Seconde: a year for deciding
The general and technological seconde class (Year 11) is designed to enable pupils to consolidate and broaden their mastery of the common core of knowledge, skills and culture so that they can successfully make the transition from collège to lycée. It prepares them to decide on their choice of pathway within the final cycle leading to the general or technological baccalauréat, with a view to successful higher education and, beyond that, their entry into professional life.
Pupils who wish to, and who can demonstrate a strong level in languages, have the opportunity to follow the American International Section in seconde.
With a view to affirming the general and technological seconde class as a year for consolidating shared culture, an assessment in the form of digital diagnostic tests assessing proficiency in French and skills in mathematics takes place at the beginning of the school year. These tests are held before October. They consist of two sessions of 50 minutes each, with exercises in French and mathematics, taken on a digital platform. An optional oral expression test may also be taken. The pupil’s results, which are anonymous and personal, may be shared with the teachers concerned and with the family.
The results of these tests make it possible to make better use of personalised support in order to respond more closely to pupils’ needs.
A substantial number of hours is devoted to guidance on choosing a pathway. These hours are spent developing a plan leading to the choice of a course of study and of specialist subjects for the final cycle, and then to successful higher education.
The final cycle: première and terminale
The final cycle of the general pathway (première, Year 12, and terminale, Year 13) includes core subjects common to all pupils, and compulsory specialist subjects chosen by the pupil.
Core subjects common to all pupils to strengthen shared culture
French (in première), philosophy (in terminale), history and geography, modern languages A and B, scientific education, moral and civic education (EMC) and physical education and sport (EPS) make up the core curriculum. More than half of pupils’ timetables therefore consist of subjects common to all.
From the start of the 2023 school year, in addition to the 2 hours of scientific education, première pupils who do not take the mathematics specialist subject follow a specific mathematics course integrated into scientific education, for 1.5 hours per week.
Progressive pathways: choosing specialist subjects
In the final cycle of the general pathway, in addition to the core subjects, pupils take compulsory specialist subjects of their choice: 3 in première and 2 in terminale.
These subjects allow pupils to gradually acquire skills and knowledge suited to their future choices of higher education.
At the end of the general and technological seconde year, pupils must choose their 3 specialist subjects for première from a list of 6 specialist subjects taught at LFIE Tyr.
In première, pupils choose, from among their 3 première specialist subjects, the 2 they wish to keep in terminale, according to their interests and their plans for higher education.
Source: Éduscol, French Ministry of National Education