French academics protest in Paris over a planned government reform of higher education that includes a proposal to open up French universities to English language classes in fields like science and economics, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Banner reads : Save our university. (Benjamin Girette/AP)

We're all aware that English is now a global language, so it's no surprise that some universities abroad are teaching classes in English, instead of in their own languages.

Now France — famous for its efforts to protect the French language — is doing the unthinkable.

With a push from its minister of higher education, some schools are starting to teach their core classes in English.

But, as the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby reports from the French city of Reims, the move isn't supported by everyone.