The Value of Studying French
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French is spoken by 500 million people in over 43 countries in the world. It is the only foreign language that can useful throughout the world as well as in the U.S. and is the only language other than English spoken on 5 continents. French is spoken by our largest trading partner (Canada). Trade between France and the U.S. increased by 75% in recent years. The French are world leaders in business, medical research, technology, the arts and aerospace. The knowledge of French offers the student an edge in the increasingly competitive world market. SAT scores improve with French acquisition. France is the world’s major tourist destination with 75 million tourists per year as well as maintaining the position of Europe’s foremost investor abroad. A country of high technology (TGV is the fastest train in the world); France plays a premier role in the global business community. French is one of the 2 official languages of the Olympics, the United Nations, and French speaking Africa represents an area larger than the U.S.A. Over 20,000 English words have their origins in French. Employment opportunities are available in international business, international agencies, teaching, tourism, hospitality, diplomatic service, and research institutes and translating. French is the lingua franca of culture, including art, cuisine, dance and fashion.