Bilingual education is gaining traction in France, especially in major cities like Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux. Parents increasingly seek out bilingual preschools—écoles maternelles bilingues, to give their children a head start in language learning. But how much exposure to each language do children actually get? And how are the hours structured in a typical French bilingual preschool?

Typical language exposure: a 50/50 model

Many bilingual preschools in France follow a 50/50 model, dividing the week or day equally between the two languages. In practice, this means children receive approximately 15 hours per week in French and 15 hours in English, based on a standard 30-hour school week.

Some schools alternate days or half-days by language. For example, Mondays and Wednesdays may be in French, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are in English. Others assign one language to the morning and the other to the afternoon, creating natural transitions and helping children associate each language with specific routines.

Staffing: native speakers for each language

To maintain authenticity, bilingual preschools typically employ native-speaking teachers for each language. This ensures correct pronunciation, cultural nuance, and natural speech patterns. One teacher may speak only French, the other only English, and both are present throughout the day, depending on the structure.

Children quickly adapt to this dual-language environment, and over time, they learn to switch naturally between the two languages depending on who they’re addressing. This approach is known as one person, one language (OPOL) and is common in early bilingual education.

What is a bilingual preschool in France?

A bilingual preschool in France generally caters to children aged 2.5 to 6 years, covering the cycle known as école maternelle, which includes petite section, moyenne section, and grande section. These schools follow the French national curriculum, but introduce a second language, most often English, into daily learning.

The goal is not to teach language through isolated grammar lessons, but to immerse children naturally in both languages during everyday activities: play, songs, storytelling, and basic lessons like counting, colours, or shapes.

Variations between schools

Not all bilingual preschools follow the exact same model. Some offer a 60/40 balance, with slightly more time in French, especially if the goal is to prepare children for entry into the public French school system at age six. Others may offer an English-dominant model if the school plans to continue in an international or anglophone setting.

It’s also important to note that private bilingual schools often have more flexibility in how they organise the week, whereas public or semi-private ones (sous contrat) must align more closely with the Ministry of Education’s requirements.

Does more time equal better fluency?

Not necessarily. In preschool, consistency and quality of exposure matter more than strict hourly quotas. A child who hears English spoken naturally, every day, by a trusted adult is more likely to develop fluency than one who has more hours but less meaningful interaction.

The preschool years are considered a sensitive period for language acquisition. Children absorb sounds, structures and vocabulary effortlessly, provided the environment is rich, supportive and engaging. That’s why bilingual preschools in France focus on contextual learning, rather than formal lessons.

A bilingual preschool in France typically offers 12 to 20 hours per week in each language, depending on the school’s model. Whether the split is 50/50 or slightly uneven, the emphasis remains on early exposure, natural immersion, and social interaction in both languages. For families aiming to raise truly bilingual children, these schools offer an excellent foundation, especially when supported by language use at home.