1. Educational Track:
* General education: Students typically begin learning a third language in middle school (collège), around age 11-12. The specific language varies depending on the region and school, but common choices include Spanish, German, Italian, or English (if the first language learned is not English).
* Specialized tracks (lycées): Students in specialized tracks, such as those focusing on languages or international relations, often start learning a third language earlier, potentially in elementary school (primaire), around age 8-9.
2. Region:
* French regions bordering other countries: Students in these regions often learn a third language related to their neighbor, such as German in Alsace or Spanish in the Basque Country.
* Other regions: Students in other regions may learn a third language deemed useful for international careers or studies, such as English, Spanish, or German.
3. School Choice:
* Public schools: Follow national guidelines for language learning, typically starting in middle school.
* Private schools: May offer more flexibility and start third language instruction earlier.
4. Individual student choice:
* Students in high school (lycée) have some freedom to choose their third language, depending on the options offered by their school.
In general, it's safe to say that most French students begin learning a third language in middle school (collège), around age 11-12. However, the exact timing can vary based on the factors mentioned above.