When was the last time you had a croissant for breakfast? Was it a repetitive experience giving you deja-vu, or did you make it diabolique? These examples might be the many times you started to learn how to speak French Even if you don’t exactly know how to learn it doesn’t mean you never did, or never could.

Learning to speak French is no great headache, since the alphabet is completely identical to English and many words share a very similar spelling, if not the same. Though French language lessons might seem like a bit of a drag to attend, especially in an era when things move too fast to indulge in something time consuming.
Imagine being able to savor some of Europe’s great writers in their original intent, or discover new horizons by simply conversing with people half a world away. Business opportunities, travel possibilities or simply impressing in    courtship by ordering in French at the hippest restaurant in town are just small perks when taking time to learn French as a second language.

10 Reasons to Learn the French Language
With online French courses and other learning methods offering a chance to learn French fast, you might wonder why you should learn to speak French in the first place. Here are 10 very good reasons to take a French course online or to learn the language through other means.

World Economy: Second and third languages are quickly becoming mandatory across Europe and around the world. Taking the time to learn French will help you to stay competitive in the world economy of the future.

Jobs: Being bilingual can be a major boon to your resume, and can help you to grab jobs in other countries as well. If you learn French online, this will quickly help you to add French to your skill set.

Travel: If you’re planning to travel abroad, French can come in handy in a number of countries. Even if you don’t master the language, what you pick up when you learn French fast can help you out greatly in France, Canada, or elsewhere on the map.

Sports: French is one of the official languages used by the Olympics and in some locales for other sports broadcasts. Take an online French course to eliminate your need to wait for a translated version of what’s being said.
 
Culture: Art, literature, fashion and  movies have had major French contributions. Learn to speak French so that you can enjoy them in their native language.

Improving English: Up to 50% of English words have at least some French component. Learning French can make expanding your English vocabulary much easier.

Critical Thinking Skills: The process of learning a new language can sharpen your critical thinking skills, as well as improving your memory and self-esteem. French is an easy language to learn and can help greatly in this regard.

Educational Opportunities: If you learn how to speak French it can open you up for study  opportunities abroad at some of the finest colleges and universities in the world.
Expanding Your Horizons: French is the first or

second language in 40 countries around the world. French language lessons can help you to learn more about these cultures and how to better appreciate them.

Connect With Others: French is the third most popular language on the internet and is used by numerous international organizations. Learning French will help you to connect with others who don’t speak English.
So what are you waiting for? Hit the books and start learning French today!

Employment prospects

Once you have gained sufficient mastery over the language you could look for opportunities in the following fields.
Translation Corporate, especially those involved in back office operations
Govt.: INS (Immigration& Naturalization Service) is always looking for translators other govt. organisations
International NGOs involved in overseas projects or requiring bilingual locals for               facilitating their projects in India.

Writing / Manual writer Research, Employment opportunities in France Teaching. There are always opportunities open for teaching in Schools/Colleges in France and other European countries

What you can expect to earn

By working as a language specialist, one can earn a handsome salary. Translators are often paid on a per page basis. Starting rates for a qualified translator are approximately Rs 100-500/- per page i.e. roughly 30 lines on A4 size paper. A 25-page document in French bringing in

Rs 3,000-Rs 5,000 in a few days, and for non bulk orders, a good translator, can earn between Rs.2-Rs. 5/- per word (French- English) and between Rs.2-Rs.4/- per word (English-French).

Technical and legal documents requiring translation from French into English get more money than non technical documents. Also bulk orders are better as the remuneration works out more.
Teaching french to fellow aspirants is also a good option. A freelance teacher charges anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 700 per hour. Some well known freelance teachers charge even Rs 18,000 for a six-week course.
Apart from this opportunities for time bound training programmers, interpretation for visiting clients and transcription opportunities abound with companies like Infosys, IBM, Satyam Wipro, Infosys, KSIIDC, Tata Elxsi, Sony, L&T Infotech, IBM, TVS Suzuki, Siemens, Ashok Leyland, Toyota among others. Remuneration is no issue for these companies and the sky is the limit for professional who can deliver good results in a smart way.

What you should look for in a course in French

The opportunity;

1) For the use of dynamic and modern methods of instruction, which enables the student to discover two separate entities of the French language: Literary French, used in traditional, formal ways or at work, and French, as it is spoken on the streets.
 
2) To actually have the experience of speaking the language preferably in smaller classes.

3) To obtain the diplomas and necessary qualifications that could lead to excellent job prospects with multi-nationals in India, or abroad, especially in French speaking countries.

4) To have the privilege of being taught by teachers specially trained in methods which are regularly revised and updated during the special training sessions etc

5) To discover a fascinating civilization through texts, images, documents pertaining to the daily life in France.

6) To attend cultural programs such as French film festivals, concerts, dance recitals and other
Learn French through web and media
For learning French in India, one is no longer restricted to the classroom. Although the guidance of a professional teacher is still the best way to progress towards language proficiency, the motivated learner has a whole range of other possibilities at his disposal, either to acquire isolated areas of linguistic know-how or to enhance his skills by exposing himself to real French with the help of some sort of pedagogical apparatus.
Television and radio are certainly sources one should make use of, all the more so since most television and radio channels providing language courses couple this service with parallel learning material accessible on their web site.

1.Click On French (www.clickonfrench.com) an online French course from the Alliances Françaises network in India. It has been designed for beginners who have a basic knowledge in English. At the end of this online course you will be able to communicate in French (spoken and written) in most day to day situations. You will also get a recognized certificate delivered by the Alliances Françaises network.

