What is the European English Section ?
The European English Section opens an international portal which at once counts on linguistic reinforcement – an additional hour of language study during the week taught by an English instructor – as well as on an additional hour of courses outside of the department of foriegn languages (discipline non linguistic, or DNL) – one hour of history or PFEG per week, taught in English by a instructor within the given discipline who has been trained to teach in the target language.
To whom is this section geared ?
The European Section is geared to any student who is interested in languages as well as in following a path of cultural discovery. This section offers a place for those students who wish to further develop and train their use of the language and to deepen their cultural knowledge both of the language and the countries where it is spoken. It is not necessary for the student to have been part of a European Section before advancing to the high school level European Section. Mastery of the A2 level of the CERCL (the level tested at the end of primary studies) is, however, necessary for students to be at ease and have success in the European Section.
What projects are unique to this section ?
• Students work principally on their oral skills by studying films in their original versions and by preparing oral reports and SAYNETTES. A study abroad opportunity is also offered to students in the European Section, promoting first hand experience in the target language and reinforcing mastery of both linguistic skills and cultural literacy. Trips abroad generally take place over the course of a week during the month of April.
• A partner-project with Cholet’s sister-city, Solihull, is underway.
• The students are offered the opportunity to pass the Cambridge exam in English, allowing them to validate their English knowledge at the B1 level of the CECRL. Fees associated with this test are currently covered by the rectorat of the school.
European English Section and the Baccalaureat
Participation in the European Section makes it possible for students to receive a European mention on their baccalaureat diploma. This mention is recognized throughout Europe.
To receive this mention, the student must achieve a score of at least 12/20 on the English test LV1 (the required written test) and achieve a score of at least 10/20 on a subject-specific oral exam. Eighty percent of this score is determined by the student’s success on the European oral exam, while the remaining twenty percent reflects the student’s work throughout the school year, and is determined jointly by the student’s English and DNL instructors.
The oral exam conisists of commenting on a document in English whose content is based on the themes the students have studied during the school year.