Schools for non-German speaking children

Hi there,

I have 2 kids 6.5 and 3.5 years old.
Both of them are not German speakers (we are Israelis),
But we start giving the old one German course at the Meetingpoint and he will have a German summer school.
Currently they are at private kindergarten.
With the upcoming September my old sun should start his 1st grade school.
I'd heard that there is a law which prevents children going to school without knowing fluent German.
Is it true?
Which other possibilities we have for him?

As far as I know, all children living in Germany are required to attend school from age 6 onwards.
How that works in practice if they speak no German, I have no clue.

Anyway, what language do they speak in Kindergarten? Hebrew?

Hi,

Yes they are speaks Hebrew.
The little one seems to understand when the teachers or other kids talking to him,
For the old one it's much difficult for now.

There is no law as yet, only an intention. Children will be tested a year before beginning school, those with insufficient German skills will receive special training in kindergarten, providing they attend one.
I recommend that you get in touch with the school your older boy will be attending and ask them for addresses of organizations that can help you, I am sure that your case is not unique. Find a playgroup for him, or just take him to the playground as often as possible. Children pick up languages with surprising ease and speed in a friendly environment, and you might find friends among his future classmates' parents as well.
Good luck!

There are a few international schools in Munich. One is in Starnberg
the MIS. It is a privat school and a bit pricy. But incredible. Check it out.
Beatrice

MIS has a very good reputation, yes, but why is it an "incredible" school?

Our oldest son started German school after 6 months here. (he was 6 yrs too) He had German lessons at KG twice per week and we also paid for private once a week. He is doing well at school and continues to get extra german twice a week at school. most schools are very supportive and as long as you communicate regularly with them there should be no problems.

Children are amazing at learning languages, they don't get stressed out with grammar like their parents!! Our 2nd son begins german school also in September.

Good Luck!

This made me laugh...there wouldn't be too many kids in the classes here if they all had to speak fluent German

Yep tell that to the authorities ...

I cannot agree with that as a general statement: When my children started school all 32 children in their classes spoke fluent German, even the non-Germans (I knew them all from kindergarten). There are too many children in the beginning classes because the schools are allowed to have up to 33, sometimes 35 children before being obliged to split into two classes.

Children are obliged to go to school in Bavaria in September, the new school year, when they have a birth date up to and including the 30th of September 2001.Your son is obligated to go to school however a doctors check would allow him to wait a year on the basis of his multilingual background. It is very normal for children to be held back a year especially in cases like yours in order for him to "catch up". However he would need to be in an enviroment where they understand what bilingualism or trilingualism means. Unfortunately this is not the case in your average German kindergarten and it is really up to you as parents. MIS is excellent and very experienced when it comes to situations like yours. However if it is out of you price range I would consider a bilingual private school.A new school in Munich is Phorms they are unfortunately full for this year but it would be worth putting his name down for next year. If you are intending to stay in Germany of course he should become fluent in German. Children learn at very different rates especially when the school language is different from the language spoken at home. Don't expect your children to learn within months it is more likely to take a year or more or even longer if it is mixed with -english but they will get there. There should be no hurry.