Secondary / Middle School
European Sections, International Sections, OIB, Accelerated Language Classes...Enough to Confuse Anyone!
by Anne Potonnier, Directrice des SIS
There are a lot of choices out there. Here is an overview of the different options to help you sort out what’s what.
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| European Sections |
Created in 1992, their objective is to offer supplementary language classes, and to develop a sense of European citizenship. On average, students receive two extra hours of language instruction in addition to their regular course load starting in quatrième (ages 13-14). After two or three years this prepares the student to take a non-linguistic course (usually history) in the language of the section.
The French baccalaureate will indicate “mention européenne” if the student achieves a grade of at least 12/20 in the chosen language. At the Middle School level, these sections offer accelerated language classes within the French national public system. The teachers of these classes are state employees, and follow the national curriculum. Success in these sections could allow students to bypass the entry tests required for certain studies. Many schools offer European sections. Currently about 200,000 students are enrolled in 4 566 sections. They represent about 10% of students who obtain a general baccalaureate diploma.
In 2006 the Lycée of Sèvres opened a European Section to accommodate students from collèges in Chaville, Ville d’Avray and Sèvres who were already participating in this program (section européenne ou ALC [1]). The list of students accepted into the program is published in June by the inspector of the Academy of Versailles.
| Dual language classes |
Sometimes included in the European Sections, this offering provides the opportunity for students to learn two foreign languages concurrently as of the sixième year (ages 11-12.) At the Collège of Sèvres, students wishing to study German have been offered this choice since September of 2004. The course load of these students includes 4 hours of German and 3 hours of English per week.
| International Sections |
This is a totally different option from those cited above. The “international sections,” created in 1981, have two major, specific differences.
First, these sections must accommodate at least 25%-30% foreign students. Secondly, the educational program is elaborated in conjunction with the programs of the foreign countries concerned. For English and German sections, including those of the SIS, Cambridge University and the Kultusministerkonferenz are the entities which provide this collaboration.
In concrete terms this means that the teachers participate in regular meetings throughout the school year with the foreign supervisory bodies, who thus ensure quality teaching in the sections.
Of course, the number of students enrolled in international sections does not compare with that of the European Sections. Approximately 12,000 students throughout France are enrolled in international sections divided among 13 different languages.
At the end of troisième (ages 14-15) international section students take the “brevet” exam, with an international option. The course of study culminates with the French baccalaureate exam with an international option (OIB); the modern language (LV1) exams are replaced by literature and history/geography exams administered in the language of the section in which the student is enrolled.
The OIB thus reflects not only the student’s high level of language acquisition in both languages, but in particular his/her knowledge of two cultures. Indeed, preparing for a history or geography exam in English or German differs considerably from preparing for the equivalent French exam.
Approximately 1000 OIB diplomas are awarded each year. The diploma has the same validity as does the Abitur for German universities (see Ingrid Lehre’s article) and facilitates admission to Anglophone universities as well. An OIB diploma reflects a high level of academic achievement; it is unfortunate that it is not better known!
- The OIB should not be confused with the IB exam, which is sometimes referred to as the “Geneva Baccalaureate.” The IB is designed for students whose academic language is English.
The IB exam is the culmination of a series of courses, at both the “standard” and high levels, in languages, sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. The IB does not fall under the aegis of the French ministry of education; it is organized by a private, international entity.
The IB has its advantages and is well balanced between academic requirements and personal development. Personally, I appreciate this balance very much. The IB is offered and recognized in many parts of the world. Some English schools prefer it to A-levels.
BUT BUT
1. In France, the IB is considered by French universities to be a foreign baccalaureate. IB holders are therefore not automatically qualified to attend French universities. In practice, French universities admit students who have the IB but on the same footing as students who have a foreign bac. Usually this is not a problem.
2. Theoretically, les classes préparatoires (a two-year program that prepares students to enter professional schools) are accessible to IB holders. However, as teaching styles are very different in IB programs from the highly rigorous French-style pedagogy used in prépas, these students are poorly prepared to cope. We polled serveral schools that prepare the IB in France. Only exceptionally do any of their students go on to classes préparatoires after an IB.
3. It is worth noting that Science Po Paris’s regional campuses (see post-bac studies section of our website) admit IB students based on their school records and they do not have to take the entrance exam.
In conclusion, for students with an international profile who wish to pursue post-secondary studies in France, I do not recommend the IB. Rather, they should take the OIB Bac for which we prepare them. The OIB Bac is foremost a French bac and therefore is recognized as such. It has been adapted (the first foreign language test is replaced by a literature exam taken in the section’s language; the history-geography exam is also taken in the section’s language) and takes into account the dual culture of our students.
| The “Abibac”? |
This exam is the product of a cooperative agreement between Germany and France signed in the 1990’s. Students who pass the Abibac are awarded the French baccalaureate diploma as well as its German equivalent the “Abitur”. It is required for admission to French and German universities.
As preparation for the exam, students take accelerated German starting in seconde (ages 15-16).The students receive 6 hours weekly of language instruction, as well as 4 hours of history and geography in German. Thus there are 10 hours of German per week.
To compare the OIB and the Abibac: Even if the demands on the student are similar, the current configuration of the secondary program in international sections spreads the work load more evenly as students are required to take 6 hours of German as of the sixième year, but “only” 8 hours in premiere (ages 16-17) and terminale (ages 17-18). In addition, in many lycées, students preparing for the Abibac do not have history-geography classes in French. This can be a handicap if the student later wants to pursue certain post-secondary studies in France.
The education authorities are also currently studying the possibility of offering an English-French “bibac” exam. Further information will be forthcoming.
| In conclusion? |
The educational offerings are certainly diverse. When comparing the programs of different educational establishments, one criterion which parents should consider is the quality of the diploma obtained at the end of the course of study. One could remain circumspect about international sections which do not offer the OIB exam.
Lastly, it is important to mention the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages published by the Council of Europe. The Framework provides a common set of references for measuring levels of language acquisition for students and adults. It defines six levels of analysis, and should clarify the differences in the programs available.
The EU may well be providing the key to unraveling the confusion!
- Sites to visit to go further:
[1] anglais langue et civilisation au Collège de Sèvres
Dernière modification le 22-05-11 par
