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Why study French?
With a major or minor in French, you will develop fluency in a language that is spoken in 40 countries, on 5 continents, by over 10% of the world's population. However, the ability to communicate in French is not the the only valuable aspect of French studies. The French program at Salem State College also includes dynamic courses in French and Francophone cultures and literatures, in which you will develop:
- sharp critical thinking ability
- oral and written analytical skills
- a comparative perspective on global affairs
- cross-cultural awareness and the ability to work with diverse groups of people
- a multidisciplinary knowledge base (including literature, history, art, film, philosophy, linguistics, sociology, economics, and many more disciplines which intersect with French and Francophone cultures).
What can I do with a minor in French?
A minor in French (5 courses above the elementary level) will help prepare you for a career in any number of fields where language skills, cross-cultural awareness and critical thinking are valued. Students who minor in French may pursue careers in:
- teaching (French is now being taught in the U.S. at the elementary, middle school, high school and college levels)
- translation or interpretation
- business, international banking, public relations, corporate intelligence
- politics, international relations, or work with government agencies (United Nations, U.S. State Department, embassy work, border patrol, CIA, FBI, European Union)
- medecine or medical research (with French-speaking populations in the U.S., or with the World Health Organization, Red Cross, pharmaceutical companies)
- journalism and media communications
- creative and performing arts, museum administration (curator, public relations, etc.)
- travel and tourism industries (travel agent, concierge, hotel management, etc.)
Did you know...?
- Proficiency in French increases your job prospects! A recent U.S. State Department study of the international job market indicated that over 50% of jobs surveyed required or preferred candidates to speak French.
- Canada, whose official languages are French and English, is the primary consumer of U.S. exports! And, with NAFTA, more and more products will be marketed in Canada and companies will require French-speaking employees.
- France is the #1 tourist destination in the world! The number of people visiting France per year is greater than its entire population.
- In over 20 African countries, French is used for government or business! There is a strong French influence in North Africa, West Africa and Central Africa.
- French is an official language of many international organizations! It is an official language at the United Nations, the Red Cross, the International Monetary Fund, UNESCO & the International Olympic Committee!
- French is the second most influential language in the world! Language Today, a publication for language professionals, ranks French second only to English.
- France ranks 4th in the world in terms of Gross National Product! Plus, over 1,200 French companies have investments in the U.S. and these French companies employ over 400,000 Americans annually.
- All three branches of the European Union are headquartered in French-speaking countries! The executive branch is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium; the legislative branch in Strasbourg, France; and the judicial branch in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
For more information on the French major or minor, consult the French Program web page!
