8 Interesting Reasons to Learn French in 2022

Looking for reasons to learn French? Some choose French because it is spoken worldwide. Others for its rich cultural, historical, and literary history. Some just pick up a bit of French to open the opportunity to travel to Paris, or wider France! With the wealth of resources on offer, there has never been a better time to start studying French today. Here are a few of our top reasons to learn French!

A Global Language

More than 300 million people speak French around the world on all five continents. The OIF, an International Organisation of French-speaking countries, consists of 88 member states. French is the second most learned foreign language after English, and the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. It is also one of the six official languages used in the United Nations! Here is a list of the countries around the world where French is the only official language:

1. Benin
2. Burkina Faso
3. Congo
4. DR Congo
5. Ivory Coast
6. France
7. Gabon
8. Guinea
9. Mali
10. Monaco
11. Niger
12. Senegal

There are also some non-countries (non-sovereign entities) where French is the official language:

1. Geneva
2. Jura
3. Neuchâtel
4. Quebec
5. Vaud

Suprising Facts About French Language

1. French is also the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world.
2. France operates the largest international network of cultural institutes, running French-language courses for almost a million learners worldwide.
3. 40% of the francophone population live in Europe, 36% in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean, 15% in North Africa and the Middle East, 8% in the Americas and 1% in Asia!
4. Of Europeans who speak another language, one fifth of those second language is French!
5. French is the 18th most spoken native language in the world, with 76 million native speakers and 235 million daily, fluent speakers. 
6. In an article published in March 2014 by Forbes, the investment bank Natixis said that French could even become the world's most spoken language by 2050! French language is spreading in areas where the population is rapidly increasing, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Employment Opportunities

The ability to speak French will help you in the international job market. A knowledge of French opens the door to countries not only in France, but in French speaking countries in different corners of the globe. Students that have completed a French immersion program abroad better their chances of finding a job, whether abroad or at home. It will open the door to many global French businesses, including but not limited to:

1. L’Oreal
2. Renault
3. Chanel
4. AXA Insurance
5. LVMH

Learning a second language demonstrates many important qualities to an employer. It demonstrates exposure to other cultures, curiosity and an increased understanding of the world around them. It will always stand out on your resume if you speak another language, and will help to seperate you from other candidates in an increasingly competitive job market. 

Interested in discovering more about French business practices? Why not read our tips for French business etiquette blog?

Visit Cultural Landmarks

French is the international language of cooking, theatre, literature, and many other pieces of cultural heritage. Think about the world of art and music, and how many of these cultural icons are French! Learning French will allow you to access these great works of culture in their original language, much like they were intended! If you are lucky enough to visit France, you can visit some of these cultural icons too! Here is a list of our top 5 French cultural icons to visit:

1. Arc de Triomphe
2. Notre-Dame d'Amiens
3. Viaduc de Millau
4. Le Mont-Saint-Michel
5. The Thinker by Auguste Rodin (in Paris)

Enjoy French Media and Culture

Visiting France is also a great way of developing your French language skills, whilst enjoying important cultural pieces! But if you are unable to travel to the region, with the advancement of modern technology, you can still immerse yourself in French culture! We have compiled essential lists of French Netflix shows, music and even movies that you can enjoy! You can even use them as tools to aide your French language learning journey, should you want to! It is a great way to quickly improve your vocabularly, and have even written a handy guide on how to make the most out of these sessions!

Travel

France, being the world’s top tourist destination, attracts more than 87 million visitors a year. Learning French will give you an advantage when travelling around France, with the whole country at your disposal. It will even allow you to practice your French language skills with natives! Don't be afraid to use your French skills with natives, they will be greatly impressed with your attempts to converse with them in their native tongue. 

Travelling to France is a delight - and your language skills will greatly benefit your movement around the region. From the port towns in the North, to the metropolitan culture of Paris, skiing in the Alps, to the warmth of a beach holiday in the South, travelling in France ticks every box! You can have every type of holiday in France, and 

Conversing With Natives

Travelling to France will give not only a fantastic insight into wider French culture, but also a great way to improve your speaking skills! When you are in France, be sure to pick up as much slang as you can! You can also pick up French slang from the aforementioned movies, Netflix shows and music if you are unable to travel to France. But if you are there, French slang is a great way to show off your language skills, and demonstrate fluency! Here are some of our favourite French slang phrases:

1. Flasher sur quelqu’un - to have a crush on someone
2. C’est top - that’s great
3. Bouffer - to eat
4. Déboussolé - disorientated
5. Une meuf - a woman

Demonstrating knowledge of slang is a sure-fire way to sell yourself as a local! But be aware of regional differences too! Some words may have different meanings across different regions in France! You can discover more about Freng slang in our blog here.

Studying in France

Studying in France is becoming more and more popular. In fact, France is now recognized as one of the most attractive countries to study in, in terms of international mobility. It is also now the fourth-most popular destination for international students, after the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, making it the most popular non-English-speaking country!

We at Newsdle certainly agree with this! There is a vast range of places across France from which to study, with each region having their own benefits! You can study in the warm sun of the South, or amongst the metropolitan elite in Paris! Whatever your reasons for choosing to study in a certain place, France will certainly have you covered!

However it is not just the location that makes France one of the best places in the world to study. Speaking French will allow you to study at some of the finest higher education Institutes in the world. The Sorbonne, Pierre Marie Curie University and many more are some of the best places to study a wide range of topics in the world! Students who speak a good level of French may even apply for a French government grant to study at a postgraduate level in France!

Now you have your reasons to learn French, check out our list of the best films to help you learn French!