French Program

Bienvenue! - Welcome to the French Program!

Program Description

In addition to beginning and intermediate courses which fulfill the Language and Culture core requirement, the French Program offers a major and a minor in French, as well as several possibilities for co-majors.  Please see the French Major and Minor page for details.

We strongly encourage students to participate in one of the many international opportunities available to them.

Why Study French at UST?

• Knowledge of the French language will enhance your travel abroad to the many places where French is spoken.
• Knowing French will increase your employment opportunities and allow you to compete effectively in today’s global economy.
• Studying French increases your appreciation of other people and their cultures and gives you a new perspective on your own.
• Learning a new language, like French, develops your critical and creative thinking skills.
• Proficiency in French will significantly improve your chance of being accepted to the graduate, law or business school of your choice.
• French is the international language of culture, opening your door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine and cinema.
• French is fun!
  
  

Did you Know?

Forty to fifty percent of all English vocabulary comes directly from French.
French is spoken in over 44 countries, including half the countries in Africa.
Geographically, France is the largest West European nation.
More than 80 percent of France is Roman Catholic; the second largest religion is Islam.
The national holiday of France is Bastille Day, July 14.
 

The Classroom Experience

All French section faculty members are committed to making foreign language studies a stimulating and rewarding part of the curriculum. In addition to a low student-faculty ratio (15-1), our students have access to free tutoring with knowledgeable and experienced native speakers as well as individualized academic counseling.

Placement Exams

Language placement examinations are used to assess the level of students’ abilities in French and to assist them in finding the course that is most appropriate for their level of proficiency. The language placement examination is administered by the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Students can take the French placement examination only once.

Contact Information

If you have specific questions or would like further information, please contact:

Dr. Donald Miller, Department Chair
ddmiller1@stthomas.edu 
(651) 962-5150

or

Department of Modern and Classical Languages
Third Floor O'Shaughnessy Education Center
2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
MCL Department Phone: 651-962-515
mcl@stthomas.edu