 2. TV5 programs and web assistance
TV5 does not provide regular French language courses as such but offers attractive language teasers which make it quite pleasant for the learner to explore the francophone world.
Feature films with English subtitle are broadcast about every day. The news can be watched at 17.45 and then replayed at will through the net on TV 5 Info à la carte. Le coin des enfants offers children a treat throughout the day and meet them on the net with have numerous educational games and programs. New horizons are to be discovered through the eyes of young reporters. The illustrated, in depth portrayals of francophone cities are of particular interest since they are available on the net with pedagogical guidance. Music fans will not miss Paroles de clip, though broadcast on Saturdays before dawn (2h45 am), since the songs presented during this program can be replayed on the web through a click on the Juke Box of TV 5 or even studied with the help of teachers suggesting learning activities in their monthly comment available on Des clips pour apprendre.
As for mastering more French through TV5, the site Funambule offers exercises, word games and other learning activities. It is also a good idea to check the index of the section Apprendre et enseigner, whether there is a valid learning experience for individuals in the baskets reserved for teachers.

3.The BBC French language resources
The BBC offers an articulated syllabus for learning French, starting from the first steps right up to the advanced stages. These BBC courses are broadcast and have their echoing section on the web: Talk French, French Experience 1 & 2, Quick French (French Fix), French for work (Getting there / Being there / Doing there : Worktalk / Make French your Business. Additional to this full fledged course in French there are additional items directed more towards the perception of French cultural ingredients: Français cool, France Inside Out, French Journey). Accents d’Europe offers linguistic notes, background comments and comprehension multiple choice questionnaires around fresh news items. Last but not least, the learner is being offered some guidance for reflecting on how he is going to read (How to learn, Embarrassing linguistic blunders), and can have a rough idea of where he stands with his French (French gauge).
Children can also find games and learning activities for them (For Kids).
Most of these items are available on CD-ROM’s, which can be ordered.

4. French language on Radio France Internationale (RFI)
RFI broadcasts both on the radio and through internet programmes which deal with the French language.
For learners who need exercises and guidance three such programs are currently offered: Comment vont les affaires a bilingual radio serial of sixty episodes relating the experiences of a foreign trainee at a French company, News in simple French, which provides exercises and glossaries along with the transcriptions of selected news items, and Audio exercises, aimed at improving the aural comprehension of French and knowledge of the French culture with interactive language exercises based on downloadable RFI radio programmes.
For people wanting to improve their control of the language by reading and listening to documents chosen and sometimes specially conceived for them the offer quite large: Information pack, a multimedia documentation for teachers and students to approach topical themes of the day, On-line magazine “ Langage actuel “, a magazine on the latest research in language and literature, Stories about language, words and expressions used in the French-speaking world, La danse des mots, Yvan Amar’s daily programme on news about language, Parler au quotidien, a lively and witty discussion between Yvan Amar and Evelyne Lattanzio about a French word or expression, Francophonie, reports from the French speaking world, debates and personalities reflecting the cultural variety of the French speaking community

Where to Learn

The most well known places to learn French in India are the famous Alliance Francaises centers situated in various cities.
The Network Of Alliances Franchises In The World And In India Founded in 1883 by a small group of prominent individuals who decided to keep France well known and increase its influence by promoting the French language, Alliance Française is now a cultural network of a global scale and a teaching facility without equal. The 1,100 branches are meeting places for people who love France, want to know it better and learn its language.
As non-profit associations and independent branches, they provide meeting places for Indian and French Artists who discover their mutual links and share their experiences. The Alliances bring to the Indian public French cultural events selected to fulfill local expectations. They team up with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and other big Cultural and Educational organisations in organizing artistic tours.
The local branches play an important part in the lives of their cities and in the various fields of theatre, plastic arts and music. They organize symposiums and festivals of international relevance. They have become computerized Information Centers on Contemporary France (civilization, economy, politics, science and technology).
In the sixteen Alliance Fran̤aise in India (Ahmedabad - Bangalore - Bhopal - Kolkata - Chandigarh - Chennai - Goa - Hyderabad -Jaipur- Karikal - Mahe - Mumbai - New Delhi - Pondichery - Pune - Trivandrum), and their various branches (Baroda - Cochin РCoimbatore- Dehradun- Indore РMadurai- Ranchi - Trichy), 33,000 students have been taught French by 250 teachers in 2005 . This is the most important network in Asia.
They take the examinations of Alliance Française de Paris, of the Ministry of National Education (Delf and Dalf) and of the Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Paris (CCIP), whose diplomas are world-wide considered as passports for the future. The Alliance Française teaching is oriented to all those who want to communicate not only with France but with Europe and French speaking countries as well. The increasing number of students is proof of the high success of the intensive courses and of the methods adapted to today’s demands in the teaching of languages.
Leisure is not left aside: A students club here, a French restaurant there, picnic outings, package tours are as many places and opportunities which help Alliance Française members get together and have fun in French.
However for those of you in Hyderabad who cannot make it to these centers there are other options too. Checkout the following places in the city.

1. Alliance Française de Hyderabad Plot N° 9, Road N° 16, West Marredpally, Secunderabad-500 026 (Andhra Pradesh) Tel: (0) (40) 27 70 07 34/27 70 07 35/27 70 07 36 Fax: 27 70 07 31 Email: francehyderabad@afindia.org etafhyderabad@eth.net
www.afindia.org/hyderabad
2. English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, 500007 www.ciefl.ac.in
  They offer a range of short term and long term courses, ranging from 6 months to 3 years, for various levels of proficiency in French and other languages.
3. Ramakrishna Mission Institute for Culture, Secunderabad. http://www.rkmath.org/viol
For information regarding dates, fees, courses etc. check the websites of these institutions, or call them.Hope your déjà-vu with french is a memorable one. Adieu, bonne chance !