More than 300 million people speak French on the five continents. The OIF (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie), an international organization of French-speaking countries, comprises 88 member States and governments. French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. French is also the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world. France operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses for close to a million learners.

 

The ability to speak French and English is an advantage for finding a job with the many multinational companies using French as their working language, in a wide range of sectors (retailing, automotive, luxury goods, aeronautics, etc.). A knowledge of French opens the doors to French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the world. As the world’s fifth largest economy and a leading destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner, attracting entrepreneurs, researchers, and the cream of foreign students.

 

A French lesson is a cultural journey into the worlds of fashion, gastronomy, the arts, architecture, and science. Learning French also offers access to the works of great French writers such as Victor Hugo, Molière, Léopold Sendar Senghor, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Marcel Proust, and famous poets like Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud, and Jacques Prévert, in the original text. It means being able to hear the voices of actors Alain Delon or Juliette Binoche, and the pleasure of being able to understand the words of French songs sung by an Édith Piaf or a Charles Aznavour and even sing them yourself.

 

France is the world’s top tourist destination, welcoming more than 87 million visitors a year. The ability to speak even a little French makes it so much more enjoyable to visit Paris and all the regions of France [from the rugged coastline of Brittany to the mild climes of the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera) to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps] and offers insights into French culture, mentality and way of life. French also comes in handy when traveling to Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Monaco, the Seychelles and other places.

 

French is both a working language and an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross, and international courts. French is the language of the three cities where the EU institutions are headquartered: Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg. Proficiency in French is essential for anyone considering a career in any international organization.

 

An ability to understand French provides access to an alternative view of the world. You can follow French thinkers and leaders from all over the world and news from the leading French-language international media (e.g., TV5Monde, France 24, and Radio France Internationale).

 

Contrary to popular belief, French is not a difficult language to learn. It is a language that requires a certain precision but is also capable of expressing great subtlety. French appeals to students because it is a soft, melodious, and romantic language, and it does not take long to reach a level where you can communicate. Starting with the first days of school, learning French is enjoyable.

 

French is a good base for learning other languages, especially Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian) and even English, since one third of English vocabulary is derived directly from French.

 

In today’s world, speaking one foreign language is not enough. Students who speak several languages will increase their chances of finding a job, whether at home or abroad. Learning another language enriches the mind and opens up new horizons, both personal and professional.

 

More than 220 million people speak French on all the five continents. French is a major language of international communication and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. The OIF, an international organization of French-speaking countries, is made up of 88 member states and governments. France also operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses for close to a million learners.

 

Speaking French opens up opportunities for higher education at some of France’s best-known universities (the Sorbonne, Pierre Marie Curie University, etc.) or elite grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, ESSEC), often on very favorable financial terms. Students with a good level of French may be eligible to apply for a French government grant to enroll on a postgraduate course of their choice in France, leading to an internationally recognized postgraduate degree.

 

French is an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking. It is the language of great philosophers (Descartes, Sartre, and Derrida, among others) and eminent scientists (Pierre and Marie Curie, Pasteur, Georges Charpak, to name a few). In learning French, children learn how to argue a case and present different points of view, valuable skills for discussions and negotiations.

 

French is the language of the universal ideals advocated by the philosophers of the 18th century Enlightenment, who helped to spread the idea of human rights throughout the world.

 

First and foremost, learning French is the pleasure of learning a beautiful, rich, melodious language that is often called the language of love.

 

French teachers are renowned for their dynamic, inventive approach and high expectations. Since French has a reputation for excellence, students tend to be highly motivated and attain a high level of proficiency. France also plays an active role in providing in-service training for French teachers abroad so that the courses delivered are always of a high standard.

 

French is often heard on the stage. Teachers like to put on plays in French and involve their students in French-language theatre festivals. Learning French helps children to express themselves and gain self-confidence in front of others. Students also learn French through songs, thanks to the vast repertoire of singers past and present.

 

It is easy for students to make contact with French speakers of their own age, as pen pals or via the Internet. There are many different exchange programs in France that offer rewarding experiences. Thousands of French schools are twinned with counterparts around the world, creating links with the world’s largest educational network.

 

18. A Unique System of French International Schools: Some 350,000 pupils are enrolled at 493 French schools in 137 countries. Half of them are foreign nationals, which makes the network of international French schools truly unique.

 

Speaking French makes a major contribution to preserving linguistic diversity in the world and avoiding the exclusive domination of a single language in today’s globalized world.

 

Founded in 1995, FASPS offers the only fully harmonized French American program from tiny young pre-kindergarten (18 months of age) through grade 8 in Washington State. Our alumni are accepted into the most prestigious private and public high schools in the region, as well as numerous international schools around the world. Email Bonjour@FASPS.org if you’d like to take a tour of our school while classes are in session, or if you need additional information.