Many young people dream of getting an education in France. If you are one of them or just interested in this issue, then pay attention to this article. In it, we will explain how the education system works in France, and what levels students need to master.
A bit of history
Currently, many schoolchildren and students prefer to study in France. States in Europe offer everyone who wants high-quality and, what is very important, education that is quite affordable. To get high marks, the state has come a long way, which lasted more than a hundred years. The famous "Ferry Laws", which came out at the end of the 19th century, ordered citizens to study without fail from six to twelve years old. The next stage in the development of the system was the sixties of the 20th century. It was then that the government took drastic measures that helped the country achieve the desired results in the age of education. France had to introduce compulsory education for children under 16 years of age, establish junior and secondary schools (college, lyceumor technical college). Next, we propose to take a closer look at all levels of education in France.
Preschool education
French kindergartens are waiting for kids from two to five years old. Most modern parents prefer to let their kids go to preschool from the age of three, although staying there is not mandatory. Here I would like to tell a little more about the development of education in France. The first kindergarten in this country appeared at the end of the 18th century, and already at the beginning of the 19th, a whole system appeared and actively functioned. In large industrial cities there were kindergartens for the poor and for the children of workers. The famous teacher Pauline Kergomar made a great contribution to preschool education in France. It was she who proposed to teach preschoolers with game methods and to abolish corporal punishment. Thanks to her, "Mom's School", which was formed at the beginning of the 19th century, became very popular and still functions in all cities of the country. This analogue of Russian kindergartens has the following levels of education:
- Until the age of four, children only play.
- Until the age of five, learn to draw, sculpt, improve oral speech and interpersonal communication.
- The last age group is up to six years old. Here the kids get ready for school, learn to count, read and write.
Sometimes you can hear critical remarks about mother schools that claim that the rules here are too strict. However, most experts believe that French kindergartens provide children with decent preparation for school - one of the mostbest in Europe.
Primary education in France
Children who have reached the age of six go to college, where they study according to the same program for everyone. Without fail, kids improve their counting, writing and reading skills. Also, they all learn a foreign language and improve their spoken language in their native language. In the third grade, students take exams and receive a diploma.
Secondary education
At the age of 11, children can choose their further path - to enter a regular lyceum, a technical or a professional one. The latter option involves a two-year training in the chosen profession (like a vocational school in our country), after which a certificate of completion is issued. However, in this case, the student does not have the right to receive higher education, in contrast to the first two cases. Graduation from a general lyceum allows you to enter any university, after a technical one you can continue your studies in your speci alty.
The country has not only public, but also private schools. There are also boarding schools. In state institutions, education is absolutely free (only textbooks will need to be bought on their own) and not only French citizens, but also foreigners can enter there. True, you will have to pass a language proficiency exam, go through an oral interview and write a motivation letter. Foreigners are accepted to private schools without problems if they speak French at a basic level.
Higher education in France
Get highereducation can be anyone, but the future student must have a bachelor's degree, which each graduate of the lyceum receives. Next, he will have to choose what type of education he wants to receive. You can take a short cut and become a graduate in service or industry in two years. The advantage of this path is time saving and the possibility of quick employment. Those who prefer long-term studies (and this is from five to eight years), after graduation, can apply for a highly paid job in a prestigious company.
Universities
The education system in France is designed in such a way that anyone can get a profession for free. Even a foreigner can enter these educational institutions if he passes a language proficiency test and passes an interview. It should be noted that universities that teach the professions of a doctor, lawyer, teacher and journalist are considered the most prestigious. In most universities, the state pays 30% of the places, and the rest of the students will have to pay an entrance fee (from 150 to 500 euros). However, many are happy with such conditions, since students are en titled to a scholarship, which is approximately 100 euros per month. Private universities charge students for a fee of 10,000 to 20,000 euros per year (depending on the chosen speci alty).
High Schools
Higher education in France can be obtained in prestigious universities, however, to get this opportunity,will have to pass a serious test. Some of them accept only students who have completed a basic course of study at the university. Studying at such a school is considered more prestigious, since graduates are guaranteed employment and high earnings. Some students receive government scholarships as they are future teachers, military officers, librarians and even politicians.
Language schools
If you decide to learn French, the so-called language schools will help you with this. You can come for training in a period of seven days, but the average duration of the course is from two to four weeks. People with any level of language proficiency can study here - elementary, basic or advanced. Immersion in the language environment guarantees a high result for both. Courses are also provided for such narrow specialists as doctors, lawyers, and travel agency workers. Many students combine this unique study in France with cooking classes, riding school and many other activities. Typically, students spend 20 to 30 hours a week studying, and the average cost per week is 300 euros.
Reviews from Russian students
Every year, many foreign students come to the country to receive a French education that is quoted and prestigious throughout the world. France, by and large, does not care who becomes a student - a foreigner or a local citizen. Therefore, Russians enthusiastically prepare for exams, learn the language and apply for training at once in severalschools. Our compatriots are delighted that education in France can be obtained free of charge or sponsored by private firms. Thus, you can secure not only a diploma from a highly regarded university, but also a promising job with a good salary.
French universities
Next, we want to introduce you to the most famous universities in the country and tell you about their features:
- Sorbonne - the history of the most famous temple of sciences began in the 13th century, and is now one of the best institutions of higher education in the world.
- The University of Nantes is one of the largest and most famous universities in France and annually 45 thousand students study in it. It is not as old as other educational institutions, but it boasts a wide range of disciplines and high quality of education.
- Toulouse University - represents seven different educational institutions, united by one name. The cost of studying at the oldest university in the country is up to 360 euros per year. Students can live in a local hostel or rent an apartment in the private sector.
- University of Grenoble - in this old university, students study to become doctors, technicians, linguists and experts in the social sciences. The students include many foreigners who, like French citizens, receive free education.
- University of Montpellier - in addition to its excellent reputation, it is famous for the fact that in the 16th century, the world-famous soothsayer and alchemist Michel Nostradamus was expelled from these walls. List of speci alties that are taught in modernuniversity, is large enough - these are doctors, mathematicians, chemists, biologists, athletes, humanities and technicians.
We will be glad if the material presented in this article is useful to you. Education in France is not as inaccessible as it seems to many Russians. In fact, anyone at any age can get a profession or learn a language in one of the most famous educational institutions in the world.
