Learning French: the main tip for increasing points for Canada

As you may know, Canada is a bilingual country. French is an official language of Canada alongside English.

According to recent statistics, just over 20% of Canadians speak French as their first official language, with most francophones living in Quebec. Although English still dominates in the country, the Canadian government strongly supports and promotes the French language in society and culture. In every province and territory of Canada, French is legally protected and supported by government policies, which encourages its use in public institutions and the provision of services in French.

This special status of French in Canada can be a powerful tool when planning immigration. Canada shows great interest in immigration candidates who speak French, as francophone immigrants can help promote and preserve the country's unique linguistic community.

How French affects your points

Your chances of moving to Canada with French language skills increase significantly, and in a measurable way: it's all about points in the immigrant selection system for permanent residence in Canada.

French language skills give a huge advantage in Express Entry selections. In Express Entry, your language proficiency is assessed using the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.

You can earn up to 50 additional points for French language skills. The system also considers knowledge of both English and French as an additional factor:

• 25 points if you have French skills at NCLC 7 or higher and English skills at CLB 4 or lower;
• 50 points if you have French skills at NCLC 7 or higher and English skills at CLB 5 or higher.

Moreover, candidates with French language skills are in a priority category for Express Entry applicants. Priority categories are chosen based on the country's specific needs, and the required points for such applicants can be significantly lower than for others. In 2025, the first draw for francophones issued 6,500 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 428, which is much lower than the usual requirements for general draws.

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Express Entry isn't the only system that awards additional points for French language skills; several Provincial Nominee Programs also consider French language proficiency. Some provinces even conduct separate draws aimed at attracting francophones.

If you want to move to Canada and increase your chances of successful immigration, now is the time to start learning French.

How to learn French?

A great option is to study French at the Alpadia language school. The school offers French courses in a native language environment — in Montreux, Switzerland, or Lyon, France.

The course programs are diverse and suit different goals and needs: general French, preparation for language tests, language for career development, and preparation for studying at a foreign university.

Studying French in Europe allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culture, quickly develop all language skills, and gain an unforgettable and valuable experience.

Alpadia Language School is our partner, and you can enroll in French courses in France or Switzerland directly through us.

If you prefer to learn the language from home, we have two excellent online learning options.

The first is TLG Canada. Experienced teachers from this school conduct online French courses with flexible schedules and affordable prices. Classes are held twice a week in the evenings, focusing on developing speaking skills and listening comprehension.

The second is a new online program from ILAC. Courses are held five times a week, designed for levels A1 to B2, and are suitable for those aiming to earn immigration points, enroll in an educational institution, or simply master French at a good level. The course costs only $100 CAD per week, with discounts available for long-term payments. To sign up for a demo lesson and French courses with ILAC, email mail@immigrant.today.

All these schools are our official partners, and by enrolling through Immigrant.Today, you get the most favorable conditions and personalized recommendations for choosing a program.