Académique
Accelerated French Programs

Lower School Accelerated French Program

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley’s Lower School Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides additional entry points to our French immersion program for G1 and G2 students who have no prior French language exposure. Within two years, Lower School AFP students will transition into our full bilingual immersion, well-supported to acquire fluency in a second language along with a solid foundation of core academics.

Why Choose the Accelerated French Program?

Decades of research continues to show that young children gain wide-ranging benefits from language immersion programs—no other approach supports higher language proficiency or greater confidence.

EB's Lower School AFP program is a unique transition path to full immersion, guiding children with no prior French through small, nurturing groups and intensive instruction so they can join EB's main bilingual immersion track alongside their peers fully prepared. By enrolling in AFP at the optimal age for language learning, children rapidly acquire French and unlock powerful cognitive, social, and academic advantages that last a lifetime.

About The Program

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  • Entry Points

    • Grade 1 (CP in the French system)
    • Grade 2 (CE1 in the French system)

  • Program Basics

    The Accelerated French Program is designed for motivated students who wish to enter our French immersion track in the early elementary years. It is a two-year bridge program, in which:

    • Students who begin in 1st grade join the full immersion program by Grade 3.
    • Students who begin in 2nd grade join the full immersion program by Grade 4.

    At the start of the program, children spend time in two classrooms: a bilingual class and the Accelerated French class. Instruction is 85% in French (language arts, math, science, social studies, and more) and 15% in English language arts. This balance allows students to develop their French quickly while continuing grade-level work in English.

  • In the Classroom

    • Small class size, with a maximum of 10 students, ensures individual attention.
    • The class combines students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade working at their own level.
    • Each child has French and English homeroom teachers in their main classroom, in addition to their dedicated AFP teacher.
    • Students meet with their AFP teacher four days a week for French-based subjects.
    • The curriculum uses French as a Second Language (FLE) methods to support language acquisition and help students feel confident joining their peers in full immersion.

  • Curriculum Highlights

    The program follows the official French Ministry of Education curriculum for 1st–3rd grades, including:
    • French language: speaking, reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary
    • Mathematics and Sciences
    • Éducation physique
    • Visual Arts and Music
    English Language Arts instruction follows the California Common Core Standards, ensuring students progress in both languages.

No Prior French Required

En 2050, le français sera la deuxième langue la plus parlée au monde.

Student Outcomes

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  • Assessment & Growth

    Students are regularly assessed on their language and academic progress through the FLE framework, which looks at:
    • Vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
    • Ability to communicate in different situations
    • Understanding of the world around them
    • Social and cultural communication skills
    • Reading, writing, listening, and speaking

  • Bilingual, Biliterate, Immersion Ready

    • During the second year, many AFP students are ready to take the DELF A1 exam, an international certification of French proficiency awarded by the French Ministry of Education.
    • By the end of the two-year AFP program, students will be able to speak, read and write in French, confidently ready to join the full immersion program.

Admissions & Tuition

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  • Processus de sélection

    To apply for the Accelerated French Program (AFP):
    • Prospective students participate in an interview and English language proficiency assessment with our English Curriculum Coordinator.
    • Parents meet with our Primary Head for a conversation about the child’s strengths, interests, and family goals.

  • Tuition & Fees

    The AFP tuition is the same as our standard 1st or 2nd grade tuition, plus an additional annual fee of $2,750, which covers:
    • One-week immersive French camp in August
    • Special French language resources and materials
    • Small-group sessions four times per week, led by a dedicated French teacher
    • Access to social and emotional support from our counselor and SEL coach
    For more information about Tuition, as well as our Tuition Assistance program, please refer to this page.

Contactez

For more information, please contact Manon Johnson​, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at (510) 809-0615 ext. 341 or email admissions@eb.org

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley

Campus de l'école primaire

Tous sont les bienvenus ! (Politique anti-discriminatoire)

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley does not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject any individual to discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religion. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, including applications, admissions, and employment.