We are relocating to Switzerland sometime next year. We are a family of 3 (My 5.5 year old boy, my husband, and I) so by the time we relocate my son will be 6.5 years old.
We speak English mainly at home (Me being Lebanese and my husband is Greek) and my son speaks, reads, and writes English only. I’ve been looking at what part of Switzerland would be less intimidating for him. I decided to start him up learning the language now so the transition is easier on him and doesn’t overwhelm him and eventually discourage him. I believe the French part would be better - solely because German is much different to swiss German than French being different to swiss French - please correct me if I am wrong! So things were set until i realised the commute time from Vaud to Bern would be around 2 hours! so now my consideration is changing a bit again. Do kids age 5-7 already speak english there? He is a very social person who loves to speak to people and make friends and be a kid and i want him to have the easiest start of this new journey.
Eventually yes, but let’s say we arrive there, and i take him to a playground where some kids his age are there. Will he be able to speak to them in English. That’s my concern
I’m not sure the difference between standard and Swiss versions of the language are really a major factor for kids. You’re certainly correct that Swiss German is much further removed from some other German languages/dialects, both those spoken in Germany and in other parts of Switzerland. But any pre-learning in German that he does now will be a good foundation regardless of which dialect he ends up using.
Having said that, although you don’t specify, I know that many (well some, in my personal experience) Lebanese also speak French, so if that applies at all to you, even if you haven’t used it in years, it might be a significant factor when your son starts to use it.
And anyway, the French-speaking areas are just better, IMO.
Most municipalities at the language border are bilingual. Fribourg for instance (40 minutes by direct train to Bern) is 2/3 French, 1/3 German. That could easily expose him to at least dialect German if you steer him in that direction while he learns French. He’ll get targeted support by the school if/as long as necessary. Schools are available in both languages.
The local term for the language barrier is Röschtigraben, see Wiki.
they learn it in the sand box already. Children won’t have trivial problems like language keep them from making new friends.
Unless they’re very shy and introverted which your child seems not to be.
Btw. moving to a place like Fribourg (or Biel/Bienne), they speak French and Swiss German - officially - so that could be even more confusing. For you too.
A few years ago, I had my niece and nephew over to stay (aged 5 & 8 at the time). Only spoke English. Whenever we were at a playground both of them just started playing with whichever kids were there at the time. Kids find ways of communicating which are totally uninhibited from our adult ways. Both of them came out with odd random words in slightly mashed Swiss German afterwards (words for the swings or the drink bottle or whatever) because that was what the other kids were calling them. Totally unbothered by the language barrier.
Bern, but exactly where? You have French speaking communes in Bern too, besides Fribourg, Biel are also at commutable distance, just focus on finding apartment close to major train station (if you’ll be commuting to Bern city).
Regarding Swiss German, I’m learning high German, being somewhere on A2+, but I don’t have any major problem understanding Swiss German in everyday situations (well, even in high German, I can only understand simple matters anyway). A kid will pick it up on the playground in no time then.
Fribourg canton is bi-lingual, but you do need to be careful which areas you choose if you move here as some will be French speaking and others German. Generally west of Fribourg city is French mainly while east of it is mainly German. Comunte to Bern would be a lot quicker.
My wife works with children. It’s not common for 5-7 YO to speak English unless it’s their mother language. But, that doesn’t mean German is only language out there. Italian, Spanish, Czech, Portuguese, Japanese, Turkish…this means your child will not be the only learning German or French.
About French, others mentioned Fribourg and Biel which are 20-30mins away from the city of Bern by train. Both cities are bilingual (DE & FR).
Fribourg or Biel/Bienne would be my recommendations too. Murten/ could also be an option as in any of the places encompassed by the commune/gemeinde of Murten/Morat you have the option of French or German for schooling.
I have a friend with a five year old who has just moved to one of the villages covered by Murten/Morat and she has opted for the French school as he already went to a French speaking crèche.
@OP: i would not be concerned, not at all. your son will pick up the language very easily and almost effortlessly. the school will provide him with support as long as necessary. most teachers also speak english. kids will find friends. they have their own ‘language’ growing up.
from personal experience, with my first child, i spoke only english, her mother spoke english, swiss-german and cyrillic language, while she was exposed to swiss german in daycare. She was initially confused and could not distinguish among the languages. so we changed it to only english at home, at first. by the time she was 7, she was fluent in all of those, after spending several weeks every summer with her grandmotherbs peaking cyrillic language.
the second one was more ‘devious’ … with english only at home, she figured out between swiss german and english, without ever speaking english. After she figured it out, only then did she start speaking english and we could not stop her.
your son will be fine. just keep an eye out if his speech is garbled with different language words. otherwise, it’s happy time …
Speaking English with kids in the playground would actually hold him back. Better rip off the band aid and dive straight in with French. As you are Lebanese do you speak any French? You could start with the basics now.
It’s true what you have said about the Lebanese part. However, I grew up in Dubai since i was 4 so my French is close to non existence. With that being said, i do not panic when i see French like i Do when i see German for example (no hate towards the German language it’s just that i was more comfortable since i had French exposure in life) But this applies to me only. My husband is Greek.
To be honest, I wanted to stay in Vaud / Lausanne because of the French aspect of it, but that would mean 2 hours to commute to work in Bern for my husband. I’m just trying to see what works for everyone with my son’s wellbeing in making friends being my main focus. Everything else is a plus
Sadly not. I grew up in Dubai since i was merely 4. But personally i am more onfident in learning french since i am somehow familiar with it unlike German. That is not the case with my husband and son
if i am permitted, i’d agree with Phil_MCR, where he says focus on yourselves and settle in properly…
this will be a huge change for you parents and your son. lot’s and lot’s of adjustment for you all. children at that age are still quite innocent where they see things clearer than adults. one of the most important things for your son will be the ‘home’ - stability, familiarity, comfort, the ‘sameness’ of home when he is at home, as much as possible. As he settles in and takes in the rest of his new surroundings, he will absorb, digest and integrate … in the beginning, it’s important both of you are there in the same capacity and role he has grown up and accustomed to … hence, important that you both are comfortable and normal, as he is used to … you will help him discover his friends, activities, etc …
social integration is a bit like the horse drinking from the trough … not being tossed at the trough nor being taught where it is … if himself, your son will find his place at his own pace and speed …
