French: An Essential Language for Settling in Quebec

In Quebec, French is much more than a language: it’s the key to successful integration, active civic participation, and access to services, employment, and social life. Mastering French means being able to communicate with your neighbors, get involved in the community, understand institutions, help your children with their schooling, and access public information. For newcomers, it’s a priority and a right, supported by government-sponsored French language courses. La Maisonnée offers French language courses every semester to promote and assist the integration of newcomers to Quebec.

Setting down roots in Quebec society therefore begins with a solid knowledge of French. This linguistic foundation is essential for thriving in daily life and building a solid future in a province proud of its language and culture.

An investment in your future

Learning English in Quebec doesn’t mean giving up your Francophone identity or your culture. On the contrary, it’s a strategic choice to strengthen your chances of success in an open, multicultural, and bilingual country. By mastering both of Canada’s official languages, you’ll give yourself the means to fully experience all aspects of your new life. Don’t wait any longer to take this important step. Government French courses and English courses offered at La Maisonnée will support you on this journey.

A bilingual country, a world of opportunities

In Canada, many businesses, government institutions, and organizations require French and value knowledge of English, even for positions located in French-speaking regions. By developing your English skills while strengthening your French, you increase your independence, confidence, and professional opportunities. Being bilingual in Canada is a valuable asset: it opens doors to a broader job market, gives you access to post-secondary education in both languages, and allows you to communicate effectively across the country. This is particularly true for sectors such as information technology, international trade, financial services, healthcare, tourism, and communications.

Learning both French and English therefore significantly broadens your scope, whether for:

Applying for a bilingual job
Pursuing post-secondary education at the university of your choice
Communicating with clients, colleagues, or partners from different provinces
Having access to more resources, information, and online training
Moving and settling anywhere in Canada without language barriers
Living in Quebec… and opening up to the rest of Canada

If your move to Quebec is taking place entirely in Quebec, fluency in French is essential, but knowing English can also give you a significant advantage. Montreal, for example, an international host city, is a French-speaking city where French is essential to daily life, and where English is also used in workplaces, businesses, and services. Being bilingual can mean the difference between landing a job or not, or between advancing in your career or staying put.

Courses tailored to your reality

La Maisonnée supports you in learning Canada’s two official languages by offering French and English courses tailored to your needs, your pace, and your integration process. Whether you’re just starting to learn French or want to improve your English to access new opportunities, our courses are designed to provide practical support in your resettlement project.

French courses: Are you starting your journey in Quebec and want to learn the language or strengthen your French to better integrate? La Maisonnée offers French courses tailored to your needs, focusing on daily life, work, and civic participation. To learn more: https://lamaisonnee.org/en/services/french-lessons-practices/

English courses: For French speakers wishing to broaden their perspectives in Quebec or the rest of Canada, English courses are also offered. They allow you to develop your vocabulary, improve your comprehension, and gain confidence in a professional or personal context. To learn more: https://lamaisonnee.org/en/services/english-lessons-multilingual-help/

Practice your French with our conversation workshops: After your French language training courses, it’s essential to continue practicing regularly. Our French conversation workshops allow you to interact in a friendly setting, consolidate your skills, and improve your oral fluency in Quebec. These workshops are free and open to anyone studying French who needs to strengthen their practical foundations in French. In-person workshops at La Maisonnée (6865 Christophe-Colomb Avenue, Montreal, H2S 2H3), every Tuesday:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/atelier-de-conversation-francaise-presentiel/
Online Workshops – Morning:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/atelier-de-conversation-francaise-matin/
Online Workshops – Evening:
https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/ateliers-conversation-francais-soir/

To schedule an appointment or ask questions:
Ziad Alokka (George)
Phone: 514-271-3533, ext. 219
Email: ziad.alokka@lamaisonnee.org

La Maisonnée also offers a wide range of free services to facilitate the integration of newcomers. Whether you need help finding housing, looking for a job, taking French or English language courses, accessing leisure activities, or benefiting from food assistance, youth support or health services, our organization is there to support you at every step of your journey.