Why should you learn French? French is not only an official and working language of many international organizations, it is also the official language in 29 countries. Learning French can help you with career opportunities in the international arena. While French is not in the top ten worldwide, in terms of native languages spoken, it is in the top ten when you include the total number of French speakers. For every native French speaker, there are nearly two fluent non-native speakers. After English, French is the most widely spoken second language in the European Union as well.

8 awesome reasons why you should learn French

If you’ve been putting off learning French, here are some reasons to stop the procrastination.1. Widen your career horizonsOpen yourself up to a career in international affairs, where it is a common requirement to have a working knowledge of French. In Canada, where a report notes that there are not enough bilingual candidates to fill posts of those retiring, you can increase your chances of success in the local job market.

2. Add a new dimension to your travel experiences

By being able to speak French, you can travel to French-speaking areas around the world as diverse as Tahiti, the French Riviera, Quebec City, and Caribbean Islands such as Guadeloupe.

3. Communicate with more people

With more than 200 million French speakers worldwide, you can begin to communicate with ever more people and learn about different cultures and places.

4. Absorb French-language music, movies, books, and TV

French literary tradition runs deep, from the early epic poem La Chanson de Roland to poems by Baudelaire and Rimbaud, to plays by Molière and musings by Voltaire. Gain access to the original text and wit of the French as well as enjoy contemporary French authors such as Guillaume Musso. When you learn French, you can also enjoy the voice and the words of performers past and present, as diverse as Jacques Brel and Celine Dion.

5. Get to know the original meaning of the numerous French expressions

English adopted a lot of French expressions such as: savoir faire, joie de vivre, je ne sais quoi, coup de grâce, and déjà vu. When you learn French you can use it to add touch of French flair when you speak in English.

6. Get a grasp on the subjunctive mood

French is a language where the subjunctive mood takes on a different conjugation which can be fun and exciting for people learning the language. In English when you say something like, ‘I want you to be nice,” in French you would use the subjunctive mood and the verb ‘to be’ changes form. Assuming you are talking to a child, you would change ‘tu es’ to ‘que tu sois’. French people love it when foreigners use the subjunctive correctly.

7. Build a rapport to French speakers

If you are already around French speakers but don’t speak the language, by learning to speak the language you will be able to build up a better rapport, greater empathy and a stronger connection to them by being able to communicate with them directly in their own language

8. Learning Italian, Spanish, and other latin languages will be easy

French spelling and grammar rules are more complicated than Spanish and Italian. If you can master French, you’ll have a solid grasp of a Romance language and any Romance language you add later will seem like a piece of gateau.Got inspired by the benefits of why you should learn French? Share it with a friend to motivate them!Now, let's move on to Chapter 2: Where to Learn French.  

Chapter List

1. Why Speak French2. Where to Learn French3. French Learning Blogs4. French Learning Podcasts5. French Youtube Channels6. Free French Apps7. Most Common French Words8. French Exercises 9. French Lessons Online10. French For Kids11. French For Business