French for Professional Communication (Cert. Proficiency) (30 credits)
Offered by: Global & Strategic Comm.
Degree credit weight: 30
Program Description
This award-winning part-time certificate program has been designed to enable students to master, in both oral and written French, the linguistic and communicative skills necessary to function effectively in a professional francophone environment.
The program is the equivalent of one year of full-time university studies, requires the completion of ten 3-credit courses, and starts at the low-intermediate level (courses CEFN 211 Functional French Grammar/Writing 1. and CEFN 212 French Communication Practice 1.). Students with a basic or an elementary knowledge of French will need to complete credit prerequisite courses before entering the program. Those credit courses won't be accepted as part of the Certificate. The overall program structure is divided into two modules:
- The Preparatory Module comprises four prerequisite courses (one at the basic level and three at the elementary level) of 39 hours each.
- The Intermediate and Advanced Credit Module consists of ten 3-credit courses of 39 hours each. It includes courses at the 200, 300, and 400 levels.
The program is offered three times a year: in Fall and Winter for a period of 13 weeks (Preparatory and Intermediate and Advanced Credit Modules). In Spring, both Modules last nine weeks. Courses are offered during the evening and on Saturday mornings.
Every student registered in a credit or non-credit course has exclusive access to online pedagogical material and other resources through the myCourses platform. This allows students to participate in virtual projects and/or reinforce their language training on an individual basis and at their own pace. The communication tools integrated in myCourses further consolidate the individual pedagogical support offered by the lecturer.
The program leads, under certain conditions, to the Certificate in Proficiency - French for Professional Communication (see "Academic Regulations"). The level of this certificate corresponds to the Advanced Level recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). For information on term dates, please refer to the Department's website.
Prerequisite courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CEFN 102 | Basic French. | 3 |
Basic French. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 For students with little or no knowledge of French, classes will provide instruction in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Course content, including grammatical structures, phonetics and thematic vocabulary, is aimed at helping the students develop the basic linguistic and communicative skills required to operate in simple day-to-day situations. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 104 | Elementary French . | 3 |
Elementary French . Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 For students with basic knowledge of French, classes will provide instruction in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Course content, including grammar, phonetics, thematic vocabulary and functional expressions, is aimed at helping the students develop the basic linguistic and communicative skills required to operate in simple social contexts. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 106 | Fundamentals of French Grammar and Writing. | 3 |
Fundamentals of French Grammar and Writing. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 For students at an Elementary level wishing to acquire competency in reading and writing at this level. Vocabulary and grammar through written/oral exercises and communicative activities are aimed at helping students develop the linguistic skills required to operate in various simple social and cultural contexts. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 107 | Fundamentals of French Oral Communication. | 3 |
Fundamentals of French Oral Communication. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 For students at an Elementary level wishing to acquire oral and written communicative competence at this level. Vocabulary, grammar and strategies are aimed at helping students develop listening and communicative skills required to operate in various simple social and cultural contexts. See course page for more information |
Required courses - Intermediate and Advanced (30 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CEFN 211 | Functional French Grammar/Writing 1. | 3 |
Functional French Grammar/Writing 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a Low Intermediate level wishing to acquire competency in reading and writing at this level. Vocabulary and grammar through written/oral exercises and communicative activities embedded in social/work related situations, including linguistic accuracy needed in socio-cultural settings and in professional life. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire bas qui veulent développer, en compréhension et expression écrites, une compétence propre à ce niveau. L'étude du vocabulaire et de la grammaire se fait par le biais d'exercices écrits et oraux, ainsi que par des activités communicatives menées dans un contexte socioculturel et professionnel. L'accent est mis sur la précision
linguistique requise pour être efficace en société et au travail.
