Is it helpful to learn French if I’m going to Europe?

Knowing French will allow you not only to function but to compete effectively in the global economy of the future

In many European countries, a second language is introduced in primary school and a third language in middle school. International job applicants proficient in at least two languages will have a distinct advantage in the global market. When you know French, you can be part of daily communications and transactions in French on every continent.

Speaking French will increase your job opportunities and salary potential

Knowledge of a second language is essential in over 60 occupations. Canada is officially bilingual and requires labeling in English and French on all imported products. More than 1,200 French companies have subsidiaries in the U.S. France is a world leader in developing modern telecommunications, a market with explosive growth potential. The European Union, the second-largest trading block in the world, recognizes French as an official language. Think about the many job opportunities with the airlines, import-export companies, and other international businesses. French is also a beneficial language if you are considering working at the United Nations (where French is the second most widely used language, after English).

Studying French increases your appreciation of other people and their cultures

French is the first or second language in more than 40 countries and is spoken by 125 million people worldwide, on every continent. Because French is a foreign language of choice for so many people in the world, knowing French will also increase your chances of communicating in a non-English speaking country. You can use French to develop international friendships, as well as to communicate via the Internet.

French opens up an entire world of sporting events to enthusiasts

French is always an official language to announce events, winners, and medals at the Olympic Games. In Canada, you can also follow hockey and baseball games in French. Automobile races (Le Mans and Monte Carlo), horse racing (Longchamps), tennis tournaments (French Open), and the Tour de France engage fans around the globe. When you know French, the international world of sports is open to you.

Knowing French will improve your vocabulary in English

Some 40 to 50% of English vocabulary comes from French. The study of French will also enhance your grammar skills. As you develop more excellent skills in French, you also sharpen your skills in English.

Proficiency in French will significantly improve your chances of being accepted to the university and graduate school

France continues to be a leader and innovator in science and technology. Civil engineering (the Channel between England and France, the TGV –fastest train, the Concorde), medical technologies (the isolation of the HIV), and telecommunications (the Minitel with more than 20,000 online services and micro-chip telephone cards) are just a few areas in which the French play a leadership role. Knowing French can open the doors to graduate school and essential research.

Using French enhances your travel opportunities abroad to the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and beyond

After the United States, France is the world’s second most visited tourist destination. Fortune Magazine recently named Paris one of the top ten global cities. When you speak French, you can be an educated tourist, ask for directions, get your hotel room or tell a French friend about your country.

French is the language of culture, opening your door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and cinema

As you quickly realize when you look at the foreign film section of your local video store, France is one of the most prolific producers of international films. The Cannes International Film Festival attracts the world’s attention annually when the best movies, directors, and actors are named. When you understand French, you don’t need to rely on subtitles to enjoy a French film.

French is the language of many great literary masterpieces

People worldwide are familiar with La Chanson de Roland, Les Misérables, The Three Musketeers, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, The Little Prince, and The Stranger. France has won more Nobel Prizes for literature than any other country. The French are also admired for their great philosophers, such as Descartes and Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Camus, de Beauvoir, and Sartre. When you read French, you can enjoy these works and authors in the original.