2022-2023

French, Minor

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

Students in this minor gain proficiencies in French language and stylistics, with an exposure to French culture and literature. Proficiencies are demonstrated by an international French proficiency exam and an oral exit interview in French.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 20
Major GPA C
Foreign Language Required

Purpose Statement

The French minor prepares students to be able to interact orally and in writing with individuals used to dealing with non-native French speakers in basic social situations.  Students can also expect to be able to comprehend simple, authentic written and oral texts dealing with well-known topics related to work, studies and leisure.  The minor will also provide learners with an awareness of certain cultural nuances and socio-political issues of the French-speaking world, which will allow them to participate in global organizations and projects.  Students who complete the French minor have the necessary foundation for continued professional development of their communication skills in French, giving them an edge in the domestic and global job markets.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Upon completing this minor, students will be able to:

  • Orally express ideas in French through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)

Minor Requirements

  • Take the following 20 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:

    • At least 12 units of FRE courses at the 300 level or above (12 units)
    • FRE courses at the 200 level or above (8 units)

  • You must have at least 6 classroom units in French; you may not satisfy all minor requirements with credits from CLEP exams.

    Additionally, you may only take lower-level FRE courses if you have not already taken advanced FRE coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level FRE courses, you can't take FRE courses at the 100 level; after completing a 300-level courses you can't take 100- or 200-level courses.