How important is the French language in Canada and around the world?

However, French is the mother tongue of about 7.2 million Canadians. It is a relatively easy language for native speakers of English to learn because up to 50 percent of English vocabulary is derived from French. If you are proficient in French, you can travel throughout Canada without hesitation.

Do you need to know French to work in the Canadian government?

In the public service positions require knowledge of English, French or both English and French. When both official languages are required, the position is designated “bilingual”. The manager is responsible for determining the language requirements of a position.

Do you need to speak French to work in government?

No, the Official Languages Act puts the onus of providing services in both official languages on the federal government so that individuals don’t have to be bilingual. Naturally, this means that some positions in the federal government must be filled by employees who can serve clients in both English and French.

Why is French a national language in Canada?

Canada has two official languages: French and English. The French colonized Canada first. However, the British took over all French colonies in the Maritimes and Québec through different wars, including the Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713) and the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763).

Why is being bilingual important in Canada?

As a country with two official languages, Canada offers many opportunities for skilled immigrants who are proficient in English and French. Being able to communicate well in both languages is better, and gives you a competitive edge over someone who speaks only one language.

What qualifies as bilingual in Canada?

Bilingualism is the ability to speak fluently in two languages. In Canada, the term has taken on a more particular meaning: the ability to communicate, or the practice of communicating, in both of Canada’s official languages, English and French.

Can Bilingual be a job requirement?

In general, there is nothing discriminatory about requiring that applicants know an additional language, provided that speaking the language is actually something that is necessary for them to perform the job.

Why do applicants need to speak English or French?

This is to make sure your language skills are assessed in a fair and unbiased way. Even someone from an English-speaking country, who speaks English as a first language, needs to take a test. Language tests have been required for our skilled immigration programs for many years.

Why is French important?

French is a major language of international communication. It is the second most widely learned language after English and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. French is also the second most widely taught language after English, and is taught on every continent.

Why is French still an important language?

Here are 12 reasons why French is still an important language (and one that global businesses can’t afford to ignore.) 80 million people around the world speak French as a native language. 61 million of them live in France, naturally. But French-speaking communities exist around the world:

Why learn French in school?

French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English. Thanks to the ever-growing job opportunities in French, it is also the most popular choice among students who want to learn a foreign language.

Why study French at Alliance Française?

French is the second most studied language in the world, with 100 million students around the world—a huge market. Over a million students study French in the Alliance Française alone.

Is French a global language?

Like English, French is truly a global language. French is an official language in Europe (of course), but also in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and French Polynesia. There’s also a small French research station on Adélie Land in Antarctica, Dumont d’Urville Station.