Studying French at Colgate

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Colgate’s French students work closely with passionate faculty members who are leaders in their field and who guide their students to becoming experts in French language and culture.

French Courses

Students may pursue either a major or a minor in French at Colgate. French courses feature small class sizes and individualized attention directly from professors.

The department welcomes students at any level of language interest, from French majors and minors to those who simply wish to maintain or develop an introductory knowledge of French language and culture.

Academic program and courses

I have been able to travel to places like Martinique and New Orleans during breaks, teach introductory French to kids in Hamilton, and form lasting friendships with other Colgate students who share my interests. The department holds a myriad of opportunities outside of classroom learning, which I encourage anyone at Colgate to seek out and take advantage of.

Raka Mukherjee ’20

Study Abroad

Colgate offers an array of full-semester off-campus study experiences, including opportunities that may be of particular interest to students studying French.

More about Off-Campus Study

W.M. Keck Center for Language Study

The Keck Center is a high-tech learning space dedicated to the study of language. Listening and recording stations, the streaming of global news outlets, and access to native-speaker language interns allow our students to immerse themselves in language while still on campus.

Visit the Keck Center
The Keck Center provides students with a venue and resources to practice their language skills.

Tutoring

Carefully selected and friendly senior French majors are available in the Keck Center as tutors. The tutors are available to guide students through grammar points and oral practice, and to assist with review before tests.

French Tutoring Hours

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 6-8pm

Additional on-demand tutoring is also available for students who need sustained assistance, upon recommendation of a professor. Please contact Professor Katherine Brown to learn more: kbrown2@colgate.edu.

French-Language Intern

Each academic year, the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures hosts a native-speaking French-language intern. The intern works with faculty to support courses and collaborates with student organizations to organize cultural activities and trips, screen French-language films, and more.

jhanryon
Justine Hanryon
French Language Intern

Table of Babel

Every Tuesday during the semester, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., students studying Romance languages gather in Frank Dining Hall to practice their language skills while sharing a meal. The department’s language interns and designated conversation tutors are present to facilitate conversation.

Extracurricular Organizations

Two Colgate students pose with thumbs up signs in front of a laptop, sitting on table decorated with the colors of France's flag.

French Club Co-Presidents Kaitlin Maratea and Sophia Holub at the Winter Student Involvement Fair.