A Guide To Why Learn French  

 

If you have a passion for learning foreign languages, you can give yourself a host of reasons as to why learn French. French is one European language that has universal applicability. There are worldwide schools for teaching French since it scores only next in popularity after English. Did you know that French is the official language in 28 nations and its speakers are distributed over all the five continents?  

 

Learning French opens your avenues to pursue a career in some of the world-renowned organizations like the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Labor Bureau, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The reason is that all of these have French as the official working language along with English.  

 

What position French enjoys 

 

If you have a mind to settle in Europe in the future and seek a career there, your knowledge of French will help you gain a post at the European Court of Justice, the European Tribunal of First Instance and the European Commission Press Room in Brussels, Belgium. If you still ask yourself - ‘Why learn French?’ perhaps the data from a recent study will help you find the answer. Among a group of international employers in the US, about 78 showed a preference for French speakers and 27 required candidates with a UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish).  

 

The status of French in the American context 

 

French is widely prevalent in Canada, which is the largest trading partner of the US. The USA has given added importance to its business ties with France so that within the years 2003 and 2006 there has been a noted 75% increase in their inter-state transactions. Even within the US, 1.9 million people speak French at home. Records show that in the year 2006, the USA established trading terms with more countries having French as the principal language than with other countries.  

 

Practical application of French 

 

Are you wondering what the cause for such a preference pattern is. To go back to the pages of history, France as well as French had an indelible influence on the Americans following its contribution in 18^th century foundation of the US. The intellectual exchanges between the two countries continued in various layers. 

 

So now, when you go to the US to find a job, the American firms will look for what is different in you. There will be other candidates with similar academic qualifications, but you can beat the rest if your CV shows your special aptitude or knowledge. This could very well include your grasp over a useful foreign language like French. 

 

Hence, you should start early in life by taking at least four years of learning French, either in high school or college, you will expand your scope beyond your expected limits.      

Your grasp over French can earn you significant positions in international tourism agencies, diplomatic services, as a teacher or translator of French and French research institutes. Thus, now you know “why learn French?”