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American Universities: Rethinking the Teaching of French

Tuesday 2 June 2026

French departments in American universities are currently evolving in a rapidly changing environment. Faced with declining enrollment in the humanities and competition from fields perceived as offering more direct career pathways, many instructors are rethinking their teaching practices and course offerings.

 In this context, French for professional purposes appears as a concrete response to students’ expectations, teachers’ needs, and labor market demands. Spoken in more than 29 countries and used in key sectors such as diplomacy, business, and technology, French represents a genuine lever for academic and professional opportunities. 

Multiple Contexts, a Collective Response 

Aware of the diversity of American universities in terms of size, location, and student populations, we aimed to present an advocacy piece grounded in real-world contexts.  This document gives voice to seven faculty members from universities across the United States. Each shares their experience with professional French: pedagogical innovation, development of specialized courses, adaptation to student profiles, and integration into existing curricula.

Far from being a passing trend, the development of professional French reflects a lasting  shift. As early as 2019–2020, nearly 58.7% of U.S. institutions offered at least one professional French course. The collected testimonials also show that these courses fully integrate into existing programs—not replacing traditional approaches, but enriching them. 

A Practical Tool for Taking Action 

For several years, the Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Ile-de-France) and Le français des affaires, have actively supported American universities in developing professional French programs. 

• More than 400 teachers have been trained since 2013 
• Network of around 40 examination centers exists across the United States 
• Numerous free and flexible teaching resources are available 
 
This advocacy document was designed as a practical and inspiring tool. It answers the most frequently asked questions: 
• Do you need to be an expert to teach professional French? 
• Do these courses actually attract students? 
• How can they be integrated into an existing curriculum? 

Through concrete examples, feedback, and practical advice, it provides educators with the tools to develop or strengthen their course offerings. 

Download the USA advocacy_ENG

Download the USA advocacy_FR

We extend our sincere thanks to the faculty members from American universities who contributed to this advocacy by generously sharing their experiences and insights. Their testimonials reflect the diversity of contexts, pedagogical approaches, and on-the-ground realities, and constitute a valuable resource for the entire educational  community. 

We also thank the institutional partners committed to promoting French for professional purposes—particularly the Office for Educational and Linguistic Cooperation at the French Embassy in the United States—for their dedication to the development of French in higher education. 

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