French Language Schools in Canada

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a view of the Eiffel Tower to master French. The world’s second-largest French-speaking city, Montréal, is less than 50 miles from the United States border, and there’s an entire region of Canada that prefers to commander un café than order a coffee. Canada is a great location to practice your French while also immersing yourself in an enticing mix of culture and tradition. Chow down on poutine, try your hand at dog sledding, and check out the almost weekly summer festivals as you study French in Canada. Pack your bags and prépare-toi!

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Edu-inter, International French School in Quebec City

Intensive French Immersion Programs in Quebec City

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Language Vacation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Canada has language schools and university French classes that offer tailored courses for various language levels. It's an excellent destination to practice your French while at the same time immersing yourself in an enticing blend of culture and heritage.

11 Benefits of Learning French in Canada

The duration to learn French in Canada varies based on your language level and goals. It could take anywhere from one to four weeks or more. Significant progress usually takes three months or longer of intensive classes, especially if aiming for conversational to proficient fluency.

What to Know About Learning French Abroad

The cost of studying French in Canada ranges from $500 to $7,000 or more, depending on the type of program, duration, and intensity. Language schools offer morning or full-day classes with cultural excursions, costing less than university courses. University programs, though pricier, provide a structured environment. Accommodation options like homestays or residence halls impact expenses.

The top destinations for learning French in Canada are Montréal and Québec City. Language schools here provide tailored courses with cultural immersion, offering a vibrant atmosphere for language acquisition. For a more structured environment, consider university French classes with dormitory accommodations. Both cities boast rich cultural experiences, ideal for students seeking an authentic French language journey in a diverse Canadian setting.

Latest Program Reviews

Want to learn to speak French? ...then this the place is for you!

August 15, 2019by: Kelley Mills - CanadaProgram: Intensive French Immersion Programs in Quebec City

I have 'studied' french in the classroom or with apps for years. I can conjugate the living daylights out of a verb...but I can"t communicate very well. Enter Edu Inter! While still a classroom setting, we spend most of our time in conversation with the Prof or the other students (we even go outside to chat with 'les Quebecois' too). Yes it was uncomfortable to speak, I made so many mistakes and it was at times embarrassing especially for a grown adult. But the placement test had me in the right class and after day 2 I began to relax my perfectionism and I started to embrace being a learner. I absolutely recommend this school for both teens and adults. You will not regret coming to Quebec City and Edu Inter to learn to speak french!!

Poor experience. I left!

January 02, 2019by: Kaaren Finlay - CanadaProgram: Learn French in Quebec City - Summer Immersion Program

I'm an adult student from Canada (Alberta, the other side of the country) who was at Edu-Inter for two weeks in July 2018 to improve my French. (I already have an Intermediate level DELF B2). I can't really speak to how this program is for the youth, though teens are the mainstay of their business, with students being about 80% youth to 20% adults (and not mixed). I must compliment Edu-Inter for a few things done well: the range and low cost of cultural, extra-curricular activities, including a great kayaking trip. The actual teaching is good (although yes, it is pretty worksheet-ish). I can't fault my individual instructors. The school site is a lovely, well located heritage building. However, they are so foolish to have this site as a summer school. It's not a space for learning, as it's far too hot with no air conditioning! July 2018 nobody could concentrate. The school admin. staff didn't seem to care; they just said that's the way it was and they limited the teachers to one barely-useful fan per classroom. It was so awful that I looked around for another school. Luckily I found one in Ecole Quebec Monde. Air conditioned and small class sizes. I learned more there in a week than I would have in three weeks at Edu-Inter. Also: be careful of additional surprise charges. Regarding housing, I signed up for a cheap University residence room, so I knew it would be small and simple. It was baking hot and unliveable. For my own health I had to leave and pay for several nights of a hotel room I had to organize myself, while the school figured out whether they could re-house me somewhere air conditioned. Happily they could. It was a lot of angst and wasted time in all. I was lucky I was able to do it all capably in French, with an adult's confidence, credit card and intolerance of b.s.

Want to learn to speak French? ...then this the place is for you!

August 15, 2019by: Kelley Mills - CanadaProgram: Intensive French Immersion Programs in Quebec City

Poor experience. I left!

January 02, 2019by: Kaaren Finlay - CanadaProgram: Learn French in Quebec City - Summer Immersion Program

A Guide to Learning French in Canada

Locations

Most people can name popular Canadian clichés pretty easily: hockey, maple syrup, and the frozen tundra often top such lists. But, did you know that one province operates entirely in French? A quarter of Canada’s population calls Québec home, and it’s just the place to fully immerse yourself in la francophonie. French language learners generally have two cities to choose from when it comes to intensive language classes in Canada: Montréal and Québec City. The two largest cities in Québec, each one has a unique personality that’s sure to have you speaking French in no time.

