As a language expert with a deep understanding of linguistic geography and demographics, I'm often asked about the reach and influence of various languages around the globe. French, with its rich history and cultural significance, is one of the languages that hold a special place in international communication and education. It's widely recognized as an official language in multiple countries and is spoken by a significant number of people worldwide.

When considering the second largest French speaking city, it's important to take into account not just the number of speakers, but also the context in which the language is used. French is indeed taught in nearly every country, with an impressive 100 million students and 2 million teachers engaging with the language. This widespread educational reach is a testament to the language's global importance, with 20% of these educators and learners being located outside of traditionally francophone countries.

Now, coming to the specifics of French speaking cities, Paris is often recognized as the epicenter of the French language, given that it is the capital of France and home to a significant portion of the country's population. However, when we look beyond Paris for the second largest French speaking city, there are a few contenders that come to mind.

One such city is Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With a population that surpasses 15 million, Kinshasa is a major urban center in Africa and has a substantial French-speaking population. The DRC, being a former Belgian colony, has French as one of its official languages, which contributes to the high number of French speakers in Kinshasa.

However, it's also crucial to consider other cities with significant French-speaking populations.
Montreal in Canada is known for its bilingualism, with a large portion of its population speaking French. Montreal's French-speaking community is a result of Quebec's historical ties to France and the continued influence of French culture in the region.

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is another city where French is widely spoken. Despite being a bilingual city with Dutch and French as its primary languages, Brussels has a significant French-speaking population due to its status as a hub for international politics and business, including the headquarters of the European Union.

When evaluating which city is the second largest French speaking city in the world, it's essential to consider the total number of French speakers, the proportion of the city's population that speaks French, and the cultural and historical context of French usage in each city. While Kinshasa may have a higher number of French speakers in absolute terms due to its larger population, the percentage of French speakers in Montreal and Brussels might be higher when considering the overall demographics of these cities.

In conclusion, determining the second largest French speaking city is a complex task that involves analyzing various factors. While Kinshasa is a strong contender due to its large population and the prevalence of French in the DRC, other cities like Montreal and Brussels also hold significant French-speaking communities that contribute to the global French-speaking landscape.

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French is also the only language, with English, that is taught in every country of the world, with 100 million students and 2 million teachers -C 20 % of whom are outside of francophone countries. Kinshasa is the world's second largest French speaking city, after Paris, and before Montreal and Brussels.read more >>