Cultivating French: A Language For Life

21st Century Talking points for French Language Educators and Allies
AATF Chicago/Northern Illinois
The goal of this new chapter project is to guide students to becoming more proactive about their
continued education in French through the intermediaries of informed teachers, parents, and other
allies. This project is about what will happen after they complete your French course, when no one is
there to encourage them to take more French. This is particularly true after high school, when
students enter the various forms of higher education available in the US. As educators, we can teach
our students how to be active, rather than passive about their education; this is a useful skill to master
regardless of the discipline. It is also important to recognize that many different forms of higher
education exist, from vocational training and community colleges, to liberal arts colleges and research
universities, however the talking points that we have developed are applicable to all students.
Students from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds enroll in French: some have never
traveled; some have learning or physical disabilities. How do we make continued study of French
attractive to the average student, to the student who is not planning on being an engineer or a doctor,
and who does not foresee anything international in his/her future, as well to his/her parents? Many of
these points apply to ANY world language since, as we know, language is truly value added. We
need to help our students to understand that Language is my 'Plus One.'
For additional readings and information, see Durand, Alain-Philippe. A Certain Tendency of
French/Francophone Studies in the United States. The French Review. 86.6 May 2013 1101-1112.

Frequently asked questions:

Most jobs dont even require use of French. So why is French important for my career?

Studying French teaches more than how to speak the language.

Language study says a lot about you. Becoming proficient in another language and thereby seeking to
understand a languages cultures demonstrates that you have discipline and drive, that you have the
tenacity to accomplish something challenging, and that you are not afraid of risks or of making
mistakes.
French will make you more marketable regardless of the field. Having French on a college transcript
shows employers that you
o Have the ability to function in new and unfamiliar environments
o Have strong communication skills and can interact comfortably with people from diverse cultural
backgrounds and overcome breakdowns in communication and/or cultural misunderstandings.
o Have the ability to see things through another's eyes.
Employers look for applicants with critical analysis skills. Whether or not you ever speak French after
graduation, as a French language students you know how to
o Adapt and function in unfamiliar environments and new situations
o Negotiate difficult, abstract tasks with an acute sense of initiative and creativity
o Analyze, evaluate, and assess cultural differences in professional settings
o Manipulate fiction and reality
o Apply the skills of critical thinking, reading, writing, and synthesizing information
Companies are attracted to employees who have the skills to develop and grow both international and
domestic projects in an increasingly diverse nation
The skills gained through language study are invaluable whether you are a doctor, or a customer
service representative at Verizon.

I plan on studying engineering (nursing, medicine, accounting, ). Why would a French major or
French classes be relevant to my field of study?

A double major sets you apart from the crowd

Employers want job candidates who can work with people from diverse backgrounds and who are
sensitive to cultural differences
Increasing reading, writing, and synthesizing information skills are always a plus
Thinking about Graduate School? Most graduate schools require advanced knowledge of at least one
foreign language
o French requires the least amount of instructional hours to reach a high level of proficiency
o Studying French will improve your scores on standardized tests such as the GRE and LSAT
since the richest source of vocabulary in English derives from French!

Why should I study French in a country where English and Spanish are the main languages?

Supply and Demand: As a less frequently spoken language in the US, French speakers are in short
supply.
Language Families: As a romance language, French is a natural choice for those who already speak
Spanish.
Native speakers and heritage learners: There is significantly less competition from native speakers of
French in the US than from speakers of Spanish

Tips for middle School/high school teachers:

Do I need really need four years of a language in high school?

Weight counselor recommendations versus college requirements; start thinking about your personal
interests and career planning.
It is your stepping stone to service learning, internships, and study abroad in college.
It is always better to increase your skills and knowledge in communication and culture
University admissions officers look for students who distinguish themselves; this is harder and harder
for many students to do. Stand out from the crowd!

Tips for high school teachers/college professors:

Why should I continue studying French in college?

Graduate schools often have college level language requirements in addition to a standard course load;
why would you want to start over after a 4 year hiatus, which would involve extra coursework, money,
and time?
Language skills need to be demonstrated on a students college transcript; high school transcripts are
generally not forwarded to potential employers.
To participate in Service Learning
To study abroad (short term, semester long, or faculty led terms)
To get an internship with real life experience
To building a sense of community and belonging on campus
o French/International Residences/Dorms
o French Conversation Tables
o Travel with faculty and classmates abroad

What can I expect in a university French class / program?

2 for 1 credit: your language courses may count towards other general education requirements across
campus (Literature, History, Global Awareness, or Experiential Learning, for example); youll finish on
time (or maybe even early!)
Although most institutions accept AP credit, many also administer their own placements tests to
incoming first year students; based on their placement test scores students can earn additional,
retroactive credit in French
A French minor requires only a few intermediate or upper level classes (generally 4-6 courses)
Students can combine a major in French with many other disciplines including the sciences
Many study abroad options are open to all levels of college language students
Completing even lower level language courses prepares students for various diplomas and certification
programs in French, such as the DELF
Double majors and minors are common and encouraged
Complete coursework in French, rather than simply taking language courses; language acquisition
takes place through content courses in film, literature, art, music, and much more
Personal attention, advising, and mentoring not as common in other disciplines

How long will it take for me to become fluent in French?

Remember that studying French teaches more than how to speak the language. We need to dispel the
myth that the only goal of French studies is to speak French fluently- there are many other
competencies gained (Durand)

What can teachers do?

-

Combat the belief that French studies serve no purpose- change the message!
o

I challenge you to find one job/industry where this is useless. It is important in the US to have
people who can work with all cultures and background. French students have these
competencies (Durand)

Dont tell students to take more French in high school to avoid having to take it in college
o

Do tell students to take more French in high school so that they can easily major or minor in
college (a student who enters college in only French 101 or even 201 might not have enough
time to complete a major!)

Dont forget the importance of addressing the student who will not become an international
superstar
o

Some students will attend community college or a trade school.

Consider offering a small scholarship in French Club funds

o

Make this available students who continue studying French in college and come back to your
school to talk about their experience!

Be aware of first year advising practices when your students enroll in college and prepare them
for it
o

Some counselors will discourage students from taking French.

Advise and educate parents

o

Promote the merits of continuing French studies in college.

Create an expectation that students will continue French in college

o

Invite local college professors to your class

o

They can discuss the college experience with your students

Make contact with successful people in the community who are supporters of French
o

Foster this expectation from their first day in your classroom.

Invite them to your class AND invite parents to attend these celebrity sessions!

Keep in touch with former students; write to them, ask about their progress in French, and
invite them back to your classroom to help with projects, field trips, etc. Email, Linked in, and
even Facebook work well.
o

Create a website in which you

Highlight the accomplishments of the alumni who keep in touch with you and provide
contact information for current students to contact them directly.

Provide concrete information about why students should continue taking French (a
downloadable .pdf file is best).

Encourage your star students to take a class at a local university or college

o

Classes are often offered at reduced rates or are subsidized by local school districts.

Attend AATF events in your area or other French events at local colleges
o

Post short video testimonials from current and former students.

Attend these with your students, when relevant

Help recent high school graduates find summer shadowing or internship opportunities in
French
o

Make a French reading list for college bound students.

o

Encourage exploration of French related resources outside of the classroom

Make contact with a local professor who can field questions about language study in college
o

Many organizations are happy to assist with job shadowing.

Provide your students and high school advisors with their email address/phone number

Make French a positive experience!