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Language Learning Guide

Are you looking for courses, groups or clubs to learn or practice your language skills?  Check out the following resources to improve your French or English with low-cost.

French

Language Exchange, Conversation Clubs and Mini Courses

  • SSMU MiniCourses: Different levels of language courses – from level 1 to conversational French.
  • PGSS Courses: All level French language courses for graduate students. Courses are offered in all semesters, ranging from 2 to 10 weeks.
  • Language Partnering Program: This program allows you to be matched with a Francophone or non-Francophone with whom you practice French and another language online.
  • Lingo Buddies: MISN's initiative to facilitate language exchanges between students from various universities in Montreal.
  • Université de Montréal: This linguistics program pairs up both English and French-speaking students for language exchange with very low cost.
  • The WELL Office: This office organizes and provides resources to assist medical learners to learn French through French medical workshops and conversation groups.
  • YES Montreal: Interactive classes for individuals with little or no previous language abilities.
  • Conversation exchange: Practice your second language by meeting up with native in your area.
  • Meetup: Meet up with people or groups to exchange languages or practice French in Montreal.
  • Promis: Part time French classes for free in Montreal. The inclusive teaching approach used in the courses promotes active participation in class and fosters a climate conducive to learning French.
  • The Language Laboratory at the BaNQ: Using microphones and headsets, you can acquaint yourself with a foreign language or improve your knowledge of it, at your own pace, using one of the 20 workstations placed at the disposal of BAnQ subscribers.
  • French Tutoring: Looking for tutors?  Check out SSMU Marketplace ads.

French Programs for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents

Most of these programs are offered with Adult Education Centres or community centres.  These programs are for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

  • Explore: This is a five-week language bursary program with most expenses covered. The program takes place in spring or summer.
  • Languages at Work: A summer employment program designed to provide Canadian students with practical summer job experience.
  • Commission Scolaire de Montréal - Adult Education Centres: Offers many types of French language courses. Contact each centre for details.
  • Immigration Québec: General information on French courses available to immigrants in Quebec. Links to full-time courses, part-time courses, online courses, French courses in the workplace and specialized French courses..  You will need to contact the organization of your choice and register with them.
  • CACI: This centre offers both French courses as well as language conversation workshops.

Courses Offered at McGill and Cegeps

McGill University offers both non-credit and credit courses. You can also take language courses with cegeps.

  • McGill School of Continuing Studies - French Programs: For non-credit courses, the school offers intensive courses, part-time courses as well as language courses for workplace.
  • McGill French Language Centre: The French Language Centre is a department of the Faculty of Arts.  The Centre offers French as a second language credit courses to students registered in any academic program.  Courses offered at the Centre: Oral and written courses, cultural content courses, summer studies, fall and winter courses.  Click the menu link "Courses and Programs" for a full list.
  • McGill Summer Studies: This is a 6-week intensive course with the aim to offer an extraordinary opportunity to enhance your French communication skills and discover Quebec’s vibrant culture in the largest French-speaking city in North America.
  • Cegeps: The following cegeps offer French language courses of all levels.  Please contact each cegep for course details.

English

Language Exchange, Conversation Clubs and Mini Courses

  • Meetup: Meet up with people or groups to exchange languages or practice English in Montreal.
  • SSMU MiniCourses: From time to time, SSMU offers English language courses.  Please contact them for more information.
  • Agence Ometz: Language programs for all levels - from beginners to advanced.
  • English Tutoring: Looking for tutors?  Check out SSMU Marketplace ads.
  • McGill Writing Centre: Contact the Centre for resources to improve your academic writing skills. The Centre offers special writing courses as well as tutorial service.
  • Odyssey: This is a nine-month language bursary program with most expenses covered.
  • Conversation exchange: Practice your second language by meeting up with native in your area.
  • Mundo Lingo: Mundo Lingo organizes free language socials to make new friends and practice your second language.
  • The Language Laboratory at the BaNQ: Using microphones and headsets, you can acquaint yourself with a foreign language or improve your knowledge of it, at your own pace, using one of the 20 workstations placed at the disposal of BAnQ subscribers.

Courses Offered at McGill and Cegeps

McGill University offers both non-credit and credit-based courses. You can also take language courses with cegeps.

Language Schools

If you are looking to take language courses outside McGill, here is a list of selected language schools.

Please note that CaPS and McGill do not endorse any particular websites/services; the listing is for your information only.
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