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I would like to tell you about why I think you should learn French! French is a difficult language, like any other language. It takes dedication, motivation and is time consuming requiring consistency and repetition. But you can do it! You are at the right place, I will help you and we will do it together!
French speaking population
“Le Français” (“French” in English) is the official language in 29 different countries across four of the six continents (Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania). Surprisingly, the country where you have the highest French speaking population is in Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa with 84 million people, followed by France with more than 67 million and Canada counting more than 37 million people1. That means 7% of the global population speaks French!1 Is it not enough to persuade you to start learning French? Right! No worries, I have more to convince you, so keep reading 😉
The number of French language speakers has increased by almost 10% since 20142. It is the 5th most spoken language in the world (the 4th on the internet!)2. French is the official language in the Olympic Games where all the notifications are in French. In Africa, French is the second language and 59% of daily French speakers are on the African continent2. In 2070, there will be 747 million people speaking French!2
Traveling and culture… another reason why you should learn French!
French territories
As mentioned previously, we speak French on 4 continents, therefore you have a great chance while traveling to meet French speakers. Furthermore, France counts 11 French territories distributed all over the world, in the Pacific ocean (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna), the Indian ocean (Mayotte and Réunion), the Atlantic Ocean (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon).3
Thanks to the contribution of all the territories, French culture is now one of the most diversified in the world.
French food, the best reason why you should learn French!
Want to impress your partner and invite him/her in a world renowned French restaurant?
France is well-known for its cuisine! Each region has “une spécialité gastronomique” (“food specialty” in English) and is a world reference to teach new chefs coming from all over the world. Six hundred and thirty eight restaurants in France have one, two or three michelin stars.4
Have you ever been in a restaurant and not being able to understand the menu as it contains a lot of weird French words everywhere?
So many restaurants nowadays (not necessarily in France or michelin star restaurants) have French words in their menu, for instance “cuisses de grenouille” (“frog legs” in English). So, knowing basics in French will definitely be useful. You want to know the best French chef so you can dazzle your lover next time you go in France? Well, Alain Ducasse, is a chef with the most star in the world, with 20 stars in total. I will detail French cooking and make you travel through all the different cultures in future articles.
Fashion and romance
Do you want to dress elegantly for a “chic” (“classy” in English) evening?
“La mode” (“Fashion” in English) and “la cosmétique” (“cosmetics” in English) are also famous aspects of French culture. You probably heard about these creators: Channel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent and many more. France is the capital of fashion and elegance. Do you need “une robe” (“a dress” in English) or “une chemise” (“a shirt” in English) for a “un tête-à-tête” (it is like a private moment/discussion with someone else) with your lover? Fashion is important in our culture and social life as well as the economy of the country. Both French men and women wear sophisticated and elegant clothes, Oh La La!
Want to be romantic with your beloved? End your chic evening by saying “Je t’aime” (“I love you” in English) as French is the language of Love, she/he will be seduced 😉
Studying
Want to study abroad?
Speaking French allows to join universities and business schools renowned in France. Forty one French institutions are counted among the top universities in the world.5
If you do not have the opportunity to join a French university, it will allow you at least to follow lectures online of the greatest French expert in the world. For instance, in mathematic you have Cédric Villani. Look out for one of his presentation “What is so sexy about math?“
Working, the final reason why you should learn French
Want to work abroad?
Due to the amount of French speakers in the world, French can bring many opportunities on the international job market. There are so many big French companies in different areas and having this asset will open doors. For example, automobile industries (Peugeot or Renault), fashion and beauty as mentioned previously, pharmaceutical industries (Sanofi), aviation industry (Airbus)6… Nowadays, being able to speak several languages is an advantage to get a job!
So, what is your reason for learning French? Let me know in the comments and feel free to share this article 🙂
For more information or any updates on the content provided in this article, please visit the following references: 1. "Google Public Data Explorer". Data from World Bank. Last updated: Apr 8, 2020. 2. Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, La langue française dans le monde | Organisation internationale de la francophonie 3. www.worldatlas.com, List of French Territories 4. www.guide.michelin.com/fr, Guide MICHELIN France : la liste complète des étoiles. 5. www.timeshighereducation.com, World university rankings 2021. 6. www.verif.com, Classement des plus grosses entreprises de France.