What’s daily life like? School day schedule, 2-hour lunches, extracurricular activity difference, what teachers are like, and making friends in French middle school.
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About Us:
We are an American family of 3 who moved to France for an extended stay adventure in 2022.
We wanted to experience Europe as more than rushed tourists on a 10-day vacation. To dive into the culture, learn a new language, experience daily life, and truly know what it was like to work and live somewhere other than the US.
In France, we set up a business, enrolled in a middle school, found housing, and even got our cat a European passport!
While preparing to leave for France, the information we found about staying in France for longer than a short vacation was directed at college students, young & single digital nomads, or retirees. Where was the useful information for families like us?
With two years under our belts in France, we created Baguette Bound to pass on what we have learned. We hope to make it easier and inspire other families who are interested in experiencing a long stay or moving to France with their families. Stay tuned for more information on French culture, adjusting and the logistics of moving across the world.
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22 Comments
Julianna is growing so beautiful. ❤. You have been fabulous parents. ❤❤
Regarding French teachers being more "direct", one might add that it's an important feature of French culture in general. French people as a whole are more direct (and sometimes are wrongly perceived as being brutal and insensitive by foreigners) because we value open discussion, and confrontation of perspectives and ideas. Debating and expressing your opinion is considered a healthy part of democratic life in a republic. Sugar-coating things is frowned upon and considered being "fake". We just say things as they are and consider criticism to be constructive (as long as said criticism is expressed in a decent, respectful way of course). Fragile egos beware!
Hello ! This is a very interesting video. I'm actually thinking about showing it to my students in 6e who are currently learning about different school systems around the world. As an English teacher working in France, I agree with the fact that teachers are not sugar coating it for kids, we are straightforward and honest, not mean, but just honest. We give advice and help them as much as we can, but we expect students to put in the work to succeed. And that's not just teachers, it's part of French culture in a whole, we're the same with friends and family. Being honest is our way of showing that we care, we are concerned about you, we are trying to push you to do better for yourself. Denying it and down playing it won't get anyone anywhere. That said, we are not drill sergeants either, and we have different approaches according to the psychological profiles of students, some need to be kindly encouraged, other need to be pushed harder.
Is the mum high ????😮😮
.
Or just fake 🤥🤥🤥🤥😮
Chef means kitchen boss .
.duh
I get the feeling that some American students would have a very hard time in European schools generally. As a former teacher aide, I often heard "I don't care" from American students, when told their work needed improvement. They just don't care. The anti-intellectualism permeated student life–everything was about fulfilling minimum expectations and going to the next party.
So AMAZING to hear the perspective of your daughter!!!
Your daughter is so beautiful and intelligent and funny! I loved comparing French schools to American schools! I can’t imagine how daunting it was for her to start school in a country whose language she didn’t know! But she persevered! What a girl! And a real gift to you guys! Thank you
Americans are not our friends , they are gutting our industries, forcing us to buy their military hardware (the french hoppefully don't) treating us like vassals or lackeys and that was before this orange P.O.S. …
You said she's in a "hybrid" "public private middle school". What is that? A public collège with an English international section? A Catholic school? In France, all "sous contrat" schools, meaning ones that receive all or most of their funding from the state, ie, public and Catholic schools, follow the curriculum set by Education Nationale. "Sous contrat" schools are the vast majority here. If you're in an English international section, you do most or all your subjects in English except French. Is this what your daughter's doing? There are also Catholic schools with English international sections. As the parent of a child in collège here, I'd say you're sugar-coating things a bit. Education here is v old-fashioned. Memorization and regurgitation is a central component of it. Dictées are paramount. Lots of tests. Creative or critical thinking is generally not encouraged. Classes are big. Normally, around 30 kids in a class. Children are often sanctioned by teachers – esp in Catholic schools – for what be considered mundane stuff in the US like forgetting to bring a book to class or whispering to a classmate when the teacher is speaking. Several sanctions lead to detention. There's a ton of negative feedback and harsh criticism doled out to kids. Positive or constructive criticism is not part of the culture. There's barely any support for children who learn differently. Parents whose children have dyslexia, ADHD or other special needs must be ready to do battle to have their child properly supported at school. Appointments with speech and occupational therapists often take place outside of school hours. At about the age of 15, all students take a competitive national exam called the Brevet. How you do on this exam greatly dictates your academic path.
In fact, there is some substitute teachers in France, but with the low budget there is less and less of them, to the point they're becoming inexistant.
Next time may be you can speak in french together !
I learned french from elementary to high school. Even after 30 years speaking in french i still dont have it all right.
The problem is we dont teach propper conversation of Today in france. We teach the speach of old times most words now are shortened or they have changed completly for how you would use it and pernounce it in todays french language standards.
Then there is the whole french from diffrent regions in france that dont use words the same as people in paris or normandy.
I will say from experience. Learning french in america is not the best way to learn.
There are substitutes teachers in France, even if they're been decimated by the right-leaning government over the years, so there's a lack of susbstitutes but they're still plenty.
Ta fille parle si bien français! Le "D'accord" prononcé avec tellement d'aisance à parodier un ton si particulier! Bravo!
Just a quick tip for your video : if you plan to sit down and put the camera somewhere (where it won't move), you should use fixed focus and not constant autofocus. Just set the focus of your camera on your face and leave it like that (those options are also possible on phones if you know where to look for !), it will avoid the problems of the camera trying to adjust the focus and ending up focusing on your background instead of your face 🙂
11:33 I sometimes take lunch at the school cafeteria (in a separate room), and I noticed that most adults begin their meal with the main course, while it’s still warm, and eat the cold entrée later.
Ahhh I love that she does her homework during lunch….so American! I can totally relate! 😄
"When I understand not what's going on"….translation of "quand je comprends pas ce qui se passe" 😄😄She is truly bilingual now!
La jeune est tres mûri. Elle ECOUTE ET RESPECT A SA MAMAN
I attended middle & high school in both the US and I can confirm that French schools are less "cliquey". I'm not sure why as French teens aren't necessarily friendlier, it's just less segmented. My school had lots of lunch club offerings, they aren't graded except for the last year of high school when some activities can add a few points to your BAC grades. School hours are based on adult working days as the government traditionally holds the responsibility to care for children while their parents work. I didn't find the school day too long because it contains a 2 hr break. You can do all your homework and studying in the library during that time, or play sports, or even leave campus in high school and have lunch in town or go home! I didn't live too far and used to ride my bike home and take a nap. Teens are encouraged to be independent (autonomes) and manage their time way more than American teens.
"When I understand not" at 24:13 is like a litteral translation of french "lorsque je ne comprends pas".
Be careful, french is growing on you! 😉 j/k . You are doing impressive.
You are a very smart girl, keep it up!
Thanks for the video, it's great, as usual.