French

Dive Deeper Into The French Language

There’s something special about learning French in Cape Breton. From the impact on local business, to the influence on Canadian culture, one of the two official languages of Canada is taught by dedicated professors, and opens doors to a variety of career choices in education, foreign services, community services and translation, as well as in provincial and federal positions of responsibility.

French is spoken on every continent by millions of people, and is a major asset in business, institutional, professional and day-to-day communications. That’s why our French minor or concentration offers language courses from basic to advanced levels, as well as courses in French literature, culture and linguistics.

You may choose a concentration in French studies within the three-year general Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) degrees. Or, you can add a minor in French if you are taking a four-year BA or BACS degree.

You may also take French as an academic subject (24 credits) in the three-year BACS degree, or as part of an area major in the BA and BACS four-year degree. French courses (from basic to advanced levels) may be taken as electives to satisfy requirements for other academic programs. A Certificate in French Language Proficiency is also offered (18 credits).

Sample Courses and Resources

Why study at CBU?

At CBU, French courses are designed to help you develop the critical skills needed to understand the language at its core. The goal is to enable students to become familiar with the cultural and linguistic diversity within and beyond the Francophone world.

With students from more than 40 countries at CBU, our dynamic learning environment introduces students to an innovative curriculum that blends teaching and research in language, literature and culture.

Here, we know the study of French language comes in stages. That’s why French courses at CBU compensate for different levels among students, with steps taken to implement individualized instruction. Our dedicated and active faculty is made up of professors whose active research programs keep the French courses competitive and up-to-date, so you’re prepared to apply your skills wherever they are needed after graduation.

• All new students are evaluated to assist them in selecting the appropriate course.
• In the first two years, courses are designed to improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
• In the third year, advanced students enrol in courses that deepen their mastery of the French language and further develop their knowledge of French and Francophone literatures and cultures in Canada and around the world.
• Third-year students also have the unique opportunity to take a wide range of courses in French linguistics that enhance their knowledge of the French language structure and usages, as well as aspects such as language contact, language variation, language pedagogy, language policies, etc., in Canada and other French-speaking countries.

What skills will I gain from this program?

• Mastery of spoken and written French for a wide range of purposes.
• Development of critical, creative and communicative skills, enabling students to better understand and interact with the world around them.
• Knowledge of French-Canadian literatures and cultures.
• Exploration of France and the Francophone world (i.e. Francophone Africa, Francophone Europe, the Caribbean, etc.) through literature, linguistics and cinema.

Possible Career Paths

• Education
• Translation/interpretation
• Public administration
• Foreign service
• Writing, editing and journalism