When I lived in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, a couple of fellow Americans arrived with their 5-year-old son. Like you, they put him in the local school and after six months, bam, he spoke French! The parents never learned much, so they leaned heavily on their son to interface with the outside world. One day the mother told me, "the scariest thing in the world is a 5-year-old with power!" :-)
This is beautiful. I first moved to France when I was 6. My siblings were 8, 10, and 18. We had heard some French at home because my mother spoke it, but we didn’t speak a word ourselves and barely understood these new people whose French sounded completely different from hers.
It was hard. For me, it took all of CP and half of CE1 before I really made friends.
But we’re all bilingual adults now, and it’s a gift we’ve spent our entire lives being grateful for.
I loved this Kamille- you and your partner were so brave doing this - but in the end you have given your two children the priceless gift of being bilingual. I applaud both of you.
Isn't it wonderful! and so beautifully written too. When I first read it, I was holding my breath for those little children... and the parent too, of course :)
When I lived in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, a couple of fellow Americans arrived with their 5-year-old son. Like you, they put him in the local school and after six months, bam, he spoke French! The parents never learned much, so they leaned heavily on their son to interface with the outside world. One day the mother told me, "the scariest thing in the world is a 5-year-old with power!" :-)
So helpful thank you!
it is isn’t it, Jennifer
This is beautiful. I first moved to France when I was 6. My siblings were 8, 10, and 18. We had heard some French at home because my mother spoke it, but we didn’t speak a word ourselves and barely understood these new people whose French sounded completely different from hers.
It was hard. For me, it took all of CP and half of CE1 before I really made friends.
But we’re all bilingual adults now, and it’s a gift we’ve spent our entire lives being grateful for.
What a powerful story, Kamille. I imagine that was hard to live through at first— and incredible to witness now. I acknowledge all of your courage!
I loved this Kamille- you and your partner were so brave doing this - but in the end you have given your two children the priceless gift of being bilingual. I applaud both of you.
Isn't it wonderful! and so beautifully written too. When I first read it, I was holding my breath for those little children... and the parent too, of course :)
I’m so proud of our kids❤️
As you should be, Sean, as they will be of you when they get older and realise what a generous and thoughtful gift you've given them.
Heart-breaking and lovely. (The happy ending, very welcome. :)