Report on the topic: “The education system in France” - features and structure

The French Republic is not only a country of romantic travel, haute cuisine and sophisticated style, but also of quality education. Despite the fact that this European state is part of the Bologna process, the education system in France has its own characteristics, which we will discuss in the article.

From it you will also learn what levels of education in France consist of, whether a foreigner can enroll in a French university and what is needed for this, and what the cost of studying at universities is. In addition, we will share whether it is possible for Russian students to obtain higher education in France for free and how to do it.

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Features of education in France

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité - “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”

This is not only the national motto of France, but also one of the most important principles of French education, which is honored both in secondary schools and in higher education institutions. Among others also called:

• freedom of teaching;
• free and accessible;
• neutrality, lack of categoricalness;
• secularism - even in Catholic schools it is not necessary to adhere to religious precepts.

France attracts with its unique style and ease.
In addition to the basic educational principles, there are other features of studying in France:

• education in public schools and universities is absolutely free for citizens of the country;
• the cost of studying in France for foreign students is more affordable than, for example, in Spanish or Italian universities;
• French schools have their own gradation of classes: not from 1 to 12, but conditionally from 12 to 1;
• If in Sweden or Germany you can enroll in an English program and not learn the state language in order to communicate with people around you, in France you can’t live without French - difficulties may arise in shops and cafes.

French is the official language of 29 countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and many African countries. It is noteworthy that until the 12th century, French was the official language of England.

How children relax in France

French schools are closed on weekends and holidays. Vacations for students and schoolchildren depend on the region. In this regard, the country is divided into zones A, B and C. This was done by the government to avoid traffic jams and congestion that previously occurred on the roads due to the movement of large masses of people, usually occurring at the end and beginning of the holidays.

In general, French students and schoolchildren have 5 holidays, distributed throughout the year. The largest ones are summer ones. Parents should take into account that if a child goes to a private school in France, the vacation schedule in a particular educational institution may differ from both the regional schedule and the national one.

Education system in France: briefly

The education system in France differs from the educational levels of other countries. To understand the nuances, we have compiled a table that briefly indicates all levels of primary, secondary and higher education in France:

Primary education in France	Secondary education in France	Higher education in France
Kindergarten (optional): for children from 2 to 5 years old (3 years).	College (compulsory): for children from 11 to 15 years old (4 years).	Short higher education: 2-3 years.
Primary school (compulsory): for children from 6 to 11 years old (5 years).	Lyceum: for young people from 15 to 18 years old (3 years): general lyceums; technological lyceums.	Long-term higher education: state universities; higher schools; specialized institutes.	Training programs: lisans (bachelor's degree) (3-4 years); master's degree (2 years); Read also:  Confirmation of a diploma in New Zealand as a General Medical Practitioner doctoral studies (3-4 years).
Vocational schools: from 15 to 17 years (2 years).

Education at the Lyceum

The special education system in France distinguishes 3 types:

• General;
• Technological;
• Professional.

For the first two, training lasts 3 years. At the general lyceum, upon graduation, the student receives a bachelor's diploma, which is considered one of the steps to higher education. After technical lyceum, a lyceum student can enter the university of his specialization. Vocational lyceums train students for 2 years, after which they can enter universities and higher education institutions in the country.

Primary education in France

Primary education includes both pre-school optional and the first stage of compulsory school education. Let's take a closer look at what each level looks like.

The Education Act of 1959 made it possible to introduce compulsory education in the country for children under 16 years of age. This innovation was able to spread throughout France only in the 80s of the 20th century.

Preschool education in France

Despite the optionality of this level of education, many parents prefer to send their children to kindergartens. In French they are called "école maternelle", which translates as "mother's school". You can send your child to this kindergarten from three months old!

Preschool education has its own structure:

• nursery group (from 3 months to 3 years);
• junior group (3-4 years);
• middle group (4-5 years);
• senior group (5-6 years old).

The older group belongs to the primary school and provides good preparation for starting compulsory education at the age of six.

Some kindergartens in France look very creative

What are the goals of preschool education:

• teach the child to communicate and express himself;
• introduce you to the world around you;
• develop imagination and creativity;
• teach writing and counting;
• prepare for school.

On February 11, 2005, the country adopted a law on inclusive education in France, according to which children with physical disabilities can attend regular groups in kindergartens and general education classes in schools. The teacher’s task in such groups is to help a special child adapt and feel comfortable, as well as teach other children tolerance and acceptance.

Primary School

Primary school (in French “l'école élémentaire”) - opens its doors to children who are six years old. Each child is assigned to a specific educational institution. As an alternative, parents can consider private schools, but there are very few of them - 16% of the total.

Before admission, the child undergoes a short testing. This helps teachers assess the level of initial knowledge and distribute children into classes.

Primary school education consists of five stages:

• preparatory Course;
• two elementary courses;
• two intermediate courses.

A peculiarity of French primary schools is that the composition of classes changes every year so that students can meet as many people as possible.

Primary School

From 5 to 6 years old the second cycle of education begins. They learn to write, read, and begin simple school subjects.

We have 1-2 grades - this is already a workload, lessons, homework. At the same time, an initial knowledge base is being formed. Everything is simple, often in a playful way. Kids get used to new loads gradually.

