Secondary Level: Collège (ages 11-15, 6ème-3ème)
The Section Internationale programme provides a bilingual, bi-cultural education oriented towards the international option of the French baccalauréat (OIB) at the end of Terminale. The programme references the British National Curriculum and is aligned with the French curriculum. Students sit the international option of the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) at the end of 3ème and begin preparation for the IGCSE English Literature exam at the end of Seconde.
The English Language & Literature and History-Geography programmes foster intellectual development and cultural enrichment while developing in-depth knowledge of the literary and historical heritage of Britain and North America. The pedagogical approach is based on these educational systems, and the teaching team are native English speakers who have been trained in their home countries. The programmes are comparable to the linguistic and cultural level of the French programmes or the equivalent year programmes in the UK or US.
A full description in French of the college English programme may be found on the French Ministry of Education website.
The students are fully integrated into the French public school system at Collège Pasteur and Collège La Quintinye. In addition to the standard French curriculum, students have six hours a week of English Language & Literature and History-Geography from 6ème through 3ème. Participation in the Section Internationale is challenging and rewarding, requiring extra academic investment and personal motivation.
Please note that children fulfilling entry requirements to the Section Internationale may be awarded a dispensation (dérogation) to attend the school if they live outside the school’s usual catchment area.
Sixième
English
Instilling enjoyment of reading and intellectual curiosity provides a foundation for pursuing fluent and skilled written and oral expression. During this year of transition from primary to secondary, pupils study narrative techniques of different genres (novels, poetry, theatre, etc) and craft different types of writing relevant to different genres (narrative, descriptive, expository, also diaries, poems, letters, etc). Literary works studied include novels, short stories, fairy tales, poetry and plays. Poetry and drama presentations build confidence and oral skills.
Novels studied in class have included Holes and Ruby in the Smoke as well as the play Frankenstein. Regular visits to the English section of the school library encourage extensive reading.
History-Geography
Students first approach history by understanding chronologies as well as primary and secondary sources. The Roman invasion of Britain is studied through to the end of Roman Britain followed by the Saxons and Vikings. In Geography students learn atlas, map and diagram skills while they study the differences between physical, human and environmental geography. Life in rural and urban communities is examined as well as the cause and effect of natural disasters such as volcanoes and earthquakes.
Students develop key skills to understand and interpret history and geography while also improving their written and oral English skills through a variety of tasks such as source analysis, historical enquiries, in-class activities, research projects and oral presentations to promote confidence in public speaking.
Cinquième
English
Pupils consolidate previous learning as they pursue the discovery of different literary genres (police novels, science fiction, historical fiction, etc). Written work continues in different genres. Oral work includes story-telling, debate and drama.
Novels studied in class have included The Giver and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Visits to the English section of the school library encourage extensive reading.
History-Geography
Students study a broad sweep of British history in the Middle Ages, beginning with the Norman Conquest through to the start of the Tudor period. The Geography programme covers world development with a case study on Kenya. Students learn how developing countries are affected by population growth, jobs and trade in order to examine arguments for and against providing aid.
Students develop key skills to understand and interpret history and geography while also improving their written and oral English skills through a variety of tasks such as source analysis, historical enquiries, in-class activities, research projects and oral presentations to promote confidence in public speaking.
Quatrième and Troisième
English
As they begin literary analysis, 4ème students study To Kill a Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a selection of poetry and short stories.
Preparation for the IGCSE Literature exam beings in 3ème as students study one novel, one play and a selection of poetry. Novels have ranged from Northhanger Abbey to A Separate Peace or Purple Hibiscus. Plays have ranged from Macbeth to An Inspector Calls or A Raisin in the Sun.
At the end of 3ème, pupils sit an oral exam. A passing mark is recognised by “Mention Internationale” on their brevet diploma and validates their experience in the Section Internationale in collège.
History-Geography
The 4ème History programme looks at the making of the United Kingdom from 1500 to 1900. With four hundred years to cover in one, students study a selection of events and movements including the Tudors, the Reformation in England, the English Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, Empire and the slave trade. The Geography programme covers themes such as sustainability, development, fair trade and globalisation. These often link well with the History programme (for example, globalisation and Empire).
The 3ème History programme focuses on 1914-1945. Students study the First World War, the Depression, hyperinflation in Germany and the rise of Hitler, the Second World War and genocide. In order to prepare the brevet, they study some of the same topics as in French History-Geography, however, from a British point of view. The Geography programme is a study of the European Union from a British perspective, which enables students to have a truly bilingual and bi-cultural understanding of issues.
Homework assignments are set every week, and each pupil chooses a personal project to present. The classes provide many opportunities for debate as well as practice in using historical sources and writing analytical essays. Discussion of current events is also an important element.
At the end of 3ème, pupils sit an oral exam. A passing mark is recognised by “Mention Internationale” on their brevet diploma and validates their experience in the Section Internationale in collège.