BA in French—French Language
BA in French—French and Francophone Studies

The French major at Principia Colleges provides a strong foundation in all aspects of the French language and culture. Coursework emphasizes fundamental language skills including oral fluency and comprehension, the ability to speak and write correctly, and how to understand and analyze various texts written in French. It equips students with knowledge of French history and civilization, an understanding of French society and the Francophone world through literature, film, and other media, and an appreciation of the cultures and values of the French-speaking world.

Language Certificate


Why Study French?

  • French is one of the two global languages of the world besides English.
  • Knowing French allows you to travel globally: French is spoken in more than 40 countries and 14 territories by over 200 million people around the world.
  • French is considered as an essential language for world affairs.
  • France has the 6th largest economy in the world and French is among the top five languages in terms of web pages used on the Internet.
  • It is estimated that someone who has never studied French already knows approximately 15,000 words and expressions in the language.
  • Students who have studied French earn higher scores on standardized tests including GRE and LSAT.

To learn more about why you should parlez français, click here.