The Inver Hills French department offers courses ranging from elementary to intermediate French
French

The French language is spoken on every continent by nearly 280 million people. Experts predict that in 10 years roughly 500 million people will speak French. By 2015, that number will reach 650 million. Knowledge of French offers unique employment opportunities in companies and organizations with ties to countries around the world.

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French Study

Contact Information

Steven Hartlaub, Ph.D.
French Instructor

shartla@inverhills.edu
651-450-3776
B226

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

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.

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Course Descriptions

FREN 1101  Beginning French I   5.0 cr

Introduces basic language skills and develops listening comprehension, reading, speaking and writing skills to become proficient at the appropriate level. Introduces French culture to develop cultural understanding and sensitivity.

FREN 1102  Beginning French II   5.0 cr

Follows FREN 1101 and continues the development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills and culture, history and art. Cultural understanding and sensitivity are important aspects of a language course. Prerequisites: FREN 1101 or instructor consent.

FREN 1111  French Culture & Civilization   3.0 cr

Introduces students to French Culture and Civilization from the ancient Gauls to the present day. Presents landmark events and famous people. Shows paramount achievements in art, architecture, film, literature, music, and philosophy. Acquaints students with French cuisine and some common French expressions. Taught in English.

FREN 2201  Intermediate French I   5.0 cr

Reviews and Strengthens the four communication skills with special emphasis on communicating ideas in conversation and in writing. Cultural and literary materials will expand students' knowledge of the arts, literature, and history of French speaking peoples. Discussion of current events, oral and written reports, role play, and films. Prereq: FREN 1102 or equivalent.

FREN 2202  Intermediate French II   5.0 cr

Follows French 2201. Renews emphasis on communicating ideas in conversation and in writing. Study of historical and contemporary issues facing the French speaker. Cultural and literary materials will deepen the students knowledge of and appreciation for the customs, art, history, culture and literature of the French speaking peoples and create an awareness of cultural, social, and linguistic differences. Prereq: FREN 2201 or equivalent.
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Meet the Faculty

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Employment Information

Your future with French

French speakers are in demand in numerous career fields, including banking, finance, diplomacy and hotel management for starters. French majors often pursue a second major in disciplines such as political science, history, business, marketing or economics to broaden their career prospects. Graduates with backgrounds in French go on to earn doctorates in business, law, medicine and various other fields.

Possible career paths

  • Banking and finance
  • Book publishing
  • Museum curator
  • Diplomacy or foreign service
  • Editing
  • English instruction abroad
  • Foreign exchange trade
  • Teaching French
  • Hotel management
  • International business
  • Art
  • Fashion
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Law
  • Public relations
  • Speech therapist
  • Translator or interpreter
  • Travel
  • Hospitality
  • Journalism

Additional resources

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Why Inver Hills?

Completing your French course obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

  1. You will receive an outstanding education with one-on-one interactions with French faculty
  2. You will benefit from small class sizes while developing a strong foundation in the French language and culture
  3. You will save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt *

* On a national scale, student loan debt has mushroomed to $1.2 trillion, which is greater than credit card debt and auto loan debt combined. In Minnesota, the average debt for four-year grads tops $30,000; 70 percent carry a student debt load.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs a little less than $5,300. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.

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