Paris Guide for the Indian in Paris

hi all,

we are planning to shift to paris in january 2012.my son is would be 3 and half year old in january can anyone tell me the suitable primary school for my son .and should we put him in english school or french school plz suggest.


thanks in anticipation.

Hi archana

As you child is young, a bilingual school could be a good option. There are a few in pairs and its suburbs.
http://paris.angloinfo.com/information.asp

this site amongst many gives you lot of info of moving into paris

all the best

arnab

Hello,

There are some professional services in case you might need. http://www.wix.com/msaphaelia/aphaelia#!services

C.H

Is it really too easy to get education in Paris? I am at India this time.

Normally, it is easy to get admission.

Hi there Archana and others,

First of all, please know that January 2012 is mid-term here in France as the Academic session for the year starts in September and ends in July beginning. I don't think your child will get accepted in a school for the academic session 2011-2012 unless you are very motivated, contact a school right away and make arrangements for your child to continue his/her home education till he/she attends the said school. Having said that, I know its difficult.

However, most of the schools will start interviewing parents for the next academic year (2012-2013) around February 2012. Usually, it is the town hall (mairie) of the district of Paris that you will live in who sends you a letter to contact the nearest school by a certain date. If you don't receive the letter, go to the town hall and ask for it. This is applicable only for schools run by French government. For private bilingual schools, you have to contact the school directly. Remember to do this around Jan end- Feb beginning so as to ensure that your child has a place in a school.

Getting an education is a child's right and no one would/should come in the way of you trying to admit your kid in a private bilingual or a French municipal school.

Know also that kindergarten (age 3-6) schooling is not obligatory in France. Some parents prefer to educate their kids at home (because of one reason or the other). Schooling for kids at this age, I think, gives them companionship and fun learning.

In case, you prefer to/ have to admit your kid to the school in September 2012 (which is a more likely scenario), you could continue her kindergarten education at home and enrol her (if possible) in some creche/ play group near your home for a day or two per week so that she gets the needed social contact with other kids.

As far as language is concerned, this is the best age (and an excellent opportunity) for your kid to get immersed in French language. Unless you are keen for your kid to go to a bilingual school or the exorbitant bilingual school fees is picked up by your/ your husband's employer, it is best to send the kid to a 'regular' French school. The advantage is that it doesn't cost a penny (really, not even for stationery, school supplies etc.) and also because your kid will learn French right at the age when it matters.

Even if you or your husband can't speak a word of French, don't worry. I know many Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan families where parents can't speak any French at all and the kids attend the French municipal school. At this age, kids have immense potential and flexibility to juggle around as many as 4-5 different languages provided they get sufficient exposure to each of these languages. The only point to remember is to keep speaking the mother tongue to her at home so that she has a 'reference point' for communication in her close circle.

All the best !