French
Bienvenue!
There are so many good reasons to learn French. French is the only other language besides English that is spoken on six continents. It is an official language in 29 countries, and it has over 320 million speakers hailing from 112 different countries and territories. The number of French speakers is expected to grow exponentially over the next few decades to a billion speakers by 2070. French is also one of the official languages of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the European Union, the Red Cross, the International Court of Justice, the International Olympic Committee, and other organizations.
French can help you get a job, as it is a useful complement to an international career in business, diplomacy, government, education, journalism, law, public relations, fashion, film, the travel industry, and many other fields. Studies show that people who are proficient in a foreign language are better paid than monolinguals. Keep in mind that France has a significant number of major companies and organizations that are active in the medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetology fields (Doctors without Borders, L'Oréal, Garnier, L'Occitane, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, Lancôme, Caudalie, Avène, Yves Rocher, Guerlain, Clarins, Bioderma, Sanofi). It is also a leader in the energy, engineering, and aeronautic fields.
Needless to say, the French language also gives you access to the great wealth of French literature and thought that has existed for centuries. Just imagine being able to read in the original authors such as Molière, Voltaire, Camus or Derrida. Or imagine watching Amélie without having to read the subtitles!
So, why not consider taking French and perhaps majoring or minoring in this charming language? We offer advanced courses in cinema, gastronomy, pop culture, civilization, language studies and literature. French could be the ideal major or minor for you!
To stay informed about our courses, events, and more, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram (French at Baylor).
Fun fact: Did you know that the bronze bells from the Pat Neff building on the Baylor campus were cast at a foundry in Annecy, France?