'Parlez-vous Francais?'

Before the recent primary election, the sign near the Kane County Government Center exhorted people -- in English and Spanish -- to vote early there.

Voice mail messages in Spanish are common. Help wanted ads sometimes specify bilingual help -- and they don't mean German or French.

The growing emphasis on Spanish was made crystal clear recently in Park Ridge-Niles Elementary District 64. At the request of parents, administrators decided to eliminate teaching French in favor of all Spanish. French had been taught at two of the five elementary schools, while Spanish was taught at the remaining three.

I'd insert the French phrase for "good grief" if I remembered it from my own high school French class days, but I don't.

Certainly, knowing and speaking Spanish is a useful skill here in the United States. But it's not the only language in the world. In fact, it's not the prevalent language of the world. There are many reasons to answer "oui" if someone asks, "Parlez-vous Francais?"

"At this point, Germany, France and England are still economic powerhouses of Europe," pointed out Martha Behlow, French teacher at Geneva High School.

So anyone thinking of a business career would be well-served by learning French. Africa includes many French-speaking countries, or countries where French is a unifying language, she said.

"It's a language of government in northern and western Africa," she added.

One need look no farther than the latest installment of the "Bourne" movies, Behlow said. In a scene set in a hospital in Morocco, the characters aren't speaking Spanish -- they're speaking French.

Other French teachers have pointed out in teacher handouts discussing foreign language choices that French and English are official "working languages" of many world organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Red Cross.

It's the official language in more than 50 countries and is spoken on five continents, according to Behlow.

"I don't expect everybody to want to be a French teacher, but if they're interested in medicine, business, engineering or human services, it will have a benefit," said Behlow, who is in her seventh year of teaching the language at GHS.

"Maybe a student will become a scientist or doctor and have the opportunity to do post-doctoral work in Switzerland or France. Maybe one will work in a multinational company and go overseas," said Behlow, adding that Brussels is considered a business hub of Western Europe, and French is spoken there.

About 175 students study French at GHS, Behlow estimated, and about 13 are taking Advanced Placement French V this year, the highest level offered.

"I chose French because I wanted to be able to travel more overseas, and it was a more interesting language, more elegant," said Rebecca Livingston. "I plan to study international business in college, so I'm very happy that I'm learning French now."

Katy Goodyear initially chose French because her sister did. Katy's happy with the choice.

"It's a much more romantic language than Spanish, and the culture is really fascinating," she said.

She plans to continue her studies, though she doesn't know where they will take her.

Emily Kettell plans to double-major in French and international relations in college, with an eye to traveling in France and hopefully studying and living in Paris.

"It seemed more interesting than Spanish," she said of selecting French.

"I've never found myself in a situation where I needed Spanish, but I have had the opportunity to speak French with several friends' exchange students," said Caroline Meehan.

And during a trip to France she was able to converse "with the natives and townspeople," she said. She plans further trips to Europe and opportunities to use the language again.

Katherine Grubaugh also plans to use her knowledge of French in her future career. She plans to study international relations, with a French emphasis.

"French is going to help me a lot in my career, especially if I end up living in France or in Montreal," she said.

The reasons to study French info is kind of an affirmation in our house, because all three of my daughters have or are currently taking French. We just need one to put it to use studying in France -- and we'll all go visit. They can do the talking.