Languages of France | |
---|---|
Foreign | English (39%) Spanish (13%) German (8%) Italian (5%) |
Signed | French Sign Language |
Keyboard layout | AZERTY, BÉPO |
At the 1999 census, INSEE sampled 380,000 adult people all across Metropolitan France, and asked them questions about their family situation. One of the questions was about the languages that their parents spoke with them before the age of 5. This is the first time serious statistics were computed about the proportion of mother tongues in France. The results were published in Enquête familiale, Insee, 1999.
According to the 2007 Adult Education survey, part of a project by the European Union and carried in France by the Insee and based on a sample of 15,350 people, French was the mother tongue of 87.2% of the total population, or roughly 55.81 million people, followed by Arabic (3.6%, 2.3 million), Portuguese (1.5%, 960,000), Spanish (1.2%, 770,000) and Italian (1.0%, 640,000). People who spoke other languages natively made up the remaining 5.2% of the population.
The 1999 Report written for the government by Bernard Cerquiglini identified 75 languages that would qualify for recognition under the government's proposed ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Portuguese: mostly the European variant, spoken by about 700,000 people.
The data in the table are about mother tongues, and not about actual language practice. It states that 14% of the adult people living in France in 1999 were born and raised up to the age of 5 in families that spoke only (or predominantly) some other languages than French.
Amerindian languages in French Guiana. French-based creole languages in the French West Indies (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy), French Guiana, and Réunion (see: Antillean Creole, Haitian Creole, French Guiana Creole and Réunion Creole ); also Dutch, and English in Saint Martin;
Berber languages from North Africans are one of the most spoken languages in France, about 2,200,000 speakers. Italian: spoken by Italian immigrant communities in many major French cities, especially in southern regions, such as Nice, Savoie, and Corsica. About 790,000 speakers, excluding Italian dialects.
French is one of the world’s major languages. It is a main or official language not just in France, but in parts of Belgium and Switzerland, in Monaco, in parts of Canada – notably but not only in Quebec – as well as being widely spoken in north and west Africa, Lebanon, and parts of south-east Asia, particularly in former French colonies.
A “Romance" language, modern French is derived from Latin (as are Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and some other Mediterranean languages). Medieval French was one of the main historic roots of modern English, notably in terms of vocabulary.
Nevertheless, though both the Academy and the French government have attempted on numerous occasions to preserve the perceived “purity" of French, modern French has been heavily influenced by English – or rather, by American – and thousands of English words have been brought into French by journalists, scientists, travellers, musicians, showbiz personalities, films, and street culture.
Modern standard French is derived from the variety of French spoken in the area around Paris and the Loire valley area. It is the most important variety of the “northern" group of French dialects, known as the “ langues d’oil "; but it is not the only form of French.
The Intensive French course consists of 20 lessons per week of group instruction and 10 lessons of oral instruction. Teachers focus on an interactive teaching method with the goals of expanding the students' vocabulary and knowledge of French culture and civilization; broadening his or her familiarity with grammar and its structures, as well as written expression of the French language; improving oral expression through group discussions, reading comprehension through the analysis and discussion of authentic...
The super intensive course is for students who want to quickly improve their language skills during their stay at Institut Lyonnais, but have more personnal time outside of class. The course focuses equally on communication and comprehension skills.
The semi-intensive course is for students who want to improve their language skills during their stay at Institut Lyonnais, but have more personnal time outside of class. The course focuses equally on communication and comprehension skills.
The class will be built around the acquisition of the 4 competences (Oral comprehension, Oral expression, Written comprehension and writing skills ). The training allows you to gain the competences explained in the CEFR’s global scale.
The Standard French course consists of 20 lessons per week of group instruction. Teachers focus on an interactive teaching method with the goals of expanding the students' vocabulary and knowledge of French culture and civilization; broadening his or her familiarity with grammar and its structures, as well as written expression of the French language; improving oral expression through group discussions, reading comprehension through the analysis and discussion of authentic documents and listening comprehension.
This course offers in addition to the standard course, 10 weekly lessons mainly orientated on oral expression and cultural knowledge. Is this French course for you? The Intensive Course is the best option for those who want to improve their overall knowledge of French fast, and furthermore practice their oral and communication skills.
Whether you’re looking for picturesque vineyards, bustling cities, pristine beaches, or snowy mountains, France is the ideal destination. While the landscape in the north ranges from high cliffs...
Junior French courses. Junior French courses are available as a day course or as a package with accommodation and activities included. These are often divided into two age ranges; children and teens. Children & Teenager French Camps - France (190) Family (Parent & Child) - France (5) French plus activity courses.
Universal French language courses allow students to move up the different French levels at a steady pace. With an array of options, students can pick the one that fits their schedule.
The schools we work with do offer a wide range of accommodations from homestays to single or shared rooms in apartments or residences. Homestay is the option that I recommend for a true, full-on immersion experience and if you include either full or half board, then you also get to keep practising around the dinner table, learning much more about the culture and traditions than you would otherwise.
France Langue, located in 8 Place des Terreaux, Lyon has been voted as the school with the best location in France.
On the other hand, you are able to look for accommodation on your own, as I remind you that it is not mandatory to reserve accommodation through the school.
Combination courses of French classes and an after class activity results in a very productive use of time whilst studying abroad as you can perfect your French and a hobby at the same time.
Our language travel experts can help you choose the city that suits you best.
Academic diplomas: There are three types of higher education institutions in France: universities, G randes écoles, and specialized schools . Universities are public institutions that offer academic, technical, and professional degrees to any student who has obtained a baccalauréat or its foreign equivalent.
There are three types of higher education institutions in France: universities, G randes écoles, and specialized schools.
Understanding the French Education System. The French education system consists of three stages: primary education, secondary education, and higher education. Most French elementary and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations.
An American high school diploma sometimes qualifies the student to enter an institution of higher education in France. The institution will rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis. An American associate degree often qualifies the student to enter during the first or second year at a French institution.
An American bachelor's degree may be rated as equivalent to a licence. Certain institutions consider it equivalent to two or three years' study towards a DUT, BTS, or licence. This may, in turn, qualify the student for application to a master's degree program in a French institution.
Most French elementar y and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations. The curricula at primary and secondary schools are standardized across all schools for a given grade.
There is no standard or official equivalency between French and American degrees. The following infomation is provided as a guideline:
Preschool is l’école maternelle (la maternelle). Attendance to preschool is not compulsory in France.
Elementary school in French is “l’école primaire”, or “le primaire” and it is compulsory in France. This means that in France, kids 6 and up must go to school (see the paragraph below about homeschooling in France).
The age indicated in this article is the minimum age you are supposed to be when entering that grade.
After elementary school, French kids start what we call “l’enseignement secondaire”.
High school in French is called “le lycée”. Students are about 16 to 18 years old.
Higher education in France is generally called “l’enseignement (m) supérieur”.
Homeschooling in France is called “Le homeschooling”: we use the English word. Homeschooling in France is not illegal, but extremely rare.