First Place - Middle School

Learning French opens new doors. French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. 125 million people on five continents in over forty countries speak French. ln many European countries a third language is introduced in middle school and the second

First Place - Middle School Poster 

Elliott H., Westport, CT, Grade 8

Additionally, French is used to announce things at the Olympics. The Tour de France, the biggest long distance bicycle race, is held in France. France is one of the biggest producers of movies. When you know French you don 't have to rely on subtitles to enjoy a movie. Knowing French opens the door to sports and culture.

Even when you are still in school, knowing French will increase your English vocabulary because between 40 and 50% of the English vocabulary comes from French. Knowing French win also help improve your SAT scores.

Many doors open when you study French. Among the many are global communication, job opportunities, sports, and culture.

Reid, Buist Academy (SC) - Grade 6

Second Place - Middle School

Many important literary works were originally written in French. Such great works as

Ariel D.,Bell Middle School, CO, Grade 8

Les Misérables, War and Peace [sic], The Count of Monte Cristo, and the Man in The Iron Mask, and others by of Pascal and Descartes, were originally penned in French. French is the key to a more complete understanding of such fine literature. For instance, in Voltaire's Candide, for a complete picture of both the book and the message, French opens new doors in the textual subtleties. French opens the door ta many books that are less meaningful in English and provides a fuller enjoyment and understanding of such works.

French also opens new doors to many otherwise unexplored are as of both France's and other nations histories. For instance, French yields an increased understanding of African, Canadian, and even American history. French is essential to gain a complete vignette of French life during any time period, and in America, it is invaluable to learn about New Orleans.

Finally, French opens new doors to communicating with many people. More than 24 countries official language is French, so in many places you travel French will allow you to communicate with people you might not otherwise meet.

These are some of the many ways in which learning French opens new doors.

Zachary, Fairfield Woods Middle School (CT) - Grade 7

First Place - High School

From the sandy shores of Martinique, to the placid, frozen lakes of Quebec; from the lively tourist attractions of Tahiti, to the busy ports of Senegal; from the straw villages of Zaire, to the vibrant streets of Paris, French connects us all. It opens doors

First Place - High School Poster 

Elyse H., Greenhill School, TX, Grade 11

For each one of those individuals, French has opened the door to an international community. French has opened the doors between cultures of all countries that speak the language. It has also opened people's ears and eyes to the wonders of athletics by its use in the Olympic Games. It has opened people' s minds by becoming a second language for many individuals, thus opening the doors to an endless library of French literature and knowledge previously inaccessible. It is a language that has had colossal impact on lives from both a personal and a universal perspective. The infant speaking his first words in Corsica, the bilingual businessman in Brussels, and the trilingual missionary in Madagascar all must depend on French as the key of communication that unlocks the door to friendship with those surrounding them. There are doors all over the world and doors in every person' s life that can only be opened with the use of French.

Adam, Wesleyan School (GA), Grade 11

Knowledge of a second language provides an entrance to a variety of lifestyles; however, learning French opens new doors. As a foreign language, French is

Second Place - High School Poster

Nicole R., Airport High School, SC, Grade 9

second most taught in the world. French is spoken as an official language in over 30 countries and it is spoken on five continents.

Learning this global language opens many new doors leading to various lifestyles. In terms of culture and people, studying French lets one experience French culture from the source of its originality. This communication enables French-speaking people to understand one another and have a better appreciation of diversity. This knowledge of the French language lets one become an educated tourist and develop international relationships.

Another door that is opened leads the way to international organizations. Along with English, French is the official working language of the United Nations, NATO, the International Labor Bureau, the International Olympic Committee, and many others. The employees of many of these organizations are required to speak French.

A different door that is opened by learning French is one leading to science. France is the world leader in medical research: French doctors first isolated the AIDS virus. Plus, the French lead the way in medical genetics with the Human Genome Project in Paris. By learning French, people have the opportunities to join efforts in science.

An additional advantage of learning French comes from an open door in the humanities department. Researchers who know French have access to many French works several years before English translation. Many writings are never translated and remain accessible only to French-speaking people. Being able to read, write, and understand French, special privileges are given to people, opening more doors.

French is a very important language of the world. It is not only spoken throughout the United States; it is spoken internationally. Doors are opened in virtually every aspect of life by learning French. Whether it is a door pertaining to travel, business, leisure, science, or education, Learning French opens hundreds of doors worldwide.

Jeanette, North Reading High School (MA) - Grade 11

Learning French Opens New Doors

There are more than two hundred major languages spoken and taught worldwide. Of these, French is one of the five most commonly spoken. It is one of the easiest romance languages to learn and serves as an excellent starting point for learning other languages, romance or other. It's also the second language of the Internet.

Before the United States became a major world power, Europe was the cultural center of the world. The kingdom and later the republic of France was the cultural center of Europe. French was the language of most commerce on the European mainland. The lands that became French colonies during that time still speak French today, including over twenty countries in Africa, Haiti, Quebec, and the state of Louisiana.

For anyone who desires a life of travel, or anyone who travels often, knowledge of French is a necessity. There are so many places that have French as a national or secondary language that no matter where a person travels to, French will very likely be the mode of communication if English is not. A working knowledge of French is beneficial to all who commute worldwide.

The French language is a gateway. As one learns, insights into the French culture are gained. Learning about other cultures helps bring tolerance of them to the learner, which helps promote understanding all over the world. Any second language learned by any person aids this cause, and French is one of the leading second languages being taught in the United States today.

To the more practical student's mind, French has commercial benefits. Knowing a second language is a great help when applying for a job almost anywhere in the U.S. French will be an asset to businesspeople with worldwide companies and exports. Working on the Internet is difficult without knowing French, and there are jobs to be had translating resources and websites into French. Major cities and travel bureaus are always in need of translators, and there are always more students who win realize the benefits of learning French and need someone to teach them.

The keys to the world are the languages spoken throughout its nations. French is an enormous key on this ring that win unlock more doors at every turn. The more corners turned, the more doors opened and the greater the benefits reaped for everyone willing to learn.

Elizabeth H., University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh - Sophomore
 

Created: January 17, 2002
Last update: February 11, 2002