Hi, We're doing three languages "only", also in Switzerland. I'm Polish, my husband British and we live in Vaud. Our daughter is 18 m old, and she just starts speaking, at least 2 languages at the same time (I'm not sure about French as mine is pretty bad...). So I don't have more experience than you, but I would like to offer some reassurance - we've lived in German part of Switzerland before she was born.
In the German part of Switzerland the programmes to help the kids who don't speak Swiss German run quite well (as opposed to French part, especially Vaud!). On your place I would inquire about the programme at the local preschool to see what they do. My friends came to Switzerland with their bilingual (polish-english) boys (7&9 y old). They started at school immediately, and within a year were doing better than average in German. They both liked their "special lessons" in German. Now, after 6 years, the parents are more worried that they don't speak enough Polish, they speak swiss German between themselves. It's slightly different with English (as it seems to have a rather high status among the kids here and it's "cool" to be able to speak it). Will Rhiannon go to any playgroup before September? It might be good intro to Swiss German. If you think she is too shy to start new language and a new playgroup at the same time, you might be able to find one for English speakers (have a look at the group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expat-Moms-In-Switzerland/). In larger places (Zurich, Basel) there also bilingual (English-German) ones - perhaps the best option? But maybe it's worth trying with local only-German one. After all, she is old enough to tell you if she really doesn't like it. You also have think that with French and English she will be able to communicate with all the teachers at the very least, and quite probably with some of the kids at the preschool. You can't change much about the shyness factor. The best thing to do is to find as many friends with kids as you can (also neighbours, etc.) so your daughter has extra opportunity to find some friends. It will be interesting to hear from you about how the move has gone! Good luck! Olga ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. Bring education to life by funding a specific classroom project. http://us.click.yahoo.com/LZzaMD/_WnJAA/HwKMAA/W_NqlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/multilingualmunchkin/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
