What you will learn in film 14

This section continues the theme of likes and dislikes - this time in relation to school subjects.

We have included five subjects which are common to French and English primary schools. (See this chapter's "talking point" for more information about the curriculum in French primary schools.) Some learners will progress to add more names of subjects to their French vocabulary (See "extra words and phrases".in the Teacher's Manual).

You can already tell the time in French from Chapter.2.6, so you will also be able to talk in French about your school timetable as part of your day-to-day routine.

The French school curriculum since 2008

In 2008, when research told the French Minister of Education that younger French pupils were often too tired to learn properly, he made a surprise announcement..

Traditionally, French primary schools had the longest school hours in Europe - often 8.30 iam until 4.30 pm. Most had no school (or only a half day) on Wednesdays, with classes on Saturday mornings.

In 2008 the Minister suddenly announced: "Saturday will be a day for families" and banned Saturday classes in primary schools.

He cut lesson time from 26 hours a week to 24, which is still longer than in Britain.

Many French school organise this as a FOUR DAY WEEK, with a complete break on Wednesday; others still have Wednesday morning school.

In a poll, 80% of french parents welcomed this change - for some, it made it easier to away at weekends (richer families could go skiing!).

Teachers said that some children would fall behind in their work, especially those from poorer families that couldn't afford to pay for extra classes and activities for their children.

Curriculum time on each subject area

More changes?

In 2011, the French government started looking again at the primary school calendar - this time looking at giving children a shorter working day.

French primary school children usually attend lessons for 6 hours per day, 4 days a week, for 36 weeks a year, although there are some minor local variations.

The government is worried that French primary school children have one of the longest school days in Europe, but also the longest holidays!

French experts think that such intensive schooling is too tiring for children, and that the long school summer holiday is harmful to those children with difficulties at school.

In 2011, the government suggests that teaching will be cut from 6 hours per day to 5. Wednesday morning lessons will be reintroduced in all schools, increasing the school week to 4 and a half days.

To make up for shorter days, the long summer holiday will be 2 weeks shorter.

There may also be homework clubs at school, to reduce the need to do school work at home.

The government is also experimenting with trials of more sports and arts activities in some schools, awhich may lead to more changes in the school working week in the future. Children may even end up spending more time at school, although the hours of tlessons will remain the same!

Previous talking points about schools

The "talking point" in Ch.1.7: "Quel âge as-tu?" describes how French children start at la maternelle (nursery); attend primary school (l'école primaire) for 5 years, from age 6 to 11; then go on to the collège and the lycée.

In Ch.1.2: "Au revoir", pupils learnt how French children have possibly the longest school day in Europe - 9am to 4.30pm! In fact some French secondary schools have even longer hours: some work from 8am to 6.30pm!

Ch.1.11: "Les jours de la semaine" described how French primary schools generally close on Wednesdays, but work on Saturday mornings.

French official websites have more information on the French education system, and on the curriculum at different ages. The summary pages are in English. The links to information for French parents are quite useful (but obviously in French).

http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/public-services/school-education/primary/
- very helpful and comprehensive background information about French schools, written for families considering a move to France.

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