Why Learn French?
10 Reasons to Study French
French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, a very large majority of whom are under 30 years old, and is the second language of millions more. In Europe, it is spoken in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. In the Americas, it is an official language of Canada and spoken in the Carribbean.
Being able to speak French is an asset for anyone interested in working in international organizations such as the Peace Corps.
of twenty five nations, the world's largest economic entity with a population of 350 million and a gross national product larger than the United States.
French is also an official working language in the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the International Red Cross and international courts. Proficiency in French is a prerequisite for anyone planning on a career in international organizations.
It is a very good base for learning Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian) as well as English, since 50% of current English vocabulary is derived from French.
Today, American companies have over 2,000 subsidiaries in France, and French companies have over 600 subsidiaries in the United States. More than 800,000 jobs in the US require French. Major corporations with headquarters or subsidiaries in the United States and France include Du Pont, Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Apple Computer, Michelin, Renault, Bic and many more.
Dr. Luc Montagnier discovered HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Chunnel under the English Channel, the TGV high speed trains, and the Concorde are only a few examples of recent French technological advances.
have had an influence on world culture. Many recent American films like Three Men and a Baby or Point of No Return are remakes of French movies. Where would Julia Child be without French cuisine? Who hasn't heard of Christian Dior, Chanel, and Pierre Cardin?