French
Take your career opportunities to the next level with a bachelor's degree in French from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Explore the French Language and Culture
Recently designated as an Exemplary Program with Honors by the American Association of Teachers of French for the second time, UW-Eau Claire's French degree is known for its top-notch curriculum. In fact, the prestigious award was given to only 10 programs in the nation in 2020 and recognizes UWEC's use of innovative and creative methods in teaching language and culture.
Coursework within the French bachelor's degree explores a variety of topics, from grammar and pronunciation to the history of French civilization, to literary analysis, contemporary societal issues, and roles of French-speaking institutions and individuals.
Rooted in experiential learning and travel, our renowned program provides countless opportunities for you to grow your language skills and cultural competency. Enroll in a cultural immersion program, study abroad, or participate in a local or international internship. The chance to conduct undergraduate research alongside your professors is available to all UWEC majors and is highly encouraged. Recent language majors have collaborated with faculty in linguistics, history, and politics, and have presented their findings at regional and national research conferences.
In a global society where roughly 5.4 billion people do not speak English, studying an additional language helps create endless possibilities for your future.
Program Details
The majority of the French major is made up of courses chosen by you. Explore Francophone cultures across the globe or conduct an in-depth study of a theme relevant to the French-speaking world. Coursework and related projects will prepare you for meaningful travel experiences and help you develop empathy through insights into other cultures. Our graduates leave ready to stand out in the job market and continue their lifelong journey of learning and speaking French.
Outside-the-classroom learning opportunities at UWEC are endless. The Languages Department prioritizes study abroad and immersion opportunities for Blugolds studying other languages — including French! Try your hand at conversing in the language with native speakers while experiencing French culture.
Our French program has gained national recognition for the quality of its teachers and their courses, one of whom earned the most recent Wisconsin Language Teacher of the Year Award. Here, our talented professors make it a priority to create an impactful learning environment where you come first. Faculty have an abundance of experience in the subjects they teach and go out of their way to help you find a career path you love.
Our faculty utilize a variety of campus resources to increase opportunities for interactive language practice. For example, in the McIntyre Library, Blugolds have access to a Virtual Reality Studio. There, French students are able to "travel" virtually to French-speaking locations, noticing differences in road signage, interpreting billboards, and more. They are also able to show classmates where they grew up and describe their favorite places in the French language.
Blugold Stories
Professors at UW-Eau Claire are passionate about providing the full French experience in language and culture. Thanks to my time here and my study abroad experience, I've developed a deep appreciation for this beautiful, complex language and for the rich cultural personality behind it.
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Where can the French program lead me after graduation?
Knowing multiple languages is highly valued by employers in a variety of industries and fields, making this degree a versatile one. Our grads go on to work for the French government, become bilingual project managers, teach in other countries and travel across the globe. No matter what your future career aspirations are, majoring or minoring in another language opens doors.
Example Careers
- Translator/interpreter/guide
- Travel counselor
- Bilingual sales support
- Museum curator
- Travel writer/reporter
- Language and cross-cultural consultant
- Bilingual educator
- Flight attendant
- Government official
- Social services
- Education
- Consulting/Strategic Communications
- International Business
- Health Professions
Curriculum within our French program will help you master speaking, writing and communicating in French. A wide range of electives, including directed studies and independent study classes, allow you to personalize your studies and explore the topics that most interest you.
Here are a few courses in French at UW-Eau Claire.
FREN 315
Grammar
A refinement of structural language skills through the study of grammatical concepts and vocabulary with contextualized application to reading, writing, and speaking.
FREN 340
Professional Communication
A focus on specialized language and practices in the French-speaking professional world for increased communicative and cultural competence.
FREN 354
History of France
An overview of significant events in the history of France with a focus on political and social developments that have shaped the nation and its people.
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