What are French schools like?

The French education system offers an inflexible approach to education; one where the teacher has absolute authority, tough grading and rote learning are the norm, where high academic standards are demanded in reading, writing and arithmetic. The French don't expect children to have 'fun' at school.

What is the school life like in France?

School routine

Generally speaking, the school day in France is from 8:30 until 4:30, but it varies depending on which area you live in. This is longer than the typical school day in the UK or America, but there is a longer lunch break and two other breaks during the day. There are 24 hours of lessons a week.

What is the French school system like?

The French education system consists of three stages: primary education, secondary education, and higher education. Most French elementary and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations.

How are French schools different to English schools?

Differences in teaching styles

They learn poems and texts by heart. There is not much group work. On the other hand, British teachers encourage pupils to talk and work together. France's stricter, centralised and bureaucratic approach means that pupils must make the effort to adapt themselves to the teaching strategy.

How are French schools different from American schools?

American students enjoy various subject choices during secondary education, promoting diversity and personal interests. In contrast, French students follow a more standardized curriculum with less flexibility, focusing primarily on academic rigor and depth.

School in France [Touch of France S1 documentary]

How long is a school day in France?

Though the number of school days is less than many other countries, the French school days are longer. Usually, the school day of collège begins at 8:30am and ends at 5pm. They have three hours of classes in the morning and four hours in the afternoon which are separated by their only break.

Do French kids get homework?

Homework is officially banned in French primary schools, and has been since 1956. But many teachers ignore this and send children home with exercises to do. Older children often spend up to an hour each evening doing homework, and longer at the weekend or on Wednesdays when most schools close.

Why is there no school on Wednesday in France?

The idea of a weekday off dates to 1882, when secular primary education became compulsory in France: a day without classes, then Thursday, was to allow for religious education outside school. In 1972 a government decree fixed Wednesday instead as the mandatory day off.

Is the French school system good?

High-Quality French Education

France is known globally as having both a competitive and exceptional quality of education. With a history dating back to the late 18th century, the French education system has a long tradition of excellence and is widely recognized as one of the best in the world.

Do French students wear uniforms?

Currently, the French national school system does not require pupils to wear uniforms, unlike many private establishments, such as military schools, and schools in overseas French departments.

Do French kids go to school on Wednesday?

Essentially, they teach 24 hours per week, typically from Mondays to Friday, and Wednesday is a half-day. That said, a minority of primary schools (in French) have chosen to swap out Wednesday mornings for Saturday mornings or have every Wednesday off.

Is France school hard?

The French education system offers an inflexible approach to education; one where the teacher has absolute authority, tough grading and rote learning are the norm, where high academic standards are demanded in reading, writing and arithmetic. The French don't expect children to have 'fun' at school.

Do French children go to school on Saturday?

The school day in France typically runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a half day on Saturday, although students do not attend school on Wednesday or Sunday.

How long is lunch break in French schools?

At school, the lunch break lasts between 90 minutes and 2 hours, during which a four-course meal is eaten while seated. French etiquette recommends that everyone starts eating at the same time and leaves the table only once everybody is finished.

What is a fun fact about French school?

Top 5 French school facts

The children do not wear school uniforms. The school week is 24 hours long, split into manageable chunks throughout the five days of the working week. State education is free. Lunch break in France lasts between an hour-and-a-half to two hours.

Are schools strict in France?

The French system is centralised and highly structured, with a strict curriculum and standardised tests. In comparison, other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have more decentralised systems, emphasising individualised learning and personalised approaches.

Do French kids go to college when they are 12?

In France, secondary education is in two stages: Collèges (French pronunciation: [kɔlɛʒ]) cater for the first four years of secondary education from the ages of 11 to 15. Lycées ( French pronunciation: [lise]) provide a three-year course of further secondary education for children between the ages of 15 and 18.

Where is France ranked in education?

Shanghai ranking August

In 2023, France is 4th worldwide in number of institutions in the Top 50 of the Shanghai ranking, with 3 institutions, just after the US (28), the UK (6) and China (4), but before Switzerland (2), Canada (2), Japan (2), Denmark (1), Australia (1) and Sweden (1).

What is a typical school lunch in France?

Starting when children enter school at age 3, school lunch consists of four courses: a vegetable starter (for example, grated carrot salad, or beet salad), a warm main course served with a side of grains or vegetables, cheese, and dessert.

What do kids in France learn in school?

Compulsory education in France currently begins at age six. The youngest pupils (age 6-7) focus on the acquisition of French language and mathematics skills. Art, physical education, and the opportunity to begin learning a foreign language also accompany these core competencies.

Is education in France free?

Studying in France isn't free, but when you choose to do so you'll enjoy relatively low tuition fees because the French government subsidies higher education. In this section, we will look at tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year, as stated by Campus France.

Do French kids go home for lunch?

There are no vending machines in French schools (they are banned by law), and children are strongly discouraged from bringing their own meals from home (and most don't). So the cantine is the place where the majority of French children eat lunch on school days.

Do French kids have recess?

School Hours in France

Depending on the region of France, students may attend school four, four and a half, or five days per week. Some schools close on Wednesdays. During school, students get two short breaks (recesses) and a minimum of a one and a half hour lunch break.

What do kids do at recess in France?

They are rewarded with recess time three times a day — two shorter breaks, and one long recess after lunch. The playground is usually a zoo with kids running around, laughing, shouting, and getting rid of all the pent-up energy stored from sitting still for so long.