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Knowledge of French
“I’m not French, and my child can’t speak French either!”
Not to worry. It is not necessary to be or speak French to study at our school.
With over 30 nationalities represented among our students, the French School is a truly multicultural school. Language learning is a fundamental part of our program, with multilingualism at the heart of our philosophy.
Our school warmly welcomes new non-French speaking students of all ages. Our dedicated teams focus on encouraging a gradual entry into French through individually defined Personalised Programs for Educational Success (PPRE).
The French School is accredited as a “Section Internationale Britannique” (SIB), and even students who choose to study in the regular section benefit from 25-35% of classes in English under the “PARLE” scheme. Starting from Cinquième (Grade 7) onwards, Spanish or German is also taught. For the other courses – and this is the majority of the learning time – French is the language of instruction.
In the British International Section, some classes are taught in English, so there is no problem if your child does not speak French when they join the French School. French will be progressively integrated into the curriculum as a foreign language (FLE Français Langue Étrangère) by dedicated teachers.
Registering as a student at our school is possible even if no one in your family speaks French, and, in fact, this is the case for the majority of our students. Success will depend on how motivated you are to help your child integrate quickly, and how motivated they are to learn.
Please contact our Admissions team, who will provide you with the best.
Kindergarten
A student who joins the French School without speaking French can learn it very quickly. We offer tailor-made courses to promote language learning and facilitate the transition to our kindergarten program.
Elementary School – from CP (Grade 1) to CM2 (Grade 5)
Mastering French takes a few months, thanks to the incredible support of our teachers who specialise in teaching French as a foreign language.
Middle School and High School (from Grade 6 to Matric)
French classes in small groups, with individualised support, allow for integration within a few months.
Enrolment
For all registration enquiries, please contact our team at: ecole@efdc.co.za
Pre-registration
Applications for new students are submitted online through the French School’s Eduka portal. After verification of the pre-registration application, an email will be sent to parents indicating whether your child is accepted.
Please note that if your child is not currently enrolled in a French school, an assessment will be conducted to determine the appropriate class placement. The pre-registration application form does not guarantee enrolment.
Registration
Upon receipt of the notification of admission from our school’s secretariat, the application form must be completed online. The following items will be required:
A copy of your child’s passport and study permit (from Grande section – Grade R) if not South African.
Proof of medical coverage.
Proof of guardianship or custody in case the child does not live with both biological parents.
School fee payment form dated and signed by both parents.
Student record from the previous school.
Certificate of admission to the relevant class/report card.
School leaving certificate from the previous school.
Copy of your child’s vaccination booklet.
Photocopy of the complete livret de famille (for French citizens) or photocopy of the birth certificate or complete birth certificate for all other nationalities.
Proof of payment of the registration fee and deposit.
School calendar
Below is the school calendar for the French School for the 2022-2023 school year.
Fees
Study Permits
South African children or children with permanent residence do not require a study permit.
All foreign families moving to South Africa and wishing to enrol their children in the school must obtain a study permit, which is compulsory for children from Grade R upwards. Recent changes in legislation have occurred, so it is essential to consult the South African Embassy and apply three months before your departure.
For families already in the country, please note that VFS Global processes visa applications on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Your application must be accompanied by the following documents:
A valid passport.
A certificate of registration at the Lycée Français du Cap (please contact our office).
Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of schooling.
A medical certificate and a certificate of medical insurance valid for South Africa.
A repatriation guarantee.
A letter confirming your return to your country of residence or origin at the end of your studies.
Payment of the student visa application fee
