Moving to Valencia
 

Hi all

I'm planning to move to Valencia in January with my family (we have 2 kids aged 7 & 9). I speak fluent Spanish, my wife speaks a little and my kids will have a very basic level. The main purpose of our adventure is to get the kdis bilingual and to enjoy Spanish life and culture. My wife is a primary teacher and is hoping to work as a tutor to kids at the British school, so we probably need to live around there somewhere.

We need some guidance on various topics and I'm hoping some of you can help! So I have a load of questions which I'm just going to list - any comments on any of them would be very welcome.

- which areas would be best to live? (we'd want to be within 20-30 mins of the British school, preferably in a predominantly Spanish area)

- does anyone know any good agents who could help us find a property to rent? (in case it helps, we'd be looking for a 4/5 bedroom house probably in an urbanisation with shared pool, probably inland a bit as I understand prices are cheaper)

- we want the kids to be taught in Spanish - is it still true that Valencian schools teach in Castellano?

- which are the best (Spanish-speaking) state schools in the Pucol area and what are the chances of getting our kids into them?

- are there any good bilingual schools in the area (and what are the chances of getting the kids in)? I assume these would be fee-paying, so any ideas on fees?

- what is the process for getting kids into school and when do we need to start applying for places?

- does anyone have any advice on how my wife can make English-speaking friends without being part of the British/International school scene?

Any comments on the above or general advice would be gratefully received.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi there and welcome to B.E. :)

It's my pleasant duty to welcome you to the forum and give you a point of contact should you need any help with the site in general. You can contact me here.

A list of all the moderators and helpers with their relevant countries including Spain can be found here.

Any problems, dont hesitate to PM me.

I can't answer your questions for you I'm afraid but if past form is anything to go on, you will get some useful and varied replies soon enough.

Alistair.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

congrats to your wife on the job!!:)

can't help with some of your questions, but



yes, schools do still teach in Castellano - but most will teach about half the subjects in Valenciano too - some more than half, some less

you can't officially apply for school places until you actually live here & have your resident's paper, NIE & padron - have a search of the forum - it's a very frequently discussed topic

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi, thanks for your reply.

So if an english-speaking child arrives in a Valencian school, are they expected to do lessons in both Spanish and Valencian? Or does the school enable them to learn solely in Spanish?

Do you know where I can get more detailed information on schools (a local/regional education authority?)?

Thanks again.

Andrew

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi,
Yes in Valencia there are essentially two systems which more or less add up to the same result. PIF and PAF...with one, Spanish is the primary language with Valenciano introduced later, and with the other system vice-versa, with Spanish coming later.
There are three types of school: 1. State schools (Colegios Publicos). 2. Privately run schools funded by the State (Colegios Concertados). 3. Purely private schools (Colegios Privados).
Most Spanish parents aim for number 2. In fact the fighting for places is so intense, you might as well rule yourself out of this possibility. State schools tend to be over crowded. We opted for the private route. It's much cheaper than back in the UK, and with the crisis here, our mighty mite's class size has gone from 18 to 13 this year. Oh, and private schools are allowed to teach just in Spanish (like you, a big plus on our wish-list).

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Not quite - around here our children had to learn both Spanish and Valencia at the same time! To make matters worse, more than half the other subjects were (are) taught in Valencian.

Our children (twins) are in a state school as this was the only option when we arrived. My eldest son is now in ESO in year 3 - we were extremely lucky to get him into your option 2 (private school but state funded).

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Here the children are taught in Spanish & have Valenciano lessons 2/3 times a week and the Spanish kids we know are not keen on these classes.
There are also quite a number of good places to rent long term in the area.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

as I said - it varies from place to place a bit - even school to school in teh same town


the primary school my 11 year goes to (she's starting back today for her last year there) teaches pretty much half & half in the languages, although there is linea Castellana & linea Valencia there is little difference between them

both my dds got extra help from the school with both languages when they first started there

my older dd is now 14 & will be in 3 ESO when they return next week

alhtough she was in linea Castellana in primary she chose to move to linea Valencia in ESO

she is taught everything in Valenciano except classes for Castellano & German

Castellano is the language of the patio & cafeteria though, so outside class she speaks Castellano

