Our kids have been in the local school since June 2009. They have 4 hours of German as a second language per week. Both girls are speaking German well and understand a good bit of Swiss German (learned from their classmates). The little sponges are doing so much better than I am!

We speak English at home (as this is my only language at this point), but the girls have always been exposed to German with pre-school type picture books naming colors, numbers and common objects. My husband is German raised primarily in the states and this has of course helped immensely with their learning.

The first few months were frustrating for them not being able to communicate well with the other kids, but kids play together without much need to speak anyway. If you can stick it out past that adjustment period it is a great way for your children to really learn the language and develope friendships with children who live in your own neighborhood.

I feel we made the right choice for our family and I wish you the best of luck with your own decision - what ever it maybe.