French The Most Practical Foreign Language 10 Reasons as to why…

1. French
The Most Practical Foreign Language10 Reasons as to why… http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/francophony-french-language_1113/french-language_1934/french-language-in-the-world_3441/why-learn-french_10849.html

2. Reason #1: To Get Into College. Colleges love to see foreign LANGUAGE STUDY. In fact, most college admissions requirements dictate at least two years of foreign language study while more selective institutions (like Lane) like to see at least four years of one foreign language. Studies suggest a strong correlation between years of foreign language study and higher test scores. In general, the more you study French, the higher your ACT or SAT scores will be (French students score as many as four points more than students of Spanish or Italian).

3. When employers and universities look at applicants, they do not start looking at the bottom of the list to see who has done only the minimal amount of requirements necessary or taken the easiest route available, they start at the top of the list and look for those students who have risen above the rest. Largest host country for foreign exchange students In addition, most graduate schools require KNOWLEDGE of at least one foreign language, and French remains the most commonly used language after English

4. Historically France and the French language have had an enormous influence over American society. France was the United States' first ally. French thought played a dominant role among the founders of the United States in the 18th century. It continues to shape America today through the influence of such INTELLECTUAL currents as post-structuralism and post-modernism. In the humanities and the social sciences, many of the most important writings have come from France. Students and researchers who know French have access to great works. Many significant works are never translated and remain accessible only to those who know the language.

5. Reason #2: Job Opportunities. If you want to increase the job opportunities that are available to you, learn French. Make More Money when you speak a foreign language, you open up the possibility of making more money. Why? Because you're offering a skill that is in demand. Consider flight attendants for example: if you speak French and then service flights from the US to France, you can often earn double what your non-Francophone flight attendants are earning. Other jobs as well pay more money for your services when you can assist in translation.

6. What do you want to be when you grow up? • Teacher/ Professor of History, Literature, Language, Philosophy, • Architecture and Art • Translator/Interpreter • Proofreading and Editing • Science, Chemistry, Medicine • Technology: Cars, trains, TVs, and the internet • Luxury Goods: Fashion, Cosmetics, Perfume • Aviation, Travel, Hotels • Cuisine and Food • Foreign Service Officer and Relations • Business International Relations and Law • International Organizations Then maybe you need to seriously consider the study of the French language…

7. Looks Good on Your Resume. It doesn't matter whether the job for which you are applying requires French, putting that you are fluent in another language on your resume simply looks good. When you show the tenacity to LEARN at least one foreign language, it not only says to a perspective employer that you are intelligent, but also versatile. Did you know that France has the Highest percentage of women in management positions.

8. French, along with English, is the official working language of: Our neighbors to the North, Canada, which is a bilingual country and our largest trading partner. Quebec alone (the French speaking province), does $72 billion worth of business with the United States, making it,our fifth largest trading partner.

9. One of the OFFICIAL Languages of… • the UN (United Nations) • NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) • the International Labor Bureau • the International Olympic Committee • the European Community • the Universal Postal Union • the International Red Cross as well as Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) • European Court of Justice

10. One example of the importance of French can be seen in a recent listing of international jobs (8/25/08) distributed by the US State Department: 78 required or preferred French, 27 a UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish), 17 Spanish, 10 Arabic, 5 Russian, and 3 German, 1 Chinese.

11. The Economics • In 2006, the United States exported and imported more to countries having French as a national language than to countries having any other foreign language. Exports to Canada alone in that year were greater than the combined exports to all countries south of the United States. • From 2003 to 2006 trade between France and the United States increased by 75% with $1 billion of transactions taking place every day. • Paris is the world’s fourth largest financial hub.

12. In recent years, the U.S. has been the largest direct investor in France. France is nearly tied with Japan, Germany and the Netherlands as the second largest foreign investor in the U.S. • The world invests in France: in 2006, France was the third largest destination of foreign investment in the world. • More than 1200 French companies employ approximately 500,000 Americans, and US companies employ nearly 600,000 people in France. Among foreign countries doing business in the US, France employs the third largest number of Americans.

13. Reason #4: French Is Popular. French is one of the most popular languages in the world: • About 178 million people speak French world-wide. • It is at least one of the official languages in 29 countries. • French is the most popular second language chosen among students. • More than 2 million Americans speak French in their homes according to data from the 2000 census. • 16 million Americans are of French descent

14. While any language will be useful for some jobs or for some regions, French is the only foreign language that can be useful throughout the world as well as in the United States. French as a foreign language is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English. The International Organization of Francophonie has 54 member states and governments and 13 observer countries. Of these, 32 countries have French as an official language. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents.

15. La Francophonie

16. Overseas Possessions. Other Creole Speaking Islands

17. Reason #5: Improve Your English One great benefit of studying French is that it will undoubtedly improve your English. Did you know that there are more French words lent to the English language than any other foreign language? (33-50%). By speaking French, you will undoubtedly improve your vocabulary in English. However, you will also find that by having to work with and define verbs, nouns, subjects of sentences and other grammatical points that you had never thought about, your understanding of English grammar will exponentiate.

