Learning another language can present you with an exciting range of new opportunities from international work, to embracing the rich culture a country has to offer. However, as many languages are widely spoken across the globe and are useful in many different territories, choosing a new language to begin learning can be a challenge.
If you're considering learning French, we’ve outlined the top 10 reasons why learning French at City Lit is a smart choice.
1. The French Language is Beautiful!
Yes, French is challenging and, like any language, it will take work, but it’s such a joy on the tongue. They say French is the language of love and that’s only thanks to its famous poets or its famous love songs, but it is also because French is a melodic colourful language, with abundant imagery that reveals a lot about its culture.
In French, there are so many sayings that involve food and art, like “se sentir comme un concombre dans un champ de pastèques” (literally, feeling like a cucumber in a watermelon field, but meaning feeling like a fish out of water) or “faire des ronds de jambe” (which literally means doing a dance step, but metaphorically depicting someone who is excessively polite just to flatter someone else).
The beauty of the French language is undoubtable, so why not try it out for yourself?
2. French is Spoken in Multiple Countries
When we talk about the French culture and the French language, we are referring to the Francophone culture.
France’s regrettable colonial past has led to many places in the world still using French as an official or co-official language - these include countries that are no longer French, such as Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast or Djibouti, Haiti, Canada (and many others), or overseas regions that are still French (called the DROM-COM), such as Guadeloupe, French Guyana, French Polynesia, etc. – or where French is still used by more than 20% of the population (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritius, Lebanon, Mauritania and Andorra).
Of course, there, the language has evolved and some of it may be a bit different, but you will still be able to use French when travelling there, as well as discover the rich culture of these places.
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3. France is a Popular Holiday Destination
France is England’s closest overseas relative. It’s just next door — a stone's throw away! In fact, Calais is significantly closer to London in miles (107.5 miles) than Wales, Scotland, Ireland or even Manchester and Liverpool at around 200 miles.
Learning French will enable you to visit and explore France freely and confidently. It’s so easy too! Just hop on the Eurostar and spend the day in Paris or take the ferry to the French Atlantic coast for a mini get-away.
You will be able to practice your skills while ordering delicious pastries, sampling some of France’s numerous cheeses (between 1200 and 1500), sipping exquisite wines on a picturesque terrasse and be back home on time for Monday.
4. The Ties Between Britain and France go Back a Long Time!
Great Britain and France have historical ties that you simply cannot deny. You need only look at the front page of your passport to see that. Yes, go ahead, look at it! There, written in gold letters between the lion and the unicorn:
Dieu et mon droit
Honi soit qui mal y pense
I will let you find the translation online; or you can ask your teacher in class…
The English language also uses many French phrases, some of which date back to a time when French was spoken at the English court, and I am sure you would enjoy understanding where they came from. Even coffee shops use French names. Have you grabbed something in Pret-à-manger or Le Pain Quotidien, lately? Ever wondered what it meant?
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5. The Culture à La Française is One of a Kind
France has an extremely rich creative and artistic legacy consisting of poetry, plays, prose, music, films and much more. Learning French opens you to a treasure trove of new creative inspiration and expansion.
By learning French, you will find yourself able to read Les misérables, watch Call my agent! and listen to Edith Piaf as it was intended, able to fully appreciate the richness of meaning that is so often lost in translation without having to rely on imperfect translations.
Furthermore, some aspects of French culture and rituals are recognised and celebrated around the world. For example, in 2010, the French gastronomical meal was added to the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and many places in France are on the UNESCO’s World heritage list (Nice has entered the list in 2021).
6. You Will Add an Important Skill to Your CV
At City Lit, we help our students to develop their skills, enhance their employability and discover their full potential. By learning French, you will ensure that you add one more string to your bow, which could prove to be extremely valuable in future job searches..
Despite Brexit, it has never been more important for British business and commerce to maintain strong trading partnership ties with its European neighbours. Learning French will assist you in ensuring there are no lost opportunities for expansion with our closest neighbour.
7. French at City Lit is a Social Activity!
If you enrol on a City Lit language you will learn using a method called the Communicative Approach. As you learn the languages, the main objective is to understand and be understood, far away from what you remember from reciting conjugation tables in your school years.
We learn through interaction and speaking with each other. Your contributions will be welcomed and encouraged, and you will be alongside plenty of others like yourself who love learning and discovering new things.
Even learning French with online classes is a fantastic way to ease back into social interactions after an isolating pandemic period, as you will make new friends who you can stay in touch and meet up with when you feel safe to do so again
8. The City Lit French Teaching Team is Fantastic
What can I say? I’m part of it!
Joking aside, having worked in various institutions since the beginning of my career, I can honestly say that you will be in very good hands with the City Lit language team. The teachers as well as the admin staff are diverse and have a wealth of experience when it comes to imparting everything the French language has to offer.
Besides, at City Lit, personal teaching style is nurtured so that each teacher can use their individual flare to bring forth the passionate student of language budding within you!
9. Learning a New Language is Very Good for Your Brain
Research shows that learning a second language has incredible cognitive benefits for the brain and mental ability which can often begin to decline as we age.
Bilingualism boosts the brain’s grey matter density leading to significant improvements in mental agility and a healthier brain.
10. City Lit Offers a Variety of French Courses
We’ve worked very hard to maintain our high teaching standards and go the extra mile to minimise the impact the last years have had on our students.
During the 2021/2022 academic year, we conducted surveys with our students to learn their opinion of our courses (both face to face and online), and have used to the results to shape our French course offering.
You can select the one that suits your lifestyle and schedule best, as the same courses are now offered both on site, at Keeley Street London, or online at different times of the week.
At City Lit, we value your experience, your well-being and your growth, so start your new French adventure with us. If you’re excited at the idea of learning a new language but aren’t sure that French is for you, explore of full range of language courses to find one which suits you. À bientôt !
Join us!
So, are you ready? Book your place online and join the global French speaking community!