Still a lot of games and creativity. The main thing is to establish communication in the classroom, between students and teachers.

Primary school continues until the age of 11. Much attention is paid to aesthetic education and the rules of the French language. They try to find a school close to home. There is no school uniform yet. They try to make the lessons interesting, with a lot of interactive materials.

Secondary education

In fact, this is the most ordinary high school. They enter there at the age of 11. Colleges teach according to a single system. It takes 4 years.

Here are the general education subjects:

• mathematics;
• French;
• story;
• foreign language.

The guys need to make a choice, because the lyceums already have “specializations”. Of course, no one expects 15-year-old teenagers to be able to choose a profession for the rest of their lives. Here you simply choose a profile: exact sciences, natural, social, creativity.

By the way, this is where compulsory secondary education ends.

Lyceum

This is a three year course of study. Its program is designed for a three-year course. The first year is very similar to college, but new special subjects are added and others are studied in depth. From the second year, another foreign language is introduced.

4 groups of lyceums:

1. CFA (Centers for Apprentice Training);
2. professional;
3. technological;
4. general education.

The first two types are secondary vocational education. At the end of the course you will receive a diploma of qualification. You can continue your education if you have the opportunity and desire. Technological and general education lyceums

These two types seriously prepare young people for entering universities. An individual approach is encouraged. You cannot give up on an underperforming student - the teacher is obliged to prescribe additional classes, communicate with parents, and involve a psychologist. The student has the right to receive an education, and the teacher is obliged to make efforts for this.

The student selects items from the proposed list. And also the level of difficulty. There is no single program here.

4 types of educational institutions:

1. service;
2. research;
3. medical and social;
4. scientific and industrial.

This is serious preparation for the University. A person does not come to receive higher education “from scratch,” as we are used to. The foundations must be laid. Training here lasts 3 years.

General education lyceums are divided into:

• socio-economic,
• natural sciences,
• philological.

After this stage you can also complete your education. You receive a diploma that is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Private schools

Some of them have an agreement with the Ministry of Education. The lesson plan is approximately the same as in state ones. They receive subsidies for training; the cost is not that high.

Another category is that these schools operate according to their own program. It's already expensive here. But there is a quality control system. Small groups, individual approach, help from teachers, a psychologist, a social worker can be involved if necessary.

The main task of such a school is to prepare children for studying abroad. The program is adapted for Europe and the United States.

Secondary education in France

The structure of secondary education in France consists of two stages:

• college - 4 years of study;
• lyceum - 3 years of study, or vocational school - 2 years of study.

College

This is the most important stage of learning in the life of a French schoolchild. It is in college (French “collège”) that he masters basic educational subjects and decides on the choice of a narrow specialization. Studying at college consists of three cycles:

1. Adaptation: students study general education subjects.
2. Central: a second foreign language appears, natural science subjects and Latin.
3. Orientation: highly specialized subjects that are chosen by the students themselves.

After graduating from college, graduates can continue their studies at a lyceum or go to a vocational school.

At the end of the 19th century, women's colleges appeared in France. These were open boarding-type educational institutions in which young French women could receive secondary education. The teachers in such institutions were, as a rule, graduates of Catholic seminaries.

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Lyceum

If a student decides to continue his studies at a lyceum (French “lycées”), he chooses one of three areas of general training:

• humanitarian;
• economic;
• natural science.

Or he enters a separate technological lyceum.

At the end of three years of study, lyceum students take exams that can be compared with the Russian Unified State Exam and receive a BAC diploma (short for “baccalauréat”) indicating their specialization. It gives the right to enter higher education institutions.

It is worth noting that although the BAC exam is translated as “bachelor”, it has nothing to do with a bachelor’s degree. It is more of a school leaving certificate, which is quite difficult to obtain. Every year, about 20% of French students fail this exam and are left without diplomas.

Vocational schools

After college, those who want to master a working specialty and go earn money go to vocational schools. The training here lasts only two years, following which a certificate is issued confirming professional skills. You cannot enter universities or higher schools with such an education document.

The BAC exam requires good preparation from lyceum students

Features of French education

The education system in France is very centralized and subordinate to the national ministry. Today in this country there are about 65 thousand institutions where schoolchildren and students are taught. From 15 to 20% of them are private. The total number of students is about 15 million. A third of this number are students. Education up to 16 years of age is compulsory and requires government funding. Students are even provided with free textbooks and their transportation to school is paid. Another feature of the French enlightenment is its emphasized secularism. Religious education is prohibited in public schools. In the vast majority of educational institutions, teaching is conducted in French.

Video: French education system

Components of French education

Back in the 19th century, the state adopted laws according to which parents had to send children aged six to twelve to schools. And in the 50s of the last century, the education system in France began to gradually take shape in the form in which it still exists. Part of this system was the decree on compulsory education for children up to 16 years of age. It was fully implemented in the 80s of the 20th century. Now the education system in France consists of the following stages:

• preschool and primary education (nurseries, kindergartens, primary school),
• secondary education (college, lyceum),
• higher education (university, technical, vocational, higher schools).

