The progress and stability of English in the French context

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the present situation and the development of English in France during the past 25 years. After reviewing the expansion of English in pre‐university and higher education, and its spread in the press (Anglicisms), workplace and daily life, we come to the conclusion that English has made steady progress, in particular in the area of language education, but that its use for communicative purposes remains limited to international contexts. In most other fields, English is used for its connotative value, to evoke modernity, technological advances, coolness, educational pretense and sophistication.