im sixteen, on my third year of french. I absolutely detest it. I don’t understand the accents, I don’t get anything. I have no interest in succeeding. I LOVE German. I teach myself. I could learn that easily. But french i cant. What are some reasons I should know french? i need something to get me going lol.
Hi!
First off, I should say that if you genuinely hate learning French, it’s probably not in your best interests to continue with your studies. Learning French, like any other language, requires effort and commitment, and if you’re unwilling or unable to commit to the process then you’ll never advance. That’s IMO
That being said, there are many reasons why French is a good language to learn:
1.French is currently one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world (often ranking within the top 15 depending on where you look), and is an official language of 29 countries as well as the UN
2. Location, Location, Location! Although German is a widely-spoken language, the geographic area where it is used is pretty much limited to Germany and Central Europe. French, however, spans the globe; it is spoken in N. America (Canada and even some parts of the US), parts of central America such as Haiti, Europe (not only in France, but also Switzerland, Belgium, and even West Germany), and many African countries are Francophone
3. Career Potential- While the knowledge of any language is an asset to an employee, because there are more French nations than Germanic ones, a company that’s looking to invest globally will be more interested in someone who’s linguistic skills have more outreach. More countries speak French- more job ops, chance for more money.
4. French is considered to be one of the most beautiful and most romantic languages. Added bonus: guys tend to think French accents are hot!!
I could go on and on…
In the end it’s really your call as to how necessary it is for you to learn French, and you should not fell totally pressured to learn it. I will tell you from experience though that a lot of the kids I tutored couldn’t stand French at first ’cause they didn’t get it and it was boring etc. But by spicing up how they studied, they found it easier, started to enjoy it more and more, and now many of them are perfectly fluent and are eager to use the language.
Good luck 
#1 by Kirstie on August 25th, 2009
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French guys are quite cute! Is that a good enough reason?
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#2 by !!A on August 25th, 2009
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You should study German. Languages are tools to access information and know societies. You only will want to learn about a society when you like it, and I think it’s absolutely normal to be interested in having access to information in German.
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Native Spanish Speaker
#3 by sithfighter1 on August 25th, 2009
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the same reason someone might find it important to learn any other language. to be able to understand people that speak that language. its basic logic.(no offense.)
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#4 by anto on August 25th, 2009
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If you don’t like it, stop it if possible.
I took German as second language and hated that language.
I stopped it after 1 month. (was not allowed to, got zero zero zero)
Guess what, later I have worked for a German company and had to learn the language.
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#5 by Erin M on August 25th, 2009
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French is one of the most prominent languages in the world. It’s spoken in lots of European and African countries, and many companies will be more likely to hire you if you speak French. People in foreign countries like you a lot more if you at least try to speak their language, and French is spoken in many more countries than German is.
To keep you from going insane through this third year of French, try finding some songs in French that you really like and singing along to them– this will help you improve your fluency as well as being fun. If you have a favorite movie that you watch over and over again, see if the DVD has an option to put it in French. You’ll find it funny at worst. Think of a city or country where French is spoken that you’d really like to visit, and tell yourself how cool it would be to go there and know the language. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_where_French_is_an_official_language .) Making fun of French might make it bearable as well– overpronounce words that sound funny to you, draw silly pictures of stereotypical French people in striped shirts and berets and draw speech bubbles of them saying funny things. Ask your teacher to let the class have a food day where you all just pig out on crepes and croissants, maybe for Fat Tuesday. You probably can’t make yourself like the language, but you can make the best of this year.
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French class.
#6 by silversight2189 on August 25th, 2009
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French is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. All translators and interpreters are required to know English and French, as well as another official language.
French is a world language that is spoken in many countries and is the second most widely studied foreign language after English.
If you don’t like French, stop learning it. Study something that you like and can do well in. German is a good language to know, however, it’s not as widely spoken as French. However, perhaps in the future, you’ll need to work for a German owned company. Knowledge in the language would be necessary.
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I am a French major and hope to learn German someday.
#7 by Couillesdefer on August 25th, 2009
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If you have a thing for litterature, french is the thing!
Also, understanding and, if possible, speaking it, makes travelling a much easier thing in many parts of the world. It is still widely spoken in South-Eastern asian countries (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, etc.) as well as a large part of African (especially Northern Africa) and quite some Middle-Eastern countries (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, etc.).
Basic knowledge of French is likely to make it easier for you to find a job in Canada. For instance, the computer programming industry has been booming in Montreal (Quebec) lately, as it started lacking human resources lately, many computer programmers come from the US and Canadian english speaking provinces in reinforcement. Living there is made easier to those who are able to communicate in french.
Finally, some areas of the US – in NYC and Miami, for example – have a great deal of immigrants coming from former french colonies (mainly Haiti and Maghreb countries). I don’t know much about your background and interests, but I know of some social workers in NY who are happy they took french classes while they were students as it facilitates their work.
But if you find it boring, I see nothing wrong by putting it on hold for a while, and reconsider your position later. German is all gut!
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Native french speaker.
#8 by Tuddy on August 25th, 2009
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you have been at it for 3 years. French and German….learn them both….if you can go to France, and or Germany after to practise what you have learned…..There will be all kinds of jobs open up for you as translator and government positions…..keep it up don’t quit now
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#9 by luvleelaydee<3 on August 25th, 2009
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Hi!
First off, I should say that if you genuinely hate learning French, it’s probably not in your best interests to continue with your studies. Learning French, like any other language, requires effort and commitment, and if you’re unwilling or unable to commit to the process then you’ll never advance. That’s IMO
That being said, there are many reasons why French is a good language to learn:
1.French is currently one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world (often ranking within the top 15 depending on where you look), and is an official language of 29 countries as well as the UN
2. Location, Location, Location! Although German is a widely-spoken language, the geographic area where it is used is pretty much limited to Germany and Central Europe. French, however, spans the globe; it is spoken in N. America (Canada and even some parts of the US), parts of central America such as Haiti, Europe (not only in France, but also Switzerland, Belgium, and even West Germany), and many African countries are Francophone
3. Career Potential- While the knowledge of any language is an asset to an employee, because there are more French nations than Germanic ones, a company that’s looking to invest globally will be more interested in someone who’s linguistic skills have more outreach. More countries speak French- more job ops, chance for more money.
4. French is considered to be one of the most beautiful and most romantic languages. Added bonus: guys tend to think French accents are hot!!
I could go on and on…
In the end it’s really your call as to how necessary it is for you to learn French, and you should not fell totally pressured to learn it. I will tell you from experience though that a lot of the kids I tutored couldn’t stand French at first ’cause they didn’t get it and it was boring etc. But by spicing up how they studied, they found it easier, started to enjoy it more and more, and now many of them are perfectly fluent and are eager to use the language.
Good luck
References :
Proud Francophone + I tutor French to kids, teens and adults