One of ours was 8, and came back 10 1/2, the other was 10 and came back at 12 1/2. Tough for both - in both directions. The younger one went from the end of class 1 here into 2/3 of the way through year 3 in an ordinary state-run school in England. The older one, due to the more 'intensive' lessons here, wasn't as much behind her new class-mates, but the schooling was very different. Now they are adult and both still have both languages. They gained in understanding for others who have problems, learned that there are more ways of doing things than the one they first learned and they understood their Mum's odd ways much better afterwards, which was very nice too - and still is.

I think it was probably the best possible time really. They were old enough to profit from the change and remember the language and the country without too much pressure from us.

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Longbyt