Mat Wright ©

Mat Wright

Background and figures

  • In France, eight million young people learn English at school. In the United Kingdom, French remains the main foreign language taught in schools. Cross-curriculum projects are a great way for teachers to offer their students a unique and motivating approach to learning about another culture and another language.
  • The French Education Ministry has signed cooperation agreements with the Department for Education in England and Education Scotland. These agreements offer an institutional and legal framework through which teachers and students develop links with British schools and take part in innovative and rewarding cross-curriculum projects.

Supporting Franco-British school projects

  • Embedding an international dimension in teaching and learning is an ambition shared by education departments on both sides of the Channel. In France, the British Council works closely with the French Ministry of Education who draw on our expertise as a cultural organisation delivering schools projects with real added value in terms of language learning and intercultural exchange.
  • To support the development of innovative Franco-British projects in France, we work with the network of regional international coordinators (DAREICs) in each local education authority to coordinate activities around international learning. List of DAREIC for each area of France.

Getting involved

  • For French schools wishing to work on Franco-British projects, teachers can make contact with their DAREIC who will be able to advise on upcoming activities and projects in the region.
  • For schools in the United Kingdom wishing to get involved in partnership work but who do not yet have a French partner, please register with the Schools Online School Search database.