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SCHOOLS

‘Section internationales’: How do France’s bilingual secondary schools work?

For foreign parents in France looking at secondary school options for their children one option to consider is the bilingual 'international sections' in certain state schools. But how do they work?

Published: 5 December 2022 16:12 CET
'Section internationales': How do France's bilingual secondary schools work?
(Photo by BORIS HORVAT / AFP)

What is an ‘international section’

Essentially international sections in French secondary schools allow students to learn a modern foreign language, such as English or German in much more depth than a standard state secondary. These sections also facilitate the integration of foreign students into the French school system.

There are about 200 ‘International’ establishments (primary schools, colleges and high schools) around France offering international sections in 16 languages.

Most are state run, so for many foreign families they are a much cheaper alternative to private schools, though it should be noted that some of the international sections are fee-paying.

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Even state establishments can charge for enrolment into their international sections. Fees are usually in the region of €1,000 to €2,000 per year (although that’s still cheap compared to somewhere like the American school of Paris which charges between €20,000 and €35,000 a year)

American and British sections are particularly popular – and, as a result are usually the most expensive, while less-popular German sections are less costly. 

Why do they exist?

These sections are ideal for the children of immigrant families, as well as those where one parent is of foreign origin. Syllabuses are set up and developed by French educational authorities and those of the partner country.

In addition to lessons dedicated to modern languages, students benefit from lessons in another subject given in a foreign language. The international sections promote the discovery of the culture and civilisation of the countries associated with the section.

Top tips for raising a bilingual child in France

What languages are available?

According to the government website, 19 languages are available. But that’s not strictly accurate as it then lists American, British and Australian as separate ‘languages’, along with Portuguese and Brazilian. It’s more accurate to say these establishments offer education in 16 languages.

It’s more accurate to say that there are 19 “sections”, dedicated to learning with a linguistic and cultural education slant in favour of the following nations/languages:

American, Arabic, Australian, Brazilian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Franco-Moroccan, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Russian.

In total, there are two Australian schools, 20 American ones, over 50 British schools – most in Paris and the Ile-de-France (Versailles is very popular)

So, what’s studied – and what qualifications do you get?

As well as usual collège-level classes in core subjects, such as maths, history and the sciences, students have four hours of classes in the language, including literary studies, of their choice.

From troisième (age 14), an additional two hours of classes per week cover that country’s history and geography and moral and civic education – the latter is replaced by maths for those studying in Chinese sections.

They can obtain the diplôme national du brevet with the mention “série collège, option internationale”. The dedicated brevet includes two specific tests: history-geography and foreign language.

At lycée, students study four hours of foreign literature per week, as well as two hours of history-geography in the language of the section (maths for the Chinese section) as well as two hours of French as they study towards an OIB (option internationale du bac), often at the same time as a standard French bac.

How to enrol

The first step is to contact the collège you wish your child to attend. This should take place no later than January before the September rentree you want your child to go to the collège.

If you live in France, and your child is attending an école primaire or élémentaire, you should do this in the January of the year they would move up to collège.

Be aware, that some schools require potential students to pass a language test – written and oral – before they can enter an international section. A child wishing to enter sixth grade must be able to read books of the level of Harry Potter in English, to enter the international school of Sèvres’ British section, while another has said that only 20 percent of candidates achieve the grade that would allow them entry into an international section.

Find a school

You will find sections internationales de collège at educational academies across the country. For a full list, with contact details, click here.

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For members

TAXES

Tax benefits of having children in France

Parents in France benefit from a number of tax deductions, including for childcare or school costs, accommodation or even alimony payments, some of which can continue even when your kids are adults. Here's a look at some of the tax breaks that you may be entitled to.

Published: 24 April 2024 15:23 CEST
Tax benefits of having children in France

Having children in France is just as brilliantly difficult and gloriously maddening as it is anywhere in the world. But it can also be a major money-saver.

A not-uncommon topic of conversation is the generous support for parents. Three is the magic number of children for a family, for tax purposes – though that has to be offset against the realities of actually parenting three children.

READ ALSO Family-centred society: What it’s really like being a parent in France

We’ll leave that last calculation to you, and just deal with the French tax system, which is rather less complex.

So as tax declarations for 2024 are now open, here are the tax breaks you get for being a parent in France.

READ ALSO The 2024 French tax guide

Childcare

Let’s start with little kids, when you’re likely to be paying out for childcare.

Parents of children under the age of 6 on January 1st of any given tax year can obtain a tax credit towards the cost of childcare. This can either go towards crèche fees or the cost of an approved childminder or nanny.

The child concerned must be under 6 years of age on January 1st of the tax year. The credit is equal to 50 percent of the sums paid on childcare, up to a limit of €3,500 per child per year.

You must declare the net annual salary you pay any childminder/nanny, and any social security contributions.

School

A child in full-time education who does not have an employment contract entitles parents to a tax reduction of €61 if they’re in collège, €153 if they’re in lycée, and €183 if they’re in higher education, as long as they’re part of their parents’ tax household.

READ ALSO What you need to know if your child is starting school in France

In addition to the tax breaks, parents of school-age children are also entitled to various types of financial aid to help cover school costs including the ‘back to school’ bonus that is intended to cover those September costs for new uniform, stationery etc.

Divorce

If you’re divorced, then alimony payments may be tax deductible, depending on your childcare arrangements. The amount varies according to the financial situation of the parent paying the support. On the other hand, the cost of maintaining visitation rights, such as train tickets, are not tax-deductible. 

If parents have agreed shared custody of any children, any alimony payments are not deductible, because each parent is entitled to an increased tax share of their individual household.

Adult children

You might think that tax breaks are only available when your children are still young, but even when they reach the age of 18 there are still some tax benefits available.

Accommodation for adult children

If your adult child – that is a child over the age of 18 – lives with you and is attached to your tax household, you can deduct a lump sum of €3,968 from your income on your declaration for 2023 earnings, which is due now. According to the tax authorities, this amount corresponds to the cost of board and lodging.

“When the child’s accommodation covers only a fraction of the year, this sum must be reduced in proportion to the number of months concerned, with any month begun being deducted. Even if it is a lump sum, the amount deducted must be declared by the beneficiary”, the tax authorities’ website states.

Financial aid for children with no income

Parents who provide monthly financial assistance to adult children up to the age of 25 living on their own can declare the sums paid up to a limit of €6,368 per year. This aid is fully deductible. 

“You must keep all receipts for expenses, as they may be requested by the tax authorities. If the parents are taxed separately, each parent can deduct expenses up to this limit,” the tax office website says.

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