Spanish studies and teaching
Introduction
The Lycée Français de Madrid is officially recognised in Spain as an authorised foreign school, in accordance with Royal Decree 806/1993 of 28 May. This recognition enables our pupils to enter the Spanish education system at any point during their schooling or upon completing it, should they wish to continue their studies in Spain.
Spanish regulations stipulate that all pupils enrolled in authorised foreign schools in Spain, regardless of their nationality, must study certain compulsory subjects in Spanish: Spanish Language and Literature, and the Geography and History of Spain.
These subjects are essential to ensure the full academic validity, within the Spanish education system, of the studies completed at the Lycée. Thanks to them, at the end of Seconde, pupils may obtain recognition as equivalent to the Spanish Certificate of Compulsory Secondary Education (Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria), which is required, among other options, for access to Intermediate Vocational Training. Likewise, upon obtaining the Baccalauréat, they may apply for recognition as equivalent to the Spanish Bachiller qualification, an essential requirement for access to Advanced Vocational Training and Higher Artistic Education in Spain.
Aware of both this academic reality and the cultural richness it entails, the Lycée Français de Madrid provides comprehensive teaching in Spanish Language and Literature, as well as in the Geography, History and Culture of Spain, from Nursery through to the final years of secondary education. These subjects are taught by teachers qualified within the Spanish education system or authorised by the Ministry of Education, thereby ensuring rigorous, coherent preparation adapted to official requirements.
Pre-school education (PS, MS, GS)
From the earliest years, learning Spanish is integrated naturally into classroom life. Pupils receive 3 hours of Spanish-language teaching per week, through activities suited to their stage of development and delivered in close collaboration between French and Spanish teaching staff.
Primary education (CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2)
At this stage, pupils study Spanish Language and Literature for 4 hours per week. This is complemented by the gradual introduction of basic content relating to the culture, history and geography of Spain, always adapted to their age and academic level and taking into account the progression of the French curricula. In France, this stage is recognised as an International Section in Spanish, enabling pupils who continue their studies in France to join this linguistic pathway.
Newly enrolled pupils who do not yet have a command of Spanish also take part in these lessons within a context of progressive language immersion. Teachers make the necessary adaptations to facilitate their integration into the group, support language acquisition and enable them to progress through the content gradually and with appropriate guidance.
Collège (6ème, 5ème, 4ème, 3ème)
During collège, Spanish teaching is intensified: 4 hours per week of Spanish Language and Literature and 1-1.5 hours of the History and Geography of Spain. These subjects enable pupils to develop linguistic, literary and cultural competences in depth.
Non-Spanish-speaking pupils attend specific Spanish-as-a-foreign-language classes from the time they arrive at the Lycée before joining Spanish Language and Literature classes, generally after two years.
Lycée (de la 2nde à la terminale)
In Seconde, pupils continue to study the language, literature, history and geography of Spain. In addition, during this year they may choose from different Spanish-language pathways:
- European Section in Spanish (SELO)
- International Section in Spanish
In Première and Terminale, pupils continue to study Spanish Language and Literature for 3 hours per week, during which they also receive the Langue Vivante (LV) teaching required for the Bac.
They may also choose from various specialised language pathways:
- European Section in Spanish (SELO)
- French International Baccalaureate
- Spanish Language, Literature and Regional Culture (LLCER)
At the end of their schooling, pupils obtain the French Baccalauréat, which gives them direct access to higher education both in Spain and throughout the rest of the world.
The LFM is firmly committed to a multilingual and intercultural education in which Spanish occupies an essential place in all its linguistic and cultural dimensions.
Have a question? Need more information?
Contact the Spanish Studies Department
Director of Spanish Studies: Marisol BELLÓ
Director’s Assistant: Sophie BAUER
assistante-etudesespagnoles@lfmadrid.org – Tél. : +34 91 748 94 93