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

snikpoh:
Sorry I wasn't very clear....yes most schools do require the learning of both languages concurrently...but in some cases they start with one before the other.
In our little town of Gandia, there is a simple points system to decide where your child will school. Spanish, sibling already at school, speaking the lingo, age, etc. We scored a big fat zero. Though the state school in your area is "obliged" to take any child presented there, the reality is that many claim to be "full" and the child can end up making quite a trek to school in another catchment area.
At the risk of opening a can of worms, we also had to consider the make up of the class in racial terms (OK...that didn't sound too good). Though we happily live in the "immigrant" barrio, a quick visit to the local school, followed by a chat with some of the teachers, made it quite clear that over half of his would-be class of 42 children were non-Spanish. The majority being either Romanian or Bulgarian. They even drafted in teachers from those countries. Playground language is a mix of all three. We preferred our mighty mite to be immersed in Spanish from the word go and are in the lucky position to be able to afford it.
And before anyone gets heavy about us being immigrants, remember we are talking about education and the possibilities that go with it.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

You might learn something from the Romanians and Bulgarians. A recent report into immigrants in the Spanish education system concludes that British children do the worst and are more disruptive than any other nationality.

I've posted the link here before. I'll dig it out again later if people are interested.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

My daughters school is both a PEV and PIP school.

She is supposed to be taught in castellano which to a degree she is, but around here valenciano is so widely spoken that you cannot avoid coming into contact with it.

Music etc. is totally in valenciano and the teachers speak it probably without realizing that they are.

Of course this puts extra pressure on the child at times but like I said around here its spoken more than castellano so I feel its important to learn it.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I was very impressed by the Roumanians I met in Madrid (some of them teenagers) as regards their language learning capabilities. So long as one single nationality doesn't dominate the playground, I think you'll find everyone speaks the common Spanish language. I think the migration controls were taken off far too early as regards the EE accession countries, but the one area where there hasn't been a major problem has been the language one.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Most of the Romanian kids I have seen are out begging and thieving on the streets:)

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

There are British schools in Alzira and Xativa which employ British teachers. Lots of properties to rent and excellent public schools. Most schools have two streams, Spanish and Valencian and you can choose but your children will learn both languages and mainly Valencian will be spoken in the playground and of course they will be top dog in the English class which most children learn from 6 years old. Once you have the paperwork you go to the local town hall to enroll your children, visit the school and often start immediately. Good luck.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I'm not sure that you have to go to the town hall any more - round here the process is to go to the school and they take it from there.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

& it probably varies from town to town in any case!

if there is room in the school you choose they might do it all there - but if there isn't you will be allocated a place in another school for your child by the ayunatmiento - I believe our education office is still in the Casa de Cultura (haven't done school reg for a while) - so it might be worth just going there in the first place

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Schools here too.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hello!
Im a spanish from this area.
Anyway you need just tell me.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hello, and welcome to the forum! Could you help on another thread/hilo?
A poster in Valencia wants to know a good place where they can buy alfombras and/or carpets. Can you tell them?
Many thanks

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Thanks Steve
Well I dont know too much about alfombras or carpets...
For alfombras maybe there are many shops around central Valencia city (near the train station, or around Guillem de Castro street, some of them with spanish sellers and some others with pakistan or other countries like that. Even it could be found some english carpets marks... I think.
Anyway I dont know details. I never bougt carpets in Spain.. here is not very used, I supose its because of the good weather, and its not typical spanish, but I know most of english people cant live without their loved carpet.. even in Spain. I love carpets.. in England, when I was in Kent I found it very confortable.
Well .. in fact maybe anyone can find more information about carpets in Valencia looking into Google.. Maybe in the malls and commercial cities like "Bonaire", "El Osito L´Eliana".. whatever it can be found more sellers, shops...
Where is that thread?

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

It is called "Floor coverings, rugs etc."

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi

We're planning to come out to Valencia in a month or os to do a reccy. Can you recommend some good Spanish schools (concertados and privados) that would be worth visiting in the areas you mentioned?

Gracias!

Andrew

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi Andrew

I live in Valencia City, and have done for the last ten years. I live in a City flat, which is very Spanish, and I'm really happy to be amongst the hustle and bustle. Most British move into villas or apartments with pools on the outskirts in areas such as Montroy/Montserrat, L'Eliana and Lliria. But bear in mind that the villages on the outskirts are predominently Valenciano speaking areas.

I don't have children, so I can't advise much on schooling, but I wouldn't worry too much as the children are very quick to pick up both languages, and have much less of a problem than adults. My sister-in-law had English children join the school she was working at in Villamarchant and they picked up the language in no time.

There are usually lots of offers for English Teachers, so I don't imagine your wife will have a problem finding work. There are also small English communities that you can be part of, or join in with the Spaniards as you prefer.

A reccy is a very good idea, I would recommend staying in B&B's in areas that you would be thinking of moving to.

