5 Reasons to Take French

It is always useful to reinstate some facts about the French language, particularly in times like these:

1 - The global economy is here! Speaking multiple languages makes you more competitive...and will soon be a matter of survival.

2 - Communicate with 200 million people (500 million by 2050). French is the official language of 55 countries, as well as an official language at the United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, the International Olympic Committee, the European Union, and the International Red Cross.

3 - Get a head start on other languages, and boost your English. Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian are all closely tied to French.

4 - Open the door wider to music, art, literature, and fashion. French allows you to discover a new appreciation for culture in countries like Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and many African countries: Cameroon, Mali, Gabon...

5 - French is FUN!

I might be a linguist at heart and a biased advocate for French but I do think that now is NOT the time to eliminate French and other languages in schools and universities across the United States.

This country needs to nurture its languages and thrive on them.

Fabrice Jaumont
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Comments

  • Hi!
    Légèrement adapté ton texte, désormais affiché dans les deux salles où je suis le plus souvent ... bah ça peut pas me faire de mal! ;-)
  • I have to agree and say that it is very important to teach kids at an early age at least 2 languages as they are like sponges and will absorb the information much easier at that age. It is also said that learning another language at that age will help them learn other subjects in the future. French and English are everywhere in the world and would open the door to your child's future. Learning both languages at an early age would also give them the bases and desire to learn other languages. I see it with my son who is in the French dual language program at PS151 in queens. I am American of Lebanese origin and after only a year in the program he has asked me about Arabic and wanting to learn the language. Prior to the dual language program he had no interest in learn another language. It is great to see how French is opening up his mind.

    Even if families are not French speakers a Dual English / French program would help their children on many levels.

    If anybody is interested or know of people who might want to put their kids in such a program, PS 151 still has spots for their K, 1st and 2nd grade programs. The address is 50-05 31 AVENUE QUEENS, NY11377. Phone: 718-728-2676. There is a meeting about the school and the program on Nov. 4th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the school library. I will be there and hope to see more schools see the importance of such programs in our education system.
  • qui qu'il en soit le francais resteras dans la langue anglaise! let it be known
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_words_and_phrases_used_...
  • I really do agree with you. Fantastic! We need to make sure the DOE hears about it!!!!
    Ginetta
  • Superb! Absolutely beautiful and true.
  • La langue de chez nous (Yves Duteil)

    C'est une langue belle avec des mots superbes
    Qui porte son histoire à travers ses accents
    Où l'on sent la musique et le parfum des herbes
    Le fromage de chèvre et le pain de froment...

    C'est une langue belle à qui sait la défendre
    Elle offre les trésors de richesse infinie
    Les mots qui nous manquaient pour pouvoir nous comprendre
    Et la force qu'il faut pour vivre en harmonie.

    Courage et perséverence,
    Olivier.
  • Bien dit!
  • How right you are my friend. All good points! Love the French language.
  • Nous sommes plus riches, dans tous les sens du mot, avec le Français!
  • Your words echo my own, when I decided to learn French again more than three years ago. It has taken me slowly through a lovely journey of discovery and meeting wonderful people, who also are trying to learn this most beautiful language. I stumbled across your website in the course of trying to find French activities and I thank you for all your fabulous work! I, for one, am even more motivated to not just become fluent in the language but to learn more about France!
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