18. HISTORY OF ENGLISH Battle of Hastings in 1066, GUILLAUME le BÂTARD, conquered England bringing his court and the French language with him from Normandy. Off and on for the next 650 years England’s court would be spoken in French. Consequently the bigger, more intelligent (ACT) words would be the synonyms of the more simple, peasant English equivalent.

19. REASON # Better Comprehension of American Geography and History Nouvelle-France) was the area colonized by France in North America during a period extending from the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River, by Jacques Cartier in 1534, to the cession of New France to Spain and Britain in 1763. At its peak in 1712 (before the Treaty of Utrecht), the territory of New France extended from Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains and from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.

20. List of French Explorers • Antoine Cadillac • Jacques Cartier • Samuel de Champlain • Robert de La Salle • Julien duBuque • Jean-Baptiste-Point du Sable • Louis Joliet • Père Jacques Marquette • Jean Nicololet

22. Reason #6 Science • There is a higher percentage of scientists than any other country, with • France is a major world research center in the field of high energy physics. • Highest percentage of women graduating in Engineering • France is the U.S.'s fourth-largest scientific collaborator • World leader in proportion of electricity produced by nuclear power (70-75%) • Largest turbine ever made for tapping tidal energy

23. Reason #6 Technology • FIRST in the production of trains, with Most extensive high-speed railway system (= 31,536 kilometers). TGV holds the speed record for rail at 320 kmh. • World's largest manufacturer of television sets and the creators of high-def. • THIRD in control of software market • THIRD most used language on the internet • THIRD manufacturers of electronics equipment • SPOT Image (Toulouse) has the largest constellation of geospatial imaging satellites • FASTEST passenger plane (Concorde) • Air Liquide, (Paris) the world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services • France is the fourth largest producer of automobiles in the world (Renault, Peugeot, Citroen) and the third largest exporter. • The French are the world's third manufacturers of electronics equipment.

24. European leader in aerospace (Aerospatiale, Arianespace, Airbus...). • Most commercial satellites are put into space on French Ariane rockets. • The ocean liner Queen Mary II was built in France. • France is the world's third military power (after the US and Russia), and has the world's second largest defense industry (i.e. exocet missiles, radar technology.) • France is the world's second largest builder and exporter of civilian and military aircraft and helicopters (Airbus is the world's second largest fleet of commercial airliners, and many of the US Coast Guard helicopters are made by Aerospatiale in Toulouse.) • France has one of the most advanced systems of telecommunications in the world being the creator of both minitel and high-speed internet. • France will be the site of the world's first nuclear fusion reactor, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

25. Reason #7 Sports • Football-During a 2006 World Cup match, player Zinedine Zidane head butted Italian player Marco Materazzi in the chest. While it's true the two players exchanged words, at the time, it was unclear as to what exactly was said. • Tennis-Among the popular French sports are tennis, France that it ranks only second to football. The last Frenchman to win the French Open was Yannick Noah in 1983, • .Handball-The sport of handball is popular in primary and secondary schools in France, and team handball itself continues to gain popularity in the country at large. • Rugby-Rugby union is extremely popular in France, and in fact, their rugby team is considered one of the strongest in Europe. and the team has much to feel proud of; they've won the championship fourteen times! • Cycling-One can't discuss popular French sports without mentioning the internationally well-known Tour de France. This cycling event takes place each July and lasts three grueling weeks. • Basketball-It may come as a bit of a surprise that basketball is quite popular in France.

26. Sports • Many have successfully argued that the French have invented the following sports… • Cricket, • rugby, • american football, • wrestling, and • Boxing • Largest ski area (8000 km of slopes) Skiing World leader in security and safety on the skiing slopes • Hand-gliding • Rock-climbing, Hiking, camping • Sailing/ parasailing,Wind-surfing • Kayaking • Bassoball /Parkour http://www.lexiophiles.com/english/extrem-sports-in-france-and-belgium

27. Reason #8 Cuisine • FIRST exporter of wines in the world and as being classified as guaranteed quality and origin • FIRST exporter of cheese in the world, making more than 400 different kinds. • SECOND in agribusiness and food processing • SECOND exporter of agricultural goods in the world • THIRD largest market for kosher foods • France is the second largest exporter of agricultural • products in the world after the U.S.

28. Reason #9: Medecine and World Policy • France gives more foreign aid per capita to developing nations than does the US. • With a 2.15 percent of GDP devoted to Research & Development, France is ranked fifth among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. • The French have nearly 15,000 troops on peace-keeping duties in 15 countries including Afghanistan, the Balkans, and the Ivory Coast. • The French are a world leader in medical research: the AIDS virus was first isolated by French doctors. • The French are a leader in medical genetics (the Human Genome Project is located in Paris). • FOURTH exporter of medicines in the world • France is the world leader in medical research • World leader in homeopathy • World Leader in Artificial Insemination • Sederma, based (Le Perray) is the world leader in bioactive ingredients for skincare

29. In the context of the European Union, France contributes up to 24.3% of the European Union Peace Facility, which makes it possible to finance African peacekeeping operations with funds from the European Development Fund. • highest number of Jewish citizens in Western Europe, Largest Armenian community • Highest number of Arabs of any other country • They are often the only peace-keeping country between western and Arab interests.

