Hi all,

I have a question about schooling and hope some may be able to help me...
I am intending to bring my nephew over here in Lausanne to attend school, he's 12 and he has studied only in Italian. What options do I have here in Lausanne or around here?
He doesn't speak neither English or French and I would like his education to be progressively in English.
Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks

Pay a pretty price and put him in International school. Or just be smart, put him in regular school and he learns french.

I was thinking international schools being the best options, also cause I don't think he would be able to follow classes in French or English without first being taught one of the two languages. Also, I am planning to go back to Australia eventually and he will tag along, so English would def need to be a requirement.
Anyone with kids in international schools in Lausanne or around here?

International school will be in English. So, I think you best bet is to go for local school. He will pick up French and it makes more sense for him since he will live in Lausanne.

I thought International Schools were bilingual here English and French?

Some are, but either way, none are in Italian. You said your nephew doesn't speak either language.

I suspect you have already considered the non-negligible tuition fees when asking?

What do you mean? as being expensive schools? I am aware that it's going to be a 20K CHF a year or so... Bienvenue en Suisse!

............................

yes checked Brillantmont in Lausanne and it's 25KCHF oh well... I guess I have no other options then ...
or a local school in French? how much is that going to cost me?

Close to nothing. Cost of books and various material. Maybe one grand a year?

,..................

I have three children at the ISL...International School of Lausanne.
They have all been there for 5 years and have done amasingly well.
I wouldnt suggest the Brillantmont as i pulled my daughter out of there!

Your Nephew would be taught both English and French at the School but im not aware that he may need to at least speak a bit of English first? They have a website you could check. I also feel there may be a waiting list.

Thanks.... why what was wrong with the Brillantmont?
yes but how is he going to learn English if he doesn't start in an English school? I wonder if there're English summer courses in Lausanne... he could start bridging with one of those... he may need lots of bridging, education in Italy is so bad!

As far as I know kids who attend the local public school and can't speak the local language will be given support classes until such time as they are up to speed. Also most public schools offer English as a subject.

Perhaps this will help....

Jim

Good international schools will have an ESL programme for children such as your nephew. This should start with intensive English classes then support in other classes and support classes. It all depends on the school and how seriously they take the issue of language learning and the need to support other languages. I'd recommend doing as much English before starting at an international school as it will be painful to start with but children are amazing quick learners. Some international schools charge an extra fee for their ESL programmes. Arrange a visit with the Admissions office if you are serious about doing this and they will explain everything. Good luck.

Just thinking different options... sorry to sound confused.
Anyone knows about French children classes around Lausanne-Vevey during summer?
I am serious about this and will need to come up with a solution... somehow.
Thanks again

Hi Everyone

I wonder if anyone can give me advice from your experience/advice already given!?

We are due to move to Switzerland early next year, we more or less can choose where - Zurich/Geneva/Lausanne. We will only be staying for 3 years. My main priority/concern is the school - our kids are currently in quite an academic school in Surrey - they LOVE their school. I would love to find something similar in Switzerland, not so worried about the academic side but sporty/arty/friendly. Neither of my kids (6 and 9)speak another language fluently so we want to go down the international school route.

Can anyone recommend a great international school that perhaps follows parts of the british curriculum? I would also appreciate any advice on where to base ourselves, we are not coming with work so will be "out on a limb" for a bit?

I appreciate any help,
Thanks

I think your first route should be to visit each of the three cities which can be done very easily. See which you instinctively like the feel of. Next would also be to visit some schools. There are more options in the French speaking part I think. I personally wouldn't go for a "British" school but one which takes the best from the British system and other systems and integrates it into the international IB system - PYP (Primary years Programme)for your kids. There are a vast array of schools in Switzerland so I think that if you can go anywhere then visit some examples. Here's a list of schools authorised for this programme:
Here's a list of all the schools in the Swiss Group of International Schools. Good luck and keep asking questions if you like.

thank you for that. My husband went to Zurich last week and visited ZIS, he actually really liked it and loved Zurich. I say, "actually" because we'd actually convinced ourselves that Geneva would be better as we speak a little french and felt it would be more "laid back" - naive as we've not been there yet!
We are due to visit Geneva on Wed and Thurs this week and i've an appointment to see the Geneva Int School and also Lancy College - don't really know anything about either of them. Lausanne will have to wait until the end of the summer but we feel a little under pressure as there don't seem to be many (if any) places in the schools. A friend of mine also worried me slightly by commenting that the kids may fall behind in their school work if they attend an international school? I'm am more inclined for the kids to experience the IB system and we seem to be looking at schools that offer this.

I just want to make the right choice for the children.