The various types of learning practices differ among the educational levels and classes. The curriculum of each discipline, the teaching language and the assessment modalities for a specific class are available here.
Classical secondary education and general secondary education lasts seven years. Classes of 7e, 6e and 5e are called "lower classes". Classes of 4e, 3e, 2e and 1re are called "higher classes".
Learning practices
The various types of learning practices differ among the educational levels and classes. The curriculum of each discipline, the teaching language and the assessment modalities for a specific class are available here
Classical secondary education and general secondary education lasts seven years. Classes of 7e, 6e and 5e are called "lower classes". Classes of 4e, 3e, 2e and 1re are called "higher classes".
The lower classes
In classical secondary education (ESC)
The curriculum of the lower ESC classes covers the following subjects (domaines d’apprentissage) :
- German, French, Luxembourgish, English, Latin, Chinese;
- mathematics, information technology;
- biology, chemistry, physics, natural sciences, geography, history;
- arts, music, sports;
- practical training;
- social education: life and society.
As of the class of 6e students can chose to follow a curriculum including Latin or Chinese or a curriculum including English. As of the class of 5e all students will learn English.
In general, in the lower classes, all subjects are taught in German with the exception of French and mathematics. As of the class of 4e, the teaching language is French.
In general secondary education (ESG)
Teaching in the lower ESG classes provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to continue their studies in the higher classes or in vocational training. Lower classes are available either in the orientation education or in the pre-vocational education.
The curriculum in the orientation education covers the following (domaines d’apprentissage) :
- German, English, French, Luxembourgish;
- mathematics;
- natural sciences including physics, chemistry and biology;
- social sciences including history and geography;
- sports, arts and music;
- information technology, workshops;
- social education: life and society.
Furthermore, the curriculum includes tutorial and manual classes as well as activities to help students integrate in their professional life.
In the class of 6e mathematics, German and French are taught at two different levels (basic and advanced). In the class of 5e English is added.
In pre-vocational education, German, French, mathematics, general culture, optional classes and workshops as well as sports are taught in modules. This training is available to students who did not achieve the required skill base at the end of the 4th cycle of elementary education. Based on their results, these students can integrate the classes of orientation education or vocational education (DAP or CCP).
Skill-based approach (approche par compétences)
Skill-based teaching is used in the lower classes of classical secondary education and general secondary education.
Skills are defined as the capacity of the student to implement an organised set of knowledge, abilities and attitudes to provide an adequate response in a given situation.
Skill bases (socles de compétences) describe the knowledge and the skills students must be able to use in a permanent way at the end of the class of 6e and 5e.
For the subjects "languages" and "mathematics", these skill bases are subdivided into two levels: elementary skill bases and advanced skill bases.
Skill bases differ for each curriculum and describe the content covered in each subject.
The higher classes of classical secondary education
The objective of the classe polyvalente (multi-skill class at the level of the class of 4e in ESC) is to consolidate acquired knowledge and assist students to choose one of the eight specialisation streams. Except for Latin, the curriculum is the same for all students.
At the end of the class of 4e the class council, together with the Service psycho-social et d’accompagnement scolaires (SePAS), guides students, by a written opinion, in the choice of their specialisation.
In classical secondary education specialisation of studies occurs starting with the class of 3e with the students making their choice, based on their capacities and interests, among eight available sections:
- section A: modern languages;
- section B: mathematics-information;
- section C: natural sciences-mathematics;
- section D: economics-mathematics;
- section E: plastic and graphic arts;
- section F: music;
- section G: humanities and social sciences;
- section I: informatics - communication;
- section N: entrepreneurship, finance and marketing;
- section P: cognitive science and humanities;
- section R: politics and sustainable development.
The specific subjects characterizing the different streams take up an important part of the lessons. Elementary subjects are completed by optional courses, which may vary from one school to another.
The higher classes of general secondary education
The higher classes of general secondary education cover four years. In all ESG divisions students will take a school leaving exam after the class of 1re, which is organised at the national level in order to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education. This diploma grants the same rights as the General Certificate of Secondary Education and allows students to either start their professional career or continue higher (university or non-university) studies.
The available streams are:
- administration and commercial stream;
- health and social professions stream;
- general technical stream;
- arts stream;
- agriculture stream;
- hotel management and tourism stream.
Each stream can be subdivided into several subject areas.
At the end of the class of 5e the class council, together with the Service psychosocial et d’accompagnement scolaires (SePAS), guides students, by a written opinion, in the choice of their specialisation.