30. Reason #10: Culture, Leisure, and Trivia Studying French is Fun!Last but not least, studying French is just plain fun. Learning about a new culture, and learning a new language broadens your horizons. It's probably the only class you'll take where you can talk all the way through class and its allowed. . .as long as you're speaking French. Experience Cultural Diversity & Understanding in a world that's becoming increasingly smaller through the cyber network, it has become crucial that we understand and respect diverse cultures. Studying a foreign language in general will help you gain a different perspective on many historical events, as well as an appreciation for new cultures.

31. World leader in non-English rap music • Lowest emigration rate, fewer people leave from than any other country • More tourists visit France than any other country in the world , with more chateaux than any other country. • It has all of the Geographical climates of the United States in One country that is smaller than Texas • Largest reservoir of art • Largest number of movie screens; Largest and most prestigious film festival (Cannes)

32. Highest proportion of forested land in the EU • Greatest number of judges per capita (8.45) • Lowest union membership, this means that workers are happy • Shortest work week, 35 hour work week • Longest vacation time, 6 weeks mandatory by law, (30 days) • Lowest death rate from heart attack and stroke • Lowest rate of cardiovascular disease • Highest life expectancy for women in the EU • lowest rate of carbon waste • FIRST in number of pets, with an estimated 47 million • Highest rate of pets (52% of families own a dog or a cat)

33. Why French is #1!?!

34. Ambroise Pare (1510-1590): surgical instruments • Blaise Pascal: mechanical calculator (1642) • Metric system, proposed by Gabriel Mouton in 1670, worked out by the French Academy of Sciences in 1790 • Nicolas Joseph Cugnot: steam-driven car (1769) • George Louis Lesage used a single wire system to telegraph a message (1774) • Joseph M.Jacquard - first industrially applicable automatic loom (late 18th century) • Montgolfier (Joseph and Etienne): the hot-air balloon (1783) • Louis Lenormand: the parachute (1783) • Jean Baptiste Meusnier: lighter-than-air dirigible developed (1785) • Claude Chappe: optical system telegraph (1791) • Nicolas Appert - invented our canning process involving bactericide by boiling (1810) • Rene T.H. Laennec - invented the stethoscope (1816) • Joseph L. Gay-Lussac (1778-1850), chemist: the hydrometer and alcoholometer • Jean-Francois Champollion - first deciphered the Rosetta Stone(1822) • Louis Braille: printed language for the blind (1829) • Joseph N.Niepce: the principle of the photographic process (1826) • Daguerre, Louis J. improved and patented photographic process (1839)

35. French physicist Jean Foucault: the gyroscope (1852) • Henri Deville: invented electrolysis to refine aluminum from bauxite (1852) • Henri Giffard, engineer: first successful steam-powered steerable airship (1852) • Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville: Phonautographe:1st machine to record sound (1857), with no playback • Raymond Gaston Plante: the lead-acid battery (1860) • Rouquayrol and Denayrouse: hard-hat deep-sea diving (1865) • Pierre Lallement: rotary-pedal bicycle (1865) • Freres Michaux: steam-driven bicycle (1868) • Chemist Mege Mouries: margarine (1869) • Charles Cros (& Edison) simultaneously invented the phonograph (1877) • Lumiere brothers: first movie camera (1895) • Rene Panhard & Emile Levassor: prototype for modern car (front engine, pedal clutch, 4 wheels, etc. - 1895) • Jean J.E. Lenoir (1822-1900): the first practical internal combustion engine • French engineer and chemist Georges Claude: the neon lamp (1902)

36. Paul Cornu (1907): short flight of first helicopter prototype • Edouard Benedictus: the process for making laminated safety glass (1909) • Henri-M. Coanda: turbine engine airplane (1910) • George de Mestral: the hook and loop fabric fastener system, Velcro (1941) • Emile Gagnan and Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau: "Aqua Lung" for scuba diving (1943) • Arthur Granjean: Etch-A-Sketch [toy] in 1958 • Roland Moreno: the concept of installing silicon chip computer memory on a plastic card (1974) • French launch Minitel (1980), first major public interactive computer network • Robert Cailliau and Jean-Francois Groff, Swiss francophone co-inventors of the WWW with Tim Berners-Lee (1992) • ATM asynchronous transfer mode - high-speed internet

37. In Conclusion… When employers and universities look at applicants, they do not start looking at the bottom of the list to see who has done only the minimal amount of requirements necessary or taken the easiest route available, they start at the top of the list and look for those students who have risen above the rest. High school students should consider studying at least four years of a foreign language. College students should seek to earn a minor in French or have French as a primary or secondary major. With French they have access to the most widely spoken foreign language in the world after English and they become familiar with a culture that significantly influences our own.. The French economy is one of the strongest in the world and is increasingly a leader in technological innovation. In sum, French is the language of the future.

38. Bibliography • Adapted from: Richard Shryock Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University