Concentration in French for Business

Overview

The Concentration in French for Business prepares students to use their French in their future professional life. The program focuses on French business culture, translation, and cross-cultural awareness.

Anyone who is interested in conducting business around the world in any form could benefit from the Business French concentration, as it will expand your opportunities.

Cole McWilliams (’19)
A student gives a presentation to other student in French

Required courses:

  • FRH 319: Composition and Review of Grammar
  • FRH 321: Introduction to Translation
  • FRH 329: French for Business Communication
  • FRH 330: French for Management
  • One additional course above FRH 214

French for Business Communication (FRH 329) is open to students who have taken any 200-level course in French. This course introduces business language, practices, and cultural concepts. Students develop skills for the job search and everyday business interactions and communication. Students also develop their abilities to identify and critically analyze cultural differences among French-speaking business climates. Finally, students gain an understanding of the role culture plays in the production and circulation of discourses and representations of the business world.

In French for Management (FRH 330) is open to students who have taken FRH 319 or FRH 329. In this course, students deepen their analytical and intercultural competencies by studying documents and media from the French-speaking business world. They perfect their written and oral business communication skills through projects dealing with current issues such as social and sustainable entrepreneurship. 

For more information

Contact Dr. Amanda Vincent at vincenas@wfu.edu for more information about the French for Business concentration.

Diplôme de Français Professionnel-Affaires (DFP)

Students in the French for Business courses have the option of taking the exam for the Diplôme de Français Professionnel-Affaires (DFP), or Professional French Diploma for Business. This cer­tification and exam is given by CCI Paris Ile-de-France for students or professionals who work in French or will be required to communicate in French in a professional context. Designed and delivered by the Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry for over 60 years, these Diplomas in Profes­sional French benefit from the influence of one of the most powerful chambers of commerce in Europe and worldwide, which represents the interests of more than 670,000 companies.

Dr. Amanda Vincent facilitates the exam on the Reynolda Campus each spring. Students enrolled in the French for Business courses can choose to take the DFP.

Diplômes de Français Professionnel. Diplomas in French for Professions.
The Student Experience with the DFP exam

Cole McWilliams (French Studies major and French for Business concentration, class of 2019) answers a few questions about his experience with the DFP affaires exam.

Why are you interested in Business French?

Personally, I have always been interested in language and business and the possibilities that arise when those two intersect. The term “international business” is often used, but I think that term is going to become just “business” pretty soon, as our world becomes increasingly globalized and connected. Anyone who is interested in conducting business around the world in any form could benefit from the Business French concentration, as it will expand your opportunities.

Why did you decide to take the DFP exam?

I believe that more opportunities are available if you are able to be advanced in a second language. Any kind of certification or specialty that you can have as evidence of your advanced capabilities is an added bonus. The DFP exam provides this certifica­tion and legitimacy to any student’s portfolio.

Please briefly explain the exam format from the point of view of a student taking it.

You are going to have to analyze different documents, charts and information and draw con­clusions about what information is important and what is not. You are going to have to listen to oral conversation and be able to understand the key points and analyze them. And you are also going to have to be able to understand products and be able to “sell” them over writing to differ­ent consumers.

Was there anything about the experience that surprised you or was different from what you expected?

The exam was fairly difficult, but there were not many surprises. We were well prepared.

What advice would you give to a student who is considering taking the DFP Affaires exam?

Take it! There is absolutely no downside. It has nothing to do with your success in Business French class, so you really do have nothing to lose.