Comments on: My Family’s Language Immersion Experience In France

By: Eve Bodeux

Eve Bodeux — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:50:51 +0000

Sounds like you have successfully encouraged them to want to speak, read and participate in French! I like the idea of making France the “happy” place! Like you said, I feel it is a conscious choice that must be made and prioritized–to provide kids with the necessary inputs they need. We too spend a lot on French books and DVDs, but it is worth it to see the kids take to them so naturally. I also feel good about passing them on to other bilingual families or schools in our area when our boys outgrow them (different age groups), so that we can spread the love a bit, for articles that are hard to get a hold of otherwise.

By: Nicolas Coyer

Nicolas Coyer — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:28:48 +0000

We’ve made the decision to spend a big chunk of the family budget on French books, DVD, etc., travelling to France once a year (1-2 months), but it’s definitely worth it! Usually a few days after arriving in France, I already notice some progress in their vocabulary and expressions.
My two boys speak and read in French fluently, although I’ve never insisted that they read in French. I do buy tons of books in French according to their tastes and leave them within reach so they can read them whenever they feel like it. For example, my elder loves comics.
What also helps in our case are two important factors:
- teachers and pupils at their school take a lot of interest in their other culture/language so that makes them feel special; they even strike up conversations with French teachers (they start learning French in 6th grade)
-French means vacation/pleasure, because that’s when we relax and read stories/watch movies, and when we take the much-anticipated yearly vacation to southern France, where grand-parents plan many activities for them

By: Eve Bodeux

Eve Bodeux — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:00:54 +0000

What a great way to put it, Wendy! Yes, that is it exactly – harder/better/different!

By: Wendy Lu McGill

Wendy Lu McGill — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:20:21 +0000

Thanks, Eve, for sharing your experience! It’s so helpful to have this type of resource to draw upon when considering moving abroad with kids. I’ve only done it pre-kids, so where ever we end up, this transition will be harder/better/very different!

By: Eve Bodeux

Eve Bodeux — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:45:30 +0000

Thanks, Cori nne! Yes, the boys assure me that school is A LOT different, but, fundamentally, they are the same in that we all want what is best for our children–even though the US and French systems come at it from different angles. For sure, a good experience for us all, to learn about ourselves and others!

By: Eve Bodeux

Eve Bodeux — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:43:37 +0000

That is a good question. My husband works for a “traditional” company – he is not self employed. We were very lucky that they knew him long and well enough to approve him working remotely for 5 months. He did have to fly back twice for two weeks each to check in, in person, but otherwise, he has been working from France during our stay for his US company. One of the other families that inspired me (a German to English translator who took her kids to German for a year) did just what you say: she went with her kids while her (German!) husband stayed in the US to run his own business, visiting his family periodically. I think that would have been too hard for us, but I admired her. I do, however, come to France with the boys for weeks at a time in the summers, when my husband cannot get away. I guess we all do what we can to make it work. I have also heard of people selling their house (!) to get some financial and logistical freedom while abroad, but we didn’t want do to that.

By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 03:23:58 +0000

Thanks Eve for those great insights; I think all of us dream of doing something like your experience, but few of us are brave enough to actually go for it! I think it is amazing how your kids have integrated linguistically and culturally, because the French school system is undoubtedly very different in ways that we don’t even think of (relationship between teachers and students, how the time is divided up, even the fact that kids have to eat school lunch or go home at lunch rather than bring their own). We miss you very much here in the US but this experience is something that all of you will carry with you forever!!

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:05:01 +0000

I think this is wonderful. I hope you all have a great time and it really helps your boys. I see you are a translator, that is pretty flexible. I have a flexible self employed position as well. But what about your husband? What does he do that allows for 5 months of travel? I imagine this would be out of reach for many families, just because of the logistics. Mine included! I could never do this unless I went by myself with the kids. How did that work out for you all?

By: Eve Bodeux

Eve Bodeux — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:39:29 +0000

Jenn – you make me laugh – what nice comments! I have been trying to get that picture updated, but WordPress is hiding it somewhere! Talk to you soon! Eve

By: Jenn

Jenn — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:36:02 +0000

1. You look adorable in that hat.
2. I think it’s great that you are taking your kids to get formal schooling in France. I know several people who raised their kids in French households in the U.S. who got horrible shocks when they realized how poorly their kids spelling and grammar skills had been neglected.
3. I am glad you are having fun, but am looking forward to you being back in the U.S.