When does school start and when does it finish?

 

Classes start at 8:00 am and end at 17:00 pm.

 

What subjects do pupils have in general education?

 

Subjects that are learnt: French, mathematics,biology, chemistry, physics,history and geography art, music, foreign languages like English, Spanish, Italian, German... , computer technologies, technology, sports.

 

How many years do pupils go to school?

Pupils attend kindergarten as early as 2 and a half, they reach at the age of 6  primary classes , study 5 years there, than 4 years in junior high school and 3 years in hight school or vocational school where the have an examen, „le baccalauréat“.

 

Are there complimentary activities at the school?

There are compulsary subjects but ativities are free : they depend on the school organisation, its opportunities, its situation (in a big city or in the countryside) and of course on the pupils‘demands and teachers‘disponibilities.

 

How many hours do pupils spend on homework?

 

The amount of time which students spend doing homework varies from 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much homework they were assigned, on the classes followed, on the subjects studied and on the teachers.

 If there isn’t a lot of homework, 30 minutes is enough to read the lessons taught during schoolday.. More time is spent to prepare for tests, examens.

 

How do pupils spend their free time?

 

Students usually spend their free time with friends, peers, on the computer.

 They read books for the French classes, surf on the net if they have researches to do.

 They enjoy sports (football, dancing, horsebackriding), they sometimes go to basketball or football matches, relax at home, go shopping, go to cafes or movies, take part in club activities, ride bikes or rollerblade.

 

How long does it take to get to school and what means of transport do you use?

To school, students go:

-          on foot (4 – 20 min.)

-          go by bus (10 – 30 min.)

-          parents give a lift (10 – 20 min.)

What system of marks do you have in your country?

 

Our country uses the twenty-point grading system, some subjects are evaluated by credit.

 

What are the job prospects after school?

 

Possibilities of getting a job after graduating:

-          Very little, most likely in factories where a lot of workers are required.

-          Very little, without any experience or specialization.

-          A well paid job is very difficult to find.

-          After graduation it is impossible to become employed, because further education is required (for example: university, college).

How long are your holidays?

 

School starts in September and ends at the begining of July

There are 4 seasonal holidays during a school year:

-          Autumn – 2 weeks.

-          Christmas- 2 weeks

-          Winter – 2 weeks.

-          Spring – 2 weeks.

-          Summer – 2 months.

Tell us the best and worst thing that can happen in your studies?

 

1.    The best:

a)    Students can get a lot of knowledge and good learning abilities, can get a diploma.

b)    Successfully finish their studies.

c)    Finish school with the best grades and a diploma.

d)    Learn new things, find new friends.

 

2.    The worst:

a)    Possibility of being expelled for bad behavior

A student can be left without the possibility to learn further, for example:

can be left to repeat the year.

b)    If you have attitude issues or don’t attend your classes:

 you can be debated over  a principal meeting.

c)    To be  misunderstood.

d)    Bullying and fights (from/with other students)

e)    Get bad grades and not be accepted by your peers.

f)     Get very good marks and not be accepted by others.

Attendance – what happens if you skip classes?

 

If a student doesn’t attend their classes: parents are informed (via phone call), various discussions are held with the parents, class teacher, a meeting can be held with a pedagogue or a social assistant.

 Students can have a talk with the principal, parents can get a fine from the social services for families, there is a risk of being left to repeat the year in the same school or to be expelled.

 

At what age do children start school?

 

Children start school at the age of 2 and a half.

 

How many students (on average) are in the classroom?

 

There are from 25 to 35 students per class. 

Industry workers or Trade Workers

 

1. How many hours do people work a day/a week


 Usually from 6 to 8 hours a day, about 35 to 42 hours a week.

2. Are there paid holidays?


 5 full weeks of vacation a year.

3. What kind of clothes do people have to wear?

Safety shoes,helmet, overalls, top with the name of the company.
 

4. What are the 10 most important/the basic rights working people have?

1)minimum salary

2) paid holidays

3)sick leave rights and social health if someone is sick for a long time

4)legislation on overtime and irregular working hours

5) unemployment benefits in case of a dismiss

6) right to belong to an union and presence of it in the companies

7) right to strike

8) maternity leave

 

5. What welfare benefits do you receive when somebody is losing their job?

 Approximately 75 % of the last net salary for 22 months.

 

6. What kind of qualification and diploma, certificates etc. do people need?

In industries, elementary professional diploma or no qualification at all. Diplomas are prepared in vocational and technical schools.

Driver's license of C and E categories is necessary.

 

7. What is the approximate range of payment and what kind of flat can you afford for that salary? (basic-regular-luxury)

The income depends on the worker's qualification, on the welfare of the company, the minimum wage is 1100€ per month.

 

8. How many years must you work before going on retirement?

To qualify for a full pension, workers have to work 42 years.

 

9. At what age can you go on retirement?


 62 

10. Are there any physical or psychological diseases directly connected to your job?


 It depends on the kind of work someone does and on his or her resistance. Typical illnesses are : infections, lead poisoning, stiff neck, backache, allergies, burn out syndromes as a result of stress...

11. What motivation is there to improve the results of your work?


 a better salary, better equipment and as a result better working conditions.

12. Do both adults have to work to support family?


 Yes, especially if the wages are low.

13. Who takes care of your children?


Children can be in nursery schools from the age of 2 and a half, usually grand - parents help a lot, or professional nannies.

14. Do both parents have maternity leave and how long?

:
Mothers have a 16 week paid maternity leave and fathers can have a 11 day leave.

 

 

OFFICE WORKERS

 1. How many hours do people work a day/a week


30 - 35 hours a week


2. Are there paid holidays?


Yes, 5 full weeks of vacation a year.


3. What kind of clothes do people have to wear?



 It depends: posh clothes, casual or no dress code at all.


4. What are the 10 most important/the basic rights working people have?


Equal opportunities, working overtime paid, no sex / religious or racial discrimination, right to strike, presence of unions and right to belong to one, the presence of collective agreements which determinate rules, protection for pregnant women from dismiss, maternity leave, sick leave and social health insurance,  lunch break, no work on Saturday or Sunday.

 


5. What welfare benefits do you receive when somebody is losing their job?


Social security and unemployment benefits. They represent approximately 75 % of previous income


6. What kind of qualification and diploma, certificates etc. do people need?


It depends on your job and the responsabilities someone takes.  Advanced vocational training certificate, university diplomas, master degrees.


7. What is the approximate range of payment and what kind of flat can you

Fr: It depends on experience and rank of qualification. The pay is enough for a regular flat.

 


8. How many years must you work before going on retirement?


To receive a full pension, someone needs to work 42 years.


9. At what age can you go on retirement?


At the age of 62, if you want a full pension.


10. Are there any physical or psychological diseases directly connected to your job?


Backache, sight trouble.


11. What motivation is there to improve the results of your work?


Better results, or qualification or better atmosphere at work and of course a better salary.


12. Do both adults have to work to support family?


They don't have to but most do, because it is now common for women to work and we have services that can take care of young children.


13. Who takes care of your children?


Grandparents or relatives, professional nannies or babysitters, wives who prefer staying at home with their children, day care centre for children.


14. Do both parents have maternity leave and how long?


 All mothers have the right to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave ( 6 for prenatal and 10 for postnatal leave ).

All fathers have a paternal leave of 11 days within 4 months of the birth.