Ask someone what they like about French, and they might tell you it’s the most romantic language in the world, with its melodic tones and descriptive vocabulary. But… so what? Is that a good enough basis to learn a language? Are there other reasons to learn French? Fortunately, there are lots of benefits to learning French. Interested in travel, culture, or global business? Then knowing French might be right for you. Here are five compelling reasons for you to get started today. If you’re considering learning the language but still find yourself wondering, “Is it worth it to learn French?” you’ve come to the right place.
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1. It’s an international language
You might think of French as a European language, but did you know that it’s the official language of 29 countries around the world? On top of European countries like France, Belgium, and Switzerland, French is also the official language of Canada, Senegal, Haiti, and more. It’s also the only language that’s taught on all five continents.
With such widespread usage, French is clearly one of the most useful languages to learn if you want to communicate with people in other parts of the world.
2. It will help you get around France
If you’re interested in learning French, chances are that you’ve thought about taking a trip to France – or even working and living there.
France has a lot to offer visitors. But it can be intimidating to arrive in a foreign country when you don’t speak the language. Learning French means that you’ll be able to get around, start conversations with locals, and just have a more enjoyable experience. If you’re a complete beginner, just learning some simple phrases will help you get around.
And if you’re considering moving to France, you’ll definitely need to learn the language. To become a permanent resident, for example, you’ll need a CEFR level of A2.
3. It will give you a deeper appreciation of French culture
There’s a reason France is the most-visited country in the world: People are obsessed with French culture – and rightly so. Apart from its fascinating history and famous landmarks, France offers some of the most beautiful films, profound literature, and delicious dishes in the world.
And, as we all know, culture is best experienced in a country’s native language. So whether you want to dive into the literary works of Albert Camus, learn about Marie Antoinette, or find an authentic coq au vin recipe, knowing French will ensure you get the full picture and that nothing is lost in translation.
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4. It’s useful for global trade
French is a language of global trade; in fact, it’s one of the three official languages of the World Trade Organization (along with English and Spanish). In other words, it’s a very useful language if you want to engage in international business.
And because of the United States’ proximity to Canada, many American companies turn to their northern neighbor to start business relationships. If this is something you want to do, it’s a good idea to brush up on your français, especially if you plan on doing business in the province of Québec.
5. It can help you learn other Romance languages
Romance languages are named as such because they’re connected to ancient Rome, not because they’re particularly romantic – shocking, we know!
The ancient Romans spread their language, Vulgar Latin, around much of Europe, meaning that several countries’ languages all come from the same language family. The other major Romance language families are Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Portuguese.
Because of their connection to Latin, these languages have some similarities. Take the word “year,” for example. In French, it’s année; in Spanish, año; in Italian, anno; in Portuguese, ano; and in Romanian, an. Here’s another one: The word “family” translates to famille in French, familia in Spanish, famiglia in Italian, família in Portuguese, and familie in Romanian. There are lots of other similarities, too.
As you can see, knowing French may help you pick up some of the other Romance languages more easily, making you a polyglot in no time.
Expand your world by learning French
As you can see, it’s definitely worth it to start learning French. It will bring you a ton of benefits, both for business and pleasure. Knowing French can pave the way for international business opportunities, a deeper cultural appreciation, the ability to communicate with people around the world, and more meaningful travel experiences. So what are you waiting for?
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Andrea Byaruhanga
Andrea is a Canadian freelance writer and editor specializing in English, e-learning, EdTech, and SaaS. She has a background as an ESL teacher in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. In her free time, Andrea loves hanging out with her husband and children, creating recipes in the kitchen, and reading fiction. She also loves camping and jumping into lakes whenever possible. Learn more about Andrea on LinkedIn or check out her website.
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