Why learn French in Canada?
French, Canada’s second official language
Canada is a vast country located in North America. It once belonged to the territory of New France between 1544 and 1763 following its exploration by the French navigator Jacques Cartier. You can still see the legacy of the French explorers with the French language being one of the country’s official languages alongside with the English.
Which territories speak French? Canada is divided into 13 provinces and among them is the province of Quebec, which is considered the great French-speaking province or the “French part”, with Quebec City as its capital, which was also the capital of New France in the past. French is of course the official language, as it is in the rest of the country, but it is also the dominant language since it is used in daily interactions, in business and also in school. In addition to Quebec, French-speaking communities are present in other provinces that are predominantly English-speaking, such as Ontario (Franco-Ontarians) or Manitoba (Franco-Manitobans).
New Brunswick is the only Canadian province that is officially bilingual (French-English) and it’s French-speaking community is known as the « Acadians ». In all provinces, French is used in administration, you can also see it in public transportation, signs for provincial parks and even in everyday places, such as cafés or restaurants, with menus translated in French. In other words, if you wish to fully integrate into the Canadian society, French will be very useful and will allow you to immerse yourself in Canada’s culture.
Professional opportunities
As French is one of the official languages of the country, it is highly recommended to master it to find a job. If you wish to work for companies, for administrative institutions or the public administrations, French will be essential to communicate with your colleagues or your work partners. One of the most common examples is that of Canadian civil servants who must pass language exams to access certain positions. Speaking French will ensure that you do not miss out on any professional opportunities, and that you are able to hold qualified and responsible positions. You will be able to carry out your daily tasks in English as well as in French, to write documents and to express yourself spontaneously in French.
Furthermore, French-speaking workers are highly sought after by Canadian employers. In addition, your learning of the French language can lead you to other horizons and open your career internationally, perhaps by obtaining a position in other French-speaking countries.
Therefore, whether you want to blend into Canadian society, learn more about Canadian history, expand your job prospects, discover the beauty of French culture or prepare for a trip to a French-speaking country, we can only recommend that you learn French! Are you convinced?
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