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16/09/2007, 14:50 sassy Joined on 18/04/2007 Posts 4 Re: Teenagers in France - again! Thank you Ac50 for your 'positive' posting.  I not so long ago dared to ask the question on moving a teenager to France and was very disheartened by the negative responses.  But we didn't let it deter us. We have now considered all our options and discussed them with the children and have decided that our eldest will stay in the UK to finish his education, whilst the rest of the family will make the move next Summer.  We have absolutely no doubt that the transition will be diffcult but feel that the benefits far outweigh the problems we may encounter.  And yes some might say that by leaving the 16 yr old behind, we actually payed heed to those negative comments, but we will still be emabarking on this journey with a 14yr old, 12yr old, 10yr old 6yr old and 3yr old, a mammoth task in itself.  I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad I posted the question in the first place, because it helped us as a family, to make an informed and considered decision.  I suppose someone had to play Devils Advocate !  But I can't help wondering if the negative responses are also a way of putting people off altogether, perhaps borne out of some, dare I say selfish, albeit unconscious, need to keep what they have to themselves !  Congratulations Ac50 to you and especially to your children, I hope that our journey into the unknown proves to be as succesful.  Perhaps when we have settled I too will let you all know how we are getting along and for those of you who have an aversion to people succeeding in the world, may I suggest you don't read my next posting, just incase it all works out !!     Report

16/09/2007, 17:54 KathyF Joined on 17/02/2007 Mid-Wales & Southern Manche (50) Posts 138 Re: Teenagers in France - again!  trumpet wrote: Frankly AC50 I am not surprised that you get a bit of flack. I understand you are proud of your children and husband. But it does all come across as a bit of a Round Robin, circular.  Why is it that we British are so averse to people referring to their children's academic success, whether in the UK or, as here. in France? If little Jim or Janet is good at sport or acting or music or almost anything else, no problem - they just become mini-celebrities and everyone applauds.  But let them do well at school/university and somehow it's showing off even to mention it. As the mother of two children (now with children of their own) whose principal ability was and is academic, I learned very early on to keep quiet about their achievements unless to very close friends. It really puzzles me.....  Really glad your children have done so well ac50.    Report

19/09/2007, 22:38 tegwini Joined on 19/09/2007 Wiltshire & Vienne Posts 255 Re: Teenagers in France - again! Well done AC50 & children, I have just joined this forum and have been impressed by the positive slant on France.  This thread has proved not quite so positive, and I fail to understand some of the negative comments. I am a retired teacher, and for me it is hard to say much that is positive about the UK education system, including tertiary education, but French school pupils, students and student teachers,  and I have met & taught quite a few, have all impressed me. It's lovely to hear of such success, especially after such changes in their young lives. I think, therefore perhaps I am...    Report

04/10/2007, 19:04 Jura Joined on 28/11/2005 Posts 803 Re: Teenagers in France - again! I would agree with your experience, however, yours has not been ours. We moved here in 2004 and my son was 16. No college would accept him because he did not speak French (that was the only reason) and he has received no schooling here at all since, or any assistance in that area. He is returning to Australia on November 7th thoroughly fed up with this country. I would say you made the right move...Normandy, Brittany and the like willingly cater to non-French and non-French speakers. The area we moved to do not and still do not from what we have heard from others we have recently met here.  Our French experience has not been positive and I, for one, cannot wait to be out of it. Wanting to live in France is not the solution to happiness here; it is WHERE you choose to live in France that decides the outcome. And no matter how much 'homework' or 'research' you do you do not know the full picture until you have signed on the dotted line and actually moved in. In our experience anyway. Glad you're happy though. Maybe Normandy is where we should have gone to begin with.    Report

05/10/2007, 8:59 raindog Joined on 26/09/2007 HERAULT Posts 796 Re: Teenagers in France - again! How can a 16 year old, who dosen't speak a word of French, be expected to carry on with his school career when arriving in France? Surely it would've been better to let him finish his schooling in his home country before moving? sociability is just a big smile and a big smile is nothing but teeth    Report

05/10/2007, 10:04 Tourangelle Joined on 31/08/2004 37 Posts 939 Re: Teenagers in France - again! It just highlights the problems people encounter when they arrive and don't know the system.  Unless you know, why would you think that collège stops at 15 and obligatory schooling at 16.  Even though I've lived here for years and work in the school system I still find it quite odd that there is this year from 15-16 where they have to be taught but where there are so many different options available.  It is just because you get so used to the system that you have been through yourself, I think.    Report

21/01/2008, 22:08 jamdjc Joined on 21/01/2008 Posts 1 Re: Teenagers in France - again! I am new to this forum and am so surprised by some of the lovely positive replies to this topic, we are thinking of moving our 12, 10,6 and 3 year old over to Bretagne this year and posted on another forum for info, much of which was so negative it really made our hearts stop!!! I think if you plan a move to another country whose language is not your native tounge, you must be prepared to work really hard to try to learn as much of the language and culture as you can before and while you are there, you cannot expect to just fly without wings as it were!! You need to try it first and research everything you can first. we are still looking at the feasibility of moving and at least have some positive things to balance the equation. My 12 year old is very positive about the possibility of moving and is currently looking at differnt forums about education, so Thanks for some positive stuff about schooling etc. Julie     Report

21/01/2008, 22:34 Russethouse Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 10,084 Re: Teenagers in France - again! Oh dear - I don't want to disappoint you but perhaps you should search using 'moving with a 13 year old'. The comments are varied to say the least. www.quimperclub.org 99    Report

22/01/2008, 19:38 Cathy Joined on 07/03/2006 Mostly near Bordeaux; Sometimes near Bristol Posts 1,955 Re: Teenagers in France - again! I've just read this thread for the first time, having contributed on other 'teenage' threads.  I was so pleased with the first post - AC50 - as it is a great positive story to counterbalance many negative comments on this Forum about bringing teenagers to France.  I have brought 3 non-academic teenagers to study technical qualifications and, apart from teacher and student strikes, am so pleased with what France has to offer non-academic children.  The practical training that my daughters are getting by doing BEPs, despite French being a second language, is wonderful Incidentally, I understand that the strikes are a protest against the government phasing out of the BEP route, so perhaps I shouldn't complain.   Cathy ----- Your children won't remember you ironing their pyjamas but they will remember you reading them a bedside story.    Report

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