The Handbook of Informal Language Learning

22Informal English Learning in France

MERYL KUSYK

Introduction

For many French children, exposure to foreign languages begins in the educational realm.¹ World languages and cultures are generally introduced in the école maternelle (preschool/kindergarten, ages 3–5), after which instruction of a specific language begins. A second foreign language is added in middle school and the learning of both continues through high school. The number of hours per week of formal classes depends on the grade: in elementary school foreign languages are taught for 1.5 hours per week; this increases to a combined 4 hours per week in middle school and 5.5 hours per week in high school for both languages. Several types of foreign language programs are offered, depending on the school, for example regional languages may be studied or students may enroll in a “European section,” which offers content and language integrated learning. According to the national education policy, all students should reach a B1² level by the end of compulsory education (in general, the end of middle school or 16 years of age), while high school baccalauréat students should have a B2 level upon graduation.³ A recent survey on European language competences conducted by the European Commission (2012) has shown that these goals are a work in progress: of the 14 countries that took part, France ranked second to last for listening, reading, and writing combined and only 14% of students had a B1 level or higher at the end ...