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Education is an important item to consider if one plans to relocate to Paris.
Considering how long a transferre will be part of the French culture is a good first step. If the situation is temporary—less than a year—one might consider an American-style school where a child can continue or begin an education that won't be culturally jarring upon his or her return. If the plans are more permanent, one might select an institution which fosters an education in both languages, such as a bilingual school.
Short-Term
There are great American schools which will maintain the kind of education an American child has received and will continue to pursue upon their return to America. These schools embrace an education in French culture and will help children learn the language and explore a new world. In these communities, children will quickly make friends with fellow American students, which makes the transition of living abroad easier. They will encounter many of the same challenges, and the school itself will provide support for these transitions. One of the best known institutions is the The American School of Paris , which is located in a nearby suburb and easily accessed from the city.
Long-Term
While choosing an American school is an option for long-term life in Paris, bilingual schools will likely acclimate children faster. If a child is young, it will be easy for him to learn French. If desired, there are also many opportunities for children to embrace an education in both French and English. This is extremely advantageous as it opens up a world of career aspirations and opportunities for the future as well as improving creativity and problem solving skills. If a transferree is not proficient in the French language, he might want to select a school that has English speaking administrators, which this is common for bilingual schools.
Bilingual Schools
These schools teach with the recognition that French is not spoken at home. Children will begin learning the language gradually, but by first grade, English is not used in class unless there is a need for brief comprehensive explanation. English reading and grammar are introduced in the third grade, but students typically pick up these skills quickly, especially if some reading and writing is done in the home. The idea is the child's time is divided evenly between the use of each language. Through these unique academic institutions, a child can easily join the French culture without forfeiting the English language. While this process is more easily accomplished at the early developmental ages, it can be done at any age of schooling. The student must simply have a willingness to learn and the confidence to test their knowledge.
If one is to relocate to Paris permanently, it is very important the transferee becomes a proficient French speaker and strong student. A high school (lycée) degree is required for nearly every job, including lower wage positions in retail or the food industry. Education is taken very seriously, and students are expected to perform. Most students even graduate from middle school (collège) with a defined career path. They then choose high schools which cater to these aspirations. It's good to be aware of these differences when immersing a child into French Academic culture.
The French education system encourages a level of excellence that will surely produce a fine young mind. Outfiting children with the opportunity of bilingualism when one plans to relocate to France can make the transistions easy on everyone.
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