A BA in french studies, is it the same as a BA in french?

Question

I want to become a french teacher and upon looking at degrees at university i saw a difference in the UCAS code with these two subjects, I wanted to see how they differ...And if I could still become a french teacher with a degree in french studies...PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Answer 1

I'd guess that the BA in French is a degree in the language French while the French Studies is going to be about the culture and nation of France. You probably will take French language courses for the studies, but it won't be the emphasis while it would be in the BA in French. However if in doubt contact the...French....department of the University and they can tell you the difference.    

Answer 2

Universities call their departments different things. Also, all French departments, whatever they're called, offer different kinds of classes: language, literature, French and Francophone culture, film/media, etc. If there is a department of French and a department of French Studies at your school, chances are that they've made a division between the language side and the literary/cultural/etc. side. If there's only a department of French Studies, then they are just emphasizing with their name that they do a lot more than French language, but that is always the case.

Really, it doesn't matter if your degree is in French or French studies to become a French teacher. Whether you're more interested in just speaking the language or more interested in reading French literature (in French, of course) and/or learning about the culture, you have to do both in just about any French major program out there, not to mention that culture, and to some extent literature, will be part of any good high school French curriculum as well, so you'll want to have some background.

You'll have some freedom to choose classes according to your interests. Also, many of the "non-language" classes (literature and so forth) are conducted in French just as the language classes are, and they require you to have a certain level of language before you can take them. Others may be taught in English; usually this information is available in the course description. Make sure to take plenty of the ones in French so you continue to improve your French conversation skills.

Note that you may still need a teaching certification in addition to the French degree. Look into teacher requirements in your state (or wherever you want to teach) to be sure.