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25/03/2007, 17:58 stephenjgray Joined on 06/03/2007 Posts 4 Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? Since my last question about International schools, we have now visited www.ecole-privee-bilingue.fr at Baillargues, and also IBS of Provence at Aix-en-Provence.  We liked both schools very much, but the big difference is that the former does the French exam system and is therefore really an international school for the French (ie teaches them English!). Also, big development since then - we have now (yesterday) found and bought our dream home in France - a 16th century mill on the river near Sommieres which is half way between Montpellier and Nimes! Therefore, we are now trying to find an international school for our 12 year old boy (ie one that allows taking of exams in English) within daily reach of Sommieres. So - any more ideas anyone, or any suggestions of websites on which I can thoroughly check this out? (Also I'd love to hear from anyone who lives near Sommieres or Montpelier / Nimes !) Stephen    Report

25/03/2007, 19:29 PeterR Joined on 16/03/2007 Posts 5 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? Dear Stephen, we live near Nîmes. I recently made some research on schools (we were looking for German sections for our 10 and 9 years olds, but I checked for everything...) There is nothing in the Gard Département. There seem to be some bi-lingual schools for English in Montpellier. But I didn't research further into that. And even if they were an option for you, I doubt that you could shuttle your son every day to Montpellier :-( Depending on where the school is, it can take you easily one hour one way from Sommieres. How good is his French? 12 years old is very old to be put into the French system! Luckily, our children are in the French system since the beginning, so that is not a problem for us. Schools here in the South are a permanent source of discussions between parents. And that can give you quite a headache. Quality and engagement of teachers vary a lot. We know a lot of french parents which consider moving - just to change schools. And there children don't have a language problem. I would first check with the local collège in Sommieres whcih would be responsable for him. Talk to the proviseur to get a first impression. If you have the impression that they are welcoming and try to help, give it a try. When will you move? PeterR    Report

25/03/2007, 19:49 PeterR Joined on 16/03/2007 Posts 5 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? PS: Did you see http://languedoc.angloinfo.com/af/456/languedoc-schools-and-schooling.html There are 4 schools listed. But only the one you listed for older children. But all these schools are for bilingual children. There is no school with an "English only" section. If your son were 9 or 10, he could try to catch up with French as Foreign language lessons. But I doubt that they will take him with 13 ! We are currently trying to get our children (French perfect, German almost perfect) into a bilingual school. And they clearly said that ten is almost the limit. Even if the child speaks both languages, it still has not the same knowledge/experience in writing/grammar if it was in a mono-lingual school for years.... We will probably move out from Languedoc-Rousillon because there are just no real international/biliangual and (!) good schools here. Nice, Grenoble, Lyon, Toulouse, Strassbourg, Paris, that's it, more or less... P    Report

25/03/2007, 20:08 PeterR Joined on 16/03/2007 Posts 5 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? PPS. >>>a 16th century mill on the river near Sommieres Ehhm, you know that the Vidourle has regularly and very heafty floodings ? Every 2-3 years, there are 3 meters of water in the old city center of Sommieres. p    Report

12/04/2007, 13:01 Kate Joined on 12/04/2007 Posts 5 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? Hi there I am in the Vaucluse, near Orange.  My son has been in the French system since September with no French and absolutely no support. I too would love to find a school nearby but apart from the place you found in Aix, I know of no others for this stage.  The only option is boarding but I am sure that you must feel the same - that you want your child to enjoy his new home and the last thing you wish to do is to send him off.anywhere.  Caroline    Report

05/08/2009, 18:24 wstram Joined on 05/08/2009 Posts 1 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? We are moving to our house in Quissac that we have had for years. We are going through the same with school, etc. Did you buy the house? Would be great to get in touch.    Report

05/08/2009, 19:15 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 1,967 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ??  PeterR wrote: PPS. >>>a 16th century mill on the river near Sommieres Ehhm, you know that the Vidourle has regularly and very heafty floodings ? Every 2-3 years, there are 3 meters of water in the old city center of Sommieres. p You took the words out of my mouth! No way would I buy a house near that river. At the same time the region is a desert for International Schools.    Report

30/01/2010, 16:24 Carolina Joined on 30/01/2010 Posts 1 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? My question is not directly related to yours but I am doing the CELSA course in March then plan to live in Montpellier to teach English (TEFL). As a big University town will it be difficult to engage students. I would anticipate Uni level planning to go abroad US or UK? My French is ok but certainly not fluent as I lack the conversational contact. What advice ex-CELSA students?    Report

30/01/2010, 20:52 NickP Joined on 08/02/2008 41800 St Jacques Des Guerets/Sussex Posts 547 Re: Is there an English/International school near Montpellier or Nimes ?? "At the same time the region is a desert for International Schools." I don't know Norman, you can't trust these French to get anything right. After all, fancy them only having French schools, how unthoughtful of them.  NickP    Report

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