EIU Department of
World Languages and Cultures

Why Choose French?

French is a fast-growing, international language spoken by over 220 million people around the world. While it is currently ranked the sixth most spoken language, many reports estimate its position to rise. In fact, some suggest French could be the world’s most spoken language by 2050, due in large part to increasing Francophone African populations. The French language is spoken in more than 43 countries, and it is the only language (other than English) to be found on all five continents. French is used in diplomatic, cultural, economic, and political spheres around the globe. It is a working language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, and international courts. However, studying the French language can also help you perfect your English, because an estimated 30%-50% of it is derived from French!

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Consider learning French if you’re in any of the following fields:

1. Business: Many domestic USA employers have business relations in French-speaking countries (Amazon, Apple, Wal-Mart), and international businesses seek out employees who know French (Nestle, L’Oréal, Airbus, etc). French is an official language of one of the USA’s largest trade partner, Canada.

2. Medical: Knowing French is valuable in many world health organizations like Doctors Without Borders (Médecins sans frontières), and in disaster relief agencies like the Red Cross (la Croix rouge); relief is often needed in French-speaking regions of the Caribbean, such as Haiti, and in Africa

3. Hospitality & Tourism: You can use French to work as a flight attendant, or at any number of resorts and hotels that cater to Francophone tourists!

4. Education: Use French to teach; you can teach French as a World language, or English to French-Speakers (TESOL; TEFL)

5. Government: Want to work for the State Department, the FBI, or the CIA? These agencies employ many Americans who speak French!

• French Major
• French Minor
• Teacher Licensure in French
• Teacher Licensure Minor, French

Faculty

Jessica Tindira

French Activities and Organizations

• French Club Program Spring 2023
• The French Club
• La table française: French Conversation Table held 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 PM outside of Java in the University Union
• Pi Delta Phi: The National French Honor Society
• Study Abroad in a French-Speaking Region!

Some topics of our advanced courses include:

• Revolution starts at Home
• African Texts: From Page to Screen
• Race and Immigration in Contemporary French Society
• Advanced Grammar and Composition
• Constructing the Other
• French and Francophone Cinema