OPTION 1. FRENCH ACCREDITED SCHOOLS WITH 3 LEVELS OF ACCREDITATION
Be Part of the World's Largest Education Network
496 SCHOOLS
WITH 355,000 STUDENTS
IN 137 COUNTRIES
Education programs comply with the demands, curriculums, teaching objectives and organisational rules of the French education system (enrolment of both French children and foreign children, preparation of students for French exams and diplomas, presence of staff from Francophone countries etc).
All accredited by the French Ministry of Education.
Schools under direct management (établissements en gestion directe)
72 local AEFE branches
LEVEL 1
Jointly operated schools
(établissements conventionnés)
155 schools managed by associations or foundations including 1 in Australia.
LEVEL 2
Partner schools (établissements partenaires)
269 schools in the world including 5 in Australia.
LEVEL 3
All students from accredited schools can pursue their education in another French school anywhere in the world without having to sit an entry examination. This network of French schools abroad is coordinated by a French government agency named AEFE (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger).
Link: Ecoles françaises et programmes bilingues français-anglais d’Australie
https://au.ambafrance.org/Ecoles-francaises-et-programmes-bilingues-francais-anglais-d-Australie
THE FRENCH EDUCATION SYSTEM ABROAD
There are 3 different types of French programs possible.
OPTION 2. TWO POSSIBLE AWARDS/TITLES GIVEN TO AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS AND LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Label Francéducation
FLAM Program
Granted for 3 years (renewable) to high-quality foreign schools with a national curriculum that contributes to the development of the French language and culture.
285 seals of approval in 53 countries including 4 in Australia.
Handy Links:
LabelFrancÉducation
http://www.labelfranceducation.fr/en
Get the LabelFrancÉducation
http://www.labelfranceducation.fr/fr/obtenir-le-labelfranc%C3%A9ducation
The FLAM program (Français Langue Maternelle or French as a native language) provides financial aid to local community language schools seeking to ensure the French language skills of children who attend local schools without French courses during the school week.
60 association supported in 37 countries.
OPTION 3. CNED PROGRAM (NATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION)
The CNED program operates a French language distance education program under the oversight of the French Ministry of Education.
Provides distance learning material and offers and extensive range of courses from the full French K-12 curriculum to "a la carte" modules. It is the leading lifelong learning institution in Europe and the French speaking world
WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE TO SET UP A FRENCH PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIA?
OPTION 1. A BINATIONAL PROGRAM WITHIN AN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL
1.
Merging and harmonising French and Australian curricula
2.
Very high level of command in both languages
3.
The French and Australian curricula are delivered in both French and English
4.
Immersion ratio varies from one school to another and one year level to another with a ratio of French instruction between 50% and 80%
5.
A bicultural environment is essential - Library classrooms, executive staff from French events etc
TEACHERS
CULTURAL SPECIFICITY
French teachers are accredited in France and Australia.
French and Australian teachers work together to ensure the best possible cross-over of their class activities, combined with a close follow up of students' progress
The curriculum is extremely important in the French education system.
French schools are very strict about abiding by the national curriculum.
SECURING A FRENCH BINATIONAL PROGRAM IN THE LONG TERM: ACCREDITATION
It's important to seek recognition from French authorities through accreditation to become an AEFE partner school. There are requirements relating to accreditation of foreign programs (specific criteria, process...)
-
Teaching and learning done in accordance with the curricula defined by the French Ministry of Education and taught by French teachers
-
An existing program (accreditation) cannot be given before the creation of a bilingual stream
-
Learning cycles are only accredited
-
Securing an MoU with the Department of Education giving full legal existence
-
Actively participating in the regional PD plan for teachers and principals - AEFE Asia Pacific Network.
OPTION 2. A BILINGUAL PROGRAM WITHIN AN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL
1.
Children are taught both in French and English - by teachers from Francophone countries.
2.
Schools offering bilingual programs are not language schools. French is not taught as a foreign language however, is fully integrated into the school program itself.
SECURING A FRENCH BILINGUAL PROGRAM IN THE LONG TERM: THE LABELFRANCEDUCATION AWARD
-
LabelFrancEducation schools offer excellent French-English Bilingual/Immersion programs and are a great option with selected subjects in French such as French studies, Humanities, Maths and Science following the Australian curriculum.
-
Schools usually choose to have an immersion ratio of 50% French instruction and 50% English instruction.
-
Schools with the award are given priority to benefit from the Jules Verne Teacher International Mobility Program.
OPTION 3. A MENTORING PROGRAM WITH THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION
-
While a mentor assists the students during the dedicated periods, the students must complete homework outside of sessions. Assignments are sent back to France for assessment.
-
Subjects (French Studies, Maths, History and Geography are taught in French according to the French curriculum, alongside the local education system during the school day and/or after school.
WAYS TO HELP IMPLEMENT AND IMPROVE A FENCH PROGRAM WITHIN AN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL
1.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NETWORK OF FRENCH-ENGLISH BINATIONAL SCHOOLS
The Australian Association of French-English Bilingual Schools (AAFEBS) aims to promote and support French-English bilingual education Australia and share knowledge, experience and expertise in bilingual education within an Australian setting.
2.
HOST A FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHING ASSISTANT
Every year, the French Language Teaching Assistant Program places native French speakers in Australian schools for a full school year. The role of a Language Assistant is to assist the language teachers by bringing an authentic language source into the classroom.
3.
TAKE PART IN THE JULES VERNE TEACHER INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM
French Primary and Secondary teachers from all disciplines may be sent to schools in another country for one school year, with a possible one-year renewal. Reciprocity is high desirable, where Australian teachers are also given the option to be sent for one full year, to a French school.
4.
PARTNER WITH A FRENCH SCHOOL
A France-Australia school database connects Australian teachers, students and school communities with their peers in France, including Overseas French territories. This database is available on demand for public and private schools and other Australian institutions - for free.
5.
CLASSROOM RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Several French institutions offer quality educational content, as well as a multimedia e-library for learning and teaching French such as TV5Monde, RFI and the network of Alliances Françaises in Australia.
6.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES FOR TEACHERS
In-country training is regularly organised by the local Alliances Françaises French teachers' associations and Australian Association of French-English bilingual schools. Also, the Pro FLE online program (Professionnel - Français Language Étrangère) - managed by the CIEP - is a great opportunity for French language teachers to improve their French teaching skills (via online courses and mentoring).
7.
FRENCH DIPLOMAS
The DELF and DALF are official French language certifications awarded by the French Ministry of Education. The preparation and taking of the DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) examinations allow students to apply their knowledge of French in real-life situations.
These diplomas abide by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Furthermore, this diploma is valid for life. In Australia, these diplomas can be prepared at the Alliance Française in each of the capital cities.
8.
FRENCH SCHOOL COMPETITIONS
Every year in each Australian state and Territory, schools are invited to participate in Francophonie, DELF (e.g. the La Pérouse competition in Sydney) and French poetry competitions (e.g. the Berthe Mouchette competition in Melbourne) organised by the French Embassy, the Alliances Françaises and the French teachers' associations.It is a great way to give both teachers and students additional motivation for practice in class.