FRANCE FACT FILE

Official Language: French

Capital City: Paris

Population: 67.2 million

Currency: Euro

Government: Republic

Literacy: 99.00%

Calling Code: +33

Time Zone: GMT+2

National Colours: Blue, White, and Red

Major Mountain Ranges: Alps, Pyrenees, and Massif Central

Major Rivers: Seine, Rhine, and Rhône

BONJOUR!

French is one of the “Romance Language” of the Indo-European family. It is descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, like all other Romance languages. The French language primarily evolved from Gallo-Romance, spoken in Gaul, and more specifically from Northern Gaul. It is the official spoken language in more than 29 countries and there are more than 200 million French speakers all over the world, right now. It is also one of the 6 official languages used in the United Nations. It is spoken as the first language in France, the Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario, & New Brunswick), Belgium (Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital region), Switzerland (Cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Vaud, & Valais), Monaco, partly in the Luxembourg, the states of Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in the USA, region of Aosta Valley in north-western Italy, and in Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Togo, Guinea, Djibouti, Chad, Equitorial Guinea, Seychelles, Comoros, Rwanda, Burundi, Mauritius, Gabon, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

French is the 2nd most learned foreign language after English, and the 9th most widely spoken language in the world. It has a rich and varied history of exuberant culture and arts. The French Republic is the 7th largest economy in the world. It is home to major automobile companies like PSA Group, Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, and Dacia and in terms of Defence sector: Dassault Aviation, Naval Group, Airbus Group, MBDA, Safran, and Thales are the largest exporters of arms throughout the world. 

France, a country in Western Europe is a beautiful place that encompasses medieval cities, Alpine villages, and Mediterranean beaches, it's geographical topography is extremely varied and exotic. Its capital, Paris is famous for its fashion houses, classical arts, historical museums including Le' Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is renowned in the world for its scrumptious wines and sophisticated Culinaire. The vast Palace of Versailles, Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, and Lyon’s Roman Theatre attest to its rich history and are a visual treat for the eyes.

Some Fascinating French Language Facts:

French is spoken throughout the world. 

1. After English, French is among the top languages in the world, the number of countries where it has official status is huge. It is taught in almost every country in the world alongside English.
2. The number of French speakers has tripled since 1945 and it boasts over 150 million students and 3 million teachers. 
3. French is the official language of the UN (United Nations) and the EU (European Union) as well as a part of the innumerable other international organisations including Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, The International Labour Organisation, and The Red Cross.

France is a popular tourist attraction and a cultural destination for travel enthusiasts- 

1. France is one of the most prominent tourist and cultural destinations in the world, boasting over 80 million tourists every year because of its exquisite culture, cuisine, wines and palaces. Its cultural reach is far more than other countries because it benefits from its cinematography and extensive media reach. French films are produced at the second-highest rate in the world, and films from Quebec, Canada often outsell Hollywood.
2. There are more than 630 French-language universities with more than 350 facilities worldwide, 120,000 teachers and researchers.
3. French-speaking scientists and technicians are responsible for some of the greatest technological advancements like hot air balloons, cinema, the invention of smart cards, and Areva, headquartered in Paris, France, is the world’s largest civil nuclear energy company. 

France is unique for its rich cultural history -  

1. At the time of the French revolution, 75% of French citizens did not speak French as a native tongue. It is only until the 1800s, French gained prominence and was more widely spoken in Holland and Germany than it was in some parts of France. 
2. France was the first country to establish French Academy, an organisation to rule over a language in 1635. Since its inception, many other world’s main languages have been inspired by France since then and have established such governing bodies. 

The influence of French on the English language

1. About three-quarters of French words found their way into the English language associated with the government, law, art, food, and many other aspects of life such as view, challenges, pride, and war. 
2. French has more than a million words, with 20,000 new ones introduced every year. Different dialects of the English language borrow words from French and adapt them into their everyday lexica such as déjà vu, cul-de-sac, voila and phrases like femme fatale, boudoir and film noir.

French is a commonly used language in the United States and its significance can be seen in its dance and culinary expression. 

