Parlez-vous français?
French is one of the two official languages of Canada, and is spoken by close to 275 million people worldwide. It’s also an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO and the International Olympic Committee.
At Continuing Studies, you can learn French in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Our French language programs offer:
- up-to-date materials and techniques
- daytime and evening course options (if enrolment permits)
- one or two classes per week, for two or three hours, depending on your level and the program you choose
- easy transition between programs and levels
We offer French language courses and programs for every skill level, from casual beginners to people seeking French language for professional development.
| OFFERING | Comprehensive French | French Language Conversation Classes | La Maison Française |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEVELS | Levels 1 – 4 (Introductory to Advanced) | Introductory to Advanced | Levels 1 – 8 (Introductory to Advanced) |
| CLASSES PER WEEK | Twice per week for 2 hrs x 13 weeks | Once per week for 2 hrs x 10 weeks | Five times per week for 4 hrs x 5 weeks |
| OFFERED | September and January | September, January and April | July |
| PRIMARY FOCUS | Listening, speaking, reading and writing | Conversation skills | Listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| EXAM & GRADED ASSIGNMENTS | |||
| CREDENTIAL | Certificate – upon successful completion of each level | Certificate – upon successful completion | |
| BEST SUITED FOR | Anyone wanting to confidently and competently develop fluency in French. | Anyone wanting to learn and practice their spoken French in a casual but dynamic setting. | Anyone wanting to quickly learn French in an immersive setting including classroom instruction, activities and workshops. |
| MORE DETAILS | View Series | View Series | View Program |
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Comprehensive French Classes, level 1 (FREN100)
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Comprehensive French Classes, level 2 (FREN200)
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Comprehensive French Classes, level 3 (FREN300)
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Comprehensive French Classes, level 4 (FREN400)
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French Language Advanced Course
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French Language Conversation Classes: Introductory
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French Language Conversation Classes: Beginner
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French Language Conversation Classes: Intermediate
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French Language Conversation Classes: Advanced
Courses open for registration
Courses open for registration
Courses open for registration
French Language
Improve your language proficiency and gain a detailed knowledge of Francophone cultures in Canada and around the world. This non-credit diploma program is open to adults at all levels of proficiency.
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General Studies
This flexible certificate program allows you to customize a course of study to meet your specific learning goals.
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La Maison Française
La Maison Française is an intensive, non-credit, summer French immersion program. It is open to local and international students and is intended for adults 19 years and up, at all levels of proficiency, from total beginner to advanced.
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Teaching French Immersion
This program is designed for in-service and pre-service teachers interested in teaching French Immersion. You'll learn the theory and practice behind teaching French immersion and learn the linguistic, cultural and attitudinal tools to move ahead in your profession.
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There are lots of reasons for people to want to learn a new language, but science is also discovering some new, rather surprising benefits of being bilingual!
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Jan Henry is a recent graduate of the French Language Diploma Program. Her journey began in 1988 and, with many life experiences in between, managed to return and graduate from the program in 2018!
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Lauren joined the Division of Continuing Studies a year ago as our French and World Languages Program Coordinator, and when asked what she's enjoyed most about her job, she said "It's difficult to pick just one thing… I work with such smart, innovative people and good souls in the division, and right from the start I really felt like the leadership team, staff and instructors were on my side.
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Michelle Pieke is a Canadian physiotherapist working in a leprosy clinic in West Africa. Find out how taking the French Language Diploma Program (FLDP) helped her get there.
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Known for his quick wit, and his love of language and music, Didier Bergeret was one of the kindest, most compassionate souls you would ever have the pleasure to meet. You couldn’t help but be drawn to his selfless nature and big boisterous personality, one that always seemed to fall on the side of optimism.
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Have you ever wanted to design your own credential? Have you ever struggled to find a program that meets your specific interests and needs? Then you might be interested in our newest program: the Certificate in General Studies.
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After six years of university—never mind the 13 years I spent as a French immersion student in the Saanich school district—I had completed my teaching certificate and was starting the career I had dreamed of. I knew I was fully equipped to teach students at the elementary level, but when I thought of teaching students in the French immersion program, something was missing.
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"Nan" Walmsley celebrates her 90th birthday this year but shows no sign of slowing down in her quest to learn new things. Since fall 1998, she has taken around 165 courses through Continuing Studies.
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