Kindergartens and primary schools are financed by communes, colleges by departments, and lyceums and vocational training by regions. The quality of training is very high, the level is the same both in the capital of the country and the central districts, as well as in the provincial departments.

France has a very complex education system, which differs significantly from the systems of other Western European countries

Higher education in France

Among the list of the top 100 best universities in the world for 2021, there were only two French universities: Paris Sciences et Lettres - 46th place and Sorbonne University - 87th place.

The University of Paris Sciences et Lettres can be proud of its graduates. Among them are 27 Nobel Prize winners and 3 Abel Prizes in mathematics, 10 winners of the Field Prize in mathematics, as well as 75 winners of the Moliere Theater Prize and 44 César Awards for Best Film.

Despite the fact that French universities are rarely included in world rankings, their diplomas are highly valued in the eyes of potential employers. Graduates of the École Normale Supérieure, Pierre and Marie Curie universities, Strasbourg and other prestigious educational institutions are especially favorably treated.

The higher education system in France has its own specifics. Thus, there are two types of training in the country:

1. Short higher education - lasts up to three years, provides the necessary knowledge to those who want to develop professionally in industry or services.
2. Long-term higher education - includes three educational levels: bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies.

Why are French universities not included in world rankings? Because in addition to the quality of education and student satisfaction, the professional commission takes into account the number of students. And the best universities in France, especially the Higher Schools, maintain their elitism, accepting a limited number of applicants.

Table: the most famous French universities

Name of educational institution	Number of students	Features of the educational institution
University of Paris (Sorbonne)	130000	Founded in 1253. The most famous and largest university in France. In 1970 it was divided into 13 independent universities, 5 of which became its successors, maintaining a single infrastructure and educational traditions. Among the graduates are M. Tsvetaeva, O. de Balzac, O. Mandelstam. The main areas of training are law, literature and theater arts, humanities, medicine, foreign languages.
University of Strasbourg	46000	Founded in 2009 as a result of the merger of the universities of Louis Pasteur, Marc Bloch and Robert Schumann. Among the university's graduates are Nobel laureates, outstanding researchers, doctors, politicians, and public figures. Popular areas of training are medicine, management, humanities, social and economic sciences. Ranks 87th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
University of Montpellier	44000	Founded in 1289. The sixth largest university in France. The most popular areas of study are medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, political science, economics and law. The university owns an extensive collection of paintings by European artists.
University of Aix-Marseille	74000	Founded in 2012 as a result of the merger of the Universities of Provence, Paul Cezanne and the Mediterranean Academy. The most popular areas of training are management, political science, economics, science and technology. It is included in the TOP 10 best French universities (according to the CWUR agency) and in the TOP 100 universities in the world (according to Reuters).
University of Lille	130000	Founded in 1559. In 1970 it was divided into 3 independent universities, which are located on the campus of Lille. Since 2014, the process of merging universities has been launched. The main areas of study are law, natural sciences, medicine and pharmacy. The university's teachers were many famous people, such as Louis Pasteur, Rene Cassin (Nobel Prize laureate), Jacques Le Goff, Paul Pascal.

Photo gallery: French higher education institutions

Sorbonne is the largest and oldest university in France

The University of Strasbourg is ranked 87th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities

The University of Montpellier is the sixth largest university in France

Aix-Marseille University is included in the TOP 100 best universities in the world according to Reuters

The main areas of training at the University of Lille are law, natural sciences, medicine and pharmacy

Long-term higher education

The long-term trajectory of higher education corresponds to the Bologna process and consists of three levels, which provide the opportunity to obtain international diplomas:

1. Lysans (bachelor's degree).
2. Master's degree.
3. Doctoral studies (postgraduate studies).

You can get higher education at different educational institutions:

• state universities;
• higher schools;
• specialized institutes.

State universities

Are you wondering: how to get free education in France? Enter a state university. There are 85 universities in France with practically free education, even for foreigners. You only need to pay an administrative fee, which includes textbooks, visiting the university library and other organizational issues. On average it can be 300 euros per year. Additionally, it is worth calculating the costs of accommodation, food and living in France. Foreign students may not be given a student visa if they do not have the financial ability to spend 1,000 euros per month.

All training costs are covered by the French state. Thus, each student costs the republic 7,000 euros per year.

There are no entrance exams at French public universities. Applicants only need to provide a BAC diploma and other required documents. And universities are obliged to admit everyone who meets the entrance criteria. This entails certain difficulties:

• too many students;
• lack of textbooks and teaching materials;
• low quality of education.

Higher schools

Unlike public universities, graduate schools (les grandes écoles) accept a limited number of students and can determine their own tuition fees. Studying at such institutions is expensive, but prestigious and promising. To get into such a university, you must not only pass the entrance exams, but also undergo a preliminary three-year training in a preparatory class.

However, not all higher schools are ready to accept foreign students, so always check the conditions and rules of admission on the institution’s website.

The National School of Administration occupies a special place among higher schools. It is very difficult to enter it, but incredible career prospects open up for its graduates. Thus, most of them, after studying, find their place in the political life of the country, public administration or international companies.

Specialized institutes

Specialized schools train highly specialized specialists. To enter, you must pass entrance exams.

