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Why Learn a Foreign Language at Nicholls State University? A Quick Guide to French and Spanish at Nicholls and Beyond Great Career Choices for Foreign Language Students International Business International Law Graduate programs requiring foreign languages
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Why Learn a Foreign Language at Nicholls State University? A Quick Guide to French and Spanish at Nicholls and Beyond
Great Career Choices for Foreign Language Students • International Business • International Law • Graduate programs requiring foreign languages • International public health careers (Doctors without Borders) • Civil Service / Diplomacy • Social Services • Comparative Literature • History • Banking • Service Industries
Benefits of Learning Another Language • Knowing another language transforms vision and perception, enabling one to see the world through others’ eyes, think in new ways, and thereby gain new perspectives on one’s own world. • Studying another language provides a better grasp of the grammar and subtleties of one's own language, a wider and more sophisticated vocabulary, and insights into our own cultural assumptions and values. • Learning one language facilitates more rapid acquisition of other languages. • Monolingualism limits people culturally.
The Importance of Travel and Cultural Literacy • Nicholls State’s Languages and Literature Department has courses in Spanish and French literature, art, film studies, and cultural studies. • We offer study-abroad programs and opportunities in Mexico, Spain, France, Canada, Belgium, and here in Louisiana. • Our programs offer students the opportunity to improve language skills and cultural understanding in a range of environments.
More Reasons to Learn Spanish • Nearby Spanish-speaking nations and our large Spanish-speaking migrant and immigrant population make Spanish a necessity for travelers, businesspeople, contractors, farmers, and so many others. • Estimates indicate that U.S. citizens spend more travel time in Spanish-speaking countries than in any other non-Anglophone countries.
The Importance of Spanish in North America • Close to 30 million people living in the U.S. are Hispanic. • Soon one out of every six people living in the U.S. will be Hispanic, the largest minority in the United States. • There are more than 16,000 Spanish publications, 250 Spanish TV stations and 5,100 Spanish radio stations in the United States. • Nearly every profession needs Spanish-speaking employees to cope with the rising Hispanic population.
Spanish Is the Fourth Most Commonly Spoken Language in the World • Official language on four continents and in 21 countries on four continents • One of the largest markets for businesses and one of the most useful languages for travel, Spanish is spoken by over 300 million people. • An official language in the European Union, United Nations, and many other international organizations.
Bilingualism • The Bayou Region of Louisiana traditionally was home to French speaking Cajuns, Native Americans, and Creoles. • English monolingual society hindered a bilingual culture in Louisiana such as those in Canada, Belgium,and many African countries. • Studies have shown that bilingual education doesn’t hurt children’s linguistic abilities; on the contrary, children become more competent communicators by learning two languages.
Why Study French? • Spoken by over 200 million people in 43 countries on five continents. • French literature is one of the richest and most influential of the modern European world; many great works are more meaningful and accessible in French.
French Cultures • There is currently great interest in the literature and culture of many Francophone countries and regions, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. • French-language authors from outside France such as Patrick Chamoiseau, Maryse Condé, and Assia Djébar now have international followings. • Approximately 45% of English vocabulary comes from French. As you learn French, you also enhance your grammar and vocabulary skills in English.
Business Opportunities in French • Many American companies are well established in France; IBM, Microsoft, Mattel, Dow, and Apple all operate there. • Many French companies have a strong presence in American markets. Michelin, L’Occitane, Dannon, and Bic are well known French names in the U.S. This does not even touch on the greater Francophone business world!
Finally • You can finally find out what your grandparents are saying!