The project?

The creation of an English-French bilingual kindergarten, which will follow the French National curriculum as a private school.This school will grow of one extra class per year with the goal of having a full primary school by the year 2015, as defined by the French National system (up to CM2). This would be equivalent to Year 6 in the British system, and 5th Grade in North American systems.

Where and When?

In the Annecy area in September 2010.

For Whom?

For children who are between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
For Anglophone families who wish for their children to be schooled in their mother tongue as well as learn the French language. It is a great opportunity to be in contact with other Anglophone children as well as Francophone children, in an international environment, taught by Anglophone or English speaking teachers and to learn French in a softer, more progressive way.
For children that come from bilingual families, it is a good way to reinforce the exposure to the English language.
For non-Anglophone families who wish for their children to become bilingual.
It is also most suitable for non-Anglophone / non-Francophone families as these children, already exposed to several languages, are most likely to learn very easily a third language whilst in contact with other children of various nationalities.

Why?

1 : Bilingual children : a sure ticket into today’s society.

Language acquisition whilst respecting and developing the well-being of the children is our main objective.
The first years of life are the ideal moments for learning languages, children are “sponges” and starting a second language is not only easy for them but quick (which is not the case for adults nor teenagers for that matter). The benefits of a second language are countless: a second language will train children to learn by listening, which will facilitate the acquisition of a third and even fourth language.

2 : International atmosphere and job creation.

Opening up a bilingual school will most certainly create activity in the area, and might add to the international character of the Annecy area, making it more open and more attractive.
Lastly, “Ecole Bilingue de Savoie” will create teaching and administrative jobs as well as other jobs related to school life, such as: maintenance, kitchen staff, supervision, extra-curricular activities etc…