The Mon français Program

Mon français is intended for international Tenure-Stream and Ranked CAS colleagues who are pursuing permanent residency in Canada. Spouses of eligible faculty members are also welcome and encouraged to participate. The goal of the program is to help new faculty become conversant in French in order to facilitate engagement with the broader community in Montréal and in Québec, and to prepare them to pass the B2 Level of the Test d'évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (TEFAQ).

Mon français is offered at the McGill School of Continuing Studies (Downtown Campus). It is a voluntary, non-credit, interactive program that emphasizes participation and active development of communication skills, in a learner-friendly environment. Content for each module is designed to draw from situations relevant to the higher education landscape. Modules will also include opportunities for use of French in ‘real life’ contexts; activities will include local guest speakers and opportunity for activities outside the classroom which invite participants to visit cultural sites across Montréal.

To support participation in the program, eligible international faculty on a temporary work authorization may request each of the accommodations below once. All requests should be discussed with the department chair:

  • Release from one 3-credit course  during the period in which they participate in the Mon français program
  • Relief of certain service obligations to the faculty member’s department and/or Faculty during the period in which they participate in the Mon français program
  • One-year deferral of reappointment or  tenure consideration

Program Structure

The Mon français program includes three core modules, Beginner, Intermediate 1, and Intermediate 2. Participants may choose to progress at their own pace, but the program is designed such that all three modules may be completed within 24 months.

The program includes asynchronous, self-directed activity intended to prepare and support participants for in-person, synchronous activities. Participants receive regular feedback and guidance as to their progress, but with limited formal assessments. Learning objectives are competency-based and aligned with established proficiency frameworks such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), and L’Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français.

Your level of proficiency will be assessed at the time of registration, to confirm the level you should enrol in. 

Bridging activities are offered during summer periods between modules (April through August) to help participants sustain and further develop new knowledge and skills. These activities focus on ‘real life’ application of acquired language skills with approximately 2 hours of in-person activity each month.

Procedure for Course Release Accommodation

Only international faculty on a temporary work authorization who qualify for Mon Francais are eligible to request a one-time 3-credit course release. 

  • The eligible professor must make the request to the department chair. 
  • The faculty will make arrangements to offer the course once an agreement has been reached between the chair and the eligible professor. 
  • The faculty will provide to the Academic Personnel Office a list of all the professors who were granted the course release. The list should be submitted twice yearly: in April and December. 
  • After confirmation with the School of Continuing Studies that the participant completed the course, the Academic Personnel Office will proceed to reimburse 50% of the expense incurred by the Faculty for the 3-credit course release. 
  • The transfer of funds will be allocated via the Compact process.

Permanent Residents and Canadian Citizens

The Mon français program is intended primarily for international tenure-stream faculty and ranked contract academic staff (and their spouses) who have not yet achieved permanent residency in Canada but space permitting, permanent residents and citizens will be welcome to join as well. If you would be interested in participating in future sections of Mon français, please contact Michelle Cubano-Guzman.