French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Did you know that more than 220 million people speak French on at least five continents? French is also one of the most widely taught languages, and is the official language of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, and the Red Cross. Moreover, French is the language of diplomacy, and is quite often spoken in various other settings, including international markets.
France’s rich literary tradition is best appreciated when experienced in original French. Enjoy literary works by Molière, Zola, Flaubert, Balzac, Hugo, Gide, and Barthes…the list goes on! Additionally, you will be able to effortlessly partake in the cultural production of le monde francophone. Since French is spoken so widely, you will be prepared to interact with colleagues, friends, and new acquaintances—whether you are visiting Paris or exploring the wonders of Africa. Or perhaps you prefer to travel closer to home! Why not visit the splendors of Québec?
Studying French will also enable you to speak your native language better! By studying the lexico-grammatical structures of a foreign language you will begin to make critical connections to your everyday speech. Did you know that there are hundreds of mots-apparentés between English and French? Furthermore, English vocabulary is often rooted in the French language.
Students of history, English, communications, film studies, and the sciences will easily identify the advantages of speaking French in their pursuit of a higher education. Perhaps you will consider an internship in a French-speaking country. Or you could join UVU French faculty in France for study abroad! Some students pursue advanced education oversea, and many accept rewarding positions with NGOs or with international corporations based in a French-speaking country. Or you could pursue an exciting career with the Federal Government, including numerous opportunities within the Foreign Service. In any case, your French-language skills will be an asset as you transition from college into a career or graduate study.
At UVU, we have a robust French program and will be adding new and exciting courses. Take advantage of our professors’ strong backgrounds, including in the fields of teaching and learning, literary and cultural studies, business French, and translation theory. We believe that learning should be both fun and rewarding; and most importantly, we understand the critical need to put language into practice. Allons-y!
If you have questions or are interested in studying French at UVU, please contact Tammy Christensen at christta@uvu.edu. We very much look forward to welcoming you in our classes!
