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The International School of Hamburg (ISH) invites interested families to two Open Days in November. On Saturday, 17.11.2018 there will not only be the possibility to enjoy school tours and an official school presentation but also the unique opportunity to experience our most important annual event : The International Fair. The school community, comprising over 50 nations, offers international culinary treats and exhibits examples of cultures and traditions. Various mini-games and entertainment for children and pupils complete the programme. The remarkable features of the International School are the extensive (English Language) curriculum from Kindergarten to Secondary School and the modern infrastructure.   The Open Day is for all interested parties. On Saturday, 17.11.2018 from 10:00 to 12:00 the Head of School, Mr. Andrew Cross, will offer a tour of the premises and present the facilities of all school levels. Afterwards all families are cordially invited to visit ( and enjoy!) the International Fair.   On Friday, 23.11.2018 from 09:00 to 12:00 parents and students have the possibility to receive insights into daily lessons and to participate in a guided tour of the 19.000 sqm modern school complex. A welcome talk by Mr. Cross, presenting the school and its concept, together with the possibility to interact with other parents and teachers while enjoying light refreshments round off the Open Day.   At present 740 students from over 50 nations attend the ISH. The school offers the International Baccalaureate which is the most common cross-border educational programme in the world.   Registration is requested.  Please contact events@ishamburg.org

Hello everyone,   DD is just a little over two weeks old and its already started. Small rant-y question ahead:   My German husband and I live in perhaps the most working class city in Germany: Duisburg. He was raised here in a working class family but did quite well in school (Gymnasium, Abitur, University) and now works in IT and is fully bilingual, happy with his foreign wife and our home functions nearly 100% in English (I speak German when his Mom or  family visit.) I am also a from a very working class background and much like my husband did very well in school and eventually got a BA and MA in Education. I have been working with children for the better portion of a decade.   His family is super small, he is the only child as were his parents. There are no cousins and essentially no living relatives. I personally find the whole scenario a bit depressing...given my Mom is from a family of four and my Dad from a huge Native American family. What my husband does have a is a step brother who DH's Mom basically worships. Step brother is a nice guy overall, married with two small young sons 4 and 6 years old. He left school early and works in a factory.    Well, he comes for a visit and somehow we get on the topic of kita and school plans. And the goes off on how stupid I am for wanting to send DD to the school where I work, yes it's far away from where we live but she would get a private school, bilingual education essentially for free.  He goes on about how my daughter will have no local friends and that it's "wrong" to send he to a school like mine since she will 'just learn English at home."   Now, I really had to bite my tongue. His  kids were there. However, as anyone working in education here in NRW can tell you...many of the public schools are simply overstretched to the point of falling apart. My husband and I also agree that the delayed literacy practices and short school days (why the hell do kids leave school at 1:00 PM?) would not fit our family dynamic anyway.   If this topic or anything close to it comes up again I am not sure if I can restrain  myself. What is worse is that MIL is already comparing our parenting practices to step brothers'. It drives me insane because we are two very different type of families. I hate being compared to someone who I am nothing like.   How can I be diplomatic about this given how small DH's family is? I know I need to shut this down before it escalates.  DD deserves a family but she also deserves to have her culture respected. Ideas?

Hello Toytowners,   We are looking for some intensive language instruction for our 8-year-old who is in the 3rd Year/Grade (Munich public school) coming from the USA with some previous but not a ton of German language experience.   Any and all advice is very much appreciated!

Hello Toytowners,   We are looking for some intensive language instruction for our 8-year-old who is in the 3rd Year/Grade coming from the states with some previous but not a ton of German language experience.   Any and all advice is very much appreciated!

Event Update for International Families in Berlin: Berlin Metropolitan School will host an annual open house for families interested in a K-12 international education. Doors open at 2:00pm and interested guests have the opportunity to attend information sessions with the admissions team, presentatons from academic leaders and teachers, as well as student-led tours.    Berlin Metropolitan School Open House: October 13, 2018 2:00-5:00pm   Families are welcome and refreshments will be served throughout the day.    **BMS is the oldest international school in the center of Berlin. 1,000 students from 52 countries attend our school and are taught using the best international and national curriculum programs. The Berlin Metropolitan School is an all-day school, allowing students from kindergarten through 12th grade to complete a modern and values-based education, culminating into an internationally recognized diploma. An international team of more than 200 dedicated employees lead the way for the learning success of our students.**    

Hi all,   We have recently moved to the Pfalz from Heidelberg. Various reasons, but mostly because we couldn't find suitable accommodation. Our two daughters, 7 and 9, are still in a bilingual school in Heidelberg but we would like to move them to a local school. We've been in Germany for about a year and a half. They couldn't speak any German when we arrived but they have learnt fast and their German is ok, but obviously not nearly at native speaker level.   Can anyone recommend a good Grundschule in the area? Preferably one where the teachers are sympathetic and where they will be taught in Hochdeutsch?    We will be here long term and they have German citizenship, so we would like them to integrate fully. Besides, we cannot afford the International School fees!    Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance! 

if someone have studied 5 years and 7 months in germany (7months language ,3 yrs bachlor, 2 years masters) how many years of work required to get the permanent residence vsa can anyone explain me everything ?