French
Would you like to be able to chat with a winemaker in the Loire Valley? Discuss the menu with a waiter in a Parisian café? Frequent the Latin Quarter and talk about existentialism in the Café de la Sorbonne? Then learning French as part of a major in International Languages and Cultures is the ideal way to start.
At undergraduate (Bachelors) level, a French specialisation is offered through a major in International Languages and Cultures.
French is one of the world's most important languages, being widely used in commerce and diplomacy. The role of France in European history and civilization means that French culture has an influence which extends all around the world. Including French in your university studies gives you many advantages:
- If you want to work overseas, knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is a bonus. English is not as universally recognised as you might think, and the ability to communicate in another language makes a big difference.
- If your career plans involve international marketing or hotel management, French is an asset. New Caledonia and French Polynesia are both near neighbours and trading partners, while further afield there are nearly fifty territories where French is an official language.
- If your future lies in the sciences, French will give you access to a huge number of professional journals and contacts in everything from agriculture to physics.
- People. You get to communicate with people, make friends and share ideas through language. Imagine being in a café in Paris with ten other people, each from a different land, each speaking French; only your language skills let you participate.
- Personal enrichment. A foreign language opens up new worlds, through culture, literature, films and so on.
- Experience. We are all to some extent afraid of what we do not know. That fear leads us to make biased judgements about strangers and foreigners. Learning another person's language opens our minds to understanding and to other cultures.
Key information
| Area of Study: |
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Study French as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
Career opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
Papers
Available French papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRNCH131 | French for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 22A (Hamilton) |
| Learn the basics of written and spoken French including greetings, family, city life and daily routines. No previous knowledge of French is needed. | |||
| FRNCH132 | French for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 22B (Hamilton) |
| Learn to talk and write in French about food, travel, careers and past events. You will need some prior knowledge of French. | |||
| INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 22B (Hamilton) & 22G (Online) |
| This paper introduces students to major world cultures and their languages in a comparative context. Students will gain a critical understanding of culture and diversity through examining the languages and cultures of China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRNCH225 | The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies | 15.0 | 22B (Online) |
| Discover the result of contact between French, regional and Indigenous cultures in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Topics include language revitalisation, the Slave Trade, Creoles and Vodou. This paper is taught in English. | |||
| FRNCH231 | Intermediate French 1 | 15.0 | 22A (Hamilton) |
| Take your written and spoken French to the next level. A B+ or above will let you go on exchange to France. | |||
| INTLC222 | European and Latin American Cultures | 15.0 | 22A (Online) |
| This paper explores aspects of European and Latin American cultures, history and society. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of French and Spanish. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRNCH317 | French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution | 15.0 | 22B (Hamilton) |
| A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired. | |||
| FRNCH331 | Advanced French 1 | 15.0 | 22A (Hamilton) |
| Use your French in practical contexts. This paper covers work, CV-writing, presentations, travel, accommodation and everyday life in France. | |||
| FRNCH332 | Advanced French 2 | 15.0 | 22B (Hamilton) |
| Extend your written and spoken French skills through creative writing and discussion of current affairs in France. | |||
| INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 15.0 | 22G (Block), 22I (Block) & 22X (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | |||
| INTLC390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 22A (Hamilton), 22B (Hamilton), 22D (Hamilton) & 22H (Hamilton) |
| At the discretion of the relevant Programme Convenor, students undertake independent but guided research on a topic of the student's choice | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRNCH800 | French MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 22X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRNCH900 | French PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 22I (Hamilton), 22J (Hamilton), 22K (Hamilton) & 22X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Exchange programme and study abroad
Expand to read exchange programme and study abroad opportunities
The University’s exchange agreements with France’s Université de La Rochelle and the University of New Caledonia allows students to study for a trimester in France as part of their undergraduate degree.
Students wishing to work in France, New Caledonia or Tahiti can take a break from their studies and spend a year in a French-speaking school as an English teaching assistant. Students need at least beginner's French to be eligible to apply. There is also an exchange with the University of Avignon in the South of France. These exchanges often lead to contacts and further employment in Europe.
Subject links
Subject Requirements
Expand to read Subject Requirements
French is available as a pathway within the International Languages and Cultures major or as a supporting subject for the BA, and as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
The focus of the specialisation is to provide students with the opportunity to develop language skills that might enhance their ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.
International Languages and Cultures major with a specialisation in French
International Languages and Cultures is available as a major for the BA and may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees. A major in International Languages and Cultures with a specialisation in French requires 135 points, and students must complete FRNCH131, FRNCH231, FRNCH232, FRNCH331, FRNCH332.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
French in other majors
A minor or specialisation within other majors requires 60 points above level 100 in French, students must complete FRNCH231, FRNCH232 and FRNCH331,
Entry
The point of entry into the French programme depends on previous experience. Students with no knowledge of French should take FRNCH131, Students with 14 credits at Level 3 NCEA French, or equivalent, will gain direct entry into FRNCH231. Students with excellent results at Level 2 NCEA French, or equivalent, may, at the discretion of the Convenor of French, begin with FRNCH231.
If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone:
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4932
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]