Learning French in Quebec
Last year I was let go from my job due to factors I did not have control over. This event did not shock me. The company didn’t have enough work for me from the beginning and I was becoming frustrated by it, and I left with a specific goal to achieve. I want to improve my French.
Then over the coming weeks, I faced my first barrier. Registration date is 2 months away… what do I do for this time? Play videos and watch TV it is!
Then I went through the registration process with a fantastic adult education school in my local region of Quebec. The school registration process was all over the place but when I finished and landed myself with a start date. I became excited for the opportunity to communicate in the French language, 40-hours a week.
Yet, I thought, I am unemployed and wanting to improve my employability. Can the Quebec government provide me financial assistance for this training? This became my second barrier. Service Quebec provided me with a general number that required me to navigate their complex phone directory to find an agent to aid me. When I did, I was greeted by an unempathetic and aggressive individual; but was able to obtain the paperwork necessary to obtain financial assistance.
1 week later, I arrived to my Adult education school with tired eyes and excited feet. I paced around looking for which classroom I should head to.. Found it! I paced toward room 308. Stopped before the door. And slowly entered the class.
At this time, I introduced myself to a couple students and we started to chit-chat and get to know each other.
…
2 months later. I have learnt so much!! I have improved my oral and written French and feel confident to speak, I have learnt the challenges of being a refugee in Quebec and Canada, made recognition that I am much more professionally and socially skilled than I originally thought.
Overall, my experience learning French in Quebec was extremely positive, and I would recommend anybody living in Quebec, and who is a Canadian immigrant or born in Canada —
To apply to the following program and take the free French classes offered. https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/learn-french/full-time-courses#c83994_target
Let me know in the comments if you have taken French classes or would want to.
Thanks,
Benjamin
