French is one of the most widespread languages all over the globe. It is believed that more than 300 million people on this planet speak French as their first or second lanaguage.
It goes without saying that learning a second language benefits you a lot by increasing your career opportunities and helping you communicate with the outside world.
But did you know that studying a foreign language also helps your cognitive function? It makes you better at multitasking, improves your memory, and has a positive effect on your decision making.
But what advantages does learning French in particular have for you?
1. French is a Lingua franca of the world.
A lingua franca is the phrase that denotes a language that has been adopted as a common language by speakers of two different languages. There are many of such languages in the world. English is probably the most popular one, but French is also widely used as a lingua franca. As we have already mentioned, more than 300 million people know how to speak French.
In fact, it is the second most widely-learned language in the world (second only to English). Also, besides English, French is the only language you can study in every country around the world. So for those who know French, the world is an open book.
2. Knowing French helps you access the international job market, including being a french teacher!
If you can speak French and English, you stand out from the competition on the international job market. Not only can you apply to work in a French company in France but you can also apply to companies in other French-speaking parts of the world. At this time, there are 29 territories that use the French language. Some of them are Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Monaco, Switzerland, and so on.
3. You can study abroad.
If you can speak French, you can study at some of the best higher education institutions in the world. In addition, education in France is comparatively inexpensive, so you will be able to get a world-class education without breaking the bank.
Students who know French very well could be eligible to get a French government grant if they want to enroll in a post-graduate course in France. The degrees offered by most French universities are recognized internationally.
French is one of the languages that is used in international relations.
French is one of the six official languages (and the working language of) the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the European Union, international courts, international Red Cross, as well as the International Olympic Committee. So, if you want to build a career in one of these organizations, knowing French is a great advantage to you.
4. Gaining access to French culture.
People who speak French have access to a wonderful world of French culture. You can venture into the world of French fashion, art, architecture, gastronomy, and science. If you know French, you will also be able to read original versions of great French novels, understand lyrics of incomparable Edith Piaf's songs, and watch French films.
Also, French is one of the most widely-used languages for communication on the Internet. In fact, it comes third after English and German and is ahead of Spanish. So if you know French, you have access to French-speaking parts of the Internet such as French social media influencers and Youtubers.
You can also use the Internet to communicate with the French-speaking people all over the world and make new friends. Having access to the French-speaking population will not only provide you with the entertainment, but it will also widen your horizons.
5. Take advantage of various exchange opportunities.
If you’re a student who can speak French well, you can participate in various exchange programs in France and French-speaking territories. These programs offer a lot of rewarding experiences. You will be able to travel abroad and experience a new culture.
There are thousands of schools in France that are twinning with schools around the world. These links create one of the largest educational networks in the world, and you can be a part of it, all you need to do is to learn French.
There are 481 French schools in 133 countries, and approximately half of the students enrolled in these schools are foreign nationals. All students, both foreign and French nationals, are taught by inventive and dynamic French teachers. The French education system has a reputation for excellence, and students enrolled in French schools tend to be highly proficient and motivated.
6. It is fun to learn French.
You may have heard rumors that French is quite difficult to learn. However, in reality, it may not be that hard. It is true that learning French requires attention and precision, but that can be said of any language. In general, it doesn’t take that long to be able to communicate in French. And it is also a language which enables you to express subtle notions. So learning it is a great way to improve your linguistic skills and Singapore isn't short of good French tutors.
There is a centuries-long tradition of teaching French to foreigners, and because of that, there are many different methods and various resources available on the market that will make learning French an enjoyable experience.
7. Another reason French appeals to foreign students is because of how it sounds.
It is considered by many to be a romantic and melodious language!
In addition, if you are planning to study other languages in the future (especially Romance languages such as Italian, Spanish, Romanian, or Portuguese), knowing French is a big advantage. French and the aforementioned languages belong to the same family of languages (collectively called Romance languages), so knowing one of them will make it easier to learn another. Even learning English is easier once you have mastered French since a lot of English vocabulary is derived from French.
In the end, whatever your reason for learning French from a private tutor or in school may be, you will not regret it. The cultural, academic, and professional benefits of learning French are great, and for those and many other reasons, learning this language is definitely worth your time.