French Minor

French is a useful strategic language, especially for those interested in careers in the military, business, the Department of Defense, research, and industry. It is ranked as the second most important communication language in the world after English by the Bloomberg Rankings (2014), and is projected to become the third most spoken language by 2050. The minor will prepare students to use French in the workplace and in the increasingly globalized and interconnected world.

The French minor offers courses that are communicative and interactive at all levels. For beginning and intermediate-level students, a strong audio-video program facilitates learning language from native speakers through visuals and oral patterning. Every course includes a cultural focus. Literature, civilization courses and the examination of international French-language media sources provide opportunities for students to be alert to cultural differences outside their own culture to develop a more global perspective.

The French minor offers service-learning courses and community service with leadership opportunities. Past examples of service include French-language interpreter/cultural role-play with 40 members of the National Guard, participation in Vermont's Lake Champlain Quadricentennial events representing the French heritage of the region, and the translation of a brochure for the Washington County Battered Women Services and Shelter.

A student pursuing the minor is encouraged to participate in the program´s Cercle Francophone/French Club on-campus and to study abroad for a summer or semester in an approved overseas program to experience language immersion and explore products, practices, and perspectives of other cultures. Norwich maintains a student exchange program with the renowned French military academy, l'École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in Coëtquidan, France, among several other options.

A students who has completed more than one year of high school French, or the equivalent, must take the foreign language placement test before registering for their first Norwich course in French.

Goals

The French minor provides students with competency using the forms of language and cultural expression appropriate for use in the professions.  

Minor is eligible for residential programs.