classe

classe [klɑs] nf → class;

(Scol) (= local); class(room): (= leçon); class: (= élèves); class, form;

1ère/2ème classe → 1st/2nd class;

un (soldat de) deuxième classe (Mil) (armée de terre) → private (soldier): (armée de l'air) → aircraftman (Brit); airman basic (US);

de classe → luxury cpd;

faire ses classes (Mil) → to do one's (recruit's) training;

faire la classe (Scol) → to be a ou the teacher; to teach;

aller en classe → to go to school;

aller en classe verte/de neige/de mer → to go to the countryside/skiing/to the seaside with the school;

classe préparatoire → class which prepares students for the Grandes Écoles entry exams;

classe sociale → social class;

classe touriste → economy class

classes préparatoires

Classes préparatoires are the two years of intensive study which coach students for the competitive entry examinations to the "grandes écoles". These extremely demanding courses follow the "baccalauréat" and are usually done at a "lycée". Schools which provide such classes are more highly regarded than those which do not.