See course page for more information |
| CEFN 212 | French Communication Practice 1. | 3 |
French Communication Practice 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a Low Intermediate level wishing to acquire oral and written communicative competence at this level. Vocabulary, grammar and strategies needed in professional life and in socio-cultural situations, including listening and communicative skills. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire bas qui veulent développer, en communication orale et écrite, une compétence propre à ce niveau. Il vise à développer le vocabulaire, la grammaire et les stratégies nécessaires pour interagir dans la vie professionnelle et dans diverses situations socioculturelles. L'accent est mis sur l'écoute et l'aptitude à communiquer. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 221 | Functional French Grammar/Writing 2. | 3 |
Functional French Grammar/Writing 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a Mid Intermediate level wishing to acquire competency in reading and writing at this level. Vocabulary and grammar through written/oral exercises and communicative activities embedded in social/work related situations, including linguistic accuracy needed in socio-cultural settings and in professional life. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire moyen qui veulent développer, en compréhension et expression écrites, une compétence propre à ce niveau. L'étude du vocabulaire et de la grammaire se fait par le biais d'exercices écrits et oraux, ainsi que par des activités communicatives menées dans un contexte socioculturel et professionnel. L'accent est mis sur la précision linguistique requise pour être efficace en société et au travail. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 222 | French Communication Practice 2. | 3 |
French Communication Practice 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a Mid Intermediate level wishing to acquire oral and written communicative competence at this level. Vocabulary, grammar and strategies needed in professional life and in socio-cultural situations, including listening and communicative skills. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire moyen qui veulent développer, en communication orale et écrite, une compétence propre à ce niveau. Il vise à développer le vocabulaire, la grammaire et les stratégies nécessaires pour interagir dans la vie professionnelle et dans diverses situations socioculturelles. L'accent est mis sur l'écoute et l'aptitude à communiquer. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 331 | Functional French Grammar/Writing 3. | 3 |
Functional French Grammar/Writing 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a High Intermediate level wishing to acquire competency in reading and writing at this level. Vocabulary and grammar through written/oral exercises and communicative activities embedded in social/work related situations, including linguistic accuracy needed in socio-cultural settings and in professional life. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire élevé qui veulent développer, en compréhension et expression écrites, une compétence propre à ce niveau. L'étude du vocabulaire et de la grammaire se fait par le biais d'exercices écrits et oraux, ainsi que par des activités communicatives menées dans un contexte socioculturel et professionnel. L'accent est mis sur la précision linguistique requise pour être efficace en société et au travail. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 332 | French Communication Practice 3. | 3 |
French Communication Practice 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at a High Intermediate level wishing to acquire oral and written communicative competence at this level. Vocabulary, grammar and strategies needed in professional life and in socio-cultural situations, including listening and communicative skills. /
Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants de niveau intermédiaire élevé qui veulent développer, en communication orale et écrite, une compétence propre à ce niveau. Il vise à développer le vocabulaire, la grammaire et les stratégies nécessaires pour interagir dans la vie professionnelle et dans diverses situations socioculturelles. L'accent est mis sur l'écoute et l'aptitude à communiquer. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 411 | French Grammar/Writing Techniques. | 3 |
French Grammar/Writing Techniques. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at an advanced level. Reviews grammatical structures. Explores specialized vocabulary and writing techniques for coherence, conciseness, clarity, accuracy, style, tone and audience. Strategies for revising, editing and effectively communicating the written message. /
Ce cours propose aux étudiants de niveau avancé une révision des règles grammaticales, un examen du vocabulaire spécialisé et l'étude de stratégies permettant de rédiger avec plus de cohérence, de clarté, de concision, de précision et d'efficacité. Le cours présente aussi quelques techniques d'autocorrection. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 412 | French Oral Communication Techniques. | 3 |
French Oral Communication Techniques. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at an advanced level. Provides principles and practice of effective oral communication. Focuses on accuracy, interaction, meaning, and fluency in a variety of work-related situations, including techniques for informative, persuasive, argumentative, and impromptu speaking. /
Ce cours permet aux étudiants de niveau avancé de développer et de mettre en pratique les techniques nécessaires à une communication orale efficace. L'accent est mis sur la précision linguistique, la compétence pragmatique et l'aisance requises dans une variété de situations professionnelles. Des techniques propres à différents types de discours (informatif, persuasif, argumentatif, impromptu) sont aussi examinées. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 421 | French Written Communication Contexts. | 3 |
