With a status equal to English, French is an official language of Canada, the largest trading partner of the United States. Nearly 30 independent nations list French as an official language, including France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Luxembourg and 21 countries in Africa.
French is an official working language of the following international organizations:
- UN
- UNESCO
- NATO
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
- Interpol
- European Union
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Knowing French enhances your travel experiences while broadening your cultural and intellectual horizons. Synonymous with elegance of expression, French ranks as the international language of cuisine, fashion, visual art, theatre, dance, architecture, philosophy and more.
The French department at Inver Hills offers lower-division courses up to intermediate French. You can obtain a valuable level of proficiency and cultural understanding in a stimulating and communicative environment. Learning is strengthened through multimedia technology.
You'll discover that learning French not only gives you a valuable skill, but is also a superb way to gain a new perspective on global affairs. You can use coursework to satisfy electives and academic program requirements, cultivate your personal interests, or start on the path toward minoring or majoring in French at a four-year college or university.