French
It's your time to explore
French, the second most widely learned language after English, is spoken by more than
220 million people. As the world’s fifth economy and a leading destination for foreign investment, France
is a not only a key economic partner, but also the international language of cooking,
fashion, theatre, the visual arts, dance and architecture. It is both a working language
and an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO,
the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and International
Courts. It's a delight to learn as a melodius, rich language often called the language
of love.
As a French major or minor, you'll join the Department of World Languages at Aquinas College, which promotes an understanding of and exchange with other cultures both within and outside the United States. Our integrated program of language learning incorporates all of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students learn to use the language in a communicative, interactive environment within the classroom. The Department also offers a variety of courses for advanced study in culture, literature, applied language for the professions, translation and interpretation. These courses are designed to enhance an understanding of the richness of the human experience over the centuries and across cultures, and prepare our students for graduate school and/ or the professional world.
Explore French at AQ
Career Preparation based on leadership
The Department of World Languages at Aquinas College promotes an understanding of and exchange with other cultures both within and outside the United States. Our integrated program of language learning incorporates all of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students learn to use the language in a communicative, interactive environment within the classroom. The Department also offers a variety of courses for advanced study in culture, literature, applied language for the professions, translation and interpretation. These courses are designed to enhance an understanding of the richness of the human experience across cultures; which prepares our students for graduate school and the professional world.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's) in the Department of World Languages are aligned with national and state standards on language teaching, development of language skills, and cultural understanding as reflected in the Proficiency Guidelines by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL).
- Students will work towards attaining an Intermediate High or higher proficiency level in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the language studied according to recognized professional guidelines in the four language skills (ACTFL Standards)
- Students will learn to understand both oral and written communication from a variety of sources (i.e., academic lectures, literature, online sources, news broadcasts etc.)
- Students will learn how to communicate effectively in the target language in spoken and written form, expressing a wide variety of topics from personal information to more abstract views and perspectives related to literary, socio-historical, political, and cultural themes.
- Students will work towards obtaining a broad base of knowledge and perspectives on French-, German-, and Spanish-speaking civilizations and their respective cultures – including literature, the arts, political, socio-historical, and economic structures, etc. – within a variety of interpretive frameworks.
- Students will learn how to understand aspects of language and culture in the world as part of human communication in wider interdisciplinary contexts.
- Students will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, including (but not limited to) textual analysis.
Student Productions
See real Aquinas students put their knowledge of the French language to usein Student Productions. “Le meurtre de Danny” is a short one-take, improvised movie shot in the French Conversation class.
Experience France
The France Program is designed to accommodate a full range of language levels so that participants can earn a variety of credits toward the French major or minor while gaining an intensive cultural experience.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
Majoring or minoring in French is a way for students to develop the global knowledge and expertise that are increasingly valued in the marketplace. Proficiency in a second language is in itself a valuable skill, but students gaining that proficiency will also learn to gain new perspectives on other cultures, as well as on American culture and practices.
The following is a list of career possibilities for language majors and minors. It is by no means exhaustive, but is to suggest potential areas for future employment. The World Language Department faculty strongly encourage students to discuss their ideas concerning post-graduate employment with professors within and outside the department.
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Occupational Employment and Wages - May 2022
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Interpreters and Translators:
| Employment | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 52,160 | $29.68 | $61,730 |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $16.13 | $19.92 | $25.79 | $35.30 | $44.78 |
| Annual Wage | $33,540 | $41,440 | $53,640 | $73,430 | $93,140 |
For more information see: Bureau of Labor Statistics
French for Business Diploma
Aquinas College is an approved examination center of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. Students who succeed in obtaining this certificate have an in-depth knowledge of the French language and can work in any business-related field.
Alumni Profiles
AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.