual, which is, according to people we've spoken to, the exception, in terms of time to become bilingual, rather than the rule, ie other kids take far longer to reach the same level.

I don't think two years is abnormal - I'd say most children under ten will speak French 90% fluently after a year in an all-French school. Older children will of course have more difficulty though because they will have missed out on all the grammar and whatnot learned in primary school.

I was shocked at how quickly my son picked up German. In weeks he was able to communicate. It's humbling to have your 5-year old translate for you.

Our kids are taught totally in french and have been since we moved here, for the first few weeks this made it hard on them adn us but they soon picked it up and are now top of their classes with no problems with the language and still the only non frnech in the school which helps. Our oldest is at lycee and doing majoring in languages despite not having a background in french language. I think sometimes its easier to learn a language from scratch as you dont have all the verbal sloppiness of your native tongue eg saying can't instead of can not so you dont transfer those spoken laxities to the written language. Badly put that sorry but I knew what I meant! It does also help to be young and have a good ear, neither of which sadly I can lay claim to!!

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Johnny-- sorry, I just checked back at this post. In answer to your question, we have about 20-30% of American students here. It differs from year-to-year. And I would definitely say that your kids are the exception rather than the rule. Some kids that I work with learn quickly, others not at all. I think the fact that they offer a completely non-French program for families who don't plan on staying too long is a mistake.

Also, most of the classes are in English-- the majority of the clients (or parents) send their kids to the international school so they can learn in English and get an almost native speaking level. It doesn't help the kids who are trying to do the same with French.
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My children were 13, 8 and 9 when we came to France 15 months ago. They went straight into a French school and picked up the language very quickly.

Racheal

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We just found out that we are moving to France this summer. I have contacted several International schools only to be told the testing has already been completed and all the spots are full. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I would appreciate it.

My oldest is 10 and is in 5th grade here in the states. If I dont get her into an International school I think I will have to hold her back since she is not bilingual. I will hate to do that since our stay is only going to be for a couple of years and then we will return to the states.