Cyprus-Forum.com

[SSBubbles]

I don't know which schools you visited SB, but both my children attended a private school and they mixed very well with all the other pupils which consisted of a wide variety of nationalities including Cypriots!

I have never seen any evidence of 'looking down noses' or 'drugs' though I am not saying this does not happen as in this day and age, it probably will - in all schools, not just the privately run ones - children being children.

I suggest you/your wife/other family members etc all attempt to learn Greek and try if you can to converse only in Greek (not easy!), That way you will be helping your daughter and in turn educating yourselves.

[Get Real!]

When I was a kid I had to switch between Greek and English 3-4 times because we kept moving back and forth but look at me now… jack of all languages and master of none!

Seriously though, most kids learn how to speak a foreign language within a year or so but writing always takes much longer.

[SSBubbles]

You have heard how fast Cypriots talk, making it more difficult to understand.

I never realized we talk "fast"... I'll bet Cypriots think the same about the English when they're in the UK...

More than likely, (I know that I talk faster at home than I do when I am amongst friends/out shopping etc)

Why just the English?

[Get Real!]

You have heard how fast Cypriots talk, making it more difficult to understand.

I never realized we talk "fast"... I'll bet Cypriots think the same about the English when they're in the UK...

More than likely, (I know that I talk faster at home than I do when I am amongst friends/out shopping etc)

Why just the English?

Because we couldn't understand the rest (Scottish/Welsh/Irish) even at 1 word p/minute!

[CBBB]

The main thing you have to worry about if you send her to a local school is whether you stay here or not. If she goes into the local school system and you decide Cyprus is not for you after a year or 2, she will be at a distinct disadvantage if you go back to the UK (or whereever you are from).

[pissouri]

At 13 years old it would be very unfair for the child, as he/she will have no chance of ever catching up. Basicaly you would ruin the childs education, create physiological problems for the child. My opinion is spend the money and send the child to a private English speaking school.

As regards the drugs and "looking down etc." a load of rubbish, that I think you have added yourself to warrant not being able and/or willing to pay the school fees.

[speters]

See previous message

[speters]

Good idea or bad. Child of 13, no Greek, will she be OK?

We put our daughter who was 13 at the time into a Greek Cypriot school in Larnaca, with 1-2 private Greek lessons a week. For the first year she was what they called an observer, and although after her first year she stayed back for a further year, she has since excelled fantastically, learn't the language superbly and is now fluent, made loads of friends, all Greek Cypriot and is now more confident towards her education than she ever was in the UK.

[pissouri]

I am glad to hear "speters" child is doing so well.

But I am sorry, you can not pick a language by having 2 lessons a week. My kids were bilingual, but could not read or write greek, and they struggled.

[Sotos]

If she was 6 I would say go for it. But 13 is quite old. The first year she will not be able to follow any classes so she will have to do the same year again while all her other classmates would progress to the next year. This could be very difficult for her and could create psychological problems. That is a very critical age for a child and she will also have to deal with the move to Cyprus. I think you should not add more difficulties to her. If money is not an issue then send her to a private English language school.