It derived from Latin over 2,000 years ago. Other Romance languages are Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Rumanian. French has had a lot of influence on our own language English. This is due in part to the constant wars between the French and the English. For a time French was the official language in the royal and law courts and for the educated people in England.
Cognates are words in different languages but they are derived from the original word.
Teach the French monetary system. Teach the metric system. Study Canada or other French speaking countries.