Academic programs and language courses at Ecole des Roches school

French school Ecole des Roches was founded more than 100 years and it is considered to be one of the best schools in France. It was always prestigious and fashionable to study at the school. Even now among the students children of famous politicians, businessmen and diplomats. Several of my students went to school where they studied French language and French Baccalaureat to enter French universities. Before recently Ecole des Roches offered only programs in French but now it is possible to study here in English.

In my interview with a representative of the school we discussed French and International programs, integration of foreign students into French educational system and also discussed prospects of students from Ukrainian schools to enter the last three or even two years in Ecole des Roches. From the latest innovations the school has been accredited by IB organization and now 20 students study International Baccalaureate program in Ecole des Roches.

L: What is special about International Baccalaureate program at Ecole des Roches?

R: Our IB program is bilingual and students learn English and French. For example, children study subjects of the four groups in English and the remaining two in French. We advise children to take complex subjects in English and those that do not require a lot of reading in French. The program runs in the 11th and 12th grades and French is one of the basic requirements for admission.

L: is it Possible to enter school without knowing French, for example, in grade 10?

R: No, the French language is required for admission to any year of study. Without the French the student will not be able to study in our school.

L: what about your program French as a foreign language? Do the students come to school to study only French language or they can take other subjects as well when their French is sufficient?

R: the Program French as a foreign language with integration into the French educational system depends, primarily, on the level of language. If the child has a zero, then integration is longer. At first, he definitely studies French. Every 5 weeks there is a test to determine how the student has progressed in learning language. It is the only way we can decide if we can add a subject. Depends on the level the student has initially and how he learns every student gets his own schedule.

L: What should be the level of French of the student to start to add subjects in this program?

R: Full integration occurs with level B1-B2 of French language, then the student goes to the General education program.

L: is it Possible that in the 10th grade, the child comes to the English language and takes at first some subjects in English and in parallel studies on the integration programme?

R: 10th grade is the second year of the Lyceum. Alternatively, children who speak good English but poor French, enter French as a foreign language program with integration in the second international class. It implies that General education subjects children will learn in English but they still study French.

L: Would it be enough to study French for a year to enroll into IB program in your school?

R: It's all very individual, depends on the abilities of each student. But our program is not easy: 30 hours of French per week plus General education subjects. Students study from morning to almost evening. The study lasts up to 4-5 o'clock in the evening.

L: My Last student I sent to the Ecole des Roches took one year of integration program after graduating from school in Ukraine. If a student takes the French program, do you offer University Foundation program?

R: We don't offer University Foundation program in a year. Depending on the level of French it might be 2-3 years to complete the program here. If the child has sufficient language level it will be the program for 2 years. If the language is poor then it is impossible.

L: do you offer language program in Ecole des Roches for a year without finishing school?

R: Yes, students can join the program any time during the school year. You can come for the whole year. In my experience, students finished school in their ho,e country and came to Ecole des Roches to study French. Still, in order to graduate from Ecole des Roches and to obtain a high school diploma, it is necessary to study here for the last two years. It takes 3 years to prepare for French baccalaureate. Whether a child is offered a place in 10th or in 11th grade depends on his level of language and academic preparation. So if your student comes to us with a good level of French he can save himself one year of the programme and study only the last 2 years at Ecole des Roches to get diploma of French baccalaureate.

L: Your short-term program to study the French language open at certain dates or you can start any time during the year?

R: Short-term program French as a foreign language is held within an academic year, the duration varies from 2 weeks to 18 weeks or more. As part of our school year, not including holidays, you can book it any time. We don't have any specific dates and limited only to the school calendar and holidays. In these program new students join children at the groups who came to the annual program of French as a foreign language. Hourly it remains the same – 30 hours of French per week. After school they have elective classes – sports, musical instruments, judo, tennis, fine art, sculpture. Every two weeks the school arranges excursions.

Clearly, for admission to Ecole des Roches in the senior classes it is necessary to prepare in advance. High French is the main requirement for admission to all programs. But if you start the preparation process early, sending a child to French as a foreign language with the integration into the French educational system, the child will gain time and improve French language during a year of studying at Ecole des Roches. But only responsible children who do want to study in France can manage to get good results into bilingual program.

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