Are you curious about other cultures? Want to explore the world using your language skills? Central’s French program offers many opportunities to dive ubti French language and culture. Many graduates have spent their first year beyond Central as assistants in the French school system, and graduates have also pursued careers in education, marketing, government and business in the U.S., Canada and overseas.
As part of every French course, you'll have regular conversation sessions with language assistants who are native French speakers, and you'll have the opportunity to live in the French house on campus and to study in Paris.
While participating in the Paris program, students may choose from internships in many disciplines and professional fields and have access to service learning opportunities. Recent internships have included the following fields:
Classes in French literature, civilization, translation and business are taught exclusively in French to maximize opportunities for students to master the language. All on-campus courses include laboratory sessions with native or advanced French speakers, and students also have the opportunity to live in the French language house. All courses aim to increase language proficiency and cultural awareness to prepare students for an extended, off-campus immersion to live and study in Paris.
Learn more about French in the course catalog.
Begin at highest level of competence
Continue the next highest language sequence
Once the Advanced Conversation and Composition II or French civilization courses are completed, many students choose to study abroad in Paris for a semester or for their junior year. The Paris program offers courses in the French language as well as a range of humanities, social science and business courses.
Students returning from Paris may take elective French courses and complete their Senior Capstone seminar.
Central offers French scholarships of up to $2,000 for all students (majors and non-majors) interested in foreign language studies at the college level.
The Weller Center for Business and International Studies houses faculty offices and classrooms for the modern language departments. The $3.9-million building completed in 1999 includes an interactive computer language lab to supplement traditional methods of language learning through phone exchanges, chat groups, recording and listening activities.
The Language Houses in the Wing International Center offer a unique living alternative for language majors, those returning from a semester abroad, or anyone who wants a chance to use French, German or Spanish on a daily basis, celebrate native holidays, share experiences and sample diverse foods. International language assistants from Mexico, Spain, Germany and France also live in these townhouses along with Central College students.
We strongly recommend that French majors spend at least one semester in the Central College Paris program. At least one semester‘s study in Paris is required for students planning to teach French. All courses offered in the Central College Paris program at the 300-400 level apply toward the French major.
For a small group of language assistants, study abroad means leaving behind their home countries for Pella, Iowa.
How many adventures can four years hold? Senior Cody Bock of Ankeny can compete for the record.
Central College will present six French films Feb. 3-26 through a $2,200 grant from Tournées Festival fund.
Want to find out more about French at Central? Contact us to learn more about this major and our other strong academic programs. Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.
Central College
812 University St.
Pella, Iowa 50219
1-877-462-3687
