French Language

Parlez-vous français?

French is one of the two official languages of Canada, and is spoken by close to 275 million people worldwide. It's also an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO and the International Olympic Committee.

At Continuing Studies, you can learn French in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Our French language programs offer:

  • up-to-date materials and techniques
  • daytime and evening course options (if enrolment permits)
  • one or two classes per week, for two or three hours, depending on your level and the program you choose
  • easy transition between programs and levels

We offer French language courses and programs for every skill level, from casual beginners to people seeking French language for professional development. All French language courses offered by Continuing Studies are subject to enrollment. Please register early and invite a friend to join you!

OFFERING Comprehensive French French Language Conversation Classes La Maison Française
LEVELS Levels 1 – 4 (Introductory to Advanced) Levels 1 – 4 (Introductory to Advanced) Levels 1 – 4 (Introductory to Advanced)
CLASSES PER WEEK Twice per week for 2 hrs x 13 weeks Once per week for 2 hrs x 10 weeks Five times per week for 4 hrs x 5 weeks
OFFERED September and January September, January and April July
PRIMARY FOCUS Listening, speaking, reading and writing Conversation skills Listening, speaking, reading and writing
EXAM & GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
CREDENTIAL Certificate – upon successful completion of each level Certificate – upon successful completion
BEST SUITED FOR Anyone wanting to confidently and competently develop fluency in French. Anyone wanting to learn and practice their spoken French in a casual but dynamic setting. Anyone wanting to quickly learn French in an immersive setting including classroom instruction, activities and workshops.
MORE DETAILS View Series View Series View Program

Are you a French immersion teacher? If you are looking for training options for French immersion teachers, visit the Teacher Professional Development page.

  • Courses
  • Series
  • Programs
  • News
  • Contact

Courses open for registration

Comprehensive French

These non-credit courses are open to adults at all levels of proficiency. They are designed to meet the needs of a wide audience from working professionals, to lifelong learners, to people who are new to Canada, to parents with children in French immersion—anyone wanting to confidently and competently develop fluency in French.
View series

French Immersion Teacher Pro-D

French Immersion teachers in BC face unique challenges. The French Immersion Teacher Professional Development series transforms practice through workshops dedicated to the unique needs of in-service immersion teachers.
View series

French Language Conversation Classes

French Language Conversation Classes (FLCC) is a club you'll be glad you joined! You'll meet new people who want to learn a new language in a fun, stimulating and relaxed atmosphere, among friends.
View series

Courses open for registration

French Immersion Teacher Mentorship

French Immersion teachers in BC face unique challenges. The French Immersion Teacher Mentorship program transforms practice through mentorship, to create a more engaged and confident workforce.
View program

General Studies

This flexible certificate program allows you to customize a course of study to meet your specific learning goals.
View program

La Maison Française

La Maison Française is an intensive, non-credit, French immersion program that's offered virtually in the summer. It is open to Canadian and international students and is intended for learners 18 years and up, at all levels of proficiency, from total beginner to advanced.
View program

Five surprising benefits of learning a new language

There are lots of reasons for people to want to learn a new language, but science is also discovering some new, rather surprising benefits of being bilingual!

Read Story

A thirty year French language journey

Jan Henry is a recent graduate of the French Language Diploma Program. Her journey began in 1988 and, with many life experiences in between, managed to return and graduate from the program in 2018!

Read Story

Surfing through a happy life

Lauren joined the Division of Continuing Studies a year ago as our French and World Languages Program Coordinator, and when asked what she's enjoyed most about her job, she said "It's difficult to pick just one thing… I work with such smart, innovative people and good souls in the division, and right from the start I really felt like the leadership team, staff and instructors were on my side.

Read Story

French Language grad helps patients in West Africa

Michelle Pieke is a Canadian physiotherapist working in a leprosy clinic in West Africa. Find out how taking the French Language Diploma Program (FLDP) helped her get there.

Read Story

A legacy of optimism

Known for his quick wit, and his love of language and music, Didier Bergeret was one of the kindest, most compassionate souls you would ever have the pleasure to meet. You couldn't help but be drawn to his selfless nature and big boisterous personality, one that always seemed to fall on the side of optimism.

Read Story

New Program: Certificate in General Studies

Have you ever wanted to design your own credential? Have you ever struggled to find a program that meets your specific interests and needs? Then you might be interested in our newest program: the Certificate in General Studies.

Read Story

Danielle Hall

After six years of university—never mind the 13 years I spent as a French immersion student in the Saanich school district—I had completed my teaching certificate and was starting the career I had dreamed of. I knew I was fully equipped to teach students at the elementary level, but when I thought of teaching students in the French immersion program, something was missing.

Read Story

Nan Walmsley

"Nan" Walmsley celebrates her 90th birthday this year but shows no sign of slowing down in her quest to learn new things. Since fall 1998, she has taken around 165 courses through Continuing Studies.

Read Story