French Lessons in Calgary

If you’ve ever been to Calgary, you probably know it’s one of the most diverse major cities in Canada. Due to the economic boom that happened in the area in the late 1990s and 2000s, many people from all over the globe moved to Calgary, causing it to have one of the fastest-growing populations in the country. Nowadays, 30% of Calgarians are immigrants, and according to the 2016 census, more than 120 languages other than English are spoken in the city.

French is among the most commonly used languages in the city, with more than twenty thousand estimated speakers. One of Canada’s official languages, French has over 282 million speakers worldwide, which makes it the fifth most-spoken language in the world. This should come as no surprise, as it’s the official language of more than 29 countries like Belgium, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As you can imagine, learning such a widespread language can be a great advantage. Not only will it help you connect with a wider part of the local community, but it will also expand your mind and bring many job opportunities in the country and abroad.

Learn French for Work and Travel

You probably know that one of the benefits of bilingualism is that it can increase your employment opportunities, but did you know that employees who speak both French and English in Canada are eligible for an $800 bilingualism bonus from the government? What’s more, a study published in 2016 showed that 81 percent of supervisors considered bilingual employees an asset to the organization, so it comes as no surprise that there are many job positions throughout the country that are exclusively available to those who are proficient in both languages. Some examples in the Calgary area include Sales Associate, Customer Service Representative and Passenger Service Agent.

Also, if you’re interested in working abroad, speaking French will increase your chances of landing a lucrative job in multinational companies around the globe, and of course, in the best French companies like L’Oréal, Hermès and Renault. Although many French people speak English, being able to seamlessly communicate in French will open many doors for you. This is especially true if you are able to speak business French, a more formal way of speaking that is preferred in the French business environment.

Learn French for Social

Are you looking to get in touch with Calgary’s large Francophone community? If so, you can’t miss the Franco Festival Calgary. Created in 2011, this festival celebrates the music, dance, food and crafts of different Francophone cultures from all continents. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy and get to know artists from all over the globe, while you immerse yourself in different cultures and meet people from different Francophone communities. The festival is organized by Le Portail de l’Immigrant Association, a multicultural association that aims to promote and share Francophone cultural treasures with the general public in Alberta while at the same time showcasing the breadth and diversity of Canadian Heritage. This year, the festival will take place in July, and it will be located at Shaw Millennium Park at 1220 9 Ave SW.

Another non-profit organization worth exploring is The Alliance Française of Calgary, which was established in 1947 and since then promotes the French languages and cultures in the area. Even though the organization originated in France, they now offer Calgarians a view into most Francophone cultures around the world.  They hold different cultural events ranging from social gatherings to concerts, art exhibitions, conferences, and theme nights.

Learn French for Culture

If your goal is not only to improve your language skills but also to expand your social circle, then you should consider joining a language group. In Calgary, one of the best is Calgary French Rendez-vous, a French meetup group that holds frequent events where you can meet other language enthusiasts and practice your skills. Most of their events take place in local bars like Good Earth Coffeehouse, located at 1502 11 St W, and markets like the UniMarket Latin Market, located at 128 50 Ave SE, where learners of all ages and levels are welcomed.

Where to learn French in and around Calgary?

As you now know, studying French will improve your experience in the city dramatically, so the next step is finding where to study this captivating language in Calgary. In any of the Calgary Public Library branches, located around the city, you’ll find useful resources like French dictionaries, novels and course books that can help you learn new vocabulary in a quiet atmosphere. You can also find great French albums like “Great French Songs” where you’ll find some of the most iconic songs from singers like Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour.

Although there are many great learning institutions in Calgary that you might consider, like the University of Calgary, there’s a better option and that’s Listen & Learn. Our interactive and flexible lessons stand out from the rest because they are completely tailored to your needs.

If you’ve decided to take your French skills to the next level, just send us a quick inquiry and one of our team members will pair you up with one of our native French tutors. You can choose between face-to-face lessons at home or the office, or if you move a lot you can also have it on Skype or Zoom.