A lively metropolis of 1.6 million people, Montréal is the economic and cultural center of Québec. Each neighborhood has a different feel, so you can check out Vieux-Montréal and its historic, cobbled streets before heading to the trendy Plateau district for a live show and some late-night poutine at La Banquise. Outdoor lovers can hike up Mont Royal or check out Parc La Fontaine, and history buffs shouldn’t miss the Pointe-à-Callière museum, complete with underground city ruins.

Follow the St. Lawrence river and you’ll eventually arrive in Québec City. Founded in 1608, this capital city takes its history seriously. Whether you’re exploring the ramparts surrounding Vieux-Québec or touring the impressive Château Frontenac, reminders of Québec’s past are everywhere. When you’re done exploring the city’s cultural gems, head out of town and spend a weekend in the Laurentian mountains or the famed Ice Hotel.

French Language Programs in Canada

Whether you’re majoring in French and want to get a leg up on next semester’s courses or you’ve just started doing business with a French company, intensive French language courses in Canada can boost your understanding and start you down the road to fluency.

The most common way to learn French in Canada is at a language school. Courses at language schools in Canada will be tailored to your language level, and typically be offered as morning or all-day classes, Monday through Friday. Most French language schools in Canada will also organize cultural and social excursions throughout the week, so you can try your hand at skiing or cooking en français. Teens who want to learn French in Canada also have the option of spending several weeks at a summer language camp, where they can practice newly-learned slang with other students from around the world.

For those that crave transferable credits, longer commitments, and a real campus setting, university French classes exist as well. University French language courses are usually more structured, with specific start and end dates and a less customizable schedule. However, sometimes it’s nice to feel like a local college kid and then take a paper copy of your language acquisition successes back home. While university French classes (whether during a quick summer session or a semester-long program) tend to cost more than French courses at language schools in Canada, sometimes signing up directly, instead of through a third-party provider, can save you some money.

Language programs in Canada typically offer two types of accommodations: homestays and residence halls. Homestays are perfect for those who want full immersion; you’ll be thinking in French from morning until you say bonne nuit. Not only will your language skills progress at lightning speed, but living with locals will also help you understand daily life in Canada. Residence halls are another common accommodation option, offering language students dormitories with shared bathrooms and cooking facilities.

How fast you’ll progress depends on your language level and how much effort you put into speaking French every day. Plan to spend at least several weeks in class to see big improvements, especially if you want to jump from conversational to proficient. It may be easy to switch to English when the going gets tough, but you’ll improve by leaps and bounds if you do everything in French, from ordering that bagel at St-Viateur to visiting a cabane à sucre with your classmates.

French Subtleties & Nuances in Canada

French explorers first brought their language to Canada in the 17th century, and it has been evolving there ever since. While any French you learn in Canada will be understood by other French speakers, you’re sure to pick up phrases and accents that are specific to the region.

Most Québécois speak in varying registers of speech, which is a fancy way of saying they use a lot of slang. While standard French is taught in school and used in formal situations, you’re likely to encounter informal dialects while out and about, which may be confusing at first. You may question if what you’re hearing is, in fact, really French, but soon enough you’ll be nodding enthusiastically when your host asks you, “Vous voulez-tu manger?”

As speech becomes more informal, the amount of slang used rises proportionately. The Québécois have developed their own vocabulary since splitting from France 400 years ago, and there is a lot to learn. Some words were invented in Canada and have no meaning in France, such as magasiner (to go shopping) and mon chum (my boyfriend). Other words may mean one thing in Québec, but something else entirely in France, such as char (car in Canada, chariot in France). Knowing local slang will help you get around while studying French in Canada, but be aware of the differences if you plan to use your French elsewhere.

Something you’ll definitely notice is the distinctive accent that most Québécois possess. You’ll quickly find out that regional accents can be difficult to understand for the untrained ear, but if you keep at it, you’ll be mistaken for a local in no time!

Benefits & Challenges

French language programs in Canada are a great way to pick up a new language in a relaxed atmosphere. Compared to the United States, Canadians have a similar standard of living, and you’re likely to experience minimal culture shock upon arrival. In fact, you may feel so comfortable that when a shopkeeper asks, “Je peux vous aider?” it’ll be a firm reminder that you’re not in Kansas anymore!

Choosing to study French in Canada instead of another destination, such as France or Guadeloupe, is also smart for practical reasons. Living in Canada is relatively affordable, and prices in Montrél and Québec City are similar to urban areas in the United States. As an added bonus, those coming from North America will also benefit from cheaper airfare (or if you’re coming from New England, you can simply drive across the border!).

However, having so much English within arm’s reach can be tempting, especially in Montréal where most residents are bilingual. Don’t be tempted to speak English during your stay, whether with your server, your classmates, or anywhere else in the province. It will only hinder your progress. Besides, knowing you ordered that tourtière all on your own, en français, will be super rewarding.

Québec is often overshadowed by France’s legendary reputation, and its winters can be downright arctic, but don’t let these reasons dissuade you from making this amiable province your French classroom. Canadians are warm, welcoming folks and before you know it, you’ll feel right at home among them. Attache ta tuque (get ready)!