What are some french immersion programs I can take to survive in Montreal? (to rent, employment)
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I am 20, and was planning for a while to start my life over again in Montreal due to its European vibe, and more outgoing people with diverse culture.
By profession, I was an Industrial Instrumentation Engineering Technologist/Technician, but I did not enjoy it when I was working in Fort McMurray, Alberta. I am willing to learn French (have high school french already), and live in Montreal for a bit.
Since I don't speak French already, I will have a hard time finding jobs. However, I hear that the government pays you to learn French, and helps you out with the rent too. I already lost my job here in Alberta, so I think now is a good time to start over in Montreal, and ideally go on to live in Quebec City in the future to raise a family (I am single now).
If I can get accepted into a college with some funding, then I would be glad to relocate to Montreal. A lot of jobs in my field are in Montreal, and I can't wait to embrace a more European and artistic lifestyle.
Let me know if there is anything I can do to apply soon and get in. Thank you very much.
I believe the programs are only for immigrants. Are you an immigrant to Canada?
If not, there are many opportunities to take French classes in Montreal, some probably fairly low-cost. But nothing would come close to "being paid by the government to learn French" I am afraid.
I am an immigrant, but am a Canadian citizen now. Would that still count?
No, they will definitely not help you pay for anything if you are a Canadian citizen. Quebec actually prefers immigrants from abroad who speak French and their laws are made to accommodate them more.
I would advise you to not come here at all costs. I have lived here for over 2 years and will leave soon. If I visited Montreal before I wouldn't move here. First of all the "european flair" isn't even here because the French in Quebec speak a redneck-ish dialect French. I find Quebec to be very much closed off from Canada and miserable. Rampant corruption among municipal decisions, Crumbling infrastructures, falling apart cars, roads and poorly built triplexes. Lots of abandoned buildings. A large majority of jobs here are for some level of government, and would require you to be bilingual. The population of Montreal is stagnant and will never increase. This sort of image reminds me a lot of "developing countries" like Bulgaria, Argentina, or Belarus (where 50% of all jobs are government jobs). I am from Eastern Europe and see many parallels in life here and there. A lot of Quebecois will probably disagree with me but that is because most Quebecois never leave Quebec. Those that decide to leave, do so right after finishing their education.
No, they will definitely not help you pay for anything if you are a Canadian citizen. Quebec actually prefers immigrants from abroad who speak French and their laws are made to accommodate them more.
I would advise you to not come here at all costs. I have lived here for over 2 years and will leave soon. If I visited Montreal before I wouldn't move here. First of all the "european flair" isn't even here because the French in Quebec speak a redneck-ish dialect French. I find Quebec to be very much closed off from Canada and miserable. Rampant corruption among municipal decisions, Crumbling infrastructures, falling apart cars, roads and poorly built triplexes. Lots of abandoned buildings. A large majority of jobs here are for some level of government, and would require you to be bilingual. The population of Montreal is stagnant and will never increase. This sort of image reminds me a lot of "developing countries" like Bulgaria, Argentina, or Belarus (where 50% of all jobs are government jobs). I am from Eastern Europe and see many parallels in life here and there. A lot of Quebecois will probably disagree with me but that is because most Quebecois never leave Quebec. Those that decide to leave, do so right after finishing their education.
While some of Architexts observations may have merit some of it is just personal opinion or problems that most major cities face.
On a positive note rents and housing prices are affordable,
Many great restaurants, lots of festivals and art events, great downtown and underground city, very ethnically diverse areas of town,you name it we got it..,We got a Formula 1 race and a NASCAR event, convenient proximity to many tourist destinations in the North East.
However do secure a job before you get here as non French people can have a major problem gaining employment in this predominantly French city/province.
I have friends who have taken immersion programs in Quebec that I'm pretty sure were funded or at least partially funded by the government. I think these are only available for students, though, and there might be an age restriction as well.
Aside from classes or a tutor (and the quality of the instructor is key), here's a few suggestions for learning French:
- Immersion totale. Plunge yourself into the language before you even get there. French-language TV, Websites, music, newspapers and magazines.
- Find