Overview of the French Bilingual Binational Program at Highgate School and Unley High School
We are pleased to share the vision and program design for the French Binational Bilingual Program approved by the Minister for Education.
Vision
To deliver a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, continuous, high-quality program ‘Label Franc Education’ accredited French Bilingual Binational Program (FBBP) from Reception to Year 10 that supports French background and additional language learners to develop a high level of proficiency in French and intercultural understanding.
Purpose
To offer bilingual/binational education to expand learning outcomes for all FBBP students across the curriculum, enabling them to develop enhanced literacy, social, emotional and cognitive skills, including critical and creative thinking, problem solving and international mindedness.
Bilingual Education
Bilingual education means different things to different people. For the Department, ‘bilingual education’ is the use of two languages as the media for teaching and learning.
The FBBP supports both French background and additional language learners to develop a high level of proficiency in French and intercultural understanding.
Binational Education and a Harmonised French/Australian Curriculum
A harmonised French and Australian curriculum is central to a binational education and to the delivery of the FBBP at Unley High School. Harmonisation is the process of blending the content of two government curricula but using French as the media for teaching and learning. The harmonised program is accredited by ‘Label Franc Education’.
The subject areas offered in the program are Français, Histoire, Géographie, Mathématiques and Sciences with Français being the main language of instruction.
Selective Entry
The FBBP has a selective entry process, in accordance with the Department for Education’s procedure for special interest programs. This process is managed by the school leadership and allows for a number of out of zone students to apply for enrolment in the program.
Admission to the Program is based on meeting one or more selection criteria:
- Appropriate level of proficiency in the French language: A2 – Elementary proficiency level, as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Being born in a Francophone country or have parents who are Francophones.
- Having undertaken a French Bilingual Program in an Australian primary school.
- Age-appropriate level of proficiency in English is advantageous
- Students who demonstrate qualities which will support them to become successful bilingual learners, including: perseverance, self-motivation, love of learning, collaboration.
- Assessment in English and French will be undertaken by all applicants.
The Selection Panel may request:
- A report from the student’s current school outlining their language skills and suitability.
- An interview with the selection panel to gauge the student’s interest in the French language and culture.
An information evening will be held at Unley High School in Lower STEM (enter via gate 2) on Tuesday 17 March at 5.30pm
For application for year 7 entry in 2027 please complete the Year 7 French Bilingual Binational Program Application.
For all other enrolment enquiries for the French Bilingual Binational Program please complete a Registration of Interest to Enrol.
Program Fee
$200 per year for all year levels in 2027 including testing, equipment and guest speakers.
