Prospectus

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French and the French-speaking world

Minor

Please note: This page contains information from 2025-2026. Updated information will be added as soon as possible. Courses and descriptions are subject to change.

France occupies a central political position in Europe (especially since Brexit) and is an important trading partner for the Netherlands. But French is also a truly global language, encompassing diverse cultures and a rich literature. French has over 320 million speakers across all continents. This number is growing rapidly, especially in African countries, which are becoming increasingly important players in the global economy.

In this minor, students not only strengthen their French language skills but also become acquainted with the recent history and culture of the French-speaking world as a whole, from Canada to the Maghreb and the Caribbean. Furthermore, within this minor, students can design their own program through a 5-EC elective.

The courses in this minor are offered in French. Therefore, a reasonable level of French is required at the start of the minor (A2/B1).

Students with a high level of French (B2 or higher/native speakers) can take langue française (avancé) instead of langue française (intermédiaire).

Testimonial

Jesse Bodaar (student): “During the minor French and the French-speaking World, you will not only dive into the French language but also into the contexts in which it is used. In just one semester, you will learn how to make yourself understood, but you will also discover why French is spoken in so many places around the world and what the consequences of this widespread use are. So, you won’t just be memorizing vocabulary—you will truly broaden your horizons.”

Maximum number of students: 30

Language: French

Registration: via EduXchange see More Info

19 May (13:00hrs) until 30 June 2026

Minor

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Mandatory
Francophonies et littératures francophones 10
Le français dans le monde : introduction à la linguistique française 5

Keuze taalvaardigheid
Langue française (intermédiaire) 10
Langue française (avancé) 10

Bound electives
Littérature moderne et contemporaine 5
Middeleeuwse letterkunde van Frankrijk en Italië: een 'histoire croisée' 5
Séminaire pratique: Le Français Juridique 5

More info

  • Extent 30 ec (taught in its entirety in the first semester)

  • Intended for: students who wish to learn more about the French-speaking world while improving their French proficiency

  • Language of instruction: French

  • Website: Minors

  • Coordinator: Dr. Alisa van de Haar

  • Information: Coordinator Dr. Alisa van de Haar and Coordinator of Studies Jarno Revelman de Vries

  • Board of Examiners: EC Frans, Italiaans, Duits

  • Education Committee: OC BA Franse taal en cultuur

  • Registration: via EduXchange: 19 May (13:00hrs) until 30 June 2026

Required prior knowledge

The courses in this minor are offered in French. Therefore, a reasonable level of French is required at the start of the minor (A2/B1).

Request an eduID account to register in EduXchange. On how to do this, watch Explore & register for your minor via eduXchange.
Students from another university: please visit Info about minors

  • From July, register separately for the courses via MyStudymap (only applies to LEI students!) Guest students will be helped with their course enrollment.

Follow-on master’s programme

This minor program is an asset for students who consider the possibility of taking French courses during their MA-program; for instance by studying at a university in a French-speaking country.