Français
Why speak French today?
French is a universal language that can be used in many fields.
With more than 200 million French speakers, French is, along with English, the only language in the world present on every continent. French makes a difference and is a serious asset for your life!
Are you curious and want to know more? Here are good reasons to learn French:
1. A language spoken all over the world
More than 200 million people speak French across the 5 continents. The Francophonie brings together 68 states and governments. French is the most widely learned foreign language after English and the ninth most spoken language in the world.
It is also, with English, the only language that can be learned in every country in the world. France has the largest network of cultural institutions abroad, where French lessons are given to more than 750,000 people.
2. A language for finding a job
Speaking French and English is an asset that multiplies your chances on the international job market. Knowing French opens the doors of French companies, in France and abroad, in all French-speaking countries (Canada, Switzerland, Belgium and Africa). France, the fifth largest trading power and the third most popular destination for foreign investment, is a leading economic partner.
3. The language of culture
French is the international language of cooking, fashion, theatre, visual arts, dance and architecture. Knowing French means having access, in the original version, to the great texts of French and French-language literature, as well as to cinema and song. French is the language of Victor Hugo, Molière, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Édith Piaf, Jean-Paul Sartre, Alain Delon and Zinedine Zidane.
4. A language for travelling
France is the most visited country in the world, with more than 70 million visitors a year. With some French, it is so much more enjoyable to visit Paris and all the regions of France (from the mild Côte d’Azur to the snowy peaks of the Alps, by way of the wild coast of Brittany), and also to understand French culture, mentalities and way of life. French is just as useful when you visit Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Monaco, the Seychelles...
5. A language for studying at French universities
Speaking French makes it possible to continue your studies in France at renowned universities or at the top business and engineering schools (grandes écoles), ranked among the best higher-education institutions in Europe and in the world. Students who speak French well can receive French government scholarships to follow a postgraduate course in France in any discipline and obtain an internationally recognised degree.
6. The other language of international relations
French is both a working language and an official language at the UN, in the European Union, at UNESCO, at NATO, at the International Olympic Committee, at the International Red Cross... and in several international legal bodies. French is the language of the three cities that host the European institutions: Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.
7. A language that opens you up to the world
After English and German, French is the third language on the Internet, ahead of Spanish. Understanding French lets you see the world differently, by communicating with French speakers on every continent and by keeping informed through the major international French-language media (TV5, France 24, Radio France Internationale).
8. A language that is pleasant to learn
French is an easy language to learn. Many methods exist for learning French while having fun, whether you are a child or an adult. You can also very quickly reach a level that lets you communicate in French.
9. A language for learning other languages
Learning French helps you learn other languages, especially the Latin languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese or Romanian) but also English, since French has supplied more than 50% of today’s English vocabulary.
10. The language of love and wit
Learning French is first of all the pleasure of learning a beautiful, rich and melodious language, often called the language of love. French is also an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking, which is very useful in discussions or negotiations.
To go further: diplomatie.gouv.fr (in French).
Good reasons for parents and school heads to choose French
1. Learning only one language is not enough
In today’s world, speaking only one foreign language is not enough. A pupil who speaks several languages will multiply their chances on the job market, in their own country and internationally. Learning another language means gaining extra richness and opening up other horizons, both personal and professional.
2. French is, with English, the only language spoken on the 5 continents
More than 200 million people speak French across the 5 continents. French is a major language of international communication. It is the most widely learned foreign language after English and the ninth most spoken language in the world. French is also the second most taught foreign language in the world after English, and on every continent. The Francophonie brings together 68 states and governments. Finally, France has the largest network of cultural institutions abroad, where French lessons are given to more than 750,000 people.
3. An asset for your career
Speaking French and English is an asset for finding a job with the many French and French-speaking multinationals in a variety of sectors (retail, automotive, luxury goods, aerospace...). France, the fifth largest trading power, attracts entrepreneurs, researchers and the best foreign students.
4. Discovering an incomparable cultural world
French is often regarded as the language of culture. Every French course comes with a cultural journey through the worlds of fashion, gastronomy, the arts, architecture and science. Learning French also means having access, in the original version, to the texts of great French writers such as Victor Hugo or Marcel Proust and of famous poets such as Charles Baudelaire or Jacques Prévert. It means being able to listen to actors such as Alain Delon or Juliette Binoche... and, finally, having the pleasure of understanding and singing the songs of Édith Piaf or Charles Aznavour.
5. An advantage for studying in France
Speaking French makes it possible to continue your studies in France at renowned universities (the Sorbonne, Pierre et Marie Curie University...) or at the grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, ESSEC), often on very favourable financial terms. Students who speak French well can also, under certain conditions, receive French government scholarships to follow a postgraduate course in France in any discipline and obtain an internationally recognised degree.
6. Visiting Paris and France
France is the most visited country in the world, with more than 70 million visitors a year. With some French, it is so much more enjoyable to visit Paris and all the regions of France (from the mild Côte d’Azur to the snowy peaks of the Alps, by way of the wild coast of Brittany), and also to understand French culture, mentalities and way of life. French is just as useful when you visit Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Monaco, the Seychelles...
7. The language of international relations
French is both a working language and one of the two official languages at the UN, UNESCO, NATO, in the European Union, at the International Olympic Committee and at the International Red Cross. French is the language of several international legal bodies. A good command of French is essential for anyone considering a career in international organisations.
8. An opening onto the world
After English and German, French is the third language on the Internet, ahead of Spanish. Understanding French lets you see the world differently, by communicating with French speakers on every continent and by keeping informed through the major international French-language media (TV5, France 24, Radio France Internationale).
9. A language for thinking and debating
French is an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking. It is the language of great philosophers (Descartes, Sartre or Derrida) and renowned scientists (Pierre and Marie Curie, Pasteur, Georges Charpak...). By learning French, children also learn to argue and to present different points of view, which is very useful in discussions or negotiations.
10. The language of the Enlightenment (“les Lumières”)
French is the language of the universalist ideals carried by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment (“les Lumières”), who helped spread the idea of human rights around the world.
11. French is a pleasant language to learn
Contrary to received ideas, French is not a difficult language. It requires a certain precision, but its richness makes it possible to express a multitude of nuances, and you can communicate in French very quickly after a few lessons. Many methods exist for learning French while having fun from the first years at school. Pupils also like French because it is a soft, melodious and romantic language.
12. Quality teaching
French teachers are known for their energy, inventiveness and high standards. Because French has a reputation for excellence, pupils are often motivated and of a good level. France also takes an active part in the continuing training of French teachers abroad, so that the teaching provided is always of high quality.
13. A creative language
French is often spoken on a theatre stage. Teachers put on shows in French and take their pupils to French-language theatre festivals. Learning French helps children express themselves and gain confidence in front of others. Pupils also learn French through song, thanks to an inexhaustible repertoire of singers of yesterday and today.
14. Many possibilities for exchanges
Pupils can get in touch with French speakers of their own age. There are many possibilities for exchanges, whether by post or over the Internet. There are many kinds of stay in France, which offer enriching experiences. Thousands of twinning partnerships exist between French schools and schools around the world, and they make it possible to build links with the world’s largest education network.
15. French education abroad, a system unique in the world
430 French schools in 130 countries welcome more than 235,000 pupils, 56% of them foreign pupils, which is what makes this network of French schools abroad so original.
16. Promoting linguistic diversity
Speaking French contributes significantly to protecting linguistic diversity in the world and to avoiding the exclusive spread of a single language in a globalised world.
More information on diplomatie.gouv.fr (in French).