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Program Objectives
The French program aims to prepare students to achieve levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and up to C1 of the European Common Frame of Reference for Languages, an international benchmark (CEFR). Additionally, graduates will acquire strong written and oral communication skills and be prepared to interact socially and professionally in French in today’s globalized, multilingual world.
Overview of Learning Outcomes By Year
FREN_O 101, 102, 103 and 104 are beginner’s courses and give students the foundations of the French language, including training in reading, writing, listening and speaking. These courses meant to bring students with no previous knowledge of French to an A2 level of proficiency. After completing these courses, students can expect to be able to interact in French at a basic level in predictable everyday situations.
FREN_O 122 and 123 build on the A2 level and prepare students for a B1 level of competency.
At the 200 level, courses are taught almost entirely in French. Students continue to improve their skills in French grammar, reading, writing. and speaking (FREN_O 222 and 223).
By the end of their second year, students can potentially achieve a DELF level of B1 or B2.
300- and 400-level courses are taught entirely in French and focus on the culture and literature of the Francophone world. These courses allow students to extend their level of fluency by applying their knowledge of French language and communication to the exploration, analysis, and translation of novels, poetry, films, plays, media, etc. These courses engage students’ written and oral communication skills beyond grammatical knowledge and prepare them to interact socially and professionally in today’s globalized, multilingual world. Moreover, by developing their cultural knowledge about French Canada and the broader Francophonie, including Indigenous and Postcolonial societies and cultures, students are able to connect language, society, history, values and ideologies.
Upon consultation with a program advisor, these 300-400 level courses can be taken by French speaking students with a DELF level of B2 or by students who have completed a high school diploma in a francophone establishment.
Program Duration
The major in French, Combined Major in French, and minor in French can be completed in four years by students who have already completed Grade 12 French or its equivalent, or who have a certified A2 level of competency in French prior to enrolment in the French program. Students without these prerequisites are likely to need more than four years to complete their program of study in French.
Program Entry Point and Placement
The normal entry-level course into the French program is FREN_O 122 which requires either grade 12 French or DELF level A2.
For assistance in selecting your entry point in the French program, please contact a French program advisor in the department of Languages and World Literatures.
Students whose language level exceeds the stated course prerequisites for 100-level or 200-level FREN_O courses and who are placed directly either in 200- or 300-level1 courses will need to replace missing lower-level credits with additional courses through any of the following options:
- Additional credits from 300- and 400- level FREN_O courses in addition to the 30 required credits;
- Additional credits from courses listed in the B.A. communication requirement under language acquisition or language/linguistic appreciation;
- Additional credits from WRLD_O courses.
1 Students with a certified B2 level with a score of 18/20 in all the DELF exam categories are eligible to enroll in 300-level FREN_O courses directly.
Course Sequencing
French language courses must be completed in a sequential order and students cannot enroll in a course below the level that was last completed. The sequencing of language courses is as follows:
- FREN_O 101, 102, 103 and 104;
- FREN_O 122 and 123;
- FREN_O 222 and 223;
- FREN_O 353.
A student who has completed any FREN_O course at the 300- or 400-level, can no longer enroll in FREN_O courses at the 100- or 200-level.
Major in French
Students may declare a major in French at any time.
To complete a major in French, students must accumulate a minimum of 30 credits of FREN_O at the 300- and 400-level. The major can prepare students for a strong B2 level in French (CEFR).
First and Second Years
Students must complete all of the B.A. requirements, as well as any prerequisites for the required courses in the Major in French.
Students are required to complete:
- 6 credits in total from any of these options:
- FREN_O 101, 102, 103 and 1041;
- Courses in the B.A. language acquisition or language/linguistic appreciation category;
- FREN_O 122 and 123;
- FREN_O 222 and 223.
Third and Fourth Years
Students are required to complete:
- FREN_O 353;
- 27 additional FREN_O credits at the 300- and 400- level.
1 Depending on their language proficiency level, students may need to complete some or all of FREN_O 101, 102, 103, and 104 prior to registering in FREN_O 122. Students with Grade 12 French or French level A2 or who are placed directly in French language courses at a higher level cannot use this option.
Combined Major with French
Students may declare a combined major with French at any time.
To complete a Combined Major in French, students must accumulate a minimum of 21 FREN_O credits at the 300- and 400-level. The combined major can prepare students for a B2 level in French (CEFR).
A combined major is created by satisfying the requirements for a combined major in French and another B.A. program that offers a combined major (currently Art History and Visual Culture, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, and English). A single course can only fulfill the combined major requirement for one program.
The French requirements for the combined major include the following:
First and Second Years
Students must complete all of the B.A. requirements, as well as any prerequisites for the required courses in the Combined Major in French.
Depending on their language proficiency level, students may need to complete some or all of FREN_O 101, 102, 103, and 104 prior to registering in FREN_O 122.
Students are required to complete:
- FREN_O 122 and 123;
- FREN_O 222 and 223.
Third and Fourth Years
Students are required to complete:
- FREN_O 353;
- 18 additional credits of FREN_O at the 300- and 400-level.
Minor in French
Students may declare a minor in French at any time.
To complete a minor in French, students must accumulate a minimum of 18 credits of FREN_O at the 300- or 400-level. The minor prepares students to achieve a B1-B2-level in French (CEFR).
First and Second Years
Students must complete all of the B.A. requirements, as well as any prerequisites for the required courses in the minor in French.
Depending on their language proficiency level, students may need to complete some or all of FREN_O 101, 102, 103, and 104 prior to registering in FREN_O 122.
Students are required to complete:
- FREN_O 122 and 123;
- FREN_O 222 and 223.
Third and Fourth Years
Students are required to complete:
- FREN_O 353;
- 15 additional credits of 300- or 400-level French courses.