Why learning French is a major asset 

Montréal is known for a lot of things: Céline Dion, the St. Lawrence River, snow, hockey, bagels … and French! The city’s French language and culture give it a unique charm, setting it apart from most major cities in North America. Learning French will allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and it will open the door to a world of career opportunities. 

Learn French at work  

What better excuse to take a break from the daily grind than to study a new language? Since French is the main language used by professionals in Greater Montréal, many companies offer lessons to their employees for free, some supported by the government. Ask your employer about the opportunities available at your office. 

French classes offered by the government  Quebecers are famous for their warm and open culture, so it’s no surprise that they love to share their language with newcomers. The Québec government works with several organizations to offer French classes free of charge—a great way to welcome you to Québec.
Learning a new language while meeting new people is a great way to integrate into the local culture. The government has developed a whole range of programs to fit newcomers’ goals and schedules—full-time classes, part-time classes, and even specialized classes designed for specific industries. Explore the different options available to you.

In Québec, you can take your pick of online services that let you learn French from the comfort of your own home. Check out the courses and exercises on the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration website and you’ll be speaking français like a local in no time!

Learn French at school  You’re never too old to go back to school and learn something new! Greater Montréal is home to a whole host of universities, colleges and school boards that provide French classes for newcomers. They also offer programs to help you integrate into the local culture in collaboration with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. Whether you’re looking to study part time or full time, morning or night, you can find the right French program for you. 

Universities offer a wide range of courses and programs for workers looking to improve their French. Université du Québec à Montréal, Université de Montréal and McGill University all offer French as a Second Language courses. Each of these programs includes specific courses (like oral conversation, scientific text comprehension and French for the business world) along with general language training.
Never went to cégep? That’s totally normal, since this is the Québec term for postsecondary (vocational or preuniversity) college! To meet the growing demand in the job market, cégeps in Greater Montréal have set up quarterly courses combining French and employability, along with intensive immersion classes. Here you can take courses specifically designed for different business sectors—from business administration, law and engineering to nursing and healthcare.
Private language schools offer more flexible hours and can build customized programs. You can also take one-on-one classes to improve your French vocabulary at the YMCA, the LPS school and the Institut Linguistique, to name just a few.
Greater Montréal’s school boards offer a range of French immersion and literacy courses for adults.
Did you know you can learn French over popcorn and a movie? Community and non-profit organizations around the city organize social activities (like movie nights) to promote learning French. Helping newcomers integrate is at the heart of what these organizations do. With the Fondation pour la langue française (whose honorary president is writer Dany Laferrière), you can learn French while you explore different neighbourhoods in the city and take part in fun cultural activities.
The Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ) in the heart of Montréal is home to a host of resources to help people learn French. When you become a BAnQ member, you get access to the language lab, where you can use microphones, headphones and different linguistic tools anytime you like. And don’t think a snowstorm will stop you from learning … you can find the same tools on the library’s website!
A language is about more than just words. It’s about communicating and connecting with the people around us. Meetup is just one of many organizations that understands this well. Their site will help you connect with fellow French learners over fun activities across the city. Mundo Lingo is another local initiative that gives you a chance to learn French and make new friends in a social setting. 
Don’t forget your diploma!

After all that hard work, you won’t want to graduate without proof of your new French skills. Make sure that the school or program you sign up for is recognized by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration and can provide you with a certificate or diploma showing that you’ve reached the intermediate to advanced level in oral French. If you plan to settle permanently in Québec, you’ll need this certificate (among other things) when you apply for your Québec Selection Certificate, the first step in obtaining your permanent residency. 
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