You might want to check out websites such as http://thisisvalencia.com/, or there's an English magazine with lots of interesting info http://issuu.com/britchatvalencia.

Anyway, Welcome and Good Luck! :-)

Emma

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Just a bit of trivia here.

If you click on the link to Britchat you will see that the name has changed to In VLC.

It was my Oh who thought up that name and won the competition.:D

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

:wub::eek:

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

The British schools are basically for Spanish children who want a traditional British education so you won't find many other nationalities there but they do employ British teachers who are not allowed to speak Spanish to the students and I wouldn't recommend this for your children. You can get a list of non-paying schools at the townhalls and no doubt they will advise you on the best ones.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Thanks for all the info. We're currently thinking about sending them to a private school. My only concern is that they all seem to be bilingual and I wonder if my kids will be able to opt out of learning Spanish and just speak English at school. Does anyone have any experience of this?

Also, what is the layground language in most schools? Do the kids speak castellano or valenciano? And does it make any difference what area you're in?

Thanks!

Andrew

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I meant playground of course....

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

In the private British school they would only learn Spanish as a foreign language as all other subjects are taught in English which would be the language spoken in the playground. In most schools both Spanish and Valenciana would be spoken in the playground. Many people in the provin ce are not natives of it so children are likely to speak in the language they hear at home. I don't think I've met a child here who wasn't bilin gual.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi Amitch,

When you come to visit, it is definitely worth coming inland for a gander! I am just in the Albacete province and handy for most places. All Spanish with a few expats. I don't know about the schools though, lucky for me that problem has long passed. The cost of living here is very reasonable as are houses and land prices. Compared to Valencia we are very laid back here and do not have many of the draconian rules that Valencia seems to favour. I have lived in several locations in Spain over the years, but I just love this area - its worth a thought and certainly a day out, if you have time.

What ever you do, don't be tempted to buy a home before you have had a chance to check everywhere out first. Moving is a pain, but its worth the extra hassle not to be stuck in an area you find you don't like, because you can't sell your home.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I spent a day looking at the villages in the Ayora valley and thought they
were attractive, largely unspoilt and very spanish and the views were to die for. When we reached Zarra there seemed to be a battle of wills over whether the nuclear graveyard should be sited there. Expats against and local Spaniards, thinking of jobs for their children and grandchildren, for. A very tricky situation for all concerned. I saw on the news last night on channel 1 that it has become the government's first choice. This is in the province of Albacete so it is really bad news.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Not so sure it's bad news, so long as it's stored correctly? Where better (in Spain) than in lowly populated Castilla-La Mancha?
I'm concerned about the power stations - it may well be we only get a CHernobyl (or 3 mile Island?) event every 50 years, but that can decimate the local countryside and towns.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I think we know more about nuclear power stations than nuclear graveyards. They are time bombs in my opinion. The countryside will look like opencast mining for a long time and when the dumping starts everyone in the area will hold their breath as the trains or lorries bringing the stuff go past.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Looks like the Zarra development will go ahead, (although the Valencian regional govt say they are going to oppose it)

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...le_27223.shtml

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

at the two international schools in/near javea there are a large number of spanish nationals whose parents want them to become fluent in English so send them to an 'English' school - I believe that in some classes the Spanish outnumber all other nationalities added together

yes they only learn Spanish as a foreign language - & also Valenciano

but see my previous comment re playground language - with a large number of Spanish kids I bet they speak Spanish in the playground;)

although when my 2 were at one of them (some years ago now) Spanish was banned outside Spanish lessons

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

The only problem with that is it wont help them get a good job in Spain. Writing a formal report or email in Spanish is incredibly different to English and requires an education in the language, not just informal conversation.

But in general kids who are bi or trilingual will be better at learning these skills, but they need to learn them somewhere, and they will not learn it through a British curruculum.

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

true

& it would be just as important for the parents to facilitate that as it is for us to help our kids with their English - via private classes if necessary - in case they want to return to work in the English speaking world

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Absolutely, the challenges of a mutli-lingual education!

But the advantages of succeeding are tremendous

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

I agree


the advantages soooooooo outweigh the challenges - so long as they start young enough:)

Re: Moving to Valencia
 

Hi! We're also moving to Valencia, with our kids ages 6 and 7, for the same reasons as you, so will be interested to find out what you learn -- especially if you find a rental agency you like and best neighborhoods to live in. Unfortunately, I could only get a sabbatical for the summer, so we won't get to stay as long. I lived in Barcelona for a year in high school so my Spanish is good. My husband, on the other hand, will likely be looking for other English-speakers to hang out with. Thanks for making the original post, and maybe we'll run into you there!