• Deutsch
  • English
  • +49 (0) 30 8639538-13
  • secondary@nelson-mandela-schule.net
NMS Logo
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Buzz
  • Lower Secondary
  • Upper Secondary *(11-13)
  • All Subjects
    • WAT
    • Art
    • Buzz Words
    • Ethics
    • English
    • Geography
    • German
    • Mathematics
    • Music
    • Sciences
    • Spanish & French
      • Why study Spanish?
      • Nuestro rincón de Espagñol
      • Why study French?
      • Upper Secondary School (11-13)
      • DELF scolaire French Test
      • Spanish & French Links
    • Sports
    • Profile Courses
    • Vocational and Study Orientation - BSO
    • Politics
  • Department of Social Pedagogues
  • Library
  • Cafeteria

Why Study French?

One of the world’s great languages

French is the second most widely spoken language in Europe after German. Worldwide, it is the mother tongue or official language of 300 million people. La Francophonie, the community of French-speaking nations, comprises more then 50 countries. French is spoken, among others, in the following countries and regions:

  • Europe: France, Belgium. Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco
  • Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo, Senegal, Niger, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Togo (and many more)
  • North America: Québec (Canada), Louisiana and Maine (USA, lingua franca)
  • Latin America: French Guyana, Haiti
  • as well as numerous islands such as Tahiti, La Réunion, Guadeloupe, New Caledonia, Martinique, Mauritius, Seychelles.

French is an international lingua franca serving either as working language (e.g. UN, UNESCO, European Council) or conference language (EU) in numerous international organisations.

It is also the international language of fashion and gastronomy.

French is a gateway to learning related Romance languages, such as Italian or Spanish. The English language derives over half of its vocabulary from Romance roots.

Though in comparison to other foreign languages French may at first appear somewhat complicated, it is actually a very rewarding language to learn. It’s a bit like skiing: Once you master the technique, the fun really begins.

Numerous partnerships have been set up between German and French schools, and the Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk offers exchange opportunities in the context of the ‘Brigitte-Sauzay’ programme and the ‘Voltaire’ programme (see Spanish & French Links).

France has a unique cultural heritage. The fascinating world of French literature, music, philosophy and art is in constant flux. Boléro and Carmen have been joined by French hip hop and rap and the popularity of Houllebecq and the Nobel Prize laureate Claude Simon now ranks with Balzac and Proust. In the world of cinema, contemporary films such as ‘Amélie’, ‘8 Women’ or ‘Welcome to the Sticks’ are screened alongside Truffaut’s und Godart’s Nouvelle Vague films. Descartes has found worthy successors in Derrida and Foucault. French is, however, not only a solid building block for a future career, learning about France and its culture also acquaints students with another distinctive way of life.

Spanish or French?

Why not both?

Spanish and French are Romance languages that derive from a common root, Latin. With similar vocabularies and parallel grammatical structures, students of Spanish find it easy to learn French and vice versa.

Picture sources: 1 2

  • Lower Secondary
  • Upper Secondary *(11-13)
  • All Subjects
    • WAT
    • Art
    • Buzz Words
    • Ethics
    • English
    • Geography
    • German
    • Mathematics
    • Music
    • Sciences
    • Spanish & French
      • Why study Spanish?
      • Nuestro rincón de Espagñol
      • Why study French?
      • Upper Secondary School (11-13)
      • DELF scolaire French Test
      • Spanish & French Links
    • Sports
    • Profile Courses
    • Vocational and Study Orientation - BSO
    • Politics
  • Department of Social Pedagogues
  • Library
  • Cafeteria
  • NMS Blog
  • Legal & Privacy
  • About NMS
    • Contact
    • School Identity
    • Admissions
    • Organisational & Downloads
      • Forms & Downloads
      • School Rules!
    • Staff
      • Responsibilities
      • Staff Links
    • School Conference
    • School Development / School Life
    • Curriculum
    • IT and Media
      • Media Education
    • Workgroups and Partners
      • Schule der Vielfalt - gender and sexual diversity
      • Staff for Diversity
      • School without racism - school with courage
      • MUN
      • Sport Club International (SCI-NMS)
      • Orchestra / Choir
      • Exchange Programmes
      • Intersectional Student Union
    • Job Opportunities: Main page
  • Primary (Flex-6)
    • General Information
    • Flex System
    • All Subjects
      • Art
      • English
      • German
      • Mathematics
        • Minimal Standards
      • Music – Band
      • Music – Choir
      • Science, History, Geography
      • Sports
      • World Views
        • Lebenskunde
        • Religion
    • Department of Social Pedagogues
      • Integration
      • Counselling
      • Extended Care / Holiday Activities
      • Clubs & Extra C’s
      • Programme
      • Coordinators
      • School Assistants
    • Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Music School
    • School Rules!
    • Library
    • Cafeteria
  • Secondary (7-10 & 11-13)
    • Lower Secondary
      • General Information
      • MSA & BBR
    • Upper Secondary *(11-13)
      • General Information
        • Fehlzeitenkonzept
        • Nachteilsausgleich in der Oberstufe
        • Comparison between Abi and IB
      • Year 11
        • Abi/IB-Branch
          • WPU-Kurse
        • IB-Branch
      • Qualification Phase *(Year 12-13)
        • Laufbahnplanung, Belegverpflichtung, Änderung der Kurswahl
        • Sprache
        • Abiturprüfungen
          • Präsentationsprüfung/BLL (5. PK)
          • Schriftliche Prüfungen (1.-3. PF)
          • Mündliche Prüfung (4. PF)
      • IB *(Year 12-13)
    • All Subjects
      • WAT
      • Art
        • Structure of the Art Department & annual report
        • Curricula & evaluation
        • Art - Year 7
        • Art - Year 8
        • Art - Year 9
        • Art - Year 10
        • Art Department - Elective courses
        • Art - Excellency Program
        • The Visual Journal
        • Art Showcase and Art Bulletin Board
      • Buzz Words
      • Ethics
      • English
      • Geography
      • German
      • Mathematics
        • Language and School Curriculum
        • NMathS Puzzle
        • Meet our Staff
        • Mathematics Competitions
      • Music
      • Sciences
      • Spanish & French
        • Why study Spanish?
        • Nuestro rincón de Espagñol
        • Why study French?
        • Upper Secondary School (11-13)
        • DELF scolaire French Test
        • Spanish & French Links
      • Sports
        • Curriculum Year 7-10
        • Extra-Curricular
        • Bundesjugendspiele
        • Ski Trip
        • Teaching Team
        • Facilities
      • Profile Courses
      • Vocational and Study Orientation - BSO
        • BSO in the classroom
      • Politics
    • Department of Social Pedagogues
      • General Information
      • The Team
      • Prevention Programs
      • Upper Secondary
    • Library
    • Cafeteria
  • Calendar & Important Dates
    • Important Dates
    • External Link to NMS-Calendar
  • Parents & Friends of NMS
    • Be Involved!
    • Parents Council (GEV)
    • Friends of NMS
      • Membership application
    • Madiba Choir
    • NMS Parent Café
    • PEPtalk Prevention
    • Parent Links
    • Shop