How are high shcools like in belgium?
Am moving to Belgium, and i'm gonna finish my high school years over there.. do they wear uniforms? how are the classrooms like,, a desk for each student, or tables? & would i be able to survive with knowing english? i dont speak french, nor dutch. Thanks in advance
Belgium - 4 Answers
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1 :
If you do not speak any French nor Dutch you will have to go to an International school, likely an American highschool in Belgium. Those will be as close to a school in America as they can get. To go to a local school you will need a good knowledge of the local language and a working knowledge of the other, even when you go to a school that teaches in English, if you can find one. That because both languages will be compulsory subjects in the earlier years and the local language will be compulorsy as subject, also for the exams.
2 :
It much differs between free or state education of course but I'll point out the similarities. Most schools have tables (for two), sometimes especially in the lower years these tables are equipped with someplace to put one's books, but as there is much travelling around from classroom to classroom it's unlikely that will even be used. Most schools don't have uniforms but for sporting. All schools however follow the same system, imposed by the regional government, I'm not going to explain it because that will take me too much time, you can of course check Wikipedia for the article Education in Belgium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Belgium All lessons however are in the regional language, or partially in the language the lesson is about. (French will be given in French, Dutch in Dutch, English in English and German in German) In other words, you'll be only able to survive during the English classes. Some years ago a famous and Important Walloon politician wished to send her child to my (Flemish) School, the school refused because he didn't speak Dutch. As you don't speak either I don't think you'll come in the regular network until you speak one of the languages.
3 :
Excellent schools in Belgium - High schools are called "athénée" for boys, and "lycée" for girls - Some private high schools are called "colleges" - Generally no uniform in athénées and lycées - But they have them at times in colleges - Seating is variable - either single desk per student, or shared table - Depending the area you will be, language will either be Dutch or French - Brussels has both - you choice there - Many teenagers speak some English - You will be a little lost in the beginning with another language - But after a while, it will get better - Best is to use and live with that language all the time in the beginning - Make friends and chat with them, watch TV news and movies - I changed my language 3 times in my life - I grew up in Brussels, speaking French - Went to university in USA, then lived there 30 years with English - And at age 50, I moved again, Argentina, had to learn Spanish for my job - It took me only 3 months to survive in Spanish... at my age...! So I am sure you can do at least as good - .
4 :
They don't have high schools. They have streaming. Some catholic education establishment have uniform codes. And no, you will not survive in mainstream education speaking only English. Unless you end up in an international school and none of it will matter...
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