French

Learning French as a foreign language serves a wide range of academic and practical purposes. Mastering the language will not only enable you to conduct extensive research with a broad range of materials for your graduation thesis but will also allow you to communicate with people from various countries in international exchanges during your studies and in social activities after graduation. This special linguistic versatility is deeply connected to the history of the French language.

The French monarchy, which established absolute rule in the 17th century, simultaneously promoted the standardization of French grammar and vocabulary as the national language. Having thus acquired logic and clarity, the French language was refined as a social and literary language among those serving at the royal court. As France, the first nation on the European continent to achieve centralization, increased its national presence, by the 18th century French had come to be recognized as the new international lingua franca in diplomacy and academia, replacing Latin. Even today, numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), list French as one of their official languages.

Furthermore, from the 19th century onward, as the capital, Paris, attracted artists and became the cultural center of Europe, the aesthetics and principles of various arts came to be expressed in French. In the 20th century, a period that witnessed two world wars, France saw the successive emergence of new trends not only in literature and thought but also in fields such as architecture, music, fine arts, theater, and later, film and photography. Because these cultural innovations, which continue to shape our values and sensibilities today, were often presented in French, linguistic knowledge has become essential for a deeper understanding of them. If you are interested in modern and contemporary Western culture and might research it for your graduation thesis, mastering French will be a powerful asset.

However, the significance of learning French is not limited to accessing culture and the arts. Although it ceded its status as a lingua franca to English during the 20th century, French is now widely spoken around the world—not only in mainland France and other French-speaking areas on the European continent such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, but also primarily in former colonial regions like Quebec in Canada and various African countries. Furthermore, the number of French speakers, currently ranked fifth in the world, is projected to increase further with population growth and rising school enrollment rates in regions outside of France. The parts of the world where French is spoken are known as La Francophonie, forming a loose linguistic community. Learning French is indeed the first step toward participating in this international community mediated by the language.

French is a living language, constantly being reshaped amidst the tensions between past and present, norm and deviation, and center and periphery. When you learn French as a foreign language, you will inevitably be drawn into the currents of these tensions. Learners will be compelled to reflect on their relationship with France and the personal significance of learning the language. However, as your proficiency improves, you will gain access to the vast intellectual and cultural heritage that has been continuously accumulated through the French language. By gaining a deep understanding of this history that shapes our modern world, you will deepen your understanding of our current condition and, in turn, be better equipped to express yourself to the world as a member of the future international community.

In the first year, students will take "French I" in the spring semester and "French II" in the fall semester. There are a total of three class periods per week: (A), (B), and (C). Class periods (A) and (B) are taught by Japanese instructors, while class period (C) is taught by a native French-speaking instructor. Depending on the student's proficiency level, "Beginner French (Standard)," "Beginner French (Intensive)," and "Advanced French" classes are available.

This class is for students new to French to learn the fundamentals. Class period (A) is designed to develop grammatical understanding and reading comprehension. Starting with the alphabet, the goal is to cover all beginner-level grammar within one year. Class periods (B) and (C) focus on speaking and listening skills. The objective is to enable students to express themselves and talk about everyday topics in French.

This class is for students new to French who are considering studying abroad in a French-speaking country, or who wish to actively use French in their work, research, or various other situations. Students who have previously studied French are also welcome. The class proceeds at a faster pace than the standard class, aiming to help students achieve the DELF A2 level of French proficiency in one year. The three class periods, (A), (B), and (C), use a common textbook and are taught in a coordinated, team-taught format. We strongly recommend that students also enroll in the "Intensive French" course offered as a General Education course.

This course is for students who have studied French for three or more years in junior high or high school. A placement test will be conducted before the course begins, and the course is open to students who are certified for the advanced class. Through class periods (A), (B), and (C), the course aims to further improve students' French proficiency by mastering advanced grammar, reading newspapers, listening to French news, and engaging in conversations on various topics.

In the second year, students will take "French III" in the spring semester and "French IV" in the fall semester. There are a total of two class periods per week: (A) and (B). Students who took beginner or intermediate classes in their first year will take the standard class, while students who took the advanced class in their first year will take the advanced class.

This class is for students who took "Beginner" or "Intermediate" level classes in their first year. In the second year, students will build on the foundational French skills acquired in the first year to engage in practical learning. Class period (A) aims to reinforce grammatical points learned at Hiyoshi through review, while class period (B) focuses on more advanced topics such as reading comprehension and communication. Please select and enroll in one class from period (A) and one from period (B) that align with your interests.

