Since Canada is officially bilingual, start learning French now!

[McDutch]

Hey Fellow Immigrants!

I have been in Canada for a while now, and although i already speak 2 languages (Dutch and English) it is becoming very clear that knowing French is going to be a HUGE asset for a new Canadian.

Now, i have recently discovered a learning tool and it has been amazing so far (especially if you have a French Canadian to practice with).
The program is called Duolingo (www.duolingo.com) and they have an Iphone App as well.

It's a fun way to extend your vocabulary while you wait for your papers to come through!

This message was brought to you by MOI!

 

[lunas]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

Hey Fellow Immigrants!

I have been in Canada for a while now, and although i already speak 2 languages (Dutch and English) it is becoming very clear that knowing French is going to be a HUGE asset for a new Canadian.

Now, i have recently discovered a learning tool and it has been amazing so far (especially if you have a French Canadian to practice with).
The program is called Duolingo (www.duolingo.com) and they have an Iphone App as well.

It's a fun way to extend your vocabulary while you wait for your papers to come through!

This message was brought to you by MOI!

Thank you!! That's a good idea. I speak Spanish and English, so I guess French is next

 

[McDutch]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

yay

I don't know enough Spanish, but i think knowing a second language already will make it a little easier.

 

[jerry84]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

Hey Fellow Immigrants!

I have been in Canada for a while now, and although i already speak 2 languages (Dutch and English) it is becoming very clear that knowing French is going to be a HUGE asset for a new Canadian.

Now, i have recently discovered a learning tool and it has been amazing so far (especially if you have a French Canadian to practice with).
The program is called Duolingo (www.duolingo.com) and they have an Iphone App as well.

It's a fun way to extend your vocabulary while you wait for your papers to come through!

This message was brought to you by MOI!

thats cool, I want to learn too, atleast the basic phrases so if I visit Montreal, I won't have a hard time =D

 

[McDutch]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

I find the basics very helpful.
I've spend maybe 3-4 hours with it so far and you'll find yourself trying to form little sentences with the info you have.

je veux mon COPR

 

[chipits]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

I'm fluent in French (from France) and live in Vancouver. If you're planning on moving to Vancouver, you absolutely don't need to speak a lick of French, as no one here does!

In fact, Mandarin Chinese is a much handier language to speak in Van-city.

 

[Steph C]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

It would be wonderful to learn French. However if you're in the west you will not need it at all. French can help in getting certain jobs that require you to be bilingual. However they usually only hire native French speakers with English as a second language and not the other way around. When in Montreal it's of no use to try and speak French. They will hear your accent and speak English back. I've actually had some Francophones get insulted that I tried to speak French with them. IMO it's best left alone unless you find a nice group of Francophone friends. My French is ok.. I can understand about 70% and speaking comes with practice. When I travelled in France I did okay. I traveled with a group of friends, one was from Quebec and we spoke together in French all the time.. our secret little language. Since returning to Canada I haven't used one lick of it.

 

[amikety]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

I'm fluent in French (from France) and live in Vancouver. If you're planning on moving to Vancouver, you absolutely don't need to speak a lick of French, as no one here does!

In fact, Mandarin Chinese is a much handier language to speak in Van-city.

I second that. Punjabi is more useful in Calgary. The only thing I use French for is to read boxes at the grocery when they're turned French side by another customer.

 

[Sweden]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

I'm fluent in French (from France) and live in Vancouver. If you're planning on moving to Vancouver, you absolutely don't need to speak a lick of French, as no one here does!

In fact, Mandarin Chinese is a much handier language to speak in Van-city.

Same here - living in Victoria and native french speaker, not useful on a daily basis, but seems to help to find a job though! fingers crossed... there are less people bilingual in this part of the country, so having french is an advantage in that sense!
Sweden

 

[Steph C]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

Same here - living in Victoria and native french speaker, not useful on a daily basis, but seems to help to find a job though! fingers crossed... there are less people bilingual in this part of the country, so having french is an advantage in that sense!
Sweden

Being a native french speaker in Victoria can land you those government jobs! Or at least help make fast friends in Esq's Tim Hortons. Bonjour Voisine

 

[Sweden]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

Being a native french speaker in Victoria can land you those government jobs! Or at least help make fast friends in Esq's Tim Hortons. Bonjour Voisine

didn't know you were in this part of Canada too! if you happen to be in Victoria and want to meet up for coffee, send me a PM!

 

[blueboom]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

It would be wonderful to learn French. However if you're in the west you will not need it at all. French can help in getting certain jobs that require you to be bilingual. However they usually only hire native French speakers with English as a second language and not the other way around. When in Montreal it's of no use to try and speak French. They will hear your accent and speak English back. I've actually had some Francophones get insulted that I tried to speak French with them. IMO it's best left alone unless you find a nice group of Francophone friends. My French is ok.. I can understand about 70% and speaking comes with practice. When I travelled in France I did okay. I traveled with a group of friends, one was from Quebec and we spoke together in French all the time.. our secret little language. Since returning to Canada I haven't used one lick of it.

Oh my gosh, I haven't seen a more insulted person than the person I tried speaking to in French in Montreal. The rest of Quebec, however, you'd need French. Regardless of where you are in Canada, it is good to know at least a few words.

Alliance Française in Toronto has a good reputation if you want to learn learn learn learn French and are located in Toronto, but they can be pricey. And don't forget about LINC/CLIC (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/after-education-language.asp) which is free!

There is a branch of the government for whom I would run through flaming hoops to get a job, but of course, I'd need to be bilingual... and they seem to only hire native French speakers.

 

[Steph C]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

There is a branch of the government for whom I would run through flaming hoops to get a job, but of course, I'd need to be bilingual... and they seem to only hire native French speakers.

The CIC Call Center? 8)

 

[blueboom]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

The CIC Call Center? 8)

Hahaha! I'd be the worst. Every caller would hear "I know, dude, it totally blows."

 

[Sweden]

Re: Since Canada is official bilingual, start learning French now!

There is a branch of the government for whom I would run through flaming hoops to get a job, but of course, I'd need to be bilingual... and they seem to only hire native French speakers.

Which one would that be? didn't know that French could be so valuable! interested to know more about those flaming hoops!