Name:
Handout :French schools and the Educational system questionnaire : http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/therese.saintpaul/FRE105education.htm
In class clips: comments : The Class ( teaser): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8HWJqgMAhU/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq5qNzm3w-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrmieKn6ZKY&feature=related (Republique, Plato)
Teaser: The Profs. (comedy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdihjGmEFdg
https://archive.org/details/Les.Profs.2013.FRENCH.DVDRipFreeTelechargement.Org
Schools.
1. At what age can little French kids start "school"? ______
2. What are the US equivalents of CES ?(College) and Lycée ? ______
3. The BAC ? What is this? The BAC can be of different types (cf. A.P). Give some examples of specializations. ______
4. Remark on some differences between the French and US secondary school systems? e.g. options, exams, atmosphere in schools/in classes, community and social activities .... Other (dress….)______
Higher education http://highereducation.frenchculture.org/study-in-france
1. How do students access universities? What diploma is necessary?
2. Are the French universities differenciated into “research’ or teaching institutions like in the States?
3. Are the French universities expensive? How are they funded?
4. The French universities were some of the first in western Europe (e.g. La Sorbonne, Paris). What 3 subjects did they teach in the beginning?______
5. Today the French universities retain some of the older traditions. Their focus is essentially academic. Except for Law & Medecine, Performing Arts (e.g.The Paris Beaux Arts school and the Conservatoire) or vocational training are not part of a French university but of specialized Institutes of Higher Education: what are they called?______
6. Who created these Schools , and for what purpose ? ______
Educational approach in France
1--Give the pro and cons of an education system that focuses on standarized programs and national standards and exams every year for progress in the educational system? As well as entrance exams and preparatory classes for specialized institutions of Higher Eduation (the Grandes Ecoles and top professional specialized schools e.g schools of Business, Journalism, Engineering, Public Affairs, Music, Dance, Art, Design, Architecture)
Pro Con
2--Education is important in France, did you notice this in Marius & Jeannette?(e.g.?) It is said that school has a symbolic importance for the French. What is it? Which are the principles that govern France 's concept of education ?
3--France devotes its largest budget to education 7.3% of GDP , also its education system is the biggest employer, yet there were and still are issues in education. Outline some of these.
4.--School in France is very academic: no football games, no fund raisers, no sororities or fraternities, no campus life because the universities are usually in the city centers. Yet there are sports and cultural activities, and independently organized student groups, satellite to the university. However there is lots of café –life, political discussions… music and art are buzzing in university life. If you compare resumes, one written by an American and one by a French person, notice the differences.
http://html.iwthemes.com/card/resume.pdf
http://www.primocv.com/images/modules/tour/fr/cv_classique.png
5. Vocational training : what options exist in the French education system for non-academic students at the middle and HS (secondary school level)?
6. What does "secular" mean in the context of schools in France? Can you explain with a reference to the Constitution? Is this a problem formulti-culturalismin the French classrooms? Explain.
7. What ARE the ERASMUS/LINGUA PROGRAMS? Have you heard about these?