Courses in modern languages give the liberal arts student a cultural awareness gained only through the study of the language and literature of another country. From the course “Beginning French” through “Syntax and Stylistics,” your command of French language and communication skills will grow as your knowledge of French culture, history, and literature expands.

Courses are normally conducted in French and by numerous means to bring relevance to the language education.

Majors and minors are encouraged to enroll in an approved semester-long study abroad program in France. To those unable to study abroad, joining a travel JanTerm to France might be of interest.

Meet our Alumni

Hannah Dyer-Holzhauer ‘13

I graduated from Austin College in 2013 with a major in French and a minor in German. I work as a photographer and tutor in a suburb of Houston. Austin College isn’t about giving you the college experience – it is about empowering you to be the person you want to be and to make… [Read More]

Sarah Dillabough ‘16

After returning to El Paso after graduating with a major in Environmental Studies and Political Science and a minor in French, I worked with Texas Senator Jose Rodriguez in his district office as a legislative intern. I then did one year of AmeriCorps VISTA service with the City of El Paso Resilience and Sustainability Department.… [Read More]

Reo Casey ’12

I got a lot out of the French program at AC. Living in the language house was great. The French Teaching Assistants were really helpful and I got to take some interesting classes within the French major. I made a lot of friends in the French program and the language house.

Janell Watson ’82

Austin College meant so much to me. While still in high school, I set the goal of studying abroad in France, and chose my college with this in mind. Several years after graduation, I was lucky enough to get into the French PhD program at Duke University, where I worked with the late scholar of… [Read More]

Patricia Reed ’92

‘L’esprit critique’, is something particularly valuable in French culture, and woefully needed in America today. The ability to question, analyze, dissect, scrutinize, and decide for oneself. French literature is nothing, if not a way to explore these things.

Montie Krumnow ’89

My study abroad in Nancy, France has helped me post-AC in my role as an international oil broker. I deal with companies and clients in Europe, Russia and all over the world. To be successful in my business, it’s important to have an understanding of other people, their sensitivities, and different ways of responding to… [Read More]

Alyssa Schultz ’12

My experience with French and Francophone countries had an amazing impact on me, and none of which I would’ve had without the help of the department. From having debates on existentialism en français in the classroom to hosting an impromptu Thanksgiving for three of the Teaching Assistants from the Language House, I always felt at ease… [Read More]

Louisa Boss ’84

For the past 27 years, I have been a flight attendant for Delta. The fact that I knew French completely changed this job for me. While most new flight attendants spend the first few years of their careers laying over in places like Omaha, I got to fly to Paris, Brussels or Montreal on a weekly basis. … [Read More]

Laura Lawson ’10

As an artist it’s often assumed that I prefer loose and unstructured learning environments, but I love logic and puzzles, and learning a language was the ultimate game in problem-solving for me. My initial connection was not necessarily with the beautiful sounds or the culture of France, but the structure of the language and how… [Read More]

Jonathan Koury ’02

My plan had always been to study politics, go to law school, become a lawyer, and eventually run for office. So the double major in French was a happy accident, but it never occurred to me that I would use what I learned in French later in life. But in many ways my French classes… [Read More]

Jordan Family Language House

All students who take French are encouraged and eligible to apply for a space in the French House in order to immerse themselves in French outside of the regular classroom and on a daily basis. The French House is part of the Austin College Jordan Family Language House. The French Club of Austin College hosts film nights and other events at this location. Each student in the language house receives personal attention in the target language by a native language house teaching assistant.

Jordan Family Language House Residence Application

Program Details

French Major Checklist
French Minor Checklist
See the French Courses
See the Austin College Bulletin
Visit the Classical & Modern Languages home page

Major in French

Meet our Alumni

Hannah Dyer-Holzhauer ‘13

Sarah Dillabough ‘16

Reo Casey ’12

Janell Watson ’82

Patricia Reed ’92

Montie Krumnow ’89

Alyssa Schultz ’12

Louisa Boss ’84

Laura Lawson ’10

Jonathan Koury ’02

Jordan Family Language House

Program Details

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