Business French Certificate

Diplôme de Français Professionnel (DFP/Business French Certificate)
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris-Ile de France
(CCIP-IDF/French Chamber of Commerce)

Accredited by the CCIP-IDF, a French State Agency, these diplomas officially acknowledge one's ability to master the language and culture characteristic of the French business environment. As such, the DFPs (Diplôme de Français Professionnel) can be instrumental in the pursuit of a career with a French component – whether it is a job in a French firm located in the United States, an internship in an American company based in France, a position in Québec, or an offer from a non-governmental organization in the Francophone world.

Students enrolled in FR 3381 Business French I take the examination at Texas State University at the end of the semester in which the course is offered. Depending on their fluency and semester results, students register for tests ranging from A2 (intermediate) to B2 (advanced) levels.

Give yourself that professional edge. For more information, contact Dr. Carole Martin (cm25@txstate.edu).

Here are comments from former DFP recipients:

Broderick Turner (fall 2018)

Having taken and passed Business French with Dr. Martin was the most rewarding experience in my college academic career thus far. The class was the most challenging French course I have taken since AP French in high school; however, I believe that the skills I have gained through this course are much more tangible and useful than those I got from AP French. Over the course of the semester, Dr. Martin focused on various aspects of the Francophone business world, giving us insights upon customs, culture, and norms within the field. We also had various activities in which we had to work with the other students in the class such as simulated business scenarios and situations. Furthermore, writing, speaking and vocabulary are greatly stressed. The course and its contents are structured around the activities that are on the DFP Certification Exam, and I greatly appreciate Dr. Martin for organizing the course and preparing us to excel on the exam. The class is a challenging but rewarding experience, and it is easy to see the results of the hard work. Because of this course, I am more confident in my written and spoken French, and I am officially certified by the DFP in Business French — a skill that I have with me forever and can apply in the future.

Leticia M. Patterson (fall 2018)

Participating in the Business French course was one of the most rewarding, and difficult experiences that I have undergone in pursuit of my French minor thus far. As a student fresh from intermediary French courses Business French challenged me to apply knowledge that I had acquired from all of my previous classes, and motivated me to improve my listening, and speaking abilities outside of the classroom. Furthermore it gave me the opportunity to be immersed in conversation between native speakers of the French language, and those who are learning like myself. For a language learner this opportunity is invaluable not just for the purposes of oral comprehension, pronunciation, and comfort with utilizing the language, but also for the opportunity to have a purpose driven conversation monitored by a native speaker. Another aspect of this class that is invaluable is the wide range of knowledge that Dr. Martin possesses in the areas of French business practices, American business practices, and French culture. As a native of France Dr. Martin was able to dive deeply into what makes up the intricacies French business culture, along with French culture itself, and offer comparisons, and clarifications between French and American practices. As with most things in life these rewards came with challenges. Business French is structured based on the D.F.P, and in order to succeed at both I had to put in the work. Along with my intermediary experience this course allowed me to integrate advanced grammar, outside reading, podcasts, in class oral exercises, and various homework assignments, that spanned from grammar assignments themselves to practicing practical business skills, to form a solid knowledge base of the French language, and French business. This class and the integrated tools it yielded, allowed me to not only succeed at the test, but form a study practice of the French language that I can continue to implement throughout the rest my time as a student of French language and culture.