Time distribution

School starts in September. The French have long holidays: two months in the summer, starting in July, two or three weeks at Christmas and Easter, and breaks between half-terms. Dates vary depending on the region - there are three in total in the country. Private schools set their own dates.

Students study 24-28 hours a week , for four, four and a half or five days, depending on the region. Undergraduate students may have up to 40 hours per week. Some schools close on Wednesday afternoons and older students may have classes on Saturday.

The school day starts around 8:30 am and ends at 4:30 pm (later for older students), with two breaks, and approximately an hour and a half for lunch. Students may return home for lunch or stay and eat in school cafeterias. A school lunch usually consists of a starter, main course, dessert and cheese; the costs for this vary.

The educational process is structured in such a way that many institutions have a paid child care system, an educational service available before and after school, as well as during the holidays.

Grading system in France

Despite the fact that the French Republic is a participant in the Bologna Process, the country has its own 20-point rating system. But don’t even try to get the highest score - in French universities they don’t give it to anyone. The evaluation criteria look something like this:

• no one knows for 20 points;
• 19 points - level of knowledge of the teacher;
• 18 points - the level of knowledge of a genius student;
• 15-16 points – high level of knowledge;
• 10 points – passing grade.

If a student receives a mark below 10 points, then this is a signal that he should improve his knowledge of the subject.

French universities have a very high dropout rate. Sometimes only 30% of students reach graduation. This is due to the complexity of educational programs in France and the high requirements for students.

The main advantages of studying in France

The reasons that encourage applicants to enroll in educational institutions in France are numerous:

• high quality of education (24th place in the ranking);
• high standard of living (24th place in , 25th place in );
• authority of diplomas - the holder of such a document will easily find work both in European countries and in the USA or in his homeland;
• high funding of educational institutions, which allows you to study with world-famous teachers, using modern equipment and progressive teaching methods;
• wide choice of specialties and training programs;
• admission without entrance exams;
• reasonable prices for training;
• scholarship and grant programs from the French government and international organizations;
• benefits for students;
• the possibility of employment in France and subsequent receipt of a residence permit;
• internship in companies from the European Union;

How the process of completing documents for an internship in other countries goes can be found by reading the article “Features of internships and internships in Spain.”

• the opportunity to become familiar with world history, because the oldest university in the country was founded almost 9 centuries ago;
• the image of France as a country of high fashion and art;
• The location of the country and its participation in the Schengen Agreement allows you to study in France and travel to England, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and many other countries.

Thanks to such a solid list of advantages, France has established itself as one of the educational centers of Europe and the world. Now there are more than 340 thousand foreign students studying here. This is the 4th indicator in the world after the USA, Great Britain and Australia.

The best higher education institutions in France

1. Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. Appeared in 1794, during the Great French Revolution. It is considered the center of European scientific thought, where only the best students are selected. The strongest faculties are: philosophy, mathematics and physics.
2. Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris. Founded in 1971, it was originally part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Sorbonne. Today it is the largest medical center in the country. However, the university produces not only strong doctors, but also mathematicians, chemists, biologists, astronomers and mechanical engineers.
3. University Paris-Sud 11, Paris. One of the best research centers in France, founded in 1970. The strongest faculties: pharmaceutical, medical, physics.
4. University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg. One of the oldest educational centers in France, founded on the basis of a Protestant gymnasium in 1621. Specialization - social and humanitarian, as well as natural science disciplines. Interesting fact: 20% of university students are foreigners.
5. Ecole Polytechnique, Paris. Founded in 1974, it is considered the best university for training specialists in engineering and natural sciences.
6. Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble. The state university was founded in 1811. It is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in France and offers strong educational programs in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, physics and chemistry.
7. Denis Diderot University, Paris. It appeared after the collapse of the Sorbonne in 1970 and is deservedly included in the 5% of the best universities in the world in terms of the quality of education. Strong faculties: medical, natural sciences, mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Sorbonne in Paris

French education system

Society and family

Society

For any Frenchman, it is very important to be one, that is, not just anyone, but a True Frenchman. After all, they are so confident in their superiority over other peoples - both social and individual. The French especially value their national culture. They believe, and to a certain extent justifiably, that they have made a major contribution to world art, music, painting and philosophy. According to the French, their civilization is the most developed in the world.

The French have a strong sense of national unity. The French like to present themselves as one big national family, united under the French flag by a common history and, most importantly, the French language.

One of the most striking features of the French national character is their incredible love for all kinds of experiments. They love to fantasize and come up with various innovations. The French are more interested not in a static goal, but in the process of change, a journey into the unknown, and what this will lead to is no longer so important. The main thing for the French is to always be on the crest of the wave, not to lag behind in anything, and to meet the latest fashion requirements. They are attracted by the feeling of the transience of life, its “mad” rhythm.

The French are characterized by a special sense of taste, the predominance of the aesthetic over the material. If the dish is, it should look beautiful.

The French are very “correct” people; they try to comply with all norms, regulations and rules. They sacredly honor the Law, the Law, the Constitution, and love to introduce some unwritten rules into all spheres of life - literature, art and etiquette. But at the same time, the French are not inclined to exaggerate the importance of something.

