Hi, I would like my 5.5 year old son to be able to keep his English alive (it isn't our mother tongue but he grew up with both languages). Would you have suggestions of activities (music, courses,etc) for this age available in Basel ? I am aware of Kindermusic, Open door and Gymboree (too old for last one in fact)...Any other ideas/links ?

Thanks !

Howdee,

Welcome to the Forum,

Did you check out the calender yet?

We have a Kfc run soon, if you want you are more then welcome to join a bunch of english speaking people for starters

Maybe you can look here:
www.centrepoint.ch

There is also a lovely school in Therwil called Ahead with English (I'm a bit biased because I work there!). They offer English classes for children of all abilities and ages. Most classes are after school, Tuesdays or Wednesdays and they offer English for Speakers of Other Languages as well as English for English speakers. The classes are fun and work on grammar, writing, vocabulary as well as speaking and listening. Have a look at their website for more information www.aheadwithenglish.ch

Are you interested in private English/bilingual kindergarten/pre-school or just outside of school activities?

For the former there is Kidscamp and the Early Learning Association. Also the international schools: ISB and SIS as well as a few others.

Kidscamp also run school holiday clubs which are great - so much fun - in sports, arts and crafts and music. My son has been on lots of these and always enjoyed them.

Ahead With English mentioned before are great - both my kids are now going there and love it. Great for learning/improving reading and writing skills (and also just interacting with other English speaking kids).

If you're interested in sports there is Intersoccer - which runs English speaking football clubs - after school, weekends and during school holidays. We've not used them but have heard good things.

If he's going to Swiss primary school this year then there is also the HSK who offer culture/language courses for non German speakers - I think this is only available for mother-tongue languages though so if English is a second language for him then it might not be applicable.

Thanks for all these infos...!
Wattsli1....what is HSK ?
Cheers.