Cjb

but still, French TV (with just a couple of exceptions) is one of the most timid and controlled systems in Europe. I don't disagree, however, British television could also be described as a "controlled system" - controlled by viewer ratings; this has resulted in a plethora of reality TV and little in-depth investigative journalism.               

Having a sort out whilst packing for moving house and we have a newspaper of the Diana accident with the headline Dodi dead Diana injured Do these have any value? "A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" (Oscar Wilde)Define value!!

[quote user="Gastines"]Useful for selling unwanted and surplus items. Regards [/quote] I've just sold my house via Angloinfo (took just two weeks) after 4 months of dealing with ineffective agents who appear to do very little for their 6 per cent. So yes, the site could be said to be "useful for selling unwanted and surplus items"!

We currently live close to Nice and will be moving to the outskirts of Nice in a couple of months time. Of course I want my daughters to have fun and to enjoy themselves; believe me I've come across enough hurried children to have seen the effects such an approach can have. However, extensive research shows that being amonst the youngest in a cohort can serve as a real disadvantage; what I'm talking about would mean my daughter effectively repeating a year as opposed to being rushed through. She'll spend at least fourteen years in education, therefore for us there's no rush; that's not to say we won't end up regretting the decision and doing the opposite with her sister!! I suppose this is just part and parcel of the trials and tribulations of parenthood!!

It's a subject that we've naturally given a lot of thought to. I'm a primary school teacher myself and therefore already have quite an insight into this matter, however, when it comes to taking the right decision for your own children you enter into a whole new ball game. I'm fully aware of just how challenging it is to teach this age group and am greatly appreciative of all the good work that is done with young children, however, in reality, not all teachers are flexible/professional/motivated enough to adapt to the individual needs of all of their class and I therefore am inclined to think that my daughter would be better off staying at home for another year rather than an starting at such a young age and possibly being viewed as a burden. I wholeheartedly agree that it would be beneficial if she could start on a part-time basis prior to this (January onwards for example) or attend some form of group activity that will enable her to become further accustomed to playing, exploring and sharing alongside other children. We eventually intend to move her into an International School, in which entrance is based upon the academic year (as in the UK) rather than the calendar year (as in France). This will mean that if she moves at the end of CM1 she would then go into a year 5/Grade 4 class and be one of the oldest children in the class as opposed to being one of the youngest in the French system - research shows this to be an important and advantageous factor in academic achievment). The International School option is not intended as a rejection of what the French system has to offer; I teach in an International School and would like my daughters to have the opportunity to sample both systems and their subsequent strengths and weaknesses.

My daughter will turn three in December and could start at the local Ecole Maternelle in September, however, we are a little reluctant to put her into school before her third birthday and my wife is more than happy to keep her at home with her younger sister for another year. Her level of French isn't a problem as her mother is french, and if anything her french is far stronger than her English. She's a very sociable little girl who enjoys playing with other children, however, we'll be moving house at the end of August and this would therefore mean moving house one week and starting school a few days later - a significant upheaval for a child who's not yet three years old. I'm very aware of the social advantages of putting children into school early, but can't help thinking that at such a young age it simply serves as a free creche for working parents. I'd be interested to hear your opinions on this matter. P.S. Starting in January isn't an option!!

When one thinks of the number of people that have lost their lives fighting for democracy, I find it very difficult to sympathise with those who are violently protesting against it. Would we be so understanding of far-right violent protests in reaction to a Segolene Royal victory? Me thinks not! Extremism is extremism whether it be on the left or the right - in fact the two extremes tend to have quite a lot in common.

Surely, Segolene would favour seeming them sent to Boot Camps!![;-)] - The addition to my avatar can largely explain my lengthy absence from these boards.

[quote user="Thibault"] Presumably it was one person, one vote.  Presumably everyone who wished to vote, voted.  I assume that no corruption was involved in either of the rounds.  In a democratic political system, doesn't one have to accept the verdict of the ballot box?  If you feel the  "wrong" candidate was elected in a free, fair and democratic election, surely the response is to organise and work towards voting that candidate out at the next election, rather than violent demonstrations, burning cars and burning schools etc.  After all, isn't that the way democracy is supposed to work [:)] [/quote] I am in complete agreement with you here. One thing that always amazes me is how the far left are often cited as loveable extremists whilst the far right are (rightly) demonized. Let's not forget that Communist leaders are responsible for far more deaths than their Fascist counterparts - Stalin, Chairman Mao etc... Ah bless!![8-)]

This seems to be similar to another book "Sky, my husband" - "Ciel, mon mari" which looks at the bizarre outcomes one encounters when literally translating between the two languages.

