6 reasons to learn French to immigrate to Canada

Canada is a bilingual country: English and French are the official languages. English is spoken by the majority (over 75%) and is the most widely spoken language in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec.

French is spoken by just over 21% of Canadians. French is the only official language in the province of Quebec, and French-speaking communities can be found throughout the country. New Brunswick and Ontario are home to hundreds of thousands of people for whom French is the primary language. Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Manitoba each have tens of thousands of francophones.

We talk about English and where to learn it a lot. But French is also worth looking into, and there are several good reasons for this.

Reason 1: Special immigration programs

The first and probably the main reason why you should consider learning French, even if you already speak English, is the fact that speaking French or two languages can greatly increase your chances of getting a permanent residence permit.

The Canadian government wants to attract as many French-speaking immigrants as possible. Therefore, there are special immigration programs for those who speak French. And not only in Quebec, we will talk about this province later.

For example, Ontario has a Francophone Skilled Trades stream. It allows skilled professionals with advanced proficiency in both of Canada's official languages to obtain a residence permit.

There is also a mobility program for francophones under which professionals with an intermediate knowledge of French can obtain a work permit.

Applicants who have learned French can take advantage of more than just special programs for French speakers. Most immigration programs require knowledge of either English or French.

Reason 2: extra points

If you speak both English and French, you have a huge advantage over the vast majority of immigration applicants. The fact is that such applicants in many immigration programs are awarded additional points, which can be decisive in the consideration of your application.

For example, you can get up to 50 points in Express Entry for knowing two languages:

• 25 extra points if you have English at level 4 on the CLB scale (basic level) and French at level 7 (advanced level);
• 50 extra points if you speak English at CLB level 5 (intermediate level) and French at level 7.

Express Entry is not the only system where you will get extra points for two languages. They will also be awarded in many provincial programs. Also, some provinces may have special immigration selections for French-only applicants.

Reason 3: Immigration to Quebec

Another reason to learn French is the possibility of immigrating to Quebec. As we said, it is the only province in Canada where French is the only official language, and it is the native language for 85% of the population. Quebec is even called "French Canada" for this and its unique culture.

Quebec has many advantages. These include beautiful nature, cultural diversity, its own unique atmosphere, an excellent geographical location that makes it a shorter flight to Europe than other provinces and a short drive to New York, and strong social support. The latter makes the province one of the best places to start a new life in Canada, especially for those who have moved with family and children.

Quebec has its own candidate selection system, Arrima, analogous to Express Entry. And in it, candidates with children get extra points. And families with children, and newcomers in general, receive good social assistance in Quebec. In addition, housing and daycare centers are cheaper in this region than in other provinces.

But without knowledge of French, it will be very difficult to immigrate to Quebec or move from another province. So think about learning the language if you want to move to "French Canada".

Reason 4: more chances of finding a job

Knowing French, especially when paired with English, increases your chances of getting a job in Canada. You may be able to apply for positions that require bilingual skills.

In 2020, Vicinity Jobs, a labor market analysis website, reported that more than 110,000 online job postings listed bilingualism as a requirement for applicants. Employment in federal agencies or government positions often requires proficiency in both national languages. Bilinguals are also valued in tourism, international relations, education, media, and many service-related industries.

Statistics also show that those who speak two languages earn more in Canada than people who speak only English or French. For example, in Quebec, the salary of bilingual professionals can be up to 20% higher. And francophones in the same province earn on average 7% more than anglophones.

So if you if you know French or two languages, make sure you mention it in your resume.

Reason 5: more choice of institutions

Canada is known for having one of the best education systems in the world. By some measures, education in Canada is even better than in the United States. An education in Canada is a solid path to immigration and a chance to get a job in the country after graduation.

Most of those considering studying in Canada think of studying in English. But in addition to hundreds of English-language institutions, there are dozens of French-language universities, each offering unique programs. Whether it's Montreal's prestigious universities, institutions in Ontario, or a college in Saskatchewan, speaking French opens up many options that those who speak only English may not consider.

Reason 6: cultural adaptation

In addition to the wide-ranging benefits that French gives you, there are some smaller but very useful ones. For example, speaking French, especially if you know English well, will help you in your daily life and give you a much better understanding of Canadian culture.

By knowing French, you will be able to fully appreciate the country's rich Francophone culture, including literature, music, film and art. You will have the opportunity to meet people from francophone communities, attend cultural events, and meet and socialize with people who speak the language.

Knowing both official languages of the country will help you integrate more quickly into society and build relationships with Canadians, both French-speaking and English-speaking. Since the vast majority of Canadians speak either English or French, if you know both, you won't have to worry about meeting someone you can't get along with.

If you've been studying French and want to check what your language level is, take our free test.

Immigration assistance

No matter which of the two languages you speak or plan to speak, we are here to help you immigrate to Canada. Our immigration company has experienced licensed consultants who have already helped many people to fulfill the dream of moving to Canada and restart their lives. Schedule an first consultation, and start changing your life for the better today!