Back to Programs
French Minor
As a French minor, you’ll develop and hone your French communication skills. Speaking. Listening. Reading. Writing. Studying French literature. And most important—learning how God can work in all of it to help you share His love on a local and global scale.
This program will offer you opportunities to practice your conversational skills both on campus and abroad. And, as a French minor, you’ll be required to spend time in a study abroad program in a French-speaking country. That kind of firsthand, direct experience will open your eyes and your mind to the opportunities you can pursue with a French minor.
On top of it all, you’ll see the ways God has created diversity in language and culture and how you can glorify Him through your understanding of French language.
Program Overview
As a French minor, you’ll study the French language, literature, and culture. You will hone your conversational skills through courses designed to give you practice in listening and speaking. You will also be required to complete some study abroad courses. And you’ll connect with French culture on a deeper level, understanding the nuances and unique aspects of the language and the people.
Our foreign language faculty members have advanced training and many years of experience living in cultures outside of North America. A focus on interactive, communicative language development prepares you to use French every day, not simply study it. And our strong Christian background ensures you’ll grow in your faith and in your foreign language skills.
What You'll Learn
Classes in the French minor will prepare you for a career that puts your knowledge of a foreign language to good use. You’ll take classes such as Intermediate French, French Culture, and Literary and Cultural Readings. You’ll have unique and dynamic internships to pursue. You’ll have numerous off-campus and on-campus ways to practice your language. And when you graduate, you’ll be ready to make an impact in the workforce right away.
What You Can Do With A French Minor
When it comes to a French minor, you can pursue a career directly in the foreign language workforce after graduating. Or you can combine your foreign language major with another major to strengthen a career in whatever field you pursue. Some career options for French minor graduates include:
International Aid Director
International Aid Directors produce propositions for emergency interventions.
French Interpreter
French Interpreters translate information from French to another language or vice versa.
International Development Worker
An International Development Worker provides assistance to the people and locations who may have experienced a natural disaster or other conflictions.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
To earn a French minor, students will complete a variety of French language, linguistics, and culture courses. Students will also be required to earn three credits in study abroad courses.
- Intermediate French I: An intermediate course that continues the study of the language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills. Emphasis on the development of cultural understanding and sensitivity with a study of the people’s values and beliefs as expressed in their economic, political, and religious systems. Comparison of this culture with our culture in the light of the cultural mandate. Prerequisite: two years of high school French or French 102.
- Intermediate French II: Continuation of French 201. Passing this class with a good grade will enable students to be successful at the DELF A2 proficiency exam. Prerequisite: French 201 or its equivalent.
- French Culture: Designed to cover many aspects of the French way of life. Listening and speaking skills will be developed through the classroom activities. Prerequisite: French 202 or its equivalent. This course will be taken in an off-campus program; consult the Department of Language Studies for a list of possibilities.
- Introduction to Linguistics: An introduction to the basic principles of linguistics, including phonetics (the sounds of language), morphology (the words of language), syntax (the sentence patterns of language), and sociolinguistics (how language functions in society). Data from different dialects of English and a variety of other languages will be used. Special attention will be given to a biblical view on language. No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.
- Elementary French II: Continuation of French 101. Passing this class with a good grade will enable students to be successful at the DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) A1 proficiency exam. Prerequisite: one year of high school French or French 101.
- Special Topics: The topics for these courses will be chosen from the areas of literature, advanced language studies, culture, or teaching methods. The offering of the courses as well as the content will reflect student interest and need. Prerequisite: department approval.
- Literary and Cultural Readings: This course continues the development of French language skills, and an understanding and appreciation of Francophone cultures through literary readings with an emphasis on contemporary literature. Prerequisite: French 202 or its equivalent. This course will be taken in an off-campus program; consult the Department of Language Studies for a list of possibilities.
- World Literature II: This course discusses the major literary texts from the Enlightenment to the 20th century, focusing only on texts from the non-English-speaking world. Texts may be chosen from France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Africa, or anywhere else besides the United Kingdom and the United States. The instructor may connect these texts to discuss historical trends and important issues, such as science, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization.
- Conversation: These courses are designed to give the student practice in listening and speaking. The content of the courses will be altered each year. The class will meet two times each week.
Education Emphasis
An education emphasis is also available with the French program. As you study French you'll also train in education, giving you the tools to teach others.
Learn More
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
When Worlds Collide
Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degreeEngineering and rap seem like two separate worlds, but at Dordt, Becca was able to pursue both interests.
Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degree
Read MoreRelated Programs
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
