Hello All,
Recently relocated from U.K. to Basel with a 5 and 3 year old childrens who are already bilingual English-French. Currently wondering whether to live over the border in France (I am not French). We'd like the children to learn German and was told by colleagues at work that some schools in the Haut-Rhin Department/county, they have bilingual German-French pre-schools, schools and "colleges" equiv to Senior schools. Pro are: cheaper cost of living, my wife could go back to work much faster as after-school care is provided in some of these schools. Cons: not convinced that the standard of education in France will be equivalent to the Swiss education system, my wife will have to extend her career break to look after the children, cost of living.

Has anyone been through the same considerations? tried these bilingual schools?

Many thanks for any help or advice.

El Tarico

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Yes, for french/german school in Alsace. Depending on the school, you need to go through an interview as they are non-fee paying (you have to prove you and your child are dedicated to german-french bilingualism). Collège is for 12-14 year olds (aprox.) and children start school when they are 3. Education in France is difficult and in no way will your child's hand be held.

Many thanks to Elie and JLP for your advice,

We are planning to attend few information meetings with local schools, authorities and parents in order to allow us to make he best informed decision. Anyone managed to live in France and get a waiver or derrogation to have the children registered with a Swiss school within the Basel area/ canton?

Cheers

El Tarico

Hi there,

We arrived in Basel about 3 weeks ago from U.K. We are exploring the option to live in France and send our 5 and 3.5 children to French schools. I attended open info session in one of the schools, which did not really convince me about the dedication (no disrespect to anyone).

Any feedback or previous experiences would me much appreciated.

You have already started a thread on this subject: Bilingual French-German schools in France near Basel?Anyone experiences these

When you speak of dedication, what do you mean? Was the school you went to a public (free) school?

ElieDeLeuze and myself both wrote you in the previous thread that the French education system does not mollycoddle children even at a young age.

There is an advantage to the French system as it is nationalized; with the Lycées that exist worldwide your children can have a seamless education if you forsee moving often.

Many thanks ElieDeLeuze and J.L-P.
Yes correct I have sarted a thread bt the second one is actually more pointed and was asking for direct feedback of parents who experienced the bilingual French-German in French public schools. Yes I have attended a information session at a public school. What I meant by not dedicated was the impression I had at this open evening. This compred to what I have experienced in the past, regardless of the fact that it was in the U.K.where the teachers more passioned by their topics and about the childrens. What you stated about the French education, being more strict and less supportive, somewhat comfots the impressions I have sofar. Sorry ElieDeLeuze, no disrespect meant at all.

Anyway, thanks again for your help and may be we will reach the right decision

going through same sort of situation: found following resource which provides very useful information. We will also be moving to Basel in 3 months time, since kids speak fluent french, so we are leaning more towards living in near by France

http://www.eltern-bilinguisme.org/pd..._2010_2011.pdf

http://www.eltern-bilinguisme.org

And another option, there is also a Swiss state billingual (German/French) schooling possibility in Delémont, Canton Jura - which is an easy commute for parents working in or around Basel. The school will consider children who do not live in Canton Jura (but obviously near by enough to travel daily to school) if there are good reasons for the billingual schooling requirement.