Why Learn a Foreign Language at Nicholls State University

1
Why Learn a Foreign Language at Nicholls State
University?

• A Quick Guide to French and Spanish at Nicholls
  and Beyond

2
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

3
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 ones 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.

4
The Importance of Travel and Cultural Literacy

• Nicholls States 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.

5
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.

6
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.

7
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.

8
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
  doesnt hurt childrens linguistic abilities on
  the contrary, children become more competent
  communicators by learning two languages.

9
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.

10
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.

11
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, LOccitane, Dannon,
  and Bic are well known French names in the U.S.
  This does not even touch on the greater
  Francophone business world!

12
Finally

• You can finally find out what your grandparents
  are saying!

13
La fin