FRENCH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

France is not solely about fashion and cuisine; the country is also a leader in science, technology, architecture, and diplomacy. Fluency in French and intercultural literacy can thus lead to careers in business, engineering, hospitality, medicine, the arts, etc. In 2018, French companies created more than 600,000 jobs in the U.S. and almost 30,000 in Indiana alone. To help students develop global perspectives sought by U.S. companies and NGOs over the world, we offer modules called "French and Engineering" as part of general French courses as well as four courses in French for Specific Purposes.

Courses in French for Specific Purposes

Topics covered in our courses include France’s major industries and companies, understanding and discussing aspects of the French market economy, marketing, intercultural communication in French-American business settings, writing administrative correspondence in French, and applying for internships and jobs in Francophone countries.  Our goal is to develop students’ communicative and intercultural skills in a variety of speaking or writing activities toward the use of French for professional purposes.

French for Specific Purposes at Purdue consists of three courses for professional purposes, beginning after the completion of the fourth semester of French (FR 202: French level 4 or equivalent). 

These three courses (FR 224, FR 324 and FR 424) can be taken independently or as part of the Minor in Professional French. 

FR 22400: Professional French Level I

Practical reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills will be developed toward the use of French for professional purposes. Course materials cover daily business dealings as well as national and international trade.  
Instructor: Dr. Ana Isabel Valero Peña.

French for Engineering

Through the continued development of French-speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities, students work on the French language and culture in documents related to Engineering. 
Topics include the study of Engineering in France, and French Engineers' functions and ethics. They also cover case studies, such as the Channel Tunnel, the TGV (the world's fastest train), and the viaduct of Milau, among others. Students will learn about women in science, concentrating on areas such as the discrimination of female scientists and the lives and work of engineers like Jocelyn Bell, Margaret Hamilton, and Sophie Germain. 
Instructor: Dr. Ana Valero Peña.

FR 32400: Professional French Level II

Practical reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills at an intermediate level will be developed toward the use of French for professional purposes. Course materials cover daily business dealing as well as national and international trade. 
Instructor: Dr. Ana Valero Peña.

FR 42400: Professional French Level III

A study of the terminology and techniques used in commercial transactions, including the interpretation and writing of business materials. Development of the four language skills, with emphasis on writing and speaking. Instructor: Dr. Ana Valero Peña.

For questions about the French for Specific Purposes courses, please contact Dr. Ana Valero Peña (avalerop@purdue.edu).