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French

What will I learn?

After completing some courses in French, you will be able to:

  • communicate in spoken French at an intermediate level, through developing a facility in sound discrimination, recognition of grammatical and syntactical patterns, correct pronunciation, a working vocabulary, and the use of correct grammatical forms in natural speech
  • read French at an intermediate level
  • write short themes, letters, descriptions, reports, responses, dialogues, and presentations in intermediate French
  • demonstrate a knowledge of French culture sufficient for carrying on conversation and for using appropriate non-verbal communication in support of such conversation

What is the occupational outlook?

A French background serves as a basis in a variety of areas. Those who earn a bachelor’s degree in French enter the occupational fields of journalism, broadcasting, international business, translation, government service, organizational education, public relations, media studies, and teaching.

Jobs in French interpretation and translation, in both business and government service, are predicted through 2014 to grow faster than the average for all occupations.1

What are my options?

You can earn credits in French at HCC to transfer as humanities electives to a four year school toward a French major.

Through successful completion of FREN 202, you are able to meet the foreign language requirement in a variety of degree programs.

You can take French courses at HCC to explore the possibilities of connecting French study with another major to enter such career areas as linguistics, comparative literature, journalism, international business, government service, translating in the publishing industry or for businesses, or education.

You can take French courses simply to develop your ability to speak and read in French as cultural and personal enrichment.


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Interpreters and Translators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos175.htm (visited July 9, 2007)