Government keen to see more school children study Englis

By Craig McGinty 

 

IT is interesting to see that while UK school children are turning their backs on modern languages, including French, there is a push from the education department in France for students to learn English.

Read more: http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2010/08/government-children-study-english.html

Stuck with your La Rentree List?

Our guide to your rentrée kit....

Yes, it’s time to go back to school and here is The Lycée Times guide to your rentrée needs. If you’re new to France this year or, indeed, new to the school system, then there are a few words and names of things you’re going to need to know. Here is that list.

Read more:  http://thelyceetimes.blogspot.com/2010/08/our-guide-to-your-rentree-kit.html

Eastpak or Bust, Mummy

A blogger from near here writes:

I undertook the typical life in France with kids annual treat of buying school supplies for la Rentrée yesterday, eldest strongly in tow.

Last year I was spared this mega chore because his school had thoughtfully subscribed to Scoleo.fr where the teachers give a list of supplies to the website and parents can log on and get the whole load bought and delivered in the twinkle of an eye. Sadly, my eldest has had to change schools and the teachers at his present one can't be fagged to budge from their usual habit of yelling 'Same as last year!' to the Vie Scolaire team as they rush out the door for the summer holidays.

Read more:  http://sarahhague.blogspot.com/2010/08/eastpak-or-bust-mummy.html

UK school children turn backs on French language

By Craig McGinty

JUST how important do the British believe studying the French language really is? Not much if a recent survey and a study of A level results is to be believed.

In a survey by YouGov parents in the UK were asked how important different subjects were, with as you'd expect maths and English language topping the charts.

Read more: http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2010/08/uk-children-french-language.html

Kids in Barcelona

Just come across this great site - great ideas of where to eat and what to do with your little monsters if you are going 'Down South' for your holidays...

Read more: http://www.kidsinbarcelona.com/

School supplies slightly up

THE cost of equipping a child to start secondary school is slightly up this year at €175.33, according to the association Familles de France. The body, which carries out a study before the rentrée (return to school) each year, said this is 0.63% more than last year. Its president, described this as a “slightly painful” for families, after the government promised there would be no rise at all. This follows two years of significant drops in the price in 2008 and 2009.

Read more: http://www.connexionfrance.com/School-supplies-rentree-back-to-school-cost-11919-view-article.html

Learning French for kids

Just bought the Spanish version of this for my kids - it's excellent...

List of school items for la rentrée published

THE French Ministry of Education has published its list of recommended items ahead of la rentrée and the return to school.

Les essentiels de la rentrée is a collection of everything from books to pens through to sticky tape and school bags.....

Read more: http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2010/08/list-school-la-rentr%C3%A9e.html

Drama of French education falling flat

In many countries, the next few weeks are an anxious time for teenagers and their parents as exam results are revealed. In Paris, the BBC's Hugh Schofield is waiting to hear how his son has fared, and it set him thinking about the strengths and weakness of a French education.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8868935.stm