We're a family of four moving to Geneva this summer and trying to decide where to send our kids to school. I'm American, my wife is Italian and we speak both languages at school. My oldest son is five years old and understands English, though he won't speak it. We'd like to send him to the GVA public schools, because we've heard they're great, but are afraid that adding a third (and eventually fourth language, as they do German too) will be too much for him. Moreover, we're afraid that his English and Italian will suffer. On the other hand, apart from the language aspect, I'm not convinced the private schools offer enough more academically that would justify the tuition costs. Any thoughts?
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She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Mar 23, 2014 @ 00:34
The text you are quoting:
We're a family of four moving to Geneva this summer and trying to decide where to send our kids to school. I'm American, my wife is Italian and we speak both languages at school. My oldest son is five years old and understands English, though he won't speak it. We'd like to send him to the GVA public schools, because we've heard they're great, but are afraid that adding a third (and eventually fourth language, as they do German too) will be too much for him. Moreover, we're afraid that his English and Italian will suffer. On the other hand, apart from the language aspect, I'm not convinced the private schools offer enough more academically that would justify the tuition costs. Any thoughts?
Justin SmithMar 23, 2014 @ 00:34
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Re: She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Post 1
Mar 26, 2014 @ 16:42
Hi there. I am Turkish, my husband is German/Italian. Our choice has been English education in private school. My French is very basic, and I didnt feel good about not being able to help our son with homework. We picked Geneva English School in Genthod, and we are huge fans. It goes until age 11, our son is 9, so we are in search for next school at the moment, likely to be International School in La Chatagnerie.
The text you are quoting:
Hi there. I am Turkish, my husband is German/Italian. Our choice has been English education in private school. My French is very basic, and I didnt feel good about not being able to help our son with homework. We picked Geneva English School in Genthod, and we are huge fans. It goes until age 11, our son is 9, so we are in search for next school at the moment, likely to be International School in La Chatagnerie.
Meltem K, Mar 26, 2014 @ 16:42
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Re: She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Post 2
Mar 26, 2014 @ 16:51
There are really so many kids here who are immersed in the French speaking public system who's mother tongue is either Spanish, Italian, Portugese, English, Russian etc etc and who also have a separate father tongue.
As long as you both spend time with your kids speaking the languages of each parent and let the school get on with the French I am sure they will be fine.
The first few weeks is undoubtably tough for them, but at that age they will "get it" very quickly and put you to shame with your French very soon.
German doesn't kick in till later ...10 or so....
it would be infinitely harder if they were teenagers.
The text you are quoting:
There are really so many kids here who are immersed in the French speaking public system who's mother tongue is either Spanish, Italian, Portugese, English, Russian etc etc and who also have a separate father tongue.
As long as you both spend time with your kids speaking the languages of each parent and let the school get on with the French I am sure they will be fine.
The first few weeks is undoubtably tough for them, but at that age they will "get it" very quickly and put you to shame with your French very soon.
German doesn't kick in till later ...10 or so....
it would be infinitely harder if they were teenagers.
Charlie, Mar 26, 2014 @ 16:51
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Re: She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Post 3
Mar 26, 2014 @ 19:09
A lot depends on how long you are planning on staying here. If only one or two years maybe the private schools but if English is a problem then no reason why the Swiss system should not be used. If you are long term and you want your children to feel part of this country, then the local school system.
I might be wrong but my feeling is there are too many temporary pupils in the private schools and friendsships can be made and lost quickly
The text you are quoting:
A lot depends on how long you are planning on staying here. If only one or two years maybe the private schools but if English is a problem then no reason why the Swiss system should not be used. If you are long term and you want your children to feel part of this country, then the local school system.
I might be wrong but my feeling is there are too many temporary pupils in the private schools and friendsships can be made and lost quickly
Paul E, Mar 26, 2014 @ 19:09
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Re: She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Post 4
Mar 26, 2014 @ 23:30
Hi, I'm as your kids. My Mom is Italian, my Dad American, I went to Swiss public school. Therefore, I grew up trilingual. Today I still speak English with my Dad, Italian with my Mom and French with friends. Nevers had problems adding languages, now I speak 6 languages.
The text you are quoting:
Hi, I'm as your kids. My Mom is Italian, my Dad American, I went to Swiss public school. Therefore, I grew up trilingual. Today I still speak English with my Dad, Italian with my Mom and French with friends. Nevers had problems adding languages, now I speak 6 languages.
mich, Mar 26, 2014 @ 23:30
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Re: She we send out kids to a private or a public school?
Post 5
Apr 10, 2014 @ 09:07
Several kids speak 3 languages in my kids' school so I think your concern should not be so much about language than about other differences between private and public schools. The schedule of the public schools may seem restrictive if you are working full time as there is no school wednesday afternoon and kids have to go back home for lunch for certain public schools. Private schools will tend to offer longer hours. Also private schools tend to cater to the ex-pat community so if you are planning on staying in Geneva for a few years, it might be a good way to make friends with similar interests and concerns.
The text you are quoting:
Several kids speak 3 languages in my kids' school so I think your concern should not be so much about language than about other differences between private and public schools. The schedule of the public schools may seem restrictive if you are working full time as there is no school wednesday afternoon and kids have to go back home for lunch for certain public schools. Private schools will tend to offer longer hours. Also private schools tend to cater to the ex-pat community so if you are planning on staying in Geneva for a few years, it might be a good way to make friends with similar interests and concerns.
Isabelle Boutet, Apr 10, 2014 @ 09:07
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