Will anyone but the functionnaires themselves be in the slightest bit perturbed by this? One shouldn't underestimate the ongoing frustration that the majority of French people feel about public sector workers, ongoing strikes etc... In my experience they tend to be well aware of the problems but are resigned to things not changing.

Early 80's England + 3 million unemployed + most underprivileged = riots 2005 France + 3 million unemployed + Most underprivileged = riots A mere coincidence? Want to cut the levels of unemployment? Drop the charge patronale and produce 1 million new taxpayers overnight!! How many small french businesses are understaffed and in need of extra employees? Alternatively, we could blame everything on the Chinese and Indians and bury our heads in the sand!!   Just a thought!

[quote]I have looked into it, but I think you'll still find that the problem is with French teachers being civil servants. EU legislation doesn't allow civil servants to transfer to other civil services of ...[/quote] The British Council beg to differ, but as I've said it's all water under the bridge. My attempts at integration into the system were thwarted by a protectionist policy that required me to spend 2 years retraining (Sorry 1 year, as the CAPES bears no relevance to teaching ability). Something that I could ill-afford to do. I have no problems with this until people remind me that I'm just another Anglo-Saxon who has no desire to integrate into the system!! International schools tend to be viewed as inward-looking Anglo-Saxon creations, but with time I'm starting to believe that it may just be the french system that is the most inward looking of all with an innate fear of change!!

[quote]I generally found that people had no problem accepting my qualifications when they wanted me for a job, but if I wanted to do something, then they tended try to round down! And I don't think that the...[/quote] If you look into this you'll find that there is a reciprocal agreement amongst EU members which should entitle me to teach within the french system. As far as I'm concerned it's all water under the bridge, but the UK gets called un-European for refusing to sign up to certain EU directives whilst France willingly signs and then refuses to abide by such laws!!

The strange thing is that I've got a BA (Hons) in Politics and History and a PGCE which they were willing to accept as the equivalent of BAC +5, although, this still doesn't entitle me to teach within the french system. Despite this I found work at an International School which pays me far more than I would have received within the French State System and provides me with an ample excuse each time a french friend reminds me that I'm simply teaching the children of the "Rich invading masses!!" Voila! C'est la vie!!

Not so sure about degrees from the UK being valued in France. My wife (who's french) has a 2:1 in English and Business Studies from an British University but was told that this was not even the equivalent of a licence and that she would have to complete several modules in order to bring it up to this level!!  Haven't got round to posting for a while, but then again this little one keeps me pretty busy!

I'm still here! The holidays aren't for another 4 weeks!! I'm rather sad to see Outie go. We had a few disagreements but I never felt it necessary to complain about any of his posts as I've been faced with the same arguments in everyday life and understand only too well that not everyone is a great lover of the teaching profession; their whinging even annoys me on a fairly regular basis!! I'm sure he'll be back... watch this space!!

[quote]Cjd,you went to uni free of charge just to learn how to spell,slow learner are you?[/quote] Tut, tut, tut... Don't forget to add a space after commas!! With the spell checker and a full frontal lobotomy I'm sure we could get you posting something of interest and slightly legible one of these days. P.S. I'd have also preferred a semicolon after the word spell, but one step at a time; we wouldn't want the brain cells over heating now, would we?

Be fair now, he's at last learnt the difference between a comma and an apostrophe. Credit where credit's due, and he didn't even need to go to UNIVERSITY to learn it!!

[quote]CJD: what a prat you are, do I know how to spell France?. Slide back under whatever rock and go away! Try ARGUING your case BEFORE you get to whatever puerile insults......... Alcazar[/quote] Sorry, Alcazar, it's just that when you find two people with such similar vindictive and moronic views one can't help but assume some sort of link!! What exactly is your reason for posting on this forum? Perhaps you live in France, own property here or are a francophile who visits the country on a regular basis, then again...?? Waiting to stand corrected!!

I see your French is no better than your English, Outie. Is Alcazar a mate of yours by the way?? Does he live in France? Have a holiday home in France? Know where France is or how to spell it...??? You're a southerner yourself now, Outie!!

The considerably larger fee paying type!!

Surely people should speak openly about their experiences but avoid generalisations. There are good french and Irish schools. As a teacher I'm surprised about your comments about Irish education as the OECD report puts it way above France (which lingers alongside the Americans midway in the table). My advice to anyone considering putting their child into an International School, if the school's not a bilingual one, seriously consider putting them in a french school for a year or two before changing and also try to ensure that they take part in as many sporting activities etc... outside of school that are conducted in French so that they become fluent French speakers.

Upon first meeting my wife's granparents I addressed them with the informal tu whilst addressing the dog as vous. The dog's never bitten me to this day and the grandparents are onside now after a little bit of explaining from my wife. According to my beau père I had it right the first time around!!

I thought you were a southerner now, Outie?