FREE PART-TIME FRENCH COURSES
BIENVENUE À NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Taking into account the circumstances related to COVID-19, Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has decided to maintain distance training for the 2020 Fall season.
The teaching method may change according to ministerial guidance. A face-to-face class could take place respecting the rules of Public Health.
Students will have to commit to participate actively in a training offered in accordance with the target schedule. In addition, the student who wishes to register must be equipped with an intelligent electronic device (computer or tablet) with camera, microphone and capable of supporting a videoconferencing or collaborative work application as well as unlimited Internet access or Wi-Fi.
Eligibility requirements for part-time French classes at Bienvenue à NDG
You are eligible for part-time French classes provided by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation et Integration, if one of the following immigration statuses applies to you:
- Obtained Permanent Residency.
- Someone who is authorized to apply for permanent residency.
- Someone that obtained Asylum.
- Seeking asylum in Canada while settled in Quebec.
- Holder of a temporary stay permit issued pending the granting of permanent residence or a Ministerial permit.
- Holder of a temporary stay permit as a temporary worker or foreign student and holder of a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate).
- Naturalized Canadian citizen.
Since July 1, 2019: Temporary workers, foreign students, as well as their spouse, are now eligible for part-time French courses as well as the accompanying financial assistance. Prior to this, individuals who were temporarily residing in Québec did not have access to in-class French courses offered by the Government of Québec.
Read the notice for individuals temporarily residing in Québec.
SESSIONS & SCHEDULE
NEXT SESSION FALL 2020
September 28 to December 13, 2020
REGISTRATION OPENS on July 27 for students who have previously studied French abroad or in Quebec
REGISTRATION OPENS on August 10 for beginners
| # | Time | Days | Level FIA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9h-12h | mon, tue, wed, thu | 312-1 | |
| 2 | 9h-12h | mon, tue, wed | 409-4 | |
| 3 | 13h-16h | mon, tue, wed, thu | 212-1 | |
| 4 | 13h-16h | mon, tue, wed, thu | 212-2 | |
| 5 | 13h-16h | mon, tue, wed, thu | 412-1 | |
| 6 | 18h-21h | mon, tue, wed | 209-1 | |
| 7 | 18h-21h | tue, thu | 106-4 | |
| 8 | 18h-21h | mon, wed | 206-4 | |
| 9 | 18h-21h | mon, wed, thu | 309-1 | |
| 10 | 18h-21h | mon, wed | 406-3 | |
| 11 | 10h-13h | sat, sun | 206-1 | |
You need to bring with you: an immigration/identity document such as work permit, study permit, permanent resident card. Also, you will need to bring your Social Insurance Number.
If you have studied French before, bring your last attestation from the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Inclusion (MIFI), if you do not have this attestation you will be invited to an evaluation session to assess your level.
It is required that the students who studied French abroad or in Quebec in an institution not recognized by the Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation and Integration, take the evaluation test.
After you register, we will contact you by email and specify the date of the test.
It is the test of oral proficiency conducted by a professor from MIFI.
The evaluation is not required for the following categories of students:
-Students who have no knowledge of French
-Students who have taken French language courses in the last 12 months in an institution recognized by Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation and Integration
-Students who will present the official transcripts of their completed French courses in the last two years done an institution recognized by Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation and Integration
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Am I eligible for an allowance for participation?
Since July 2019 Immigrants taking a part-time French course are entitled to financial assistance of 15$ per day of training.
Students are not eligible for an allowance for participation in any of the following situations:
- You, your spouse or the person that provides for you receive social assistance or solidarity benefits.
- You receive Employment Insurance Benefits.
- You receive benefits under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.
- You are an asylum seeker.
If I have a child/ children, am I entitled to receive the child care allowance?
When you take a part-time French course, you can get financial assistance to help cover your child’s care expenses. You may receive $ 9 per child, per three-hour training day. You are not eligible for the childcare allowance if:
- The person who is taking care of your child while you study is your spouse.
- Your spouse is enrolled in a part-time French course and is already receiving the childcare allowance for the same child.
- You are a person seeking asylum in Canada.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. The MIFI French courses are free! This linguistic integration program is mainly addressed to Permanent Residents, Naturalized Canadian Citizens, Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Temporary Residents such as holders of a temporary work permit or international students.
Yes, international students are eligible for the French courses since July 1st 2019.
Unfortunately, visitors or tourists are not eligible. The MIFI French courses are mainly addressed to immigrants with permanent status.
Yes, immigrants that have been living in Canada for more than 5 years can apply for the MIFI part-time French program.
You will need to register for another session.
Yes. When applying for citizenship you can use your attestation as proof of language knowledge. However, you need to have a certain level. You can find more here.
FRENCH CONVERSATION WORKSHOPS IN NDG
OTHER WAY TO LEARN FRENCH
Winter session 2020: January 17 to March 20. Schedule: every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Do you want to improve your oral expression skills in French and get to know Quebec culture?
Take part in the conversation workshops organized by Bienvenue à Notre-Dame-de-Grâce!
- Beginner and intermediate levels
- Priority for immigrant residents of NDG district
- Registration on-site
- Cost: Free