My daughter has started 1st grade this year after completing 2 years in Kindergarten, luckily we had a lovely kindi teacher who spoke English with us and was very thorough and took time to make sure she had the correct words for describing any problems she had.

The teacher she has now is very different, and from the outset has spoken German with me, I find this helpful (for me) and we only exchange basic information about my daughter.
Last month we had a letter giving times for parents evening, at which I chose my given time and requested to have a translator - i did not know if her teacher speaks English or not and my German is no where near good enough to discuss important details of my daughters education.

My husband and I turned up for our meeting, the teacher was by herself, so we thought maybe she speaks english, but she started the meeting in German, so I said please can we speak English? I mentioned a translator? she carried on in German shuffling papers, then my husband (who has little patience at the best of times) said if we cannot speak english can we re-arrange with a translator?
She then (clearly reluctantly) spoke English with us.
She is a very 'dead pan' type of person, that deosnt give any emotion to her speech, proceeded to deliver her opinions of our daughter huffing and puffing her way through as if it was wasting her time to talk to us.
I mean her opening statement was 'her German is terrible!' this is the first we had heard of this, as all her other teachers had never mentioned it, in fact had said how well she speaks. We were quite shocked that it had taken from August last year to let us know she was struggling .
Other things that were said, was she is Angry and childish, doesn't concentrate, has no pride in her work ect ect.
Of course my daughter is by no means an angel and I would agree that her mind wonders and probably often now knowing she isnt understanding the German so well.
But angry? I have no idea about this, its not a word I would associate with her at all, neither childish in a school environment, and pride - she has always taken pride in her work so far.

Anyway we kind of left the meeting shell shocked. I pondered for a day or two and coming to the conclusion that some of the chosen words may have got lost in translation, so I thought Id write a letter asking her to clarify some of the points she made and indicated I would like to hear asap if there is something bothering the teacher so we could work together.

Now I wrote this in English, I did this because I cant write German very well and I was afraid Google translate would 'literally' translate and not get my words across as I have intended. Maybe this was a little arrogant on my part but I don't know anyone well enough to ask to spend the time to translate it.

I heard nothing until this evening when she called me and persisted to speak in German, I responded in German and the gist of the conversation I think was saying you cannot write in English this is a German speaking country, I explained (in German) that my German writing was not good enough and i didn't want to Google it.
It went back and forth like this, me kind of guessing what she was saying and her just repeating what she was saying! I think she said make an appointment to see me not send an email -bare in mind this teacher can speak enough English to say to me 'we have to make an appointment again' I mentioned a translator but I couldn't think of the word in German at the time so I have no idea if she yes we can get one or not.

So after this long rant my question is, do we have any right to ask for a translator? I'm now worrying that it was supposed to be me who should find one and bring them to the meeting?

I am learning German very slowly, im just not good at languages! I appreciate we are in her country and we should speak German, and I am happy too but when it comes to a serious matter like my daughters education I would like to speak English or what's the point if I cant understand? I LOVE to be fluent in German and LOVE to speak it with the teacher but the fact is I just cant.

I feel upset and annoyed that this has turned into a tug of war about language instead of my daughters education

My husband is a bit 'gung ho' about this and wants to go straight to the headmaster (as i said little penitence) but i feel it will bring a bad situation wit the teacher that she going to have for the next 3 years

Any advice is appreciated, we have has an excellent experience with the school system so far and now i feel really disheartened

first things first. can you find someone who you know who speaks both english and german to accompany you to a meeting with her? that would be your first move, if you requested and she didn't provide you should be active and provide what you need- rule 1 for swiss schooling .

if you can, before you go try to put in writing and discuss a bit with your translator what your concerns/questions/ ideas are. take it from there whether you want to go higher up. good luck!

My understanding is that yes you can ask for a translator - i base this statement on information I was given by a school social worker.
As for writing to the teacher in English yes this should be fine too. I have done this on many occassions and it has never been a problem with my sons teachers (Grade 1 and 2)

The provision of a translator appears to differ in different cantons.

You are not going to harm your child's wellbeing by writing to, or going to see the Head. - You need clarification regarding the supply of the translator, which gives you a perfectly natural reason to speak to the Head. You can also outline your problem re not fully understanding the German speaking teacher ( who could well actually just be shy about using her limited English) - this could possibly lead to a meeting with you, the Head and the teacher, to clarify the situation regarding your daughter.

Also re the specific word "angry." My landlord used that word when he actually meant "anxious." I was getting a totally different interpretation of the story he was relating to me, until I realised he was not using the word he meant.

Best of luck.

There are many teachers at schools who have taken the Cambridge Advanced Exam. The teacher is a bully for pushing you around like this when she knows that all she needs to do is ask another teacher to help her out on this. I'd take an immediate dislike to this teacher too. However, some teachers communicate better with their students than with adults so your daughter may be in good hands despite the glitch. You have every right to go to the headmaster with this. Good luck.