When solving a problem, a Frenchman is not interested in the optimality of the solution, but in the answer to the question why and why this problem needs to be solved. In practice, the inquisitive thinking of the French and the habit of constantly asking questions lead to the fact that a lot of time is spent not on specific actions, but on reasoning on the relevant topic

The French simply love intellectual conversations in which they stubbornly and consistently defend their point of view. It is important for them that your position is logically sound and correctly reasoned.

The French respect hard work, but not workaholics. “Work hard, but enjoy life” is their slogan.

You can find a lot of contradictions in the life of the French. They see no harm in maintaining old-fashioned plumbing in the bathroom while installing state-of-the-art systems in the kitchen, or driving miles to enjoy a two-hour lunch.

In France it is very important to be serious (this is a necessary quality for a French manager or senior manager). Therefore, in French society, education, intelligence and eloquence are valued above all. The word "serious" in French can be said to be synonymous with the word "professional".

The French dress well and value politeness.

Family

The average French family has 2 children. However, the official birth rate in the country is a record one - mainly due to emigrants.

French families are characterized by cohesion. Children often live with their parents until they marry, and the entire family of three or four generations may live under one roof. And even if they move away, they try to live close to each other and meet regularly for Sunday lunches and on holidays. The family is also a pillar of business; its members always support and help each other in various ventures.

At the same time, the number of divorces in France is increasing from year to year: today there are 3 times more than yesterday; the number of children “hanging out” between two houses increases annually by 150,000. In 25% of cases, families break up without living together for even 4 years.

The topic of family in France is very personal. Only close friends attend family gatherings, and it is a great honor to be invited to them.

Despite the fact that the French are famous womanizers, French girls usually do not enter into intimate relationships until they are twenty years old.

Children

Home education is not popular in France. French women do not stay at home with their children, they prefer to work and do this for many reasons: 1. Life in France is very expensive, and in order to provide for her child, the mother goes to work very early after his birth 2. French mothers fear that during the forced period if they are idle at work, they will lose their qualifications 3. The tradition of sending a child to be raised almost from his very birth has existed in France for a long time. Children are sent to nurseries or kindergartens very early.

It is believed that if one of the child’s parents does not work or study, then he should sit with the baby.

In France, there are such concepts as “mother hen” and “daddy hen”. This is the name given to parents who care too much about their children. Oddly enough, now “mother hens” are found more and more often, setting an example for their wives. In the evenings after work, it is the dads who take the kids to sports clubs, go for walks with them on weekends, and go to parent-teacher meetings.

It’s not often that you meet a stay-at-home mom who completely devotes herself to raising her children. It is not enough for a French woman to just be a mother and wife; she strives to realize herself in the professional sphere, values ​​her independence and does not want to sacrifice her career even if her husband earns good money. She would prefer to give half her salary to a nanny or housekeeper who will cook dinner and look after the children, but will retain her autonomy.

Grandparents take little part in raising their grandchildren; it is not customary to involve them in this in France. Although, sometimes they can help.

When parents are busy, children grow up early. They go to school on their own, can stop at a store on the way and buy school supplies with their pocket money.

There are a lot of clubs for children in France, as well as various associations that work with children, and it is relatively inexpensive.

For French parents, education is everything. The child should have as many diplomas confirming a good education as possible. In business life, your practical skills do not matter as much as your education. And it must be prestigious. Therefore, many experienced foreign professionals who want to work in France are afraid that their experience will not be appreciated unless they have a diploma of similar value to the French one.

French parents keep a certain distance from their children. They give more independence and independence to their teenagers, but at the same time do not cease to completely control them.

Preschool education

Family

Classes with children of French mothers are not much different from classes with children of Russian women.

Corporal punishment of children has always been extremely rare in France. Usually the offender was punished by depriving him of some kind of entertainment or delicacy. The reward was the abolition of punishment or monetary incentives. Each child had his own piggy bank, where the child put the money given to him.

French parents do not consider it necessary to interrupt any of their activities to listen to their child or spoil him. This is a social norm. French children thus learn to choose the right time to talk and to be creative in order to attract attention. And they know what it means to be well-mannered and ill-mannered. Polly Plath in her book "French or Foe" gives a very good example - French mothers do not hesitate to make comments to their children about stupidity, bad taste, bad manners, inappropriate behavior and carelessness in dress.

Typically, French children cannot open the refrigerator when they want to eat, take a car without permission, disobey their parents, or manage the house in the absence of elders and incite friends to behave the same way. French parents may be shocked by the freedom they give their children in America or England.

Kindergarten

Modern French nurseries are ready to take in children who have barely reached the age of three months.

Attending kindergarten in France is compulsory.

The kindergarten accepts children aged from two to six years. Pupils are divided into three groups according to age. The first group includes the youngest children under 4 years of age; their activities consist of a variety of games. In the second group (up to 5 years), in addition to games, creative activities are introduced: drawing, modeling; in addition, much attention is paid to children’s communication with each other. The oldest children are taught to read, count and write, preparing them for early entry into school.

Often in kindergartens, children go on a hike for the whole day and have a small picnic in nature.

Scolding and shouting at little pupils is strictly prohibited; children are treated very kindly and warmly. The teachers don't let the kids cry. If a child is upset, they will take him in their arms, console him, and distract him with some interesting activity.

