At CIS, learning French is more than just learning a language.

French is a world language. It is spoken by about 274 million people globally (as a native or second language), it is the 5th most widely spoken language on the planet, and it is the only language - together with English, to be spoken across all five continents.

French, which has been offered as a second language since the school began over 25 years ago, is offered to students from junior kindergarten. Our commitment to multilingualism sees our teachers providing students with opportunities to embrace the cultures associated with a language, and to become immersed in it beyond the classroom.

In the Middle Years Programme (MYP), French students have partnerships with French speaking schools in a variety of French speaking countries such as Canada, France or Morocco. Students will exchange letters or emails with their French speaking counterparts. In the Diploma Programme (DP), students have opportunities to experience (with their French teachers) French cinema at the Singapore French film festival or to attend classical plays at Alliance Française of Singapore or Sing’ theatre.

This year CIS became a member of the French Teachers Association of Singapore, in order to provide additional opportunities for students to converse in French outside of the classroom. This association has given our French speaking students the opportunity to participate in two interschool events in the first semester alone. Some of the French speaking activities that have happened in the first semester include:

Débattons en Français! French debates.

In September, a group of DP French B students took up the challenge of participating in the Interschool French Debates Competition, where they made us proud by battling against students from Tanglin, SAS, GEMS and the German International School in high quality debates about a variety of global issues. The competition judges were impressed by our students’ confidence and overall performance. Well done, Solene Le Bretton, Gaia Bartoletti, Marius Cagnat and Garrick Massardier from grade 11, and Alisa Hulsbosch, Lily Howarth, Marie-Claire Jalaguier and Rania Rufaidah Fuadi, from grade 12.

French debate student reflections:

Gaia Bartoletti (Grade 11, French B higher level)
I would definitely recommend that everyone taking French B HL consider being part of the debate competition as it was a great and fun experience. Each participating team was made up of two contestants age 15 or above who are taking either MYP phase 4 French or DP higher level French B. Before the debate, we were given 4 possible topics to discuss: accepting immigrants in Europe, genetic engineering, homework in university and vegan meals in school. All topics were very interesting to learn about from different perspectives. Taking part in the French debate competition was a great experience. I was able to meet new people from different schools, develop my French skills and learn about new things. The debate will also look good on university applications (and also counts for CAS)!

Marie-Claire Jalaguier (Grade 12, French B standard level):

I signed up for the French oral debate competition at SAS just a couple of days before debate day, and I’m really glad that I joined. I got the opportunity to apply the skills I learnt in class to a real world situation of conversing and expressing different opinions and perspectives to others. I have never been very confident about speaking in French but this debate gave me the confidence to interact with French speakers the same age as me with different views on a number of issues (homework, genetically selected babies, immigration, and veganism). Debating in French definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. If I had the chance, I would participate in the debates again as the whole process of researching, preparing, and debating was so rewarding and an experience like no other.

Rania Rufaidah Fuadi (Grade 12, French B higher level):

The French oral debate (Joutes Oratoires) was a very worthwhile experience. To try to improve my French speaking skills, I decided to participate in this event very close to the “D-day”. Not only did I succeed in improving my French speaking skills, I also met new people from different schools and had the chance to experience an official debate in a small group. It was a great experience to be able to speak and express my opinions in front of people I have never met and debating in French was a whole new experience.

Lily Howarth (Grade 12, French B standard level)

Even though my decision to join the French oral debate was rather last minute, I am glad I got the opportunity to participate in the event. My partner and I had to prepare arguments for four possible topics, including genetically modified babies, immigration, veganism and homework. The debate was fun though quite nerve racking. It allowed to me practice my French speaking skills in a formal setting, try out various persuasion and debating techniques, and practice public speaking. Although debating in French was quite a challenge, I am glad that my partner and I took the risk and I am proud of how our debate turned out.

Alisa Hulsbosch (Grade 12, French B High level)

The French oral debate was one of the most challenging experiences I have ever had. Not only did I improve my French speaking skills when under pressure, I learned a great deal about a number of global issues and  found it quite interesting to listen to other students’ perspectives on the topics we discussed.

French idol
In November, Swara Ranam, a grade 9 French student, represented CIS at the Interschool French Idol Competition. This competition welcomed French language students from international schools across Singapore. The only requirement was that students had to sing in French! Swara was selected to represent our school and gave a fantastic performance!

DELF exam - prepare for the future!
For the fourth year, CIS students will sit the external DELF French examination at the Alliance Française in May. The DELF is an official qualification awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify the competency of candidates from outside France in the French language. These certificates are valid for life and recognised worldwide.

There are four levels of competency from A1 to B2. From B1 level, the DELF diploma can give students credits in most universities around the world. It is also often required by administrative bodies, employers and educational institutions. The DELF certificate also opens up opportunities for higher education at some of France’s best-known universities (the Sorbonne, Pierre Marie Curie University, etc.) or elite grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, ESSEC), often on very favourable financial terms.

Native level French classes opening
Recognising our growing French speaking community, French speaking students can now elect to take a French A (French native language) Language and Literature class at DP level and earn a bilingual IB Diploma at the end of the two year programme. The phase 5 and 6 French programme we offer grade 9 and 10 students provides solid preparation for those students who want to challenge themselves in the DP and we are looking forward scheduling more “near native” classes if the numbers allow.