Deciding to major in a specific language is something that should only be done by students who are very passionate about a particular language and culture. However, if you find that your passion in life comes from the written and spoken French language and French culture you might want to consider declaring a major in French. **(It should be noted that a lot of this information is relevant to other, similar majors in specific languages such as Italian or Spanish, but for the purposes of keeping the information simple, we’ll focus specifically on a major in French language).
Parlez-vous francais?
Education
According to the College Board, this major can be earned at both the associate’s (2-year) and bachelor’s (4-year) level. Typical college courses that students take in this major include French composition, grammar, literature, conversation, phonetics and realism. Students in this major should be prepared to master the French language through written assignments (done entirely in French) and through the study of French literature and culture. While it is not required to declare a second major, some students may choose to do so in an area that is relevant to the career they may wish to pursue in the future. For example, someone planning on pursuing French history could take a second major or minor in history, or someone hoping to work in international relations could pick up a business or international relations major as well.
What to know before you apply
Students who are thinking about declaring this major should be willing to complete a study abroad program in some sort of French-speaking nation in order to gain real-world exposure to the language as well as to experience current French culture. With that in mind, when looking for schools to apply to, students should look into their study abroad programs and make sure that what is available is something that will interest them as well as allow them to gain crucial experience. Students should also be aware of the professors who are teaching their courses, specifically whether or not they are native French speakers or if there is a linguist on campus.
Salary
There are many different career options for students who graduate with a degree in French language. One example is a translator or interpreter which earned a median yearly salary of $45,700 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009. Students can also pursue a career as an educator of the French language, a career which earned an average yearly salary of $52,030 at the post-secondary level as of 2009.