In France, Wednesday is traditionally a day that was previously reserved for children's religious education and activities. Most kindergartens in France are closed on Wednesdays, and on this day parents have to either resort to the services of a private nanny, seek help from relatives, or take the child to special centers for sports, music and other extracurricular activities.

Features of the education system

Education system

The educational system of modern France consists of four blocks:

• primary school (6-11 years old)
• secondary school (11-14 years old)
• high school (14-16 years old)
• high school (university)

In France, education is structured in such a way as to encourage “hard workers” as much as possible and, as far as possible, minimize the influence of talent. There is an opinion that a significant drawback of such a system is cramming without understanding. Our compatriot gives an example that many students find it easier to memorize that 3/6 = 1/2 than to understand the essence of fractions.

Education in France has three main principles:

• Religious teaching.
• Compulsory education for all children aged 6 to 16 years.
• State funding for compulsory education (children under 16 even receive free textbooks).

Schools

Primary school - lives up to its name.

The college is a regular high school. All children have the same program and subjects of study.

Lyceum is a higher secondary school. All higher secondary schools are strictly specialized.

There are several types of lyceums in France:

• professional (lycee professionnel)
• CFA training centers
• general education
• technological (technologique).

Studying in lyceums of the first two categories makes it possible to receive a special secondary education without the right to obtain a higher education. General education and technological lyceums are a kind of preparatory courses for university. General education lyceums, in turn, are divided into

• socio-economic (BAC-ES)
• Natural Sciences (BAC-S)
• philological (BAC-L)

Technological lyceums are divided into:

• scientific and industrial (STI)
• service (STT)
• laboratory and research (STL)
• medical and social (SMS)

The training class numbers are in the opposite order. Class "1" is the end of high school (LYCEE), class "6" is the first grade in high school (COLLEGE) and so on.

School grades - up to 20 points. But in many lyceums and colleges, students in a class at the end of the quarter do not receive grades, but are distributed by number, who is first and who is last in some subject. Children often come home and report: I am tenth in physics, eleventh in mathematics, and second in drawing.

TANK

In France, the “Unified State Exam” (USE) has long been introduced and is in operation, but they call it LAC (from the word bachelor). Goal: to put all students on equal terms, to eliminate corruption in education, to unify requirements for graduates. A person who has passed the BAC has the right to enroll in any university of his profile without any entrance exams.

The result Bak is evaluated as follows:

• less than 8 points - failure (very bad - no chance of paid or promising work)
• between 8 and 10 – an additional oral exam is held, at which there is a chance to be rehabilitated. The child is called for an oral examination, most often the very next day.
• from 10 and above - you receive a certificate and have the right to enroll in a university without exams.
• from 12 the student receives the so-called “mention” (praiseworthy review) - “pretty good”
• from 14 – “good”
• above 16 - “excellent”. The latter is something like our gold medal.

If a student passes the BAC with a mark above a certain level (more than 15/20), then he has the right to enroll in the preparatory department at one of the so-called Grand Ecoles - something like elite universities.

Universities

University education is divided into several stages, after each of which you can receive a corresponding diploma:

• the first - after the first two courses.
• the second diploma is issued another year later, after three years of study at the university, and at this stage some of the successful students leave the university to continue their studies at some specialized school. This could, again, be an engineering school or, say, a school that trains teachers for primary schools, etc.
• third - diploma after the fourth year. Again, the opportunity remains either to go to another School, or to continue studying in the fifth year. Moreover, these courses are also different - some directly prepare you for future work, others give you the right to enroll in graduate school.

Postgraduate study ends with a dissertation and an academic degree.

Higher schools

Higher Schools (Grand Ecole) are the pinnacle of the French educational system. They are the guarantee of your successful career. The closest analogues are the universities of Oxford or Cambridge. Admission takes place on a competitive basis, and after four years of intense study. And these are not just words - the best of the best from all over the country gather for the competition and find themselves in such conditions that those who are accustomed to feeling like a winner fall into depression.

There are two types of higher schools:

• National School of Management - prepares you for leadership positions in government, public service or industry.
• Polytechnic School - military specialists.

All students of the National and Polytechnic schools immediately begin to receive a salary, i.e. become civil servants, they have work experience.

Teacher training

Those who want to be a school teacher undergo a serious selection process. We need to pass a competition on a nationwide scale. Such competitions exist at two levels: for college teachers and for lyceum teachers. Preparing for them takes about a year of hard work. The program is announced at the beginning of the year.

Those who pass the written exams are allowed to take the oral exams, and even if they fail, they still receive the rather honorable title of “admissible.” If next time everything ends with this title for them, its double assignment in the future gives the right to an increase in salary. Thus, the gigantic work of preparing for the competition is not completely wasted. Having successfully passed this competition, you receive a permanent place for life, a higher salary, a smaller workload and the right to teach in junior courses at the university, but at the same time you go “assigned” to where you will be sent.

Principles of schooling

Lots of written tests. In France, in general, at all levels of education, written exams are trusted incomparably more than oral ones.

