1. French or Spanish?French or Spanish?
#1 - Do you care about difficulty?
Many students have probably heard that foreign language study is difficult, and often want to
take “the easiest language.” It’s important to remember that all foreign languages are difficult,
in that they require daily study, memorization of new vocabulary, and learning of grammar
and language concepts. They vary in difficulty in certain linguistic areas.
Myth: Spanish is the easiest
foreign language.
Reality: Spanish can be
easier to pronounce, but its
grammar is more complex
than French!
Choosing your first foreign language can be difficult. In middle school, your
student will try both Spanish and French, but when it comes time to register for
high school, what’s the best fit? There are many factors to consider.
Here are 5 common factors people consider when choosing a language to study,
and a few things you may not know about them. Help your student make the best
choice!
*Both require students to
imitate new sounds and speak
in a non-English cadence.
*Objects have gender.
*Subject-verb agreement.
*Adjective agreement.
*Concept of time/verb tenses
not used in English.
*Both are Latin languages, so
between the two they share
words. Learning one makes
learning the other easier.
Similarities
*Fewer sounds that don’t exist
in English.
*Not as phonetic, some
sounds that don’t exist in
English.
Pronunciation
*More past/subjunctive verb
tenses to learn that used in
daily life.
*2 verbs for “to be”
*Fewer past/subjunctive
verb tenses used in daily life.
Grammar
*Fewer words similar to
English, more words derived
from Arabic and Native
American languages.
*More cognates/words
similar to English. 40%+
words in English derived
from French.
Vocabulary
Spanish Difficulty LevelFrench Difficulty Level
* Sources: World Tourism Organization 2002, and Minnesota Language Review
TOP 5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER

2. World French Speaking CountriesWorld French Speaking Countries
OFFICIAL/CO-OFFICIAL LANGUAGEOFFICIAL/CO-OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
| Canada | France | Benin | Belgium | Burkina Faso | Burundi || Canada | France | Benin | Belgium | Burkina Faso | Burundi |
| Cameroon | Central African Republic | Chad | Comoros Islands || Cameroon | Central African Republic | Chad | Comoros Islands |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Djibouti | French Guiana || Democratic Republic of Congo | Djibouti | French Guiana |
| Guadeloupe | Haiti | Ivory Coast | Gabon | Guinea | Luxembourg || Guadeloupe | Haiti | Ivory Coast | Gabon | Guinea | Luxembourg |
| Madagascar | Mali | Martinique | Monaco | New Caledonia | Niger || Madagascar | Mali | Martinique | Monaco | New Caledonia | Niger |
| French Polynesia | Reunion | Rwanda | Saint Pierre | Senegal || French Polynesia | Reunion | Rwanda | Saint Pierre | Senegal |
| Seychelles | Switzerland | Togo | Vanuatu | Wallis and| Seychelles | Switzerland | Togo | Vanuatu | Wallis and FutunaFutuna ||
Did you know…
 Students with at least 2 years of
another language score up to 12%
higher on SAT verbal exams… rising at
least 5% more for each additional year
of language study.
 More than 900 companies in
Minnesota do business internationally.
#2 - Did you know student interest is KEY?
Interest goes a long way to helping your student succeed. Let students choose the language/culture they are more Interested in
and they will do better because they will care more! They will be more motivated and enthusiastic about learning.
#3 - What are your career interests?
Each language is good for the global economy in which we live. For example,
Canada, France, and Mexico are among the top importers of American goods and
services. We have more Spanish-speaking immigrants in MN (although there are
French speakers too!) but more people internationally study French so it’s a great
language for international business after English!
#4 – What’s your cultural heritage?
Students with family who speak another language should consider that language!
Language class can also develop literacy skills if the student speaks the
language at home but never writes/reads it!
#5 - What about international business travel and tourism?
If you ever plan (or hope) to travel, learning Spanish or French can make your vacation or business trip more successful.
Speaking the language tends to make people more inclined, and able, to help you. Speaking the language also gives you more
understanding of people abroad, and more ability to successfully communicate what you need or want while there.