Free French Learning & Getting Paid In Quebec, Canada – Who Is Eligible?

The Quebec government has implemented encouraging measures to enable immigrants to learn French. 

These measures are encouraging because any immigrant who takes in-person classes for French learning is eligible for some financial bursary, including those staying in Quebec as temporary residents, including workers, students, and legal spouses.

Another reason this measure by the Quebec government is encouraging is that only those who have stayed for up to five years were eligible. 

Now, anyone with an immigration status meets the criteria to apply for a French course.

Also, before this time,  only full-time students meet the criteria to be eligible for a financial bursary. Now, even part-time students equally meet the requirements to qualify for a financial bursary.

However, as much as anyone with an immigrant status can take the French classes, immigrants must heed the provincial regulations that guide their work or study permit. 

It is for both workers and students.

These measures taken by the Quebec government encourage immigrants to consider learning French because it is the province’s official language. In addition, French courses and programs are free.

Providing a financial bursary aims to help immigrants focus on their classes by having fewer worries over basic needs.

To qualify for this class in a new city, a language assessment center will have to refer you. You can notify the center that you have already qualified and enrolled in language classes before moving. 

Visit an organization that enables newcomers in your new city to find more options on available programs to you and where to find an assessment center.

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Eligibility Requirements For Free French learning & Getting paid in Quebec, Canada

As much as the program is free, you must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the classes. Some of those criteria include: 

• Minimum of  sixteen years
• Naturalized Canadian citizens where one could be born outside of Canada
• Visitors who hold a visitor visa with case types 10, 13, and 17
• Temporary workers and spouses holding a CSQ
• International students and spouses holding a CAQ (Quebec acceptance certificate)
• Holders of permanent residence cards
• Refugees or asylum seekers.

Types Of Free French Learning With Their Payment Structure.

The Quebec government has made provisions for different ways of learning French in the province. These ways are unique and enable immigrants to take French classes favoring their needs and schedules.

Public educational institutions and community centers provide the courses. 

Learning French provides immigrants with better chances of securing a job in  Quebec. 

French proficiency is one of the criteria to qualify for the Quebec Experience Class Program and Quebec Skilled Worker program. Therefore, being proficient in French will help temporary residents eligible for permanent residency. 

Many provinces offer free French classes for newcomers

The Quebec government has four types of French Classes designed for immigrants. These types of classes have their unique payment structures 

Some French classes with their payment structure include:

French Classes For Full-time Students

Full-time French students attend French classes at the beginner and intermediate levels. 

As the word ‘full’ suggests, they are the group that spends the most time learning French. They attend these classes for about 25 to 30 hours a week. 

Initially, $141 was the value disbursed to full-time students every week aside from transportation and child care allowance.

Recently, the Quebec government has adjusted the payment structure for these classes to a weekly pay of $185.

French Classes For Part-time Students

Immigrants who take Part-time French classes can set their study time at either 4, 6, 9, or 12 hours every week. They attend the classes in-person at beginner and intermediate levels. 

The payment schedule for immigrants taking french classes for part-time students is $15 per day and $9 per child. However, Quebec’s government adjusted the allowance for children from $7 to $9.

French Classes For Specialized Fields

There is provision for French classes in specialized fields like law, applied science, business, health, nursing care, administration, and engineering. 

Immigrants in any specialized field are eligible to take four to six hours of classes every week to understand French; those who are operating in these fields can decide to take part-time French classes between 4 to 6 hours per week to understand French-related skills related to their field. 

The payment schedule for immigrants taking French classes for specialized fields is $15 for training and $9 for child care allowance per child. The Quebec government disburses these allowances every training day.

Online French Classes

The Quebec government has made online classes available for immigrants who might challenge learning in person. 

This class also enables immigrants to learn conveniently, at their own pace, and from any part of the world.

However,  immigrants must meet the criteria to qualify for online French courses with a tutor.

You must check the province’s website to know the procedures for learning online.

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Level Of Free French Learning

There are two levels of Free French learning. They are the Beginner Or Intermediate French Courses.

To take the beginner or intermediate French courses for part-time students, they must currently live in Quebec and be at least 16 years old and live in Québec. 

Nevertheless, those courses are offered throughout the state and last for eight to twelve weeks; every session only accepts four to fifteen hours of lessons per week.

Quebec has invested a fortune of $246 million into the different types of free French learning. This move aims to attract and retain skilled immigrants. 

Important Note

It is vital for individuals temporarily living in Quebec to understand that an immigrant holding a work or study permit must act according to the rules guiding their status. 

An immigrant can lose his temporary residence card if his full-time French course registration is not in alignment with these conditions.

Also, if they fail to respect the legal regulations of their stay, it could lead to a refusal of the following apply to stay in Québec or elsewhere in Canada. The immigrant’s responsibility is to know the conditions related to their status and respect them.