Why Study French?

Throughout history and to this day, French language and culture have had a great influence on the world. French artists, writers, thinkers, filmmakers, politicians, fashion designers and philosophers have changed, and continue to change, the way the world thinks. You need only think of Monet, Proust, Rousseau, Godard, de Gaulle, Christian Dior or Michel Foucault to realise the impact the French have had on our lives, and this list barely scratches the surface.

The French language meanwhile remains one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is still a key diplomatic language. Students of French at the University of Adelaide develop the ability to communicate in French through the study of the language and various facets of French and Francophone history, culture and society. Graduates of French are therefore equipped to travel to French-speaking countries, and to understand and work with the hundreds of millions of French speakers throughout the world. They are also better able to understand many other cultures, including their own, which have been touched by French culture.

French at the University of Adelaide.

Whether you have studied French at high school and beyond or never studied it at all, it is possible for you to study French at the University of Adelaide. At all levels of the undergraduate degree there is both a beginners' stream and an advanced stream, so regardless of your existing knowledge of French you can study with us for the entire duration of your degree. You can even study in France!

Through our teaching and research, we help you to acquire both written and spoken language skills and to share in France's rich literary and cultural heritage. The range of offerings in the area of culture is wide: it includes the study of the major works of literature from medieval times through to the twentieth century, as well as courses in French cinema and popular culture, and key aspects of French history and philosophy. Language study is integrated into all of our cultural courses as they all require students to present their work in French.

Career Prospects for French Students.

Whatever you want to be, whatever career you end up pursuing, your time studying French at the University of Adelaide will come in useful. Students of French can end up working as teachers, researchers, international lawyers, diplomats, translators, ski instructors, corporate executives, your options are limited only by your imagination. In fact, knowledge of French is a valuable adjunct to any profession. Language students are good communicators, and this is a skill highly valued by employers.