When you think of French, what comes to mind? The words of Molière (Shakespeare’s French counterpart, to provide an explanation that would disgust the French), the philosophy of Sartre, Édith Piaf’s famous La Vie en Rose... or simply, cheese, baguettes, and croissants.
Whatever is the case, it's unlikely French would strike you first and foremost as playing a crucial part in international cooperation.
Yes, you read that right! In fact, from the 18th to the 20th century, French was regarded as the “Language of Diplomacy”, spoken in European courts and the language of choice for the very first international treaties. It wasn't until 1919 with the Paris Peace Conference that English took favour (ironically!), acting ever since as the lingua franca globally for international meetings, such as in the United Nations.
This illustrious tale of the “Language of Diplomacy” is very grand indeed, but if its glory ended so long ago, if French has ultimately fallen out of favour in international relations worldwide, you might be asking yourself whether, as English speakers, French is still worth learning (and falling victim to its unrelenting grammar).
Is French genuinely useful to us in life?
From my research, I can tell you yes - it is. Being Francophone is rewarding, both in Canada and around the world. In this article, I'll show you how French can grow our personal relationships and sense of community, open our educational and professional horizons, and, in a global context, reinforce understanding and cooperation between nations.
La Francophonie: an international network
Before delving into the details, it's important to note that even with English’s lingua franca status, French continues to be spoken by 321 million people and over 20 nations around the world, including Canada.
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), established in 1970, brings together 88 states and governments to promote the French language and encourage cooperation between nations using it — whether in trade and sustainable development, education and research, or peace-keeping and democracy.
Don’t tell yourself, just because you might not be a flawless French speaker, that you don't have a place in the international community that is La Francophonie. Just the fact that you're in French Immersion or making an effort to learn the language despite its challenges marks your active participation in La Francophonie. The term "Francophone" simply refers to a person who speaks French. That includes you!
Being able to speak French and belonging to La Francophonie allows you to connect with millions of people around the world— and this ability to connect, to forge understanding between diverse nations and groups, is among the foundations of global diplomacy. This all being said, it's not just community connection that is offered by La Francophonie— there are countless new study and job opportunities (not to mention with great pay) for you as a French speaker.
Francophonie in Canada: Bilingual opportunities close to home
As a proudly bilingual country with both French and English as its official languages, Canada promotes bilingualism for its citizens. Thanks to this, we have learning options like the French Immersion program or French classes in school. But these aren’t the only French learning opportunities out there. It's possible to continue fully with your French, even after high school. How? In case you’re interested, several universities in Canada offer Francophone or bilingual programs (and it’s worth noting that these programs often offer sizeable scholarships to students). Right here in BC, Simon Fraser University has a French cohort program on the study of political science. You can likewise pursue a major or minor in French or take courses in French at many universities in Canada, such as the University of Montreal and the University of Ottawa.
As for job and internship opportunities, there are plenty — with great rewards. In fact, bilingual people earn 10 to 20% more per hour on average than people speaking only one language. Are you interested in working in Canadian government services? In healthcare? Do you dream of becoming a judge or even a lawyer? Many careers in Canada require French, and others benefit greatly from it, as bilingualism helps better serve recipients (whether clients or patients, etc.) from different backgrounds.
As high school students, we’re starting to think about our futures and the higher education and career options out there for us — and without any idea where to look, this can feel fairly overwhelming. As a starting point, we can take advantage of French by getting to know the options within La Francophonie. Opportunities begin now — organisations like the Conseil jeunesse francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CJFCB) offer Francophone activities for young people aged 14 to 25. If you want an experience outside of British Columbia after graduation, you could become a Page for the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. There you will have the chance to explore the Parliament of Canada, assisting MPs and in debates in the House of Commons, all while earning a salary that can help cover your university studies.
Opportunities Worldwide
If you’re looking for experiences even further from home, whether in France or elsewhere in La Francophonie, there are many opportunities.
In the field of diplomacy, non-government (NGO) organisations like the OIF are looking for bilingual individuals demonstrating strong critical thinking skills and a commitment to diversity and inclusion for positions such as political or economic analyst, diplomat, public relations specialist, translator, and more.
As for university, many institutions offer cooperative (co-op) or study abroad programs. You could choose to study abroad in a Francophone country, putting your French skills to the test all the while immersing yourself in a new culture!
As you can see, the possibilities are endless.
A Final Case for French
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide how you’re going to continue with French in the future. But know that all your learning — those hours of conditonnel and subjonctif — have not been in vain! The world still needs you as bilingual Francophones for the skills you bring to the table — whether in communications, diplomacy, or culture.
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