Does anyone know of after-school French language course for kids? My son is 8, and cannot seem to find any classes for him to supplement his daily 45-min lesson at school. We are in Versoix, in Geneva.

We moved over when my son was 8. After about 6 months at the local school, we sent him to a private tutor twice a week, to help his French. Our issue was that he just wasn't getting enough practise speaking it - he kept quiet in class and the teacher obviously didn't want to pressure him to perform in public (and allowed him to speak to her in English, grrr) and 8 yr old boys can play perfectly well together without words.

The tutor did give him some French teaching, especially if I'd mention that he was struggling a bit with such-and-such tense, etc, but mostly he would take his homework along and they would go through it together. It was therefore quite an easy 'sell' to him - it was time he would have to spend doing schoolwork anyway - and made my life easier as all homework was done.

The main benefit, though, was that it was time spent one-to-one with a sympathetic adult, where he could try out talking and have the correct phrasing gently modelled back to him, like you do with toddlers when they say 'mouses' or 'runned'. Also, for the year he went there, he had no idea that she spoke English :-)

Something to consider, if you don't find a class at the right level. I found mine via the school; she was a homework tutor used by quite a few local kids. The local shop usually has the odd card advertising this sort of thing too.

Bell offers classes for kids and not terribly far away from you ( sort of behind the U.N. in GE )

http://www.welcome-geneva.ch/bell-sc...-school-en.htm

Thank you!! I will definitely check them out!

apparently Bell doesnt have enough applications for french language summer classes for kids this year.


so, if anyone is interested please apply and they will have a class! pass the word on.

When I first came here I used a company called Learn French at Home. They give lessons to adults and children (ages 6 - 12) via Skype. For some of the course options you have to purchase books, and some have a requirement for homework which you then e-mail to your tutor.

I found them very flexible, and supportive. I was hospitalised and the owner and my tutor sent me a get well card, and when I came out of hospital they arranged for me to switch to a different lesson model that meant less pressure - and they gave me a good deal on the switch.

I don't know of anyone who has used the children's course, but if it's anything like the adult lessons it will be good, and the advantage is it's in the comfort of your own home.