French

St. John’s University has a special bond to French history. It was St. Vincent de Paul who in the 17th Century started the Vincentian order whose members later founded St. John’s University. From its inception, St. John’s has supported the French and Francophone programs on its campus and in France through its exchange with French universities and its study abroad programs.

Through the Department of Languages and Literatures, St. John’s offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in French. Students achieve a high level of scholarship in French language, literature and culture. The Department enables students to do a major or minor in French, or a double major in another field to prepare for international careers. Students have access to internships allowing them to use French in a professional setting. 

The French Program

Why Study French? 
French is the second most frequently taught foreign language in the world after English. 51 member states and governments are members of the International Organization of Francophone countries and 28 countries have French as their official language. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. As a global language, it will give you the most choices later on in your studies or your career. (*)

Department Services
The GLCC is located in St. Johns Hall rooms 104, 105, 106. To schedule a placement exam for majors and minors in French please call: (718) 990-6293.

The Francophone Circle at St. John’s University sponsors activities designed to promote the understanding, study and appreciation of the Francophone culture. For information on current activities, contact francophonecircle@gmail.com.

More Information
Zoe Petropoulou
Associate Professor
(718) 990-5205
petropoz@stjohns.edu

(*) For more information, “French: the Most Practical Foreign Language” by Richard Shryock.