1. French is the 4th most spoken language in the United States and it is the 2nd most taught foreign language after Spanish. Half of the foreign films released and watched in the US are in the French language, with 30% of foreign books being read in French. The US has over 1.5 million citizens who are native French speakers and an additional 10 million who speak French as a second language. 
2. French and ballet go hand in hand. Since the dance form of ballet was introduced in France therefore, a significant part of ballet terminology is French. Words like Rond de Jambe, plie, and enjambe are some French words describing various formal ballet poses.
3. France is worldwide known for its fine-dine culinary experience and wines. Therefore, it is no surprise that French words go along with it and words like foie gras, brie, and Sauvignon Blanc are all very commonly used and appreciated. 

   Similarities in French and English

1.  It is evident that about 45% of the English vocabulary originates from the French language. Both the languages share lexical similarities for certain words. Moreover, the modern English language has been modified and influenced by many other languages, particularly Old French. The influence of French in English changed the spelling, pronunciation, structure of the language. For example, old English words like “Cwen”, “Scip”, and “Scolde” became “Queen”, “Ship”, and “Should”.
2. There are over 1,700 true cognates, words that are identical in both languages. English has borrowed some words called cognates from French and some of the words retain their meaning. However, some other words may have different meanings in both languages. 
3. When “William” the Conqueror became the King of England, Norman French became the official language of Government, the Church, and the upper classes in general in England. English ultimately became the language of the masses. For about 300 years, this was the state of affairs, and thousands of French words made it into the English language. Most of the words are still in use today and continue to be an example of the entwined cultural history of both languages.

Some Interesting Facts About France

1. France is the largest country in the European Union according to the area with a surface of 633,187 km2, followed by Spain and Sweden. 
2. France has the most time zones in the world. There are some French overseas colonies located all over the globe, which are administered by the metropolis. Consequently, France is in 12 different time zones, which is more than the US (10) and Russia (9). 
3. There are more French speakers in North America and Africa than in Europe. Currently, 21 African countries have French as their official language and Canada uses French as its second official language. 
4. The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatised many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government stance and presence can be seen in some sectors like power, public transport, and defence sectors. France is the most visited country in the world with over 90 million international tourists in 2019. France’s leaders remain committed to a capitalistic strategy in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate inequality. 
5. France’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew by 1.9% in 2017. The unemployment rate (including overseas territories) increased from 7.8% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2015, before falling to 9.0% in 2017. Youth unemployment in metropolitan France decreased from 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
6. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from France in the USA in 2019 amounted to approximately $282 billion. The total FDI in the USA was valued at approximately $4.46 trillion in that year.

Art, culture and heritage of France

France contributes massively to the common cultural heritage of humanity. In fact, French people are proud and even possessive about their vibrant cultural heritage. Since the Renaissance period, French and other European cultures became more independent. From there rose their region-specific languages that replaced the use of Latin. Traditions in music, literature and art & architecture that emerged since then became the identity of the unique and exorbitant French culture.

WHY SHOULD WE LEARN FRENCH?

Here are a couple of good reasons to go for a French language course and they are as follows:

1. A Global Language:  French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English, and the sixth- most widely spoken language in the world. French is the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world. It operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses for close to a million learners.
2. Perfect for the job market: The ability to speak French and English is an advantage in the international job market. Knowledge of French opens the doors of French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the world such as Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and the continent of Africa. As the world’s fifth-biggest economy and third-ranking destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner. You can aim at global market opportunities by learning this beautiful foreign language. 
3. Language of Higher education:  Speaking French opens ample study opportunities at renowned French universities and business schools, ranked among the top higher education institutions in Europe and the world. Students with a good level of French are eligible for French government grants to enrol in postgraduate courses in France in the discipline of their choice and qualify for internationally recognized degrees.
4. A language that opens the world for you: French is one of the top 10 most widely used languages on the Internet besides English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian, and Russian. An understanding of French provides an alternate view of the world through communication with French speakers from all over the world.
5. Perfect for learning other languages: French is a good base for learning other languages, especially the other romance languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Since 1/3 of the English vocabulary is derived from French, learning French can also improve your English vocabulary. 

Why choose Langma School of Languages for learning French 

Langma School of Languages is the pioneer in providing quality education of French language to students. We offer the best French language courses that are abreast with the changing trends in the job industry. Langma School of Languages combines several things to create a unique learning experience that has set us apart. Our students share their beliefs as they return to us bringing their relatives and friends with pride in their eyes.

