Why+learn+French?

· In many European countries, a second language is introduced in primary school and a third language, in middle school. International job applicants who are proficient in at least two languages will be at a distinct advantage in the global market. When you know French, you can be a part of communications and transactions occurring daily in French on every continent.
 * Why learn French?**
 * Facts about French**

· French is the first or second language in more than 40 countries and is spoken by 125 million people around the world, on every continent.

· Some 40 to 50% of English vocabulary comes from French. The study of French will also enhance your grammar skills, and your increased proficiency in English will greatly improve. As you develop greater skills in French, you also sharpen your skills in English.

· The prestige of French art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and cinema makes French a culturally important foreign language. France is one of the most prolific producers of international films. · French literature is one of the richest and most influential of the modern European world, featuring authors such as Rabelais, Montaigne, Racine, Proust, and Marguerite Duras. Several well-known philosophers were also French, including Descartes, Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. · 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 Tahar Ben Jelloun now have international followings. · France has the sixth largest economy in the world after the U.S., Japan, Germany, China and England. In 2005, the economies of China, England and France were similar in size.
 * French and the Arts**
 * The Economics of France**

· France is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world after the U.S.

· The world invests in France: in 2003, France was the second largest destination of foreign investment in the world.

· France is the world's leader in the production of luxury goods.

· More tourists visit France than any other country in the world.

· France gives more foreign aid per capita to developing nations than does the US. Science and technology in France

· France is the fourth largest producer of automobiles in the world (Renault, Peugeot, Citroën) and the third largest exporter.

· France is fourth in research among countries of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (after Japan, Germany, and the US).

· France is a major world research centre in the field of high energy physics.

· The French are a world leader in medical research: the AIDS virus was first isolated by French doctors.

· The French are a leader in medical genetics (the Human Genome Project is located in Paris).

· The French are the world's third manufacturers of electronics equipment.

· European leader in aerospace (Aérospatiale, Arianespace, Airbus...).

· Most commercial satellites are put into space on French Ariane rockets.

· The fastest train (TGV) is French.

· The smart card was invented in France.

· The ocean liner Queen Mary II was built in France.

· France is the world's third military power (after the US and Russia), and has the world's second largest defence industry (i.e. exocet missiles, radar technology.)

· The French have nearly 15,000 troops on peace-keeping duties in 15 countries including Afghanistan, the Balkans, and the Ivory Coast.

· France has one of the most advanced systems of telecommunications in the world. Fibre optics was invented in France.

· France is the world's largest manufacturer of television sets (HDTV was invented in France).