5 great reasons to learn French at Concordia
Whether you’re new to Montreal or a local,Concordia offers many ways to improve your French. We can help you strengthen your skills and feel more comfortable in daily life in Quebec.
1. Montreal is the perfect place to learn
When in Montreal . . . learn French! Montreal is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world. It offers daily opportunities to hear, speak and live in French.
Choosing Montreal means choosing a city where French is part of everyday life. It’s the ideal environment to learn and make meaningful connections.
2. It’s the best way to fully enjoy the city
Learning a language is also learning a culture. If you’re new to Montreal or Quebec, learning French can help you feel at home and connect with your new community.
3. You'll get an academic and professional edge
French isn’t just a bonus on your resumé — it can be essential. Many professional orders in Quebec ask for proof of your French skills.
Even when it’s not mandatory, speaking French opens more doors in Quebec’s job market.
(Concordia can help with career planning too!)
4. You don’t need to be fluent to start
You’ll find French courses designed for every level — even if you’re starting from zero:
- The Département d’études françaises offers beginner to advanced classes. Some courses are on a Succes/No Success basis, meaning they have no impact on your grade point average!
Bonus: if you are coming to Concordia from outside Quebec, you may be eligible for a lower tuition rate on French courses.
- Concordia Continuing Education offers non-credit classes, meaning they do not count towards degree requirements. These courses help you build skills in oral communication.
5. You’ll have support at every step
If you're from outside Quebec, visit Oui Can Help! to find learning pathways, ways to get your French skills recognized and more.
Other ways to keep the conversation going:
- Réussir en français, Concordia’s French-language hub, highlights resources, events, and ways to practice French, in the classroom and beyond.
- The Student Success Centre runs Jazz-ons, a French conversation practice session, and one-on-one language practice appointments.
- The Concordance program offered by Espace Franco pairs students to practice French (or other languages) in a friendly, conversational setting.