To ‘Oui’... Or not to ‘Oui’?

French, as a globally-spoken language, is not limited to France and speaking the language creates connections to people from across Africa and the world. The lecturers are passionate, involved, and experts at what they do. Learning a language is hard and can be anxiety-provoking but I couldn’t wait to go to class. The treasure trove that lies behind the door of “just learning a language”, is unfathomable.

Why did I take French?

Being half-French, I took the subject in university as a means of advancing my spoken and written level. French, as a globally-spoken language, is not limited to France. Speaking this langauge allows connections to people from across Africa and the world. As I am pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology, communication across language barriers is a necessary and powerful tool. However, learning a foreign language at UP has proven to be so much more than I first thought it would be.

My Experience at UP as a French student

Embarking on the journey, I did not expect to receive so much more than ‘just learning a language’. The diversity of discussion-topics and literature will not only immensely improve your French, but also develop your mind. The lecturers are passionate, involved, and experts at what they do. Whatever you offer them they offer tenfold in return.

Learning a language is hard and can be anxiety-provoking. I was privileged to be part of a really dynamic group of learners, and the bonds formed made the learning much more effective. When you are part of an engaging group, facing the challenges inherent to learning a language makes the risk of failing so much easier to get over and learn from. I couldn’t wait to go to class. And I wasn’t afraid to speak and make a mistake because we were all making mistakes together. Laughing with one another as you struggle through learning is way more fun than the stress of feeling alone.

So, I would encourage you to engage with each other, laugh at your silly broken attempts, and cheer one other on as you learn. This in turn encourages the lecturers and makes the learning quicker, much more impactful, and interesting.  

How learning a language has opened doors for me

The asset of learning a language cannot be overstated. And this is not limited to when you’re traveling overseas. South Africa is a global conglomerate of people. I have had many conversations using the French I learned. Beyond that, the literature, and topics we discussed in class have proven time and again to be relevant in my work, conversations, and other areas of study. In pursuing a Clinical Psychology degree, I would go so far as to say without hesitation that the overall knowledge gained from French class is something I use every day.

Why should you take French, or any other language?

University isn’t only about gaining useful knowledge. It’s about gaining experience and growth. The treasure trove that lies behind the door of “just learning a language”, is unfathomable. It will impact you positively in many ways for a very long time after you leave university. It will be challenging, but that’s how you learn.

So, if you are thinking of taking a foreign language subject, I would wholeheartedly encourage you: embrace the wealth of fun, growth, and opportunities that await, and say: “OUI!”.