The Franco-American School of Chicago, the Erstwhile EFAC, for Francophone Students


Background
The Franco American School of Chicago was earlier known as Ecole franco-américaine de Chicago (EFAC). It has the mission to offer French education to French-speaking students. It is recognized by the Ministry of Education for inclusion in the American public system and provides French curriculum in Chicago. It started in the year 1981 in the public establishment of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (ALES) and finally started the program during the academic year 1995-96.

Learning Outcomes
The EFAC, Franco-American School of Chicago covers all levels from Kindergarten to the final year. Students get a bilingual and bicultural education in the French American Schoolin Chicago. As a result, they are enabled to broaden their knowledge by exposing themselves to the multicultural issues of the American society. Thereby, they acquire sophisticated thinking and become more autonomous and responsible citizens.
 Through the dual experience of acquiring knowledge and socializations, they get the opportunity of pursuing their studies either in the French education system or in the education systems of English-speaking countries.
Special Privileges
Having the French School in Chicago, EFAC is marked by its privileged position in two Public Schools in the USA. It amalgamates the excellence of both school systems. Students pursue the American educational curriculum as well as the French Curriculum n Chicago. They can get the French curriculum until the end of Primary level (CM2). The Middle and High school programs are based on the National Distance Education Center (NCED), having focus on Literature, History and Geography.
As a popular FrenchSchool Chicago, EFAC satisfies the needs of each culture by adopting each curriculum with its own learning methods. Because of this educational diversity, students benefit immensely, both at the program level and in their social life. Students spend several times from one context to another and learn to juggle their learning schedules, educational, linguistic and social codes of both systems. The French Ministry of Education funds a one year visit by a French teacher free of cost to CPS.
Extra-curricular Activities
i) French Camp a four-day annual event of retreating outside of Chicago, for all 5th graders ii) Cine Club, which is a monthly after-school event, introducing French Children’s movie to the Lincoln family
 Constraints
Since the French School in Chicago is integrated into the American school, it has to adopt the same schedules and calendars. The French program is a ‘specialty program’ within the premises of Abraham Lincoln School. The teaching team works with the elementary faculties of ALS for having better coordinated programs for the students.
Teachers mentor students who want to share intelligently between the two programs. Another constraint emerging out of the integration is that EFAC is obliged to honor the school map and admit only such students, living in the Lincoln Elementary borough. However, this constraint does not arise at Lincoln Park High School.
Shifting Schedules
Francophone students have to start one hour earlier than American students by arriving at school at 7.50 am. During the school hours, they have to move from one class to another according to their schedules. At the end of the school hours at 3.45 pm, Francophone students get the opportunity of participating in extracurricular activities.
Students are expected to pass the baccalaureate of French. It is located in Lincoln Park, a prominent residential area in Chicago.
Affiliation
It is affiliated to the Mission Laique Frabcaise (MLF) and is a member of the Association of French Schools in North America (AFSA).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Choose Good French School in Chicago to Learn French for These Benefits

Image
Owing to the multiple benefits of learning French, there is much demand of learning this language. No wonder why French schools are mushrooming up in every nook and corner. If you reside in Chicago or any adjoining area, look out for a French School in Chicago to understand their culture in a better way, to know the rich history of France and will also to enhance your overall personality. Here is a quick look at the benefits that learning this lingo offers.  Understanding the French Culture: One of the most vital advantages of learning French is to understand their culture. Any lingo reflects the culture of the people living there, history of the place, development and growth in diversified fields like history, religion, science and much more. To put it in other words, learning any tongue helps you understand several aspects of people's social, cultural and the religious life of people. You will be able to understand the French literature and poetry also. This is o
Read more

How multicultural education is beneficial in today’s date?

Image
Multicultural education in schools is adopted due to its progressiveness and reaches culturally diverse students in the school. The students belong to a different environment, and diverse culture can get benefitted hugely through multicultural education in schools. The goal of multicultural education is to establish harmony in society through education and an effort to reach culturally diverse students more. The approach is to make the students comfortable with the curriculum in the school. So all the students in the school can equally celebrate and recognize cultural differences. Several French American school is promoting multicultural education for a better education system. Role of ethnicity in schools It is hard to define ethnicity, though; it involves religions, race, culture, and customs. Countries are becoming diverse increasingly. The classroom population in the school is diverse accordingly. So it becomes more critical for the schools to incorporate mult
Read more

Significance of multicultural education system

Image
Education and culture are interlinked as education shapes culture and culture shapes education. Considering that, education institutes, nowadays are emphasizing on culture-based education. This innovative approach to the modern education system makes sure the student can be aware of their cultural identity. Multicultural education aims to develop a strong sense of cultural identity among the students. However, there are times when students belonging to a different country feel left out in a foreign school due to the language and cultural barrier. For that, multilingual curriculums are incorporated in the schools. For instance, the French School in Chicago is providing education to the French and American students in their native language. It helps improve and shape the educational career of the students belonging to different cultures. Well, the multicultural education system is mainly designed to make the students learn about their culture and heritage. Emphasize on
Read more