What is “Adaptation”?

The Adaptation Program at Ecole Jeannine Manuel is designed to support students in CE1 through 3ème who are new to the French language and/or school system in every aspect of their transition into life at our bilingual French and International School.

“The Adaptation Program is what initially drew our family to EJM, and is undoubtedly the reason that our kids have thrived in the move to France. The program provided a warm welcome to a new country, culture and educational system, and allowed for immersion in French while being surrounded by a community of people (including the other Adaptation families) dedicated to making the transition to France a positive one.”

— a former Adaptation parent

How does the Adaptation Program work?

In the Primary School (CE1 through CM2)

<aside> 💡 a one-year program

• A small, separate Adaptation class
• A1 Class at the Dupleix Campus for CE1 and CE2 (16 students)
• A2 Class at the Théâtre Campus for CM1 and CM2 (18 students)
• 18 hours of French instruction per week (language, math, science, history/geography, physical education, and theater)
• Students settle in at their own pace, with the guidance and support of their Adaptation Teacher
• Booster Week in August of their second year
• Continued support beyond the Adaptation year as needed </aside>

In the Middle School (6ème through 3ème)

<aside> 💡 a flexible two-year program

• Mandatory Preparation Week in August before the first year
• Direct integration into a bilingual class of 26 students
• French immersion in 3 to 6 subjects, including French Literature, Math, as well as Art, Music, PE, and/or Homeroom, and History/Geography for one semester in 8th and 9th grade.
• In-class buddies
• Peer Leader/Peer Mentor support
• French language or support classes, 3 to 4 times/week (FRA+)
• Office Hours / Regular individual meetings
• Continued support beyond the Adaptation years as needed

NOTE: Students in either the FRA+ language class or FRA+ support class cannot take Chinese or Latin, as all of these subjects are scheduled simultaneously. Please reach out directly to Lyn Lemaire if you have any concerns.

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<aside> 📖 UNDERSTANDING THE FRENCH SYSTEM

<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right_pink.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right_pink.svg" width="40px" /> Maternelle = Kindergarten

MS = US PreK = UK Reception

GS = US Kindergarten = UK Year 1

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<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right_purple.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Primaire = Primary = Elementary

CP = US 1st Grade = UK Year 2

CE1 = US 2nd Grade = UK Year 3

CE2 = US 3rd Grade = UK Year 4

CM1 = US 4th Grade = UK Year 5

CM2 = US 5th Grade = UK Year 6

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Adaptation Programs begin in CE1, for children who have already learned to read in English.

<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right_green.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right_green.svg" width="40px" /> Collège = Middle School

6ème = US 6th Grade = UK Year 7

5ème = US 7th Grade = UK Year 8

4ème = US 8th Grade = UK Year 9

3ème = US 9th Grade = UK Year 10

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New French learners arriving after 3ème go directly into the “2nde Internationale” class, on the IB Track, where instruction is mostly in English.

<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right_yellow.svg" width="40px" /> Lycée = High School

Seconde = US 10th Gr = UK Yr 11

Première = US 11th Gr = UK Yr 12

Terminale = US 12th Gr = UK Yr 13

IB = International Baccalaureate (most courses are in English)

BFI = Baccalauréat français international (50/50 French/English curriculum, including mandatory AP courses in English and History)

</aside>

Due to the time necessary to bridge the gap between basic communication skills (acquired in 6 mos to 2 yrs) and advanced academic language proficiency in French (requiring at least 5 yrs of study), most Adaptation students arriving after 6ème choose the IB track.

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Adaptation Services

Academic Support

• French Language Instruction
• Differentiated Instruction in French immersion
• Inclusive Assessment Accommodations in French as needed
• One-on-one support / review as needed
• Peer Tutoring as needed

Social-Emotional Support

• Group coaching and preparation for the transition into bilingual immersion
• Individual coaching / Personal support as needed
• Open door policy
• Peer Mentoring as needed

Family Support

• Preparatory meetings and coaching
• Individual meetings as needed throughout the year
• Weekly “Looking Ahead” updates to keep families plugged into events and deadlines
• Constant communication and partnership to support each student’s individual needs

Contact

<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_red.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_red.svg" width="40px" /> Head of Adaptation Programs

Lyn Thompson Lemaire (she/her)

[email protected]

01 44 37 43 12

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<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_red.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_red.svg" width="40px" /> Parent Association (APE) Resources

The APE houses many different language-based or activity-based parent groups that create frequent opportunities for community building.

Website: www.ejmparents.com (login: jmanuel-p / pw: 2425p)

Adapting to France Parent Group: [email protected]

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