1 - The global economy is here! Speaking multiple languages makes you more competitive...and will soon be a matter of survival.
2 - Communicate with 200 million people (500 million by 2050). French is the official language of 55 countries, as well as an official language at the United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, the International Olympic Committee, the European Union, and the International Red Cross.
3 - Get a head start on other languages, and boost your English. Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian are all closely tied to French.
4 - Open the door wider to music, art, literature, and fashion. French allows you to discover a new appreciation for culture in countries like Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and many African countries: Cameroon, Mali, Gabon...
5 - French is FUN!
I might be a linguist at heart and a biased advocate for French but I do think that now is NOT the time to eliminate French and other languages in schools and universities across the United States.
This country needs to nurture its languages and thrive on them.
Fabrice Jaumont
Comments
Légèrement adapté ton texte, désormais affiché dans les deux salles où je suis le plus souvent ... bah ça peut pas me faire de mal! ;-)
Even if families are not French speakers a Dual English / French program would help their children on many levels.
If anybody is interested or know of people who might want to put their kids in such a program, PS 151 still has spots for their K, 1st and 2nd grade programs. The address is 50-05 31 AVENUE QUEENS, NY11377. Phone: 718-728-2676. There is a meeting about the school and the program on Nov. 4th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the school library. I will be there and hope to see more schools see the importance of such programs in our education system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_words_and_phrases_used_...
Ginetta
C'est une langue belle avec des mots superbes
Qui porte son histoire à travers ses accents
Où l'on sent la musique et le parfum des herbes
Le fromage de chèvre et le pain de froment...
C'est une langue belle à qui sait la défendre
Elle offre les trésors de richesse infinie
Les mots qui nous manquaient pour pouvoir nous comprendre
Et la force qu'il faut pour vivre en harmonie.
Courage et perséverence,
Olivier.