French: Your Key to a Career in Health and Social Services in Quebec
Are you studying Health or Social Services at McGill? The French Language Centre (FLC), in collaboration with Dialogue McGill, offers a non-degree program in French as Second Language (FRSL) specifically designed for your future professional environment. The goal : to help you communicate more effectively in French in your workplace.
Eligibility
To take FRSL courses in the field of health and social services, you must be enrolled in one of the following faculties or programs:
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences
- Nutrition and Dietetics program
- McGill University’s Premedical program
Don't speak French yet? We do not offer beginner-level courses, but we invite you to begin your learning with a beginner-level course offered by the FLC.
Why take these courses?
In the field of health and social services, speaking French isn’t just an asset — it’s essential. Whether it’s to reassure a patient, explain a treatment, or simply connect with someone on a human level, your ability to communicate in French can transform an interaction… and a life.
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FRSL courses (for credit) provide a strong foundation in speaking, understanding, and interacting in professional contexts.
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FIGF courses (non-credit, free of charge) offer a stress-free environment to practice, improve your fluency in both speaking and writing, and explore the language at your own pace.
You will gain confidence, unlock new opportunities, and most importantly, be able to connect with everyone.
Credit Courses – FRSL
3-credit courses focused on functional French for healthcare and social services.
Non-Credit Courses – FIGF
Workshop – Prep for OQLF exam
Workshop focused on linguistic preparation for the OQLF in a professional context.
Frequently asked questions
Are these courses for credit?
Some of them are. All courses with a code starting with FRSL are for credit (3 credits). Courses with a code starting with FIGF are non-credit (0 credit) and are therefore offered free of charge.
Who can take these courses?
These courses are open to students enrolled in the following programs :
- All disciplines within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- All programs within the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences
- Dietetics, Nutrition, Social Work and Psychology
If you are unsure whether your program is eligible, contact dolly.abimansour [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Dolly Abi Mansour).
Are these courses free?
Refer to the first answer above:
- FIGF courses are free (0 credit)
- FRSL courses are for credit and subject to standard tuition fees
What is the registration deadline?
The registration period is the same as for elective courses offered by the FLC. This also applies to FIGF (0-credit) courses.
Are the courses online or in person?
Courses are offered in person to promote real interaction, active practice of French, and an enriching learning experience.
Where are the courses held?
Six out of seven courses are held on the downtown campus. Only the course for Dietetics students (FRSL 329-002) is offered on the Macdonald campus.
How is grading handled for for-credit courses?
In some undergraduate faculties, you may choose between:
- A letter grade (e.g., A, B, C)
- An S/U grade (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Exceptions: Students in Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy cannot choose the S/U grading option.
However, you may be eligible to register under the RX code, which means:
- No credits are awarded for the course
- The grade does not affect your GPA
To find out if you are eligible for RX, contact your faculty's Student Affairs Office.
For graduate students, S/U grading is generally not available, but the RX code may still apply, depending on your situation. Discuss this with your Student Affairs Office.
The RX code can only be granted if the French course is extra (not required and not part of your program requirements).
Student Affairs may consult :
- Enrolment Services
- The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
If you are unable to register for a French course due to credit limits, talk to Student Services for guidance.
Can I take these courses if I'm a French beginner?
No. These courses are not intended for beginners. A minimum A2 level is required to register for the lowest-level course in the stream.
If you are just starting out, contact the FLC to enroll in a beginner-level course (e.g., FRSL 101, 102, or 105). Once completed, you can then check your eligibility for the health and social services French courses.
Do these courses help prepare for the OQLF exam?
Yes. One of the objectives is to help students prepare for the OQLF exams, which are required in many health fields. If you have taken FRSL 330 and/or FIGF PMCO, you are generally better prepared for success.
OQLF preparation workshops are also offered in collaboration with certain programs. These workshops include practice exams that simulate the real OQLF exam.
To find out if your program is offering a workshop, contact:
- Your program coordinator
- Or dolly.abimansour [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Dolly Abi Mansour)
This program is funded by the Training and Retention of Health Professionals Project at McGill University, Dialogue McGill.
