Bilingual Schools vs International Schools

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi

I am relocating to Switzerland (Canton of Vaud) soon from South Africa. What is the difference between an international school and a bilingual school?

Is there English speaking schools in the Canton that is not an International School and is more cost effective?

My son is in Grade 10 and have 2 years left of schooling - I cannot imagine him starting school in a language that is completely new to him.

Thanks

2
If only two years of schooling left, you are definitely looking at an international school in my opinion. Bilingual schools come in many shapes and forms but are catering to younger children so as to have them fluent in two or more languages at primary level.

If only two years of schooling left, if in the Swiss system (matura), your child would be expected to already be fluent in French, fluent or very high level of German, and working english.

Examine the degree offered by the school, but most bilingual schools have to migrate the children during secondary to either the swiss matura, french Bac., or IB. Thus, the degree programme and its language would determine the language offered by the school. Most international schools around here offer the IB in English.

3
Bilingual schools follow the local curriculum. So if at some point you want to switch to/from the local schools, it would be easier. Not much of use to you if only 2 years left.

4
Very helpful - thank you

5
The educationsuisse.ch website gives an overview of the education system in Switzerland. Also, many Swiss cantons offer integration courses for newly arrived students to improve their knowledge of a national language:

https://educationsuisse.ch/en/educat...nd/preparatory

6

Thanks for the resource, I usually check Expatica too. But in my case not many articles were that helpful. I also found an older discussion here, if someone also needs this information: https://www.englishforum.ch/family-m...schools-2.html