Only a few of the world’s languages can be used in all of its countries and regions.  Amongst these, the French and English languages are the most widely used and recognized.  French is spoken in five continents—Europe, Africa, the Americas, Pacific, and some isolated areas in Asia.  It is adopted as the official language in 31 countries.  Out of the 51 states and government members in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, 28 of these have adopted French as their official language.  An estimated sum of its native and second language speakers have amounted to 500 million. Hence there are many good reasons to learn French .

Together with English, the French language is considered a global language.  French and English are the official working language of most international organizations.  These include the United Nations (UN),United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), North  Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO), and the Union of International Associations (UIA).  Part of the list is also the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Universal Postal Union; along with the International Labor Bureau, International Red Cross, and the International Olympic committee.

French is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English.  Studying French and improving on one’s skills can open doors of opportunities for an international career.  Some of the fields in demand of proficiency in French include diplomatic service, international agencies, international business, tourism and hospitality industries, research institutes, education, and language interpretation.  According to a listing of international jobs by the US State Department in July 2007, 125 of the job listings required or preferred someone proficient in French.

France is one of the countries in the world that has made advances in the various fields of science and technology.  France enjoys the status as a world-leader in medical genetics, as the Human Genome Project is headquartered in Paris, and medical research, with the AIDS virus first isolated by French doctors.  It is also a major world research center in the field of high energy physics.  The world's first nuclear fusion reactor, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) will be based in Cadarache and set to be operational in 2016.  France is also a European leader in the field of aerospace, with most commercial satellites launched into space on board French Ariane rockets.  It is the second largest builder and exporter of commercial and military aircraft in the world.  The commercial aircraft Airbus and USFrance.  And finally, France’s advances in telecommunications changed the world’s telecommunication technologies.  This is when French scientists invented fiber optics.  These advancements show the stability of the scientific terminologies in the French language.  It also offers a French-speaking scientist a broad scientific field to explore and discover. coast guard helicopters Aérospatiale are manufactured in

Proficiency in the French language also has its advantages in the business sector.  France has the sixth largest economy in the world, after the United States, Japan, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom.  It is the 4th largest exporter in the world, exporting more per capita than Japan and the United States.  The country has been a magnet for foreign investors.  In 2003, France had the second largest foreign investments in the world.

A proficiency in French can open doors of opportunity for further studies in France as its government offers generous scholarship grants to graduate students.  It can also give access to many literary works by many French Nobel-price winner authors, as well as the numerous web pages in French that deal with fashion, music, society, finance, and medicine. Many outstanding classical French films can be fully appreciated when it is seen in French.

With an extensive rationale for learning the French language listed above, it is quite apparent that a sufficient skill in the French language broadens the field of opportunity in academics, business, and employment for anyone who possesses it.  This proficiency is just the edge and asset that people need in order to get ahead in this increasingly competitive world.  The practicality of possessing this knowledge should out weigh any misgivings any apprehension in embarking on studying a new language.  Fortunately, there exists a vast amount of resources and arena for studying the French language which is suitable for any learner.

The traditional way to learn any new language is by taking a language class or course on the target language in a college or university. Alternative venues for these tertiary educational institutions are language schools.  The latter are often small organizations that may be entirely independent or affiliated with a college or university.  In both cases, the student is required to attend a class once or twice a week with an average of an hour for each session, depending on the program.

The most ideal location for these institutions should one decide to take up a French language class is in the country where the target language is spoken.  France has a wealth of these language schools.  Like in colleges and universities, they offer different courses based on the learners’ levels.  A good French language school should not only brag of its accreditations and recognitions.  A would-be student should assess the school’s methods in facilitating the lessons, as well as the services and accommodations provided.  For instance, some French language schools organize cultural events for the total immersion of the student in the French culture.  This is based on the philosophy that proficiency in French commands more than an excellent grasp of the language, but a full understanding of the culture as well.

