subject: French language programmes to aid learning in schools [print this page] French language programmes to aid learning in schools
The use of a school's French language programme is a greatly beneficial feature for all students who have access to it. The French language can be incredibly useful in many aspects of modern life.
French as a language is one of the most useful languages to have in modern Europe, aside from English and perhaps Spanish (though this is more useful worldwide than in Europe). So if you already have the use of English, then the next logical step is to learn French.
French language programme can be extremely useful in a working environment. For example, you could work in a business setting where travel around mainland Europe is necessary in order to secure deals for your company with interested clients.
Benefits of a second language
The ability to speak the language of the client will make you appear more cultured, along with allowing the conversation to flow more smoothly for the client. This will mean that they are more at ease and so will be more willing to do a deal with yo0u than if they were struggling to speak and do the deal in English.
This is advantageous in the sense that the conversation and deal will occur more easily, meaning that more deals will occur successfully and you will be able to take part in more negotiations over a shorter period of time. This will mean that you will appear to be more successful and so better at your job than a majority of your fellow employees, leading to benefits such as a raise or even a promotion.
Why French?
With all this in mind it is simply worth taking up French for school as a second language purely in regard to working opportunities. In addition to helping you once you have a job, knowing French will help you potentially get a job in the first place. This can happen in two ways. The first way is in the sense that you will not be limited to searching for jobs within England, but can also look for jobs in France. This is not as strange as you may think. Many people live across the country but work in London, often renting a flat for the week while they work, and then commuting back home for weekends.
This same approach can be taken when working in France, you can quite easily live in southern England, and get a train over to Paris within three hours, and stay in a rented apartment for the week, before travelling back home for the weekend. When booked in advance tickets can be had for around 75, which is similar to the cost of travelling to London from Manchester. In summary, working in Paris while living in London isn't as peculiar an idea as you may think.
