The Modern Languages curriculum in 3e
Since the 5e year, teaching the two modern languages has taken up 5h30 of collège students’ weekly timetable — regardless of the languages chosen (German, English, Spanish…). Note that science & technology takes up 4h30 of 3e students’ time each week, French, 4h, history-geography, 3h30 and mathematics, 3h.
Modern languages (first and second foreign language) in detail
In collège, modern language teachers are not bound by specific themes defined for each year. The curricula are open, even though a certain level of knowledge and skills is expected by the end of the 3e year.
Whether they chose English, German or Spanish, 3e students must master level A2 across the 5 language skills in their first foreign language (chosen in 6e) and in two of them in their second foreign language (chosen in 5e):
- Listening comprehension (understanding a brief, simple spoken message)
- Reading comprehension (understanding short texts on everyday topics)
- Spoken interaction (briefly exchanging in specific situations)
- Spoken production (being able to describe or introduce people or objects)
- Written expression (writing expressions and sentences using simple connectors)
Note that level B1 is expected by age 16, the age marking the end of compulsory education, which generally coincides with the end of the seconde year. This level requires going quickly beyond the requirements expected at the end of cycle 4…