In France, repeaters are treated normally. The student simply failed the program and is given a second chance. Sometimes, in less obvious cases, the teacher council leaves this decision to the discretion of the student himself, and he and his parents decide whether to remain in the same class or take a chance and move to the next one. At the university, it even happens that a student passes all the exams, although not brilliantly, and has the right to move to the next level, but of his own free will decides to stay at the previous one in order to “consolidate the knowledge gained.”

“Class jumping” is not at all uncommon in elementary school; If teachers see that a child reads fluently, writes well, and has no problems with arithmetic, they offer him the opportunity to move to the next grade so as not to get bored in class. (For these reasons, students in the same grade are often up to two years apart in age.) But the older the grade, the less encouraged such jumping is.

When moving from one level of education to another, complexity increases sharply. For example, the best in high school may turn out to be very weak in lyceum. Every year at the Lyceum the difficulty increases.

History and geography are subjects taught by the same teacher, who independently decides which lessons and in what order to devote to each discipline. The same thing happens with physics and chemistry.

A special skill that children are taught from the age of twelve is the ability to write... We would say composition, but in France, there are three types of written work, strictly different in plan and content, this is finally explained to students at the Lyceum.

• “resume” is something like our presentation
• “explanation of the text” - a formal, literary approach: analysis of metaphors, terms, rhythm, etc.
• “dissertation” is a complex work in which there must be an introduction and a conclusion and at least two (preferably three) parts, a thesis and antithesis of the idea that you are developing in the text, and the volume of the introduction and conclusion each should not exceed approximately 1 /5 text.

Each work has strict writing rules, compliance with which is more important than originality. It is a particular crime to write off-topic, that is, to fail to understand the formulation of the topic, which is sometimes extremely intricate.

The roots of the habit of endlessly asking questions lie in the education and upbringing system. In senior secondary school, the compulsory study of philosophy is included in the school curriculum. Children are taught to think logically and debate.

Principles of education at school

Parents believe that the child should study at the nearest school. If a child doesn’t like the company of classmates, it doesn’t matter.

School uniform is optional. By the way, this gives rise to competition when children try to outdo each other with their outfits.

Students are carefully instilled with the ability and habit of beautifully formatting work, even lecture notes. Every French student, be it a student or a schoolboy, always has a pencil case (a roomy bag) in his briefcase, chock-full of ballpoint pens and felt-tip pens of different colors.

Aesthetic education in school practice in France is given the same great importance. Fluency in reading music is a requirement for all high school students. Annual choir competitions and teacher conferences on music education are widespread in school practice. This is why French schools use tests related to the study of children's musical abilities, musical memory, perception of pitch, timbre, differences in intervals and rhythms. French schools, along with textbooks on general education subjects, also have textbooks on artistic disciplines: drawing and singing. For the school, special series of reproductions of paintings and records of musical works are produced, with a rich repertoire, and school radio and television are used. Along with examples of classical art, contemporary art is also widely represented.

The teacher council must include two student representatives from each class who have the right to vote; their role, in particular, is to bring to the attention of teachers the difficulties and problems of students - for example, there has been a divorce in the family, but not all teachers know about this; the class delegate can and even should talk about this at the teachers' council.

I found information that some schools in France have dogs for raising children. Like everywhere else, the children there are naughty. So they decided to call the dogs to help. They are used as an incentive: if you behave well, you will feed the dog, and every child dreams of this. Some mongrel lives in a special room, with a bunch of toys, and everyone loves her, everyone wants to touch her.

Links

• Education in French.
• Education in French (2)
• FATHERS AND SONS IN FRENCH
• Modern systems of aesthetic education in Western schools
• French education system
• Education in France
• About the French education system.
• WHAT IS BAC?
• French mentality
• France

Studying in France for Russians

Higher education in France is available to foreign students, including Russians. There are two ways to enroll in a French university:

• go on a student exchange program;
• do it yourself.

Student exchange programs in France

There are interuniversity exchange programs between French and Russian universities. They come in three types:

• short programs to learn French;
• affiliate exchange programs;
• long-term training programs for a semester or a year.

To become a participant in one of these programs, you need to check with the international department of the university whether such an opportunity exists and what the conditions for participation are. As a rule, exchange programs are available to the best university students who show high academic results.

How to enter French universities on your own

Education in France is often available to Russians only after completing preparatory courses that operate at state universities. For admission you must also provide the following package of documents:

• scanned copy of the international passport;
• birth certificate;
• a notarized copy of the translation into French of the certificate or diploma of education;
• motivation letter in French;
• letters of recommendation from teachers or lecturers in French;
• resume with a short autobiography;
• certificate with the results of the TCF, DELF/DALF exam for the French language;
• certificate with IELTS, TOEFL exam results for English-language programs;
• translation of a copy of the work book for those who work.

All documents are uploaded electronically on a common website. In order not to confuse anything, you need to select the desired university and strictly follow the instructions.

To enter higher schools, you must undergo mandatory training in special preparatory courses, obtain a certificate of passing the ESABAC exam, and submit documents only through the website of the selected school.

Educational standards

The French education system has long had a reputation as one of the best education systems in the world, with a national curriculum, traditional teaching methods, high academic standards and strict discipline.

French teaching philosophy emphasizes:

• teacher's authority;
• individual competition, including an absolute rating system;
• emphasis on analytical thinking and rote learning as opposed to creativity;
• generally high academic expectations.

