France provides non-native children with some wonderful opportunities - not least of all the possibility of learning and becoming fluent in another language and experiencing a different culture. But the change can also be frightening and unsettling. This reassuring and inspirational guide will help you make sure your children settle quickly and confidently into their new environment and - most importantly - ensure that they are happy and able to make the most of the experience. The range of subjects covered will make you more informed and better able to minimise any anxiety your children might feel when facing new challenges.

Contents: An adjustment for the whole family; 1 Foreigners in a French land; 2 Coping with a new language for an adult; 3 Making friends with the locals; 4 Avoiding the faux-pas; 5 Polite behaviour; 6 Give and take; 7 Maintaining your child's mother tongue and culture; 8 Contact between fellow expatriates; Education and learning; 9 State school or private school?; 10 The early years; 11 Secondary Education; 12 La Rentree and shopping for the new school year; 13 The local school: tradition and rigour; 14 How a parent can help their child to succeed at school; 15 Extra help at school, private lessons and distance learning; 16 Options and career guidance; 17 Le Baccalaureat; 18 Working towards citizenship in French schools; 19 Parents' Associations; 20 Food for thought in French schools; 21 Les Grandes Ecoles; 22 Learning to drive: a rite of passage; The appeal of the French life-style for young and old alike; 23 The French art of foraging; 24 Le vide-grenier; 25 Observing and learning from les femmes francaises; 26 The strip-cartoon; 27 Sport and the younger generation; 28 The local festival; 29 La vendange with a difference; 30 Festivities that focus on food and drink; 31 The Galette des Rois; Appendix; Index.