Hello everyone.

I am 32 yo Russian, my son is 4.5. In mid Aug 2009 I am moving to Antwerpen with my son to start my new job. I speak good English, also learning Dutch. The problem is, my son speaks only Russian (although he knows several words in English, and knows the alphabet). He is a smart kid, but I need someone to teach him at least basic Dutch. I am a bit scared to put him into the kindergarten immediately upon arrival, becase he won't be able to understand other kids or teachers.

Would it be a good idea to get him a nanny first, for a couple of weeks / month / 2 months? Or are there any kindergartens in Antwerpen where they can actually teach basic Dutch to the kids?

Thanks very much in advance,
Marina

Try and find a kleuterschool where there are many non Dutch first language children, then the school will be used to having a child who will feel a bit lost for the first few weeks. I would think your son will be far too isolated with a nanny and far less likely to learn Dtuch from a nanny than being in a sociable environment of a kleuterschool. I wouldn't delay at all in sending your son to school. Your son will either be in 2e or 3e leerjaar, if he is the latter, he should have enough Dutch by the end of next year to be able to transfer to lagere school without any need for additional need for support. Finally, at 4.5 a child really has no need to be taught a language, unless he has language associated learning difficulties, he will learn it himself. Good luck and do not worry too much.

Hi,

pls contact me on email: maciekkow@gmail.com

greets,
m