French - Indiana University - Bloomington

French from Indiana University - Bloomington is a Campus Bachelor Language degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. Why Learn French? While a number of our majors choose to enter secondary education as a career, a larger percentage of majors in French combine their language specialization with other studies and pursue careers in business, computer programming and web design, law, public relations, journalism, telecommunications, arts administration, publishing, library science, politics, or public and environmental affairs, to name but a few. Some students also use their language skills in order to enter government employment, the military, or organizations such as the Peace Corps. In all cases, students report back to us that their training in French enhanced their professional and academic opportunities. France is a major economic and political force in Europe and the world; it holds one of five permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Over 67 million people around the world speak French as their first language , and French is one of the UN's five official languages. It is the official language or one of the official languages in 29 countries and is spoken in much of Africa, Canada, Louisiana, the Caribbean, Asia, the Near East, and the Pacific Rim. Here are a few of the many good reasons to choose French . . . Communication Skills: In many careers and free-time activities, you will find it beneficial to communicate with people who are native French speakers. In any realm of business, it always pays to know the client's language . French instruction also encourages you to think about important details of language usage which may not have occurred to you before, thereby improving your writing and speaking skills in English as well. Travel: To travel the world and experience the essence of French-speaking cultures, knowledge of French is essential. Don't get stuck on all-American 5-day tours of a continent! They only skim the surface and show you what someone else thinks you should see. To truly get to know a French-speaking country it takes more time and, above all, French language skills. Jobs in Business: As more and more businesses are "going global" by opening offices throughout the world, the knowledge of French is an increasingly important asset when applying for jobs. The increased multilingualism of society here in the US also calls for college graduates with foreign language skills. Jobs in Government: In the fields of diplomacy and trade, the federal government is always seeking qualified applicants with French language skills. If you see international conferences and negotiations in your future, you'd better learn one or more languages now. Research: No matter the area of specialization, knowledge of French is not only helpful, but often necessary for academic, business, or social research. Translations are not always correct or even available. Art and Culture: No matter how good the translation, inevitably some meaning is lost in the process. Therefore, to fully appreciate the richness of French literature , theater, opera, and films, knowledge of French is essential. Other aspects of a French-speaking country's culture are also best appreciated by those who can speak and understand the French language . How could you, for example, savor a gourmet French meal in a Parisian restaurant if you couldn't read the menu? Self-Fulfillment: Learning French is a big accomplishment which brings with it great satisfaction and added confidence. In addition, immersion in foreign cultures can open whole new avenues of self-exploration and personal growth. Intellectual Stimulation: Learning French enhances your skills in analyzing, discussing, and categorizing information and ideas. View more details on Indiana University - Bloomington, IN . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Language courses.