1. Learning foreign languages inLearning foreign languages in
pre-primary, primary andpre-primary, primary and
secondary educationsecondary education
in Belgium.in Belgium.
French CommunityFrench Community..

2. Primary schoolPrimary school
What’ s compulsory?What’ s compulsory?
• 2 hours a week from 5th grade to 6th grade.2 hours a week from 5th grade to 6th grade.
• Schools can choose the languageSchools can choose the language
English – Dutch – GermanEnglish – Dutch – German

3.  Except for…..Except for…..
Schools in Brussels where ….Schools in Brussels where ….
- Dutch is compulsory.- Dutch is compulsory.
- Children receive 3 hours a week in 3rd and 4th grade and- Children receive 3 hours a week in 3rd and 4th grade and
5 hours a week in 5th and 6th grade.5 hours a week in 5th and 6th grade.
In some other parts of Belgium near Germany whereIn some other parts of Belgium near Germany where
German is compulsory .German is compulsory .
It is a rule for towns called «It is a rule for towns called « Communes à facilitésCommunes à facilités »»

4. What’s not compulsory but possibleWhat’s not compulsory but possible
in every primary school in Belgium?in every primary school in Belgium?

5.  Eveil aux langues ( language awareness)Eveil aux langues ( language awareness)
 Apprentissage précoce.(early learningApprentissage précoce.(early learning
language)language)
 Enseignement EMILE /CLIL.Enseignement EMILE /CLIL.

6.  Eveil aux langues (Language Awareness)Eveil aux langues (Language Awareness)
Children can discover foreign languagesChildren can discover foreign languages
and they can explore different cultures.and they can explore different cultures.
It’ s not a learning programme. It s just aIt’ s not a learning programme. It s just a
way to increase motivation for learningway to increase motivation for learning
and discovering foreign languages andand discovering foreign languages and
culture.culture.

7.  Apprentissage précoce ( early learningApprentissage précoce ( early learning
language)language)
Children « learn » another language throughChildren « learn » another language through
games, rhythms, songs for one or two hours agames, rhythms, songs for one or two hours a
week.week.
The main aim is communication.The main aim is communication.
Every school can implement such a programme ifEvery school can implement such a programme if
they want. They can begin in pre-primary schoolthey want. They can begin in pre-primary school
until the grade in which learning a foreignuntil the grade in which learning a foreign
language is compulsory.language is compulsory.

8.  EMILE /CLILEMILE /CLIL
Content learning integrated in language.Content learning integrated in language.
Children learn a second language throughChildren learn a second language through
learning subjects.learning subjects.

9. How does it works?How does it works?
 You can start in 3th grade of pre-primaryYou can start in 3th grade of pre-primary
school or in 3th grade of primary school.school or in 3th grade of primary school.
- between ¼ and ¾ of the time in the- between ¼ and ¾ of the time in the
target language ( from 3rd grade oftarget language ( from 3rd grade of
kindergarten to 2nd grade of primarykindergarten to 2nd grade of primary
school)school)
- between 1/4 and 1/2 of the time in the- between 1/4 and 1/2 of the time in the
target language ( from 3rd grade to 6thtarget language ( from 3rd grade to 6th
grade of primary schoolgrade of primary school))

10.  Schools can choose the target languageSchools can choose the target language
(English/Dutch or German) except in(English/Dutch or German) except in
Brussels where Dutch is compulsory.Brussels where Dutch is compulsory.
 Children have 2 teachers: one whoChildren have 2 teachers: one who
teaches subjects in French (which areteaches subjects in French (which are
imposed by the French Communityimposed by the French Community
curriculum) and the other who teachescurriculum) and the other who teaches
subjects in the target language.subjects in the target language.

11. EvaluationsEvaluations
 At the end of primary school, childrenAt the end of primary school, children
must take the « national examination » inmust take the « national examination » in
French.French.
There is no specific test for CLIL schools.There is no specific test for CLIL schools.

12. Secondary schoolsSecondary schools
What is compulsory ?What is compulsory ?
4 hours a week in English, Dutch or4 hours a week in English, Dutch or
German (except in Brussels for exampleGerman (except in Brussels for example
where Dutch is compulsory for 1st and 2ndwhere Dutch is compulsory for 1st and 2nd
grade).grade).
in 3rd and 4th grade, students have 2in 3rd and 4th grade, students have 2
compulsory hours but if they want to, theycompulsory hours but if they want to, they
can opt to have up to 4 hourscan opt to have up to 4 hours..

13.  In 5th and 6th grades, students canIn 5th and 6th grades, students can
choose to learn a third language (usuallychoose to learn a third language (usually
German, Spanish or Italian).German, Spanish or Italian).

14. Clil in secondary school.Clil in secondary school.
 There are two different programmes…There are two different programmes…
 A « continuum » for children who startedA « continuum » for children who started
this programme in kindergarten or in 3rdthis programme in kindergarten or in 3rd
grade of primary school.grade of primary school.
 A “late start” («A “late start” (« apprentissage tardifapprentissage tardif ») for») for
children who want to begin with CLIL inchildren who want to begin with CLIL in
the secondary schoolthe secondary school..

15.  They used to have between 8 and 13They used to have between 8 and 13
hours a week in the target language.hours a week in the target language.
 All of the subjects can be taught in theAll of the subjects can be taught in the
target language except for religion.target language except for religion.

16.  The CLIL programme was initiated in 1989The CLIL programme was initiated in 1989
in Belgium, so it is not an experiment: wein Belgium, so it is not an experiment: we
have a law, inspections, traininghave a law, inspections, training
programmes, coaching for teachers,programmes, coaching for teachers,
examinations to test the language level ofexaminations to test the language level of
the teachers who are not native.the teachers who are not native.
 Every year, the number of schools with aEvery year, the number of schools with a
CLIL programme increaseCLIL programme increase..

17. Thank you
for your attention