When do non-US countries start foreign languages?

[Savoir Faire]

I've always had an interest in foreign languages and countries and I definitely want to include foreign language instruction for my children.

I'm curious, especially for countries where the kids can graduate knowing three languages, what ages do they start??

[jsnmom]

Growing up in Austria I've stared learning English in the 3rd grade. Now most schools start in 1st grade but are taught to only speak the language at first. They want them to learn to read/write in German first. Reading and writing the foreign language starts in 3rd grade, I believe. HTH

[~pi]

Preschool or kindergarten here for immersion. Occasional instruction starts later, usually around age 8, I think?

[just_lily]

In Canada we don't learn "foreign" languages, as much as you just learn the other official language that you aren't already speaking for the rest of your classes. So if you are in an English school you learn French, and vice versa.

But it all depends on the school district. I didn't begin French until the 4th grade, but then we switch school districts to one that started French instruction in Kindergarten. That really screwed me up. We had to take it every year until 9th Grade, and then you could drop it. If you wanted to take a language besides French, like Spanish or German, they were offered in high school.

But as an English speaking person, French immersion schools are also available. Then they teach all subjects in French, even though you may only speak English at home. When I was growing up you could start this in Kindy, or transfer into a "late" program that began in Grade 7. There are pros and cons to French Immersion that are definitely beyond the scope of this thread.

[schrocat]

I grew up in Singapore. All preschools offer a second language like Mandarin chinese. Some preschools offer a third language like French or Japanese. School officially starts in primary one (the year your child turns 7) and every child needs to do a second language then (Mandarin chinese, Malay or Tamil).

[JoyMC]

i lived in Guatemala for a while and the private schools have English starting in kindergarten or first grade. it makes so much more sense to catch them when they're young with language!

[rabbitmum]

Norwegian state schools:

English: first or second grade (six or seven years old)
Second foreign language (typically German or French) 8th grade.
A third foreign language is optional, typically around 9th grade.