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Starting early is a good idea
Compulsory schooling from age 3
France is making schooling compulsory from age three and in Spain, where I am, my now 12-year-old daughter started when she was three and a half.
Not compulsory but I felt it was better to start her off when everybody is in the same boat.
It gave her a fantastic chance of learning Spanish early, the young brain is like a sponge for soaking up knowledge!
She is now fluent, especially in local Andalucian dialect, gets excellent grades and is regularly top of the class in Spanish, and she is the only British child in the class. It was very informal and a great way of integrating.
Hilary Walker, by email