CLIN classes for children?

[apaigeg]

Does anyone have any experience with CLIN classes in the French public schools?

My family will be spending the 2008/2009 academic year in Paris. (We are Americans, currently living in Canada) My 2 daughters, ages 7 and 9, will be enrolling in public schools in the 15th arrondissement. I believe they will be in a special French immersion class for non-francophone students called CLIN, at least initially.

I would appreciate any feedback people have about CLIN. Has it been beneficial for your children? Do you feel it accelerated their learning French? Were the teachers any good?

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Bevdeforges]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

If your daughters will be going to the French public schools, I don't think those CLIN classes are optional. But, I have heard good things about how non-French speakers are treated in the French school system. (At least throughout the integration process.)

The French school system is exactly that: a system. American (and other non-French) parents are sometimes taken aback a bit at some of the regimentation, at least at first. The French take their language very seriously, and they teach it in a certain manner, which they expect students to know and understand later on in class. They also expect parents to help their children with their homework (and homework starts early in French schools).

Obviously, as non-French parents, you will be at a considerable disadvantage in helping your children with homework, simply because you have never been through the French school system, so the extra coaching in French at the start is an effort to help get your kids up to the expected standard.

At ages 7 and 9, your daughters will soak up the language at an amazing rate and be helping you with your French in no time.
Cheers,
Bev

[apaigeg]

thanks for the quick response.

I actually have been in the French system, but not at that age level, so am familiar with the regimentation. that's why I was little nervous about how my kids would fit in and be supported. I've been encouraged by what I've read on the boards and by what they say about CLIN on the official gov't website.

I spent a year as an exchange student in Terminale (and passed the Bac!). It was many years ago, but my French is still pretty good. So, hopefully, I'll be able to help with homework and with navigating the system.

Thanks again.