French Written Communication Contexts. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 Designed for students at an advanced level. Emphasizes formal and informal advanced written communication for social/professional purposes in inter-personal, group and organizational settings. Focuses on a variety of North American and international contexts. /
Ce cours permet aux étudiants de niveau avancé de s'exercer à la rédaction d'une grande variété de communications écrites répondant à des objectifs sociaux ou professionnels spécifiques: lettres ou documents formels ou informels, adressés à des individus, à des groupes de personnes ou à des organismes. Ces communications sont étudiées dans des contextes nord-américains et internationaux. See course page for more information |
| CEFN 422 | French Oral Communication Contexts. | 3 |
French Oral Communication Contexts. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 Designed for students at an advanced level. Focuses on advanced formal and informal oral communication for social/professional purposes in inter-personal, group and organizational contexts. Explores the discourse of professional milieus in North American and international settings. /
Ce cours permet aux étudiants de niveau avancé de s'exercer à une grande variété de communications orales répondant à des objectifs sociaux ou professionnels spécifiques : discours formels ou informels, adressés à des individus, à des groupes de personnes ou à des organismes. Ces communications orales sont étudiées dans des contextes nord-américains et internationaux. See course page for more information |
Complementary courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CEFN 401 | French Vocabulary in Context. | 3 |
French Vocabulary in Context. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Focuses on French communication through the study of vocabulary and its function in discourse. Broadens the field and mode of oral/written communication by developing "lexical competence". Identifies the nature and role of words, phrases and idioms through the study of semantics and intense practice of vocabulary in context./ Ce cours se concentre sur la communication par le truchement de l'étude du vocabulaire et de ses fonctions dans le discours. Il cherche à développer une véritable « compétence lexicale » tant à l'oral qu'à l'écrit. L'enrichissement du vocabulaire se fera par l'identification de la nature et du rôle des mots, des locutions ou des expressions figées, par l'étude des champs sémantiques et par une pratique intensive favorisant le réemploi en contexte.
See course page for more information |
| CEFN 402 | Persuasive French in Communication. | 3 |
Persuasive French in Communication. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 Development of oral and written skills necessary for efficient communication in persuasive and argumentative situations, including argumentation mechanisms, and a study of linguistic and discursive elements for the convincing transmission of complex ideas./ Ce cours vise à développer, tant à l'oral qu'à l'écrit, les compétences nécessaires pour communiquer efficacement dans des échanges argumentés. Il traite des mécanismes de l'argumentation et propose une étude des éléments linguistiques et discursifs permettant une transmission convaincante d'idées complexes.
See course page for more information |
Notes:
* 1 Students who begin their studies with courses CEFN 221 Functional French Grammar/Writing 2./CEFN 222 French Communication Practice 2. and who would like to be admitted to the Certificate of Proficiency - French for Professional Communication must take two complementary courses (CEFN 401 French Vocabulary in Context. and CEFN 402 Persuasive French in Communication.), or equivalent courses as approved by the Language and Intercultural Communication unit, to satisfy the requirements of the program. These courses may be taken as part of the advanced module of the program. For more information, please contact the academic unit.
* 2 Students who begin their studies with courses CEFN 331 Functional French Grammar/Writing 3./CEFN 332 French Communication Practice 3. and who would like to be admitted to the Certificate of Proficiency - French for Professional Communication must take up to two Comprehensive Challenge Exams which correspond to the previous level (CEFN 221 Functional French Grammar/Writing 2./CEFN 222 French Communication Practice 2.), and two complementary courses (CEFN 401 French Vocabulary in Context. and CEFN 402 Persuasive French in Communication.), or equivalent courses as approved by the Language and Intercultural Communication unit, in order to satisfy the requirements of the program. These courses may be taken as part of the advanced module of the program. For more information, please contact the academic unit.
* 3 Students who begin their studies with courses CEFN 411 French Grammar/Writing Techniques./CEFN 412 French Oral Communication Techniques. are not eligible for admission to the Certificate of Proficiency - French for Professional Communication. However, these students may register as Special Students and may be eligible to receive the McGill Attestation of Proficiency in French if they successfully complete all four (4) courses of the Advanced Module (CEFN 411 French Grammar/Writing Techniques. CEFN 412 French Oral Communication Techniques., CEFN 421 French Written Communication Contexts., and CEFN 422 French Oral Communication Contexts.) with a minimum grade of B- (65%).
AVIS IMPORTANT
Veuillez noter que les Challenge Exams ne sont plus offerts. Les étudiants qui obtiennent un niveau de placement INT-High (CEFN 331/CEFN 332) ne peuvent pas compléter les 30 crédits requis pour obtenir le Certificat de compétence. Ils sont toutefois admissibles à recevoir une Attestation de compétence après avoir réussi le niveau Avancé-2 (CEFN 421 et CEFN 422).
