French is one of the rare languages that is taught in the education systems of every country. It’s one of the most-studied languages in the world, so it’s no surprise you might be interested in learning it. However, you might still wonder - what would you do with your new French skills? How can you benefit from it?
There are many reasons why people decide to learn French as their next foreign language: it’s spoken in many countries, it sounds nice, and sometimes one must conduct personal business in France. Today, we’ll give you nine more reasons - some more rational and practical and others more romantic and emotional.
If you have firmly decided to learn French, you already know your reasons, but if you’re still hesitating, let us help you make up your mind. Read on - and allow us to convince you to start learning French.
1. It’s an Official Language in So Many Countries in the World
More than 300 million people speak French on every continent combined, including Antarctica. It’s an official language in 29 countries, and the international organization of French-speaking nations, the OIF, includes 88 states and governments as its members. As stated before, it's one of the most widely learned and spoken languages in the world.
This means that if you speak French you would most likely be able to communicate with people in many places, wherever you go, and be part of the daily interactions and transactions occurring in French on every continent. This is a fantastic asset not only for traveling but also for expanding your career.
2. It’s the Language of International Relations
French is not only used in French-speaking countries or language schools. It's also the working language of international relations - an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross, and international courts.
Even in the United States, French speakers are in high demand across all Peace Corps assignment sectors. Overall, if you want to pursue a career with an international organization, learning French is a must.
3. It Will Help You Learn Other Languages
French is a Romance language, which means it was derived from Vulgar Latin. Because of that, it’s a great base for learning other Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian), as they come from the same language family and have similar vocabulary and grammar.
Moreover, English is partially derived from French, so you will also boost your English skills by learning the French language.
If you want to become multilingual, French is definitely one of the best places to start.
4. It’s an Asset for Further Studies
Learning French can open the door to further studies in sciences and humanities. It will be useful if you plan on studying biology, biochemistry, or environmental science since most international research is done in French. It will also be a huge asset if you're studying literature, writing, linguistics, and many other humanities disciplines.
If you decide to learn French, you can also study in almost any country in the French-speaking world, including France itself, with its best-known universities (the Sorbonne, Pierre Marie Curie University, etc.) And of course, a degree from France can help you land a job anywhere else around the world.
Moreover, when it comes to the issue of getting into a certain university, knowing French can get you on the shortlist of the applicants.
5. It Gives You an Insight Into French Culture and Literature
French is not just a widely spoken language. It's also the official language of cooking, fashion, art, architecture, and dance. If you’re interested in any of these things, learning French will help you boost your hobby or artistic repertoire to a whole new level.
But that's not all if you’re a fan of French culture or literature: to dive deeper into the works of Victor Hugo, Molière, Marcel Proust, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Baudelaire or Jacques Prévert, to be able to hear the voices of actors Alain Delon or Juliette Binoche, or to listen to Édith Piaf and Charles Aznavour in their original forms, French is the language you need to know.
6. It’s Great for Traveling
Do you want to visit Paris and the rest of France and enjoy the trip as much as possible? Walk the famous Champs-Élysées, go to Saint-Tropez, or enjoy the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and the rugged coastline of Brittany? If you know even a little bit of French, all that becomes possible. France is home to so many different terrains and cultures, all of which can make your life a little more marvelous.
What’s more, French is not only an international language but also an official language in many countries. Even if you don't travel to France but go to many other places, such as Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Monaco, the Seychelles, or others, you will definitely find locals who speak French.
7. It's Fun to Learn
There are many ways to learn languages, including private lessons, group classes, learning apps, flashcards, and much more. As French is one of the most popular languages to learn, there are a whole lot of methods you can utilize to learn the language.
From traditional approaches that include sitting in class or talking to a teacher, to more interesting methodologies, like learning with stories or through movies - you can choose to learn French in any way that you want.
Learn languages with stories by Langster
8. It’s the Language of Love
French is simply beautiful. Often called the language of love, it's melodic, rich, and very pleasant to both pronounce and listen to. No wonder so many people decide to learn French Simply out of interest, or even with the desire to find their true love.
If you are one of these people and want to impress your crush, let us advise you on this: instead of showing off your French skills from the very beginning, tell them in French what they mean to you, then write it down in their native language. That is one of the most French things to do - and it's also very romantic.
9. It Will Be Beneficial for Your Brain
Learning a new language is good for your brain, as it stimulates intellectual development and allows the neurons in your brain to grow. It also helps you open up to other cultures; to understand them better and learn from them. Did you know that learning a foreign language can even help you prevent or fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s?
But that's not all. If you choose French as a foreign language you want to learn, this will help you structure your thoughts and boost your critical thinking as French is an exceptionally analytical language. This will be helpful later in life and in exploring your career as it enhances your lateral thinking abilities.
Not Sure Yet? Give It a Try
None of the reasons above seem good enough for you to start learning French? Then simply give it a try and take a few days to see how interesting the language learning process can be.
Check out the Langster app to read several interesting stories in French for beginners. You can also try speaking French, and read more about the French culture, literature, and perspectives that knowing French can bring you. Don’t haste or push yourself - just enjoy the process as much as possible.
Even if at some point you decide that French is not for you, just give another language a try. After all, there are 6.5 thousand languages out there - undoubtedly you will find one that suits you.
