The Importance of Learning French

When deciding on a foreign language, consider that French is the language that will give you the most choices later on in your studies or your career. 

While any language will be useful for some jobs or for some regions, French is the only foreign language that can be useful throughout the world as well as in the United States.

French as a foreign language is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English.

French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents.

French and English are the only two global languages.

Here are some more reasons to consider French:

• France is the official language at the Olympic Games.

• French is the official language of the International Red Cross.

• French is one of the official languages of the United Nations.

• French-speaking Africa represents an area larger than the USA.

• French is spoken in over 43 countries in the world.

• French is the foreign language spoken by our largest trading partner (Canada).

• Over 20,000 English words have their origins in French. (40-50%)

• More tourists visit France than any other country in the world.

• France was the United States' first ally.

• The French economy is one of the strongest in the world and is increasingly a leader in technological innovation.

• More than 1,200 French companies have subsidiaries in the United States.

• French can help improve verbal SAT scores.

 

Careers in French include:

• international business

• international agencies

• tourism and hospitality

• the diplomatic service

• French research institutes

• translator or interpreter

• education

• medical/research

• telecommunications/technology

• aeronautics

• business/sales

• fashion

French is easier...

Research shows that French is more similar to English than Spanish is to English.  While the pronunciation of French may be more difficult initially, after getting used to the pronunciation, French pronunciation is more consistent than Spanish.  The reading of Spanish text and oral comprehension of Spanish is considered more difficult than that of French.  Grammatically, French is easier as well.  While both languages have the same number of verb tenses, they are used more frequently in Spanish than in French.  There are also many more irregularities and exceptions in the Spanish language than in French.

Some French companies include:
Air France Airbus Alcatel Allegra AXA Advisors BF Goodrich (Michelin) BIC Cartier Chanel Christian Dior Club Med Culligan (Vivendi) Dannon DKNY Evian Givenchy Houghton Mifflin Krups Lancome	Le Creuset L'Oreal Louis Vuitton Maybelline Michelin Mikasa Nivea Peugeot Pierre Cardin RCA (Thomson) Renault Taylor Made Technicolor T-Fal  Universal Studios Vivendi Yoplait Yves Saint Laurent

    French in the news:

• French Gains Foothold on Dual Language Map

• There’s a Word for People Like You

• French Plays Catch-Up, Stylishly and Grumbling

• Grasping French, a Word at a Time

• Long Scorned in Maine, French Has Renaissance

• The French Have a (Precise and Elegant) Word for It

One of the most offensive things you can say to a French teacher is, "French is useless," or "French is harder than Spanish."  These are just a couple of myths that unfortunately, many people believe to be true.  Hopefully, after reading this page and checking out our brochure, some of these myths can be dispelled.

Brochure: Why Learn French?

For more research to support the information provided, please click on the below links.

http://www.utm.edu/staff/globeg/profren.shtml

http://www.info-france-usa.org/franceus/

http://www.fll.vt.edu/French/whyfrench.html

http://www.frenchteachers.org/bulletin/articles/promote/vivefran.pdf

(Most information was provided courtesy of the above sites.)

For more information, please contact Kyle Lewis (klewis@gcsny.org)

or Fabien Riviere (friviere@gcsny.org).