Why are newcomers learning French now more than ever?
With fewer permanent residence (PR) spots available and tougher rules, many international students and temporary residents in Canada are now learning French to boost their chances of getting PR.
One such student, Harbal Deep Sidhu, paid $42,000 for his master’s degree at the University of Windsor, and is now spending $2,000 a month on French classes. Why? Because learning French gives extra points in Canada’s immigration system.
“We get points for learning French and we can use it in our PR application,” says Harbal, who studies French for two hours every day. He’s worried that PR requirements will get even tougher and hopes French will help him qualify.
What’s making it harder to get PR in Canada?
- Canada has around 3 million temporary residents, but only 395,000 PR spots available this year.
- The cutoff points in the Express Entry system are getting higher, even for people with master’s and PhDs.
- Many students are feeling frustrated and say they’ve already spent a lot of time and money in Canada without seeing results.
How does French help with PR?
Learning French can help in two main ways:
- It adds extra points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- You might be selected under Francophone streams, which usually have lower cutoff scores.
According to immigration lawyer Lou Janssen Dangzalan, learning French could add up to 50 points to your CRS score if you reach the right level.
Students and workers are taking action
- Gurasees Singh, a computer systems student, says that French is the only practical path for IT professionals like him who don’t qualify under other PR categories like trades or health care.
- His classmate, Abhoo Kabil, is also planning to take both online and in-person French lessons to improve his chances.
- Even people like Amangel Bhullar, a Canadian citizen and PhD student, are learning French to get better jobs, especially in government or research.
French classes are in high demand
At Boreal College, which has several campuses across Ontario, the number of international students signing up for French programs has increased by 222%.
According to the campus director Simon Goulet, the focus is on conversation skills — especially speaking and listening — which are important for immigration exams. Boreal is also planning to offer official French tests required by IRCC at more locations.
Q: How many extra points can I get for learning French?
A: You can get up to 50 extra CRS points if you meet the language requirements.
Q: What level of French should I aim for?
A: Immigration Canada looks for CLB level 5 or higher. But to increase your chances, aim for CLB 7.
Q: Do I need to be fluent in French?
A: Not at first. You can start with the basics and improve over time. Even an intermediate level can help with points and new job opportunities.
Q: Are French classes expensive?
A: It depends. Some students pay for private tutors or online programs, while others attend college courses or use free resources like YouTube or Duolingo.
Q: Can learning French help with jobs too?
A: Yes! Many government and tech jobs prefer candidates who speak both English and French.
Q: Is this trend only in Quebec?
A: No. While French is the main language in Quebec, learning French is now helping people across Canada get more immigration and job options.
Bottom Line: French is becoming a key tool for PR success
As immigration becomes more competitive, learning French is no longer optional — it’s a smart move. It can give you more points, more job options, and a better chance to settle permanently in Canada.
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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.
Credit: CBCNEWS