Description of specialized French courses by field of employment for immigrants

These courses will allow you to improve your French in a specific field of employment, whether for work or study.

Specialized French courses are available in the following fields of employment:

• Accounting and Finance;
• Administration, Law and Business;
• Cooking and catering;
• Early childhood education;
• Engineering and Applied Sciences;
• Health;
• Nursing;
• Sales and service support;
• Information and communications technology.

If you want to work or study in one of these fields, the courses will allow you to:

• Improve your communication with colleagues and users;
• Reach a level of French that corresponds to your professional field and that will help you practice your profession;
• Access a job or undertake studies in French.

While taking these distance learning courses, you may enroll in an online course. To find out more, visit the page Applying for admission to fully online French courses for immigrants living in Québec.

Course Levels

The levels of specialized French courses vary according to the field of employment. They generally range from intermediate to advanced.

The levels of spoken and written French developed in specialized French courses vary depending on the field of employment and are generally intermediate and advanced according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Québec Scale of French Proficiency Levels - in French only).

The Intermediate level comprises levels 5 to 8 of the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. Below are some examples of content from intermediate-level specialized French courses:

• Receiving information and instructions during a work meeting.
• Informing and advising users about computer equipment.
• Reading economic forecasts and market research.

Some specialized French courses for specific fields of employment aim to help students acquire the spoken knowledge associated with level 9 of the advanced level of the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. Below are some examples of content from advanced-level specialized French courses:

• Negotiating contracts and resolving disputes with suppliers and customers.
• Presenting project results to clients and suggesting ways to improve them.
• Providing advice to customers on the purchase and sale of products or services.

Assessment

An interview and the writing of a text are sometimes necessary to assess whether your knowledge of French is sufficient to follow the chosen course. The assessment may last between 15 to 60 minutes.

If your language skills are not sufficient or too advanced to follow the specialized French course you have chosen, you can benefit from another French learning service.

Schedule

There are usually 10 or 11 weeks of classes per session.

Depending on the field of employment, courses may be taught in a classroom setting or by distance learning, full-time or part-time, at different paces.

Free of charge

French courses and school materials are free.

Computer equipment required

To take a distance learning course, you must have:

• A computer or tablet capable of supporting a video conferencing application;
• A tablet or computer equipped with a camera and a microphone;
• A reliable Internet access;
• A personal email address (used only by you);
• A keyboard (preferably in French);
• Headphones, if needed.

The use of a cell phone is not recommended.

Note that studying in a quiet, private workspace makes it easier for you to learn.

Technology skills required

You must be able to use your computer equipment to participate in distance learning activities. For example, you must be able to:

• Open an email;
• Access online learning platforms;
• Participate in videoconferences.