The French Program

The French program at Skidmore offers a wide range of opportunities for students to explore the languages and cultures of the French-speaking world, both inside and outside of the classroom. There are many pathways through the French program, whether students want to immerse themselves in the Major and Minor, or integrate French with their other academic interests.

We offer courses in French at all levels. Students in our elementary and intermediate courses steadily build their language skills and confidence while getting acquainted with the wide variety of global francophone cultures. In our upper-level electives, students develop proficiency through advanced language study and topics courses taught in French on francophone cultures, literatures, and current events. Students also have the chance to use their French to connect to other academic disciplines through our Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) courses.

Students are invited to take their French beyond the classroom by stopping in at the regular Pause-café conversation hour, flipping their own crêpe at the annual Soirée crêpes, attending the bi-annual Skidmore French Film Festival, or participating in our many other activities. We also encourage students to get involved in the student-run French club, which hosts events throughout the year.

When students are ready to take their French off campus, they have the opportunity to live and learn abroad through Skidmore in France or one of the other programs offered by Off-Campus Studies & Exchanges.