Of course, the most obvious advantage in taking up a language class is the instruction.  An instructor, who ideally should have years of practice and usage of the language, should always be present in discussing the correct grammar and usage.  It also provides an excellent opportunity to learn the correct pronunciation.  Apart from this, motivation to learn is provided by the group.  Taking up a language class in the country where the target language is freely spoken is certainly advantageous to the student.  It creates a constant exposure to correct pronunciation, grammar, broadening of one’s vocabulary, and plenty of setting for practice.

One apparent disadvantage in taking up language classes is the time one has to set aside to attend to them.  A busy office executive could certainly not sacrifice precious office hours, let alone take an extended leave just to attend a language school abroad.  Fortunately, there are alternatives to language classes that afford convenience and versatility.

One of these is the internet.  Before the advent of the internet, taking up a language class is the only way someone can learn a new language without having to go to another country where the target language is spoken.  With the internet, you don’t need to leave your house or your office just to access the language courses offered in colleges and universities.  This service is offered through online universities.  Like in a customary class set-up, lessons are given by an instructor, who primarily interacts with his students, through e-mail.  Assignments and exams may be transmitted the same way.  There will also be times where in a student will be requested to join his fellow students to facilitate a forum or discussion.

The internet still offers a variety of resources outside these tertiary educational institutions.  Independent French courses are readily available online.  Courses matching the levels and needs of a particular learner are often available.  In addition to instructions on grammar and vocabulary, most websites also offer tests, games, and puzzles to foster interest in the student.  Like language courses offered in online universities, some courses from these websites have an instructor to keep track of the student’s progress.  Though some courses found on the internet may be for profit, the bulk of these are accessed for free.

A more interactive approach to learning a new language online is by joining chatrooms, forums, newsgroups, or putting up a blog.  Topics in these sites may not be limited to just the French language, they may be on various topics participated by people who speak in French.  These sites provide venue for usage and practice with, more often than not, native French speakers.

Of course, an obvious prerequisite for accessing language resources on the internet is the knowledge to access it and navigate through it.  As most of the websites found in the internet are in English, even for online French courses and chatrooms, a basic knowledge of English and French would be advantageous.

Although the internet may seem like an ideal medium for accessing open resources for learning French or any other language, it is an unfortunate fact that not everyone may have the necessary means to access the internet.  And though economical and technological infrastructure may allow for access, some people would still prefer not to use the internet as they may feel intimidated or apprehensive in using it. 

Fortunately, there are resources for learning a new language which does not require much technical know-how.  One of these is audio books.  Learning the French language through audio books broadens the vocabulary, it creates familiarization, promotes listening comprehension, and most importantly, it teaches correct pronunciation.  Audio books also come in different levels to suit the level and needs of the learner.  They may come in CD’s, cassette, or downloadable files from the internet, such as MP3 and WMA formats.

Audio books play just an ordinary music CD or cassette would.  It provides convenience as it can be played in the car while on the way to work, or while attending to other things while letting it play in the background.  Audio books are also quite versatile as progress from one lesson to another entirely depends on the learner.

Convenient as it may seem, the practice afforded by these audio books are quite limited to pronunciation, as well as to several sentences and vocabulary words.  Interaction is limited to simply repeating after the speaker, and affords for little practice for usage.

Still, another resource for learning a new language is available to a student in search of other alternatives.  It is the humble language book.  The content of these printed resources are virtually identical to that of audio books.  It also provides instruction matched for the student’s level, broadens the vocabulary, and improves reading comprehension.  However, correct pronunciations provided by these printed materials depend entirely on the learner, they are not interactive, and motivation is wholly intrinsic.

On the other hand, books and other printed materials are ideal for creating familiarity with the targeted language’s grammar, usage, and vocabulary.  It is highly recommended that a learner should read something that interests them.  As French books, magazines, and newspapers are usually not sold internationally, students may need to access them from the internet.  Conversely, some newspapers and magazines have online versions, which may be a better alternative than buying or subscribing for it.

Thus, in spite of being second in ranking with the English language, in terms of its speakers, no one can discount the importance it plays in our modern world today. As the world gets smaller and smaller each day, possessing a good command of one of the world’s widely recognized and understood language equips someone to move forward ahead of everybody else.