Différences entre UPE2A et l’association Proxité

What does “soutien scolaire” mean in French?

In this clip a teacher describes children who need “un soutien scolaire important” — a lot of extra school help. “Le soutien scolaire” is the standard French term for any support a student gets on top of regular class: homework help, catch-up lessons, or tutoring. You will see it on school websites, in tutor ads, and in talk about kids who are “en difficulté” (struggling). The two words travel together as one fixed phrase.

In the clip: « des enfants qui ont besoin d’un accompagnement spécial du gouvernement et d’un soutien aussi scolaire important » — “children who need special support from the government and a lot of school help too.” Later: associations « se portent volontaires pour apporter un soutien plus approfondi » — they “volunteer to give deeper support.” “Soutien” comes from the verb “soutenir” (to hold up, to support). You can almost feel that image: help that holds a student up. The adjective “scolaire” means “school-related” (from “école”). Together, “le soutien scolaire” is a fixed phrase — French speakers rarely split the two words. Useful related words from the same clip: “l’accompagnement” (guidance, walking beside someone), “le suivi” (follow-up, close tracking of one student), and “un élève en difficulté” (a struggling student). A common everyday line: « Mon fils a des cours de soutien le mercredi. » — “My son has tutoring lessons on Wednesdays.” You may also hear “soutien scolaire à domicile” (tutoring at home).