French is a very common option for people who want to learn a second language, partially due to its global significance. In fact, the approximate number of native French speakers worldwide is currently over 75 million, while a total of 229 million people can speak the language.
At present French is the official language in 29 countries, including France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Haiti. It is the fourth most spoken mother tongue in the European Union with over 20 percent of EU people reporting knowing how to speak and understand French. The language is also the third most well-known in the European Union.
The language has traditionally been at the forefront of the industry, research and literature. It has also been an acceptable diplomatic language for centuries and its continuing relevance can be ensured by being an official language of the United Nations, NATO, the World Trade Organization, the European Union and the International Olympic Committee.
At the International level, the language of French is one of the most common languages in the world, serving in numerous regional and international courts as well as human rights organisations as an important language.


