The Modern Languages curriculum in 4e
Since the 5e class, studying the two modern languages has taken up 5h30 of a 4e student’s lessons each week, well ahead of French and science & technology (4h30), mathematics (3h30) and history-geography (3h). The aim is that by the end of cycle 4, they can master the first level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Modern languages (first and second foreign language) in detail
As in 5e, there is no set curriculum for modern language practice in collège. Whatever path is taken, the 4e student must work towards the 5 expected skills: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, spoken interaction, spoken production and writing.
The CEFR scale provides for 6 levels, ranging from A1 (introduction to the language and initial discovery) to C1 (mastery). In collège, for the first foreign language (LV1), the aim is to reach level A2 in all 5 language skills whereas for the second foreign language (LV2), only 2 of them are required. For reference, by age 16, at the end of compulsory schooling, level B1 must be reached, and B2 by terminale.
In concrete terms, level A2 means understanding the main points of a conversation on familiar, everyday topics (family, work, daily life) and being able to hold short exchanges. Students must also read short texts and grasp their main information, as well as write short texts. The idea is that, immersed in the language they have chosen (German, English, Spanish…), they can understand and make themselves understood.
