hello! just wondering if anyone has any experience with the public schools in lausanne? my son will start school here- he is nine and i am a bit nervous about how it all goes and especially regarding the language learning. he speaks spanish and english and we are hoping by being in public school he can be more immersed in the language and the culture of the neighborhood. because i am learning french too, i haven't really figured out much about how the days are scheduled or what is expected of the students. any advice or good info?

The public schools in Lausanne are generally nice. If a student doesn't speak French, the school provides extra French lessons once or twice a week and moniter the progress of the child. When the child's language level is quite in pace with the others in his class, he doesn't need to take any more lesson (this is decided by his teachers). If you want to help your son to pick up some French at home also, you can get books/cds/dvds from municiple library (http://bml.lausanne.ch/).

There is also a free public French learning group that meets once or twice per week. Unfortunately, the level is not high, but still worth checking. I will try to see if I can find the details.

great- thanks so much for you info!

we are both just learning french- so if the group level is low- no problem!

You might then want to check out:

Espace Hommes – La Mozaïk
Rue des Côtes de Montbenon 15
www.appartenances.ch

The place is at Flon...

/Peter