A Meaningful French Education: Experiential Learning in French

Faculty in French programs remain concerned about the danger of being labeled as irrelevant in today’s educational climate that focuses attention on the importance of science, technology, and professional career preparation. We describe a university French program that has been successful at promoting a synergy between the traditional and the professional. The goal is not to do battle between vying paradigms, but rather to increase the value of both through interdisciplinary partnerships. We explain the challenges that are often faced when building meaningful collaborations and how they can be overcome.