Exploring the New Global French Studies Major at AUP
With just over 320 million French speakers worldwide, adding one more can’t be too hard, right? This mindset is common among many AUP students and reflects the ambitions of the school’s predominantly English-speaking student body. However, the harsh reality of learning a language often dampens the enthusiasm of even the most eager learners. “It requires work every day,” says AUP French Professor Caroline Laurent.
Having earned her bachelor’s degree at AUP in Comparative Literature, History and Social Sciences, as well as her PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University, Professor Laurent understands both the practical aspects of learning a language and its deeper, more nuanced dimensions.
"Language is not neutral," she explains and points to history to illustrate the deep ties between language, culture and power. “During the first two world wars, France sent some of its colonial troops to fight in Europe. To ensure that soldiers would follow orders but not be able to communicate with French citizens, a specific language, a simplified version of French, was created. This language is called parler tirailleur (though it is still often referred to by the extremely racist term petit-nègre).”
This connection between language and culture underscores the motivation behind AUP’s new French major, Global French Studies. Designed to expand students’ understanding of French beyond its European roots, the program challenges traditional perspectives on the language’s role worldwide.
“While we are globally centered in France, we wanted to decenter the French language,” Laurent says. “Yes, we are in Paris, but French is also spoken in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas.”
Laurent currently teaches several courses within the new major, including French 4, Francophone African Literature and Arts and Introduction to Global French Studies.
Here, she encourages students to adopt a more global perspective, particularly when it comes to understanding and engaging with francophone culture. “We are an anglophone community, and too often, we don’t place the francophone aspect at the center,” she says.
Emma Iaslli, a 21-year-old senior at AUP, reflects on this challenge: "My friend and I moved here at the same time, but she met a French guy who is now her boyfriend, and she ended up learning French much faster than me—it's funny how that worked out."
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common. Despite living in Paris, many students struggle to connect with French people. Some of which may even be self-imposed.
"Students often fear that they'll be mocked for speaking French," says Laurent, "but as a French person, I can say the majority of us appreciate the effort. More often that not, when we try to correct someone, it's to help them improve".
“Make a fool of yourself. Don’t be afraid to be embarrassed,” she says. She emphasizes that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and that it is through these errors, along with small interactions in everyday settings like the boulangerie, that students can begin to forge cultural connections.
More importantly, it's about finding pleasure in the process. “You must enjoy it,” she advises. “Integrate French into the things that you like to do.” She suggests practical, everyday ways to make French a part of students' routines, like watching TikTok in French instead of English. This approach allows students to engage with the language in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, rather than forcing it into an academic box.
Fellow AUP student Emily Nestler, 21, senior, echoes this sentiment: “I love movies, so by watching French films, I not only improve my language skills but also get to immerse myself in the culture,” she says. As president of AUP’s Film Club, they host weekly screenings on Wednesdays, with their first film being the classic Amélie (2001), demonstrating that language integration can happen in ways beyond just dating.
Ultimately, to make meaningful strides in language acquisition, students must engage with French beyond the classroom. Whether through daily conversations, cultural experiences or personal interests, consistency and enjoyment are key. While the challenges may seem abundant, so too are the opportunities.