This class is for students who took the advanced class in their first year. For period (A), students will take the advanced class. For period (B), they may freely choose and enroll in any of the period (B) classes offered in the standard track.

The French language education at Keio Faculty of Letters can be described as offering an exceptionally rich learning program for students. For example, in the first year, one of the three weekly classes is always taught by a native-speaking instructor, and you can master all of beginner-level grammar within a year. In the second-year required French courses, a variety of options are available depending on your individual goals, such as preparation for proficiency tests, reading comprehension, and practical conversation. Your goals can be anything: wanting to have simple conversations while traveling, wanting to read the works of French writers and thinkers in the original language, wanting to understand dialogue in movies, or wanting to challenge yourself with a foreign language proficiency test other than English. Why not take full advantage of this enriching learning environment and discover a new world for yourself—one that you can only find through learning French?

Q1: Should I use a paper dictionary or an electronic dictionary for French?

A1: We recommend a paper dictionary for beginners. You can easily find related words and derivatives nearby, and since French has many polysemous words, it is advantageous to see multiple definitions at a glance. Electronic dictionaries are convenient for portability, but they are better suited for students who have already studied the language. They are ideal for quickly checking a word's spelling or meaning.

Q2: The syllabus for French I & II has a list of recommended dictionaries, so it is a good idea to go to a bookstore, look at them in person, and choose one that suits you. How should I study French?

A2: Learning a foreign language, not just French, is as much a physical practice as it is an intellectual activity—perhaps even more so. The key to improvement, much like in sports or music, is to repeat the basic actions. Please repeat tasks such as listening to the CD that comes with your textbook, reading sentences aloud, and writing out the spelling of words over and over again. It is also said that using a paper dictionary rather than an electronic one improves memory retention because it involves a greater physical action.

Furthermore, it is important to do these exercises repeatedly at home, not just during class. Someone who attends a tennis school will not improve if they only practice during the limited time at the school. A person taking piano lessons cannot expect to get better if they only touch the piano during their lessons. The first-year French classes amount to only about 130 hours per year at most. There is a limit to what can be accomplished in just 130 hours. Please be sure to make effective use of your time outside of class.

Q3: I would like to study French outside of my Faculty of Letters French classes.

A3: At Hiyoshi and Mita, there is the "Research Center for Foreign Language Education," which offers a variety of French courses. Students who are eager to work hard on their French should actively enroll in these courses.

Additionally, for those who want to study French more seriously, we also recommend attending a French language school. There are schools such as the Institut français and Athénée Français. You can meet students from other universities and working adults who are also studying French, which will undoubtedly boost your motivation to learn the language.

The long-running French language courses on NHK radio and television are also recommended. In addition, the following websites are available online. Both can be used in Japanese and French, and each has a dedicated app. You may find it interesting to use them according to your learning progress.

Q4: I would like to take a proficiency test.

A4: We encourage you to actively take French proficiency tests, both to objectively measure your level of achievement in your French studies and to maintain your motivation. The intensive classes also provide test preparation. The following tests are available:

Q5: How much can my French proficiency improve in a year?

A5: You can reach a considerable level if you study hard. It is not uncommon for students to pass Level 2 of the Futsuken and obtain the DELF B1 by the end of their second year.

Q6: Can I continue to study French at the Faculty of Letters in my third year and beyond?

A6: Yes. Major in French Literature offers intermediate and advanced French classes as specialized subjects, so we strongly encourage you to continue your studies.

Q7: I would like to study abroad in France.

A7: Keio University University has exchange agreements with various universities not only in France but also in the French-speaking regions of Canada and Switzerland, making study abroad exchanges possible. However, most of these universities require a French proficiency level of DELF B2 or higher, so you should begin planning and preparing in your first year. We strongly recommend enrolling in the intensive classes.

Q8: I'm not sure whether to choose the intensive class or the standard class.

A8: If you are aiming to study abroad, please take the intensive class. In addition to studying to pass the proficiency exams required for studying abroad, you can study four periods a week by taking "Intensive French" in the general education curriculum. Even if you are not considering studying abroad, the intensive class would be beneficial for those who aim to take proficiency exams or wish to master the French language. Studying with peers who share high aspirations will boost your motivation and create a vibrant class atmosphere. Please note that you cannot change classes mid-year as it is a year-long course.