Faculty of Arts & Science
Modern Languages
The Major & MInor in
French
French studies will open up a world of professional and cultural possibilities, enrich your life and enhance your professional and intellectual opportunities. Whether you want to enjoy a francophone film, understand the other side of your cereal box, indulge in a lifetime of stimulating travel, or establish a competitive edge in bilingual Canada and abroad. The study of French language, literature, theatre, culture, and/or linguistics will prove invaluable. Discover the world around you—study French.
Faculty of Arts & Science
What are Your Future Prospects? French is a truly international language. It is spoken on five continents, and is one of the two most-learned second languages in the world. Today, the French-speaking population of the world is estimated at 220 million (OIF, 2010); by 2050, this figure is expected to reach 700 million. French is the language of culture, of industry and technology, of international business and of the arts. It is also an official language of many world-leading organisations such as the United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, and the International Red Cross Association. Within Canada, French is essential for all levels of employment in government. Given the past and present importance of French in the world, studying French is a great step towards building a world-class education. It leads to a variety of occupations across the globe, including teaching, interpreting and translating, legal and library studies, government positions, politics, international trade, and the tourism industry. The growth of French Immersion in Canada—and the need for qualified teachers—speaks to the robust and increasing importance of French for our own country.
What Will You Learn? Regardless of your background or previous exposure to the language, there is a place for you to begin your French journey at the university level. We offer an array of French courses focusing on a variety of complementary subjects: language learning at all levels, communication skills, writing proficiency, literature, linguistics, and francophone culture. In addition to becoming proficient in several specialised topics, studying French and the francophone world will enhance your general cognitive ability and equip you with universally applicable communication, research, and composition skills that are so highly valued in the real world.
Did You Know? • • •
You can study abroad or in Quebec for a semester—French Visiting Student Program (FREN2250) French can be a disciplinary stream for a General Major in the Humanities Modern Languages also houses the French Language Centre which offers French testing
French Courses French Major | 15-courses required • French can be a major for all BA and BASc degrees • Courses offered in language, literature and culture streams • Start according to your level, from beginner to advanced: all French courses can count towards the major French/Spanish Major | 8-courses required in each language • French/Spanish can be a major for all BA and BASc degrees French Minor | 6-courses required The opportunity to declare a minor in French is available for students in the BA, BSc, or BASc program, in addition to the following majors: • Single discipline majors, including language majors except French and French/Spanish • General Major in the Humanities, provided French is not one of the disciplinary streams • General Major in the Sciences • General Major in the Social Sciences • Multidisciplinary majors Combined Degrees • BA/BEd in Modern Languages Education (majors in French or French/Spanish; minor in French) • BA/BMgt major in International Management (minor in French)
“Au début, je m’inquiétais d’aller à Lyon. Je ne savais rien de Lyon et l’idée d’être toute seule dans une grande ville était intimidante. Mais maintenant, après seulement un mois, j’adore cet endroit et je ne veux pas partir! L’Université est superbe et je ne me fatigue jamais d’explorer cet endroit. At first, I was super worried to go to Lyon. I didn’t know anything about it and the idea of being all alone in a huge city was intimidating. But now, after just over a month, I love this place and I seriously don’t want to leave! The University is beautiful and I never tire of exploring here.” - Victoria Sowinski, BA Psychology (French)
Department of Modern Languages 403 329 2560 languages@uleth.ca ulethbridge.ca/languages
French Coordinator Melanie Collado 403 329 2560 melanie.collado@uleth.ca ulethbridge.ca/artsci/french
Study or Work in France or Quebec Whether you are completing a French major, a minor or just taking some courses, studying French leads to several work and study opportunities abroad or in Quebec. The Government of Canada has several programs and bursaries that provide support for the students wishing to study or work in a French speaking environment: • My Explore (a 5-week immersion program with tuition and accommodation covered by a bursary) • Languages at Work Program (3 to 8-week job placement in Quebec) • Student Guide Program in France with Veterans Affairs (4-months in France) • Parliament of Canada youth programs • My Odyssey (English teaching assistant program in Québec) For more information visit: uleth.ca/artsci/FrenchOpportunities University of Lethbridge students can study French in France or Québec for a semester and get full credit by doing the French Visiting Student Program in Modern Language (Fren2250). For more information visit: uleth.ca/artsci/FVSP France and Canada have several agreements to promote work and study opportunities: • France-Canada Youth Exchange Agreement • The French/English Assistant Program (teaching English in France) For more information visit: ambafrance-ca.org/Teach-English-in-France-become-a,1145 The Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, the University of Lethbridge and the French Language Centre at the U of L provide opportunities to obtain financial support to travel to Quebec and France. • Louis Sherman Turcotte Memorial Travel Scholarship for off-campus studies • French Language Centre awards • Fellowships for full-time post-secondary studies in French • Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Endowment Fund (study in Quebec for a year) The Faculty of Management at the U of L also has full semester exchanges with France. For more information visit: uleth.ca/management/study-abroad/full-semester
Discover the world around you—study French. uleth.ca/artsci/french