STUDYING in an international section of a French school can be a cost-effective solution for children of English-speaking families in France and entry tests will be taking place soon.
International sections were created in the 1980s and are completely integrated into the ordinary French state school system so are usually free of charge.
In some cases they are private schools "under contract" with the state meaning moderate fees are due (hundreds rather than thousands of euros a term).
The sections exist at all levels from primary to collège (start of secondary) and lycée. Gaining a place depends on passing tests of fluency in English, which are held in the spring of the year when the child hopes to start.
Schooling includes a proportion of the lessons taught in English, as well as the chance to take special versions of the brevet (at the end of collège) and the baccalauréat (end of lycée).
International sections are available in dozens of locations around France.
English-speaking sections come in either British or American English versions, with the emphasis on the relevant culture and native-speaker teachers. Children of any nationality can attend as long as they pass the entrance exams.
Pupils who attend a British section would typically be children of British families living in France or children of French families who have returned to France after a number of years in the UK.
The French government states the aim of the sections is to help integrate foreign students and give French pupils in-depth practice of a foreign language and immersion in the relevant culture.
A spokeswoman for parents at the international English-speaking section of Buc school in the Yvelines, Gerdi Serrer Matillat, said pupils can attend from homes over a wide area, unlike getting into an ordinary local school where catchment areas apply.
Their international section opened in 1998 with ten pupils and now has 150. They do six hours of lessons in English in collège and eight in lycée (three in history/geography and five in English language and literature). They are also testing out a primary section.
The English-language lessons at the school use British-style textbooks, but outside these pupils join non-international section peers for lessons in French. Where a pupil arrives with poor French extra classes are given. Extra-curricular activities include drama, trips, exchanges, discussions and writing competitions, and there is an English library.
Mrs Serrer Matillat said: “Often English-speaking parents have difficulties finding out about opportunities for a bilingual education and they may think the only solution are costly programs that are not accessible to all families. International sections are a high-calibre, zero cost alternative.” She added: “We can take pupils right from CM1 through to the international option bac, which is ideal for going to study in an English-speaking country or a French university.
“The programme is bilingual and bicultural, with native teachers who teach as they would in the UK, which means they tend to be less strict and have a more communicative approach and with a lot of creative writing.”
Places are allocated according to availability in the weeks following the language tests. Parents hoping to get their child into one of the sections should also register them for entry to their local French school in case they are unsuccessful in getting a place (unless they are in the direct catchment area of the school) .
If you think studying in an international section would suit your child, you should check if there is one near to you (see internet link below) and contact the school for details of their admission criteria and dates of language tests.
Primary school
At this level international sections offer at least three hours a week of English-language teaching in history, geography and English language and literature.
Find France’s British English sections here: www.education.gouv.fr/cid4114/sections-britanniques.html
Collège (from age 11) and lycée (15+)
At least six hours of study in English: At least two hours of history and geography and (collège only) civic education plus four or more hours of English language and literature.
Pupils in collège work towards their brevet at the end of troisième (age 15) like other pupils in the French education system, but they take an option internationale version of it.
Lycée students in an international section take baccalauréats of the ES (Economic and social), L (literary) or S (scientific) types, with the international option - option international du baccalauréat (OIB).This should be distinguished from the “international baccalauréat,” usually taken in private international schools, which is a different qualification that is entirely separate from the French education system. Their exams are the same as other bac students, apart from special written and oral exams for English and written and oral exams in English in history and geography.
The OIB is run in partnership with the Cambridge examining board in the UK, who guarantee that it meets at least A-level standards.
Compared to the standard bac this double recognition may help if the students wants to pursue university studies in the UK and it is also looked on favourably by some French higher education bodies, including grandes écoles.
