French at North Park University

In an increasingly global society, it pays to look beyond our established boundaries. Through studying French language, you will learn not only grammar and vocabulary, but also about French culture. The French program is designed to promote foreign language proficiency and its mastery for professional purposes. We aim to serve you beyond the initial two-semester linguistic aptitude (8 semester hours) required for graduation, by preparing you for graduate and related professional studies.

In view of the fact that a command of French is a useful bargaining power in today's global economy, and a valuable asset in negotiations, let alone America's non-isolationist position around the world, you will find encouragement in other disciplines, especially Political Science, Economics, Education, English Literature, Missionary work, and the Sciences, which consider French as a necessary appendage to their areas of concentration.

A French minor (20 semester hours) may lead to privileged opportunities in institutions like the World Bank, the UN, US Foreign Service etc., while the French major (36 semester hours), which you will individually construct under the supervision of the Faculty, may offer an even wider spectrum of opportunities within the international market. To meet the university's requirements and students' career plans, the program adopts a series of strategic approaches such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It also offers students, usually in their junior year, the opportunity of a semester-long immersion in France to broaden their cultural and linguistic horizon.