Progress of the republican integration journey

The Republican Integration Contract – The CIR:

In accordance with article L. 413-2 of the CESEDA, newly arrived foreigners, nationals of a country third to the European Union, who are authorized to settle legally and permanently on French territory, sign a CIR when reception on the OFII platforms.

Signing the CIR commits newly arrived foreigners to a path of Republican integration whose main objectives are the understanding and assimilation of the values and principles of the Republic, learning the French language, social and professional integration. .

https://www.demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/qu-est-ce-contrat-integration-republicaine-cir

Example of CIR: https://www.ofii.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CIR-CONTRAT.pdf

In this context, newly arrived foreigners diligently follow civic training and, where applicable, language training.

The republican integration path of the signatory of the CIR is described below in its entirety in order to provide all the contextual elements necessary for a good understanding of the expected services and the spirit in which they are implemented.

 

Progress of the republican integration process:

The reception platform (PFA)

Le bénéficiaire est convoqué par l’OFII. Il est reçu en plateforme d’accueil pour une durée de 3h30 en moyenne. Cette séquence en PFA poursuit trois objectifs : présenter, expliquer et faire signer le CIR ; évaluer le niveau de langue oral et écrit du bénéficiaire par rapport au cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CECRL) ; faire le point sur ses besoins d’intégration et procéder aux orientations adéquates.

1.Le positionnement linguistique (PL)

Linguistic positioning is established on the basis of a diagnosis, carried out by an external service provider, which makes it possible to situate the level of written and oral acquisition of the beneficiary in relation to the CEFR.

The positioner also assesses the beneficiary's ability and willingness to follow distance training.

The results obtained constitute the so-called initial evaluation and allow orientation towards the compulsory A1 courses or towards the complementary A2 or B1 courses.

The language level of the beneficiary is thus classified according to the following levels: infra-A1, A1, A2, B1 or higher than B1. If the result obtained is lower than the A1 level of the CEFR, the beneficiary is directed by the linguistic positioner towards one of the four obligatory A1 courses within the framework of the CIR adapted according to their linguistic level:

  • 100 Hours
  • 200 Hours
  • 400 Hours
  • 600 Hours

If the beneficiary's language level is greater than or equal to level A1, he or she is exempt from compulsory language training.

Two directions are then proposed:

A)  An orientation towards a complementary path:

  • If its level is equal to level A1 of the CEFR, towards a 100-hour course aimed at acquiring level A2.
  • If its level is equal to level A2 of the CEFR, towards a 100-hour course aimed at acquiring level B1 of the CEFR.

B) Certification of your language level (A2 and B1).

The orientations determined by the linguistic positioner, as well as any exemption from language training, are validated by the OFII auditor during the personalized interview carried out with the beneficiary.

        2. Personalized interview

Following the linguistic positioning, on the same day, a personalized interview is carried out with an OFII auditor. This interview makes it possible to carry out an overall examination of the situation of the newly arrived foreigner and to prescribe training. Depending on the individual situation of the beneficiary, this interview also makes it possible to direct, if necessary, towards local services or towards the most relevant public employment service (PES) actor (Pôle emploi, APEC, Local mission, Cap emploi).

It is during this interview that the CIR is signed.

At the end of the interview, the auditor gives the signatory of the CIR the invitations to the first three days of civic training as well as, where applicable, confirmation of his entry into language training with the invitation to the first day

 

The Republican Integration Contract on video – Click on the image to start the video

Aperçu de l’incorporation.

  1. Civique formation(FC)

Divided into four six-hour days, compulsory and prescribed by the OFII at the time of signing the CIR, civic training has several objectives:

  • Facilitate the appropriation of the principles of the Republic by the beneficiaries;
  • Make the rules of life in France known (values, customs, administrative procedures, etc.) and respond to the practical needs of foreigners to speed up their access to autonomy.

Civic training is organized in two stages:

  • A first block of two days of training intended to acquire first-level practical knowledge on the functioning of French society. The first two days take place at close intervals to maintain the group dynamic and not lose the knowledge acquired from the 1ère  daytime ;
  • A second block of two days of training to consolidate and deepen the knowledge acquired during the first two days, to put it into practice and to involve the beneficiaries by carrying out individual actions linked to their needs.

The 4ème training day is dedicated to practical, role-playing workshops, on two themes of the beneficiaries' choice:

  • “Employment” theme, itself broken down into sub-themes;
  • “Socio-cultural” theme.

 

    2. Language training (FL)

Language acquisition is a determining factor in integrating into society. From this perspective, foreigners who wish to settle permanently on French territory enroll in a language learning course which correlates the issuance of residence permits with progression towards level A1 for the multi-year residence permit and upon reaching level A2 of the CEFR for the resident card. Access to French nationality also requires reaching level B1 of knowledge of French.


A) Path to level A1

Signing the CIR allows signatories to benefit, if necessary, from compulsory language training, the needs and duration of which are defined with reference to the A1 language level of the CEFR.

On the basis of the prescription made by the linguistic positioner and validated by the OFII, the language training provider implements the four courses aimed at acquiring level A1 of the CEFR in French: 100h, 200h, 400h (offered in intensive, semi-intensive or extensive format) or 600 hours (offered primarily in intensive format or, where applicable, in semi-intensive and extensive format).

This last course is designed for non-readers, non-writers, with little or no schooling in the country of origin.

An evaluation of the trainee's progress is carried out at regular intervals. If the signatory has reached level A1, an early exit is made by the service provider, who offers to register for an assessment test in order to obtain certification of their language level and to integrate additional training aimed at level A2.

A final evaluation is carried out at the end of the courses. It makes it possible to assess the achievement of level A1, to offer certification and orientation towards a complementary course at level A2.

b) Continued paths towards levels A2/B1 :

Two complementary courses are systematically offered to CIR signatories who have received an exemption from language training in PFA or as a continuation of the A1 and/or A2 courses. Beyond their requirement for an application for a resident card or access to French nationality, reaching these higher levels facilitates access to employment or training and is of immediate interest for the signatory.

These courses are not obligatory for CIR signatories.

Access to these courses is offered either by the language positioning provider on the reception platform, or at the end of the language training by the training provider.

The files are validated by the competent DTs according to the linguistic prerequisites and the motivation of the learners. They are organized as follows:

  • Niveau A1 acquis : Prescription de 100 heures visant l’atteinte du niveau A2.
  • Level A2 acquired: Requirement of 100 hours aimed at reaching level B1.

c) Certification:

The recipient of language training can access the certifications mentioned below.

Registration for these certifications is supported by the OFII. The certifications offered to beneficiaries are secure language tests or certifications, taken in an approved examination center, delivered by a nationally or internationally recognized certification body, which establish and validate mastery of written and oral skills at the level achieved, in reference to the CEFR (for example TCF and TEF).

A1 level certification :

Si le signataire atteint dans le cadre de son parcours de formation obligatoire, le niveau linguistique A1 à l’évaluation intermédiaire ou finale, il lui est proposé de s’inscrire, dans un délai de 12 mois, à un test d’évaluation afin d’obtenir la certification de son niveau en français.