I would take all your impressions of her with a grain of salt if she was not speaking to you in her mother tongue.

I would also encourage you to speak politely and find out what they expect as normal in this situation with your child.

It does sound like this teacher is more 'intolerant' than most, but in that case, she should be making some sort of 'recommendation' for you and your child, as to how to remedy the situation. I'm surprised that the teacher is finding her so difficult, if she has already been in 2 years of swiss kindergarten...

First of all yes teachers can be of a difficult and nasty species (of course not all teachers are like that), sometimes even badly skilled and no background in didactics and even basic knowledge,
lazy and over-paid servants that do not want to be bothered with questions, arrogants pitas without any esteem for anybody and anything,

and yes again I think it is shocking that they come up with serious problems in February being these things evident up from late August or - giving it a little bit of flexibility for everybody involved - end September or beginning of October.

This said, if you can't get a translator from the school, get one yourself, at your own costs. Even if the teacher knows English, try to get every bit out of what she has to say in her mother tongue, not risking that something of what could be lost in her translation effort could be obmitted. And she has some point in stating or implying that it's you the foreigner to adapt to the locals' language (I have the impression that you might think the opposite; but no, if you think you can live in Switzerland without the locals' language, you will face a lot of problems like the one you - or worse, your daughter - have to deal with now, unfortunately).
If the message is now that your daughter's German level is too low, it's your fault that you didn't realize (and the school that didn't inform earlier) or didn't plan better and didn't study enough German yourself (which would have been a big incentive for your daughter, btw, being the parents her ideal identification adults), now ask the teacher for help and for her suggestions instead of running to the headmaster in the first place (you will still have enough time to do so if you are not satisfied afterwards). Give her the chance to explain and to clear some points and be thankful that she finally speaks up (better late then never).

I think going to the Head might put her back up - I think I would call and speak to the school secretary who possibly might be the one who answers the phone. They are normally quite good at English and I would explain the situation and you feel things are getting lost in translation and ask if any of the other teachers speak good enough English to help out.

Try not to get stressed as sometimes these things can be rectified quite easily - Good luck and tell us what progress you have made.

It looks like they might be put off by the fact you are expecting the school to provide a translator, you do not speak the language yourself and your child might be hindered in her performance by what they view as the family not integrating, language wise.. I think if you tried your German more, even if it is butchered, they might be more helpful? Could some other parent maybe help to come with you and translate some parts? It should not be difficult since the kids are probably learning the same things, the other parent will know what the teacher is talking about. Could you work with school on extra language classes (my school arranged without me even knowing it, they do not ask parents) or extra curricular activity to give your child a boost, while you are learning, too? If you communicate with other parents, you might find out more why the suddent criticism of your child, maybe she is that way with more children? Could you help out in the class in some ways? Our school organizes parents in the class visits, you can go and spend a day with kids learning, or help out making cookies for them, or donating costumes and outfist for kids to dress up in, etc.

Good luck, it is not always easy when people have to speak in another language and might be ashamed of not being perfect..

I would definitely look for a translator, and go back to the teacher, don't go to the headmaster yet - only if she becomes obstructive.

There is an organisation of retired people, mainly Swiss, whom will take on jobs for a small sum (Official translators are expensive) http://www.rentarentner.ch/

You need to search for someone who lives in Zurich, who lists their languages as English & German, and whom offers help with school work,
one of these two ladies would be suitable, they might be retired teachers,

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________________________



Name:

G. Rosmarie
Ort und Entfernung

8004 Zürich
Sprachen:

Deutsch, Französisch, Englisch
Rentner-Art:

Früh-Rentner
Stundensatz in CHF:

nach Absprache
Telefonnummer:

044 241 48 57
Tätigkeiten:

Theologie, Gespräche allgemein, Begleitservice für Anlässe, Putzen, Gärtnerarbeiten, Waschen, Bügeln, Kochen, Einkaufen gehen, Unkraut jäten, Beeren pflücken, Giessen, Blumen pflücken, Fenster lüften, Briefkasten, Pflanzen giessen, Textverarbeitung für Anfänger, Fachwissen allgemein, Nachhilfeunterricht allgemein, Sprachen, Schreibarbeiten, Marketingplanung, Marketingkonzept, Werbekonzept,
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8032 Zürich
Sprachen:

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Rentner-Art:

Rentner
Stundensatz in CHF:

ab 25.--
Telefonnummer:

044 350 44 53
Tätigkeiten:

