Wang Haolan Holly_cn@163.com The French Bilingual Program (FBP) of Shekou International School (SIS) has provided French-speaking families in Shenzhen with an authentic environment for learning and socializing over the past decade. The year 2009 was a godsend for francophones and francophiles in Shenzhen when SIS, the first international school established in the city, launched the first French-language program at the school’s Jingshan campus in partnership with the Agency for French Education Overseas. Benoit Brandt, director of FBP, shared his feelings about the promising program with the Shenzhen Daily last Thursday. “Upon establishment, we recruited only 10 students. Now the program has 75. The FBP students are introduced to a French-speaking learning environment early at the age of 2,” said Brandt. The FBP offers eight years of French-language curriculum to students from pre-school to Grade 5, where kids can learn French as a language of introduction from teachers accredited by the French National Board of Education, according to Brandt. From grades 6 to 9, students will start to learn English as a second language and enjoy the same opportunities in intramural activities as students in the school’s international program do. “Since the FBP is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education, students above Grade 9 will be automatically accepted by the education system in France without taking a language test and can also choose to join the international program, for they are engaged in English teaching activities since Grade 6,” explained Brandt. He added that students can also gain an understanding of their home country in terms of customs, delicacies, festivals and the like through the program. “Students can explore French culture while studying in the program. We hold a celebration on May 8 to mark the victory of World War II,” said Brandt. Besides being a provider of French education, the program, coined by Brandt as a French community itself, plays an active role in cohering French expatriates. “The program, which is the biggest French community in Shenzhen, collaborated with an association named ‘Shenzhen Bienvenue’ to organize networking events for French communities. We are also linked to the French Chamber of Commerce,” he said. He expects continuous growth in the number of students entering the program, including that of non-French-speaking students, and a widening partnership with French corporations in Shenzhen. | 