Education is free and compulsory from 6 to 16 years of age , although most French children start school earlier. A further two years of study are required if the student must pass the undergraduate examination required to enter university. Class sizes tend to be large, with 30 or more students per teacher.

Most students attend local free schools. However, representatives of other countries living here can enroll their children in an international school to ease their child's transition, continuing education in a familiar language and according to their own curriculum.

Cost of studying in France

How much does it cost to study in France? The price of higher education institutions can vary greatly. This depends on several factors:

• the prestige of the university and its ranking;
• forms of affiliation: private universities are more expensive than public ones;
• training programs: master's and doctoral programs are more expensive;
• language in which training is conducted: prices for English programs are higher.

Thus, the cost of training can range from 300 to 42,000 euros per year. However, even at public universities, it can be difficult for a student financially, as living expenses must be taken into account. In Paris they can range from 1,500 euros per month, in other cities - from 1,000 euros.

Distance learning in France is also available to foreign students. Many universities are developing educational programs and courses that can be taken online. This will allow the student to save money on housing, food and travel, while receiving higher education at a French university remotely.

Compulsory education

Although schooling is compulsory in France, many children enter preschool at the age of three. More than 50 percent of children aged 18-21 in France receive full higher education. About 64 percent of students complete their secondary education by passing baccalaureate exams.

Public education is free for French citizens and others with proof of residence, although parents must pay for stationery and school trips.

Grants for studying in France

Even studying at public universities can be expensive, which is why in France there are scholarships and grants that not only French but also foreign students can apply for. The most famous of them:

1. The Eiffel Scholarship is a scholarship program of the French government.
2. European Commission Erasmus Scholarship. This is a student exchange program between European universities that increases student mobility and opportunities.
3. French Embassy Scholarships. They are issued only to students entering master's programs.
4. Scholarship of the President of the Russian Federation “Global Education”. Issued to the best Russian students to study at one of the foreign universities. This scholarship has a mandatory condition: to return after training and work for three years in a Russian company.
5. Vernadsky scholarship. Available to those who study in joint French-Russian graduate schools.

Scholarships in France apply to those entering master's or doctoral studies. Bachelor's students can only claim small benefits from their university if they achieve high academic results. And in order to earn some money, you will have to apply for a special permit - a student visa does not provide such an opportunity.

The scholarship will be an excellent support for a student in France during his studies

How to get a scholarship in France

How to become the owner of financial assistance from your university or the government of France or Russia? Go to the program website and study the conditions. But there are also universal rules:

• have excellent academic achievements: receive high scores in specialized subjects, participate in olympiads and conferences, publish scientific articles;
• develop a relevant research project that is of interest to the scientific community;
• write a motivation letter that will show why you should receive a scholarship;
• draw up documents, taking into account all the requirements specified in the rules.

Look at examples of work and make sure that we will help you conscientiously!

Now you know what the structure of education in France looks like and what you need to do to enroll in a French university. And in order to qualify for free education in France, you need to study well and get high scores for written work. Need help with the latter? Feel free to contact our student service!

Description of educational institutions

While most schools in this model are public (ecoles publiques), there are also private schools operating under a contract (sous contrat) with the French government, under which the government pays teachers' salaries, the school follows the national curriculum, but parents don't worry about how much it costs to study: the fees are reasonable and quite low. There are also private schools (ecoles prives) that are completely independent, some of them international.

Educational institutions associated with a particular religion are also usually private and therefore fee-paying. There are government programs with bilingual programs, but in most cases bilingual education is only available in private schools.

ABOUT RATINGS

Russian schools have a five-point grading system, which has long tired of teachers. Because it does not at all reflect the difference in children’s performance and leads to absurd leveling and loss of motivation. Both a brilliant student and a diligent, neat person who does not make mistakes can become an excellent student. A B can be given for three mistakes or two blots, for omissions or for activity in class. You can put a solid three, or you can give it a minus, on a string, on a string, on one leg, and so on. And the journal or certificate will show the same grade for completely different achievements. At the same time, it is difficult, not to say impossible, for a teacher to give a bad mark in, say, a quarter. And only a few are a completely rare and meaningless incident, because they have no practical significance. The preservation of this system cannot be explained otherwise than by love for the traditions of antiquity.

In French schools, teachers have as many as 20 points in order to assess all the nuances of preparation in the subject. Up to 10 points is bad; scores higher are considered positive. To get above 17, a child must come up with something truly original.

Grades are given according to detailed methodological scales, resulting in scores with hundredths and even thousandths. With such a system, it is possible to give a truly up-to-date assessment of all the knowledge, skills and efforts of the student. And most importantly: it doesn’t even occur to teachers to “pull” the grade, feeling sorry for the child and themselves (otherwise they will drag you around to teachers’ councils, as often happens in Russia). The practice of “leaving for a second year” (redoubler) in case of poor performance is quite normal and does not scare anyone.

Each semester, parents receive a report card in the mail with grades rounded to the nearest hundredth. At the same time, the report card indicates (as guidelines) the best, average and worst scores in the class in each subject. This way parents can easily figure out how their child looks compared to others.