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Cambodia, Phnom Penh
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Languages offered as reinforced pathways include English, Chinese, Khmer, and Spanish; Khmer language is strengthened through PLK, a tri-lingual path with French, Khmer, and English from cycle 4; The SIA (American Section) provides bilingual/bicultural studies; PARLE enables EMILE or DNL in various levels; In the lycée, students may choose a fourth language (Spanish or Chinese).
The Lycée Français René Descartes offers bilingual pathways through the American Section (SIA), which provides bilingual and bicultural instruction within the French system. The SIA integrates American language and literature to support access to higher education in the United States via the BFI option. The school also offers PARLE (Parcours Adaptés et Renforcés de Langues Étrangères), strengthening foreign-language training with EMILE (an integrated-language approach) or DNL (a non-language discipline) in different levels. The Khmer Language Pathway (PLK) provides a tri-lingual option of French, Khmer, and English starting from cycle 4.
EMILE and DNL-based approaches provide language-immersed study in a foreign language across levels. PARLE supports this approach by delivering disciplinary content in the same foreign language. From cycle 4, students can follow a Khmer-language track (PLK) that strengthens Khmer while incorporating French and English.
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) is an AEFE‑homologated French school in Phnom Penh, founded in 1951. It provides French national curriculum teaching from maternelle through terminale and runs a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) with options leading to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI). The school's language pathways include daily Khmer lessons and instruction/support in English, Spanish and Chinese; the SIA offers additional English‑language instruction. In September 2023 LFRD opened a small internat (boarding house) for élèves de 3ème à terminale (capacity up to 15); boarders are transported to/from school each day by the internat shuttles. Annual tuition (2025–2026) ranges from USD 5,526 (primary, French/Cambodian nationality rate) up to USD 9,855 (lycée, other nationalities). The school publishes details on fees, language pathways, SIA and the internat on its website.
