Why Study French?
French is the third most-spoken language of the European Union, where 129 million French-speakers reside. It is the official language in 29 countries (as well as spoken widely in more than 20 more) and joins the world's French-speaking communities together in La Francophonie: a 56-member international organization with French language and culture as its basis.
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French in the World
French is a truly global language: it is spoken widely in more than 50 countries spanning five continents and is the second most-taught foreign language after English. A long list of important international organizations employ French as an official language, including the European Union, United Nations, and UNESCO.
French is also the dominant language in political bodies such as the European Court of Justice and the European Commission's Press Room. Numerous studies have proved the language to be of great relevance as a transnational communication tool, making French a virtual requirement for international business and diplomacy.
French descended from Latin and was later influenced by Celtic and Germanic languages. It rose to global prominence during the Age of Enlightenment and continued to be the international language of choice up until World War II, when it was replaced by English.