Langma School of Languages works as a “facilitator” instead of being a “transmitter” of knowledge. Langma School of Languages not only emphasizes improving language skills but also helps students in an overall-personality development. 

Langma School of Languages follows an international standard “Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)” whilst teaching foreign languages ranging from A1 (Beginners) to C2 (Proficient). Langma School of Languages has a fully equipped infrastructure such as Computer Lab, Library, and Wi-Fi facility. Langma School of Languages uses its own tested methodology: the Audio/Video – cum – Interactive Method (ACIM), giving a proven quick and easy grasp of the languages. ACIM offers fast results in comprehension and speaking by introducing words and phrases in a structured way to develop sentence framing in an understandable manner, our methodology is suitable for learners of all age groups and easily adapted to specific needs. 

The growth of Developing countries remains one of the most anticipated economies and its fulfilment relies on multilingualism. A broader foundation of language training enables students to become part of the developed world, their lives become enriched and their future sets firmly on the path to success. Our French language course offers an insight into history, literature, culture, and arts.

Langma School of Language is the best training centre for both classroom set-up and online sessions where one can choose individual or group sessions as per their needs and requirements. Our dedicated team of teachers are highly experienced and qualified, some with more than 14 years of teaching experience whilst others hold PhD or other relevant qualifications from internationally recognised institutions. They bring their experience to our classes and implement a practical approach into their lessons. 

Langma School of Languages is active in promoting the growth and development of French language learning skills through our classroom and online platforms across the world. We take our job seriously and provide specific French language skills to suit our student’s and client’s needs along with being aware of the reputation of both ourselves, our clients and students by ensuring the highest standards of training. Langma School of Languages’ forward-thinking approach takes into consideration new developments in teaching practice; we have adopted a pro-active role in lobbying Government bodies, institutions, and several diplomatic centres to take seriously the importance of being multilingual. 

Langma School of Languages offers the best platform to prepare the students for international exams like TEF, DELF, and others. French language classes at Langma School of Languages, are offered under the supervision of native speakers, who have years of expertise in the language and they prepare our students for these exams. A basic structure is created by imparting an overall knowledge of the topic followed by practical exercises and interactive practice sessions. Langma School of Languages’ expertise in education and its ongoing development are brought into play with specific topics and practice sessions designed exclusively for the students. 

Langma School of Languages is the best platform to acquire the knowledge of the French language and its vibrant culture. Langma School of Languages covers a range of relevant and fun-based areas deemed to be of the greatest value and interest to the participants. One can also learn French online from the comfort of their home with the help of our online French language courses. 

Langma School of Languages is lead by a team of accomplished teachers and authors with broad experience in education and interpersonal skills, our inspirational and motivational teaching methodologies have won the hearts of thousands of students during their illustrious careers. Our teachers are also well versed in modern teaching tools and online pedagogy so that you can learn French online with ease. Our programme of training is designed specifically for the students and clients and the expected outcomes and desired goals are always reached and exceeded. Students and participants not only gain the required skills they enjoy learning and in many cases have gone on to achieve tops jobs and reach their goals with work-wise and personally. 

Langma School of Languages’ client base is extensive and comprehensive including The Indian Army, Indian Navy, British High Commission, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Foreign embassies like the Embassy of The Czech Republic, Embassy of The United Arab Emirates, Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia, Embassy of The Republic of Benin, and Embassy of The Republic of Congo and it has provided training programmes for individuals and corporate houses throughout the world. These are just a few of Langma School of Languages’ impressive and ongoing service providers.

Experience professional and authentic French classes with our Qualified Native-Speakers

All of our French Language course teachers at Langma School of Languages are Native-Speakers and highly qualified, each with specialist and cross over training credentials have between them years of experience and abilities in all areas of training. Langma School of Languages not only ensures that you receive quality education but it also ensures that our students acquire authentic French Language dialects, accents and terminology. Students can gain theoretical knowledge from books but the practical and spoken experience can only be attained in the classroom that prepares the students for future endeavours. Our teachers at Langma School of Languages encourage extracurricular practice and it is envisaged that spoken skills are taken beyond the formal teaching environment and into the students’ daily lives. Teachers provide written exercises and presentations, role-play, group discussions, and extempore to keep students engaged. They consistently use the words and phrases they learnt to better their communication skills.