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IklimV October 13, 2009

How shall I handle my 6-year-old son's (already 1st class) language problem when I move to the states?

IklimV
We are living in Switzerland, most probably will be moving to USA in the coming months. My son is already in the first grade, but can I put him into a public school when he doesn't know any English?
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Parent Answers to "How shall I handle my 6-year-old son's (already 1st class) language problem when I move to the states?"

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IklimV
IklimV October 15, 2009
Thank you all for your kind responses :))
We live in the German part and he speaks German. Keeping your ESL suggestions in mind, we will look for such a school I suppose.
I'll get busy on that now!
TeacherParent
TeacherParent October 14, 2009
Yes. Your son will learn English quickly- young minds do and the younger the better. You don't say where you're moving or which of Switzerland's languages is yours - there are such things here as French language immersion schools though they're private, not public, and only found in larger cities.
And there are schools more used to just this situation than others - some cities here are used to having children come into their schools speaking languages other than English. But in any school, your young son will hear English spoken and learn English from that and quickly.
Welcome to the States!
healthy11
healthy11 October 13, 2009
Hello. I concur with Lockmama; many public schools offer ESL programs. Your son will probably pick up English in a very short amount of time. Since you already communicate well in it, I would even encourage you to begin to speak to him in it now...you might try to read simple English language books to him, and perhaps put little labels on common items around the house, such as "bed" or "chair" or "table" or "pencil" to help familiarize him with those words. All the best in your relocation!
lockmama
lockmama October 13, 2009
Many American schools have an ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Check with the schools in the area you will be moving to. Good luck to you in your move!

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