French
French is a global language spoken on five continents by over 275 million people. The French language is a gateway to international and domestic careers, as France has the world’s sixth largest economy and is ranked in the top ten countries in terms of destination for foreign investment. French is the second most widely learned language after English, and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. French is also the only language, alongside English, that is taught in every country in the world. France operates the biggest international network of cultural institutes, which run French-language courses for close to a million learners.
Department:
Department of French and Italian
Advisor:
Mandi Schoville, maschoville@wisc.edu
Courses for Beginners:
FRENCH 101: First Semester French
FRENCH 105: Accelerated Introductory French (summer only)
Courses Requiring Placement:
FRENCH 102: Second Semester French
FRENCH 203: Third Semester French
FRENCH 204: Fourth Semester French
Coming in summer 2026: FRENCH 205: Accelerated Intermediate French
If you have background in French, either through formal study, informal study, or as a heritage learner, complete a placement test through Testing & Evaluation Services to determine which level to start with.
Live at the French House, a private, language immersion residence hall operated through the Department of French & Italian and located just off campus.
Affordable non-credit language classes offered on campus in the evenings, on the weekends and in the summer. Learn more
Contact Mandi Schoville, ugrad@frit.wisc.edu, for details.
Learn about how to market your French and related transferable skills through this toolkit, developed by French faculty and instructors.
Affordable non-credit language classes offered on campus in the evenings, on the weekends and in the summer. Learn more