Haushalttiere füttern/sorgen, Textverarbeitung für Anfänger, Internet und E-Mail für Anfänger, Sprachen, Nachhilfeunterricht allgemein, Hausaufgaben kontrollieren, Schreibarbeiten, Übersetzungen, Pflanzen giessen, Briefkasten, Fenster lüften, Buchhaltung führen, Treuhand, Giessen, Einkaufen gehen, Kochen, Bügeln, Waschen, Kinder hüten, Begleitservice für Anlässe, Gespräche allgemein, Theologie,
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I had two daughters in Swiss Public schools so I can truly identify with what you are going through. However, my husband was Swiss so when we experienced problems he knew exactly how to handle them.
It is difficult for me to believe that after 2yrs. of Swiss Kindergarten your daughter is having difficulties with speaking German. Especially since you said her Kindergarten teacher had told you that she was speaking German well.
This teacher will not likely be changing her attitude towards you& your daughter. I would not hesitate to take immediate action to protect your daughter's self esteem from being damaged, if it hasn't been already. As you mentioned, she will have this same teacher for the next 3 yrs.. Just curious, did she mention any of your daughter's positive traits? To tell a parent that their 7 yr. old is behaving childish is just ignorance, in my opinion.
I'm going to side with your husband because I think it is very important that you go above this teachers head and meet with the Headmaster, as soon as possible. You can also request a discussion with the school psychologist. It is possible to have a child moved to another teacher's classroom. I have a friend who recently had to do this with her son and had fantastic results!!

We had a teacher like that once. He spoke perfect English but insisted on speaking in German as "this is a German speaking country". Personally, I'd have thought it more important to communicate with the parents in whatever language. (This is the same teacher who put her in the lowest level for secondary, and she's now in the top level and heading to university. His reputation suffered over that one).

Obviously, we can't and shouldn't demand that anyone in this country talk to us in English, but it does seem for some that ideology is more important than doing their freaking job.

btw - my children's German in the first few years at school (and in Switzerland) wasn't very good. The gemeinde paid for additional German lessons. Some teachers don't realise that it is not a good idea for parents to communicate with their children in anything other than their native tongues.

I only speak Germnan (however bad) with the school teacher and other people to do with the school, to show effort on my part - and because it does help me!
I made cakes for the parents association and generally try to get involved with stuff that goes on that doesn't involve too much German
I would love to help out more, but alot of the time I think my lack of German would hinder rather than help!

My daughter has 3 extra lessons per week in German (in school), she goes to Mittagstish and after school care (we have done this since Kindi not because I need them to be taken care off but I wanted to 'emerse' her in the language) she also does Ballet and Turnen in German, I reckon she spends more time talking German that English!

From talking to other parents I suspect this dead pan attitude to just how she is, that doesnt bother me, I dont need to be told my daughter is lovely but I do need proper explanations of her short comings!

I have heard that she is quite kind with the children and my daughter doesn't seem upset by her at all - which is a relief

(Sorry cant work out how to do multiple quotes in one post!)

This is exactly my husbands point, he just wants to know what the problems are and how to fix them together, if it were up to him we would be talking to the headmaster, but we are a couple for a reason, and I am the balance who wants to give everyone a chance.

I have spoken to another mother (swiss) and I will be going to see the teacher after school, and in my best German will ask for another meeting with a translator, she advised seeing the attitude of the teacher and if she seems respectful and not huffy or indifferent (which she has been) then just go with it, if she awkward then ill go to the head master.
Ill let you know how it goes.

Thanks for all your advice and replies its much appreciated.

Click on for every post you want to quote, but on the final required post click on in the normal way, and they should all be listed.

Insert your replies as required.

Just a thought, but I think you can't expect the teacher/school to provide a translator (unless indicated otherwise, previously), but, as suggested above, try to find someone you know who can converse in both languages, and confirm that they can accompany you, for you meeting.

I don't know if the school should provide a translator or not. Either way I would recommend bringing your own friend or family member as a translator. That way both you and the teacher can communicate in your native languages, and both of you understand what's going on.

Each of us communicates using a certain set of words and meanings. When my OH translates other languages, he does it using words and concepts my American brain is familiar with, so I get a clear idea of the concept/discussion rather than just a word-for-word translation.

That could save the confusion of "your child is angry" vs. "your child is anxious."

Wishing you the best!

My sympathies... I do remember too well the time when I moved here and did not speak the local language.

Although I am neither a native German nor English speaker, my command of both is good enough to translate for you if you will struggle to find somebody in your family/friends circle who could help. Just PM me if you are interested.

I'm very surprised by the way the teacher decided to aproache you. It is very discouraging to have a proper communication with some one who you know, it's making things harder for you on purpose.

In my case, when we arrived, my son started first year and the teacher was really nice, although, she admited she knew how to speak (very little) English, she preferred to have a translator for us, in every meeting we had with her.
So she (the school) hired a professional translator to be present in our meetings.
All paid by the school, which was a surprise for us.

I think it depends on the teacher how to handle communication with parents of children who don't speak German yet.

I would suggest you, to arrange a new meeting with the teacher, bring your own translator and explain her that you are doing your best to learn the language, however, it may get some time until you can hold a meeting in German with her, and perhaps she could try to communicate with you in English when she needs to. Sometimes, it's better to try to avoid direct confrontation in some cases.

Good luck!

May she is not happy to speak English, I have impressions that many Swiss are intolerant to people who insist in communicating English. Softer approach is taking translator in a meeting.