午夜剧场

Foreign Language Courses | Foreign Language II: French

Approximately 270 million people speak French worldwide. It is an official language in 32 countries and regions, not only in Europe but also spanning Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. The International Organisation of La Francophonie includes 80 member states and governments. French is also an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and the Olympics.

As with any language, beyond the unfamiliar words lie the people who use them and their daily lives. From the moment you begin learning French, you too will join the ranks of those who "use" the language. What kind of people will you meet?

Take France, for example. Over 100 years have passed since Sakutaro Hagiwara wrote, "I want to go to France, but France is too far away." This place, once a distant dream for our predecessors, has become much more accessible. 午夜剧场 has student exchange agreements with 11 institutions in France, and also runs short-term study abroad programs during long vacations at Sciences Po and ?cole Centrale de Nantes (the latter organized by the Faculty of Science and Technology). Furthermore, the Faculty of Economics has its own unique programs, such as a double degree program with Sciences Po (allowing students to earn degrees from both institutions) and an exchange program with HEC Paris, making it possible to study economics at a French university.

However, you might feel that learning French is not directly beneficial to your personal goals. Nevertheless, the experience of grappling with an unfamiliar language in your daily classes will surely cultivate the foundations of your intellectual abilities. We offer a variety of classes designed to spark and deepen your interest not only in economics but also in society, the arts, or even language itself, so please take full advantage of them.

(Machiko Nakagawa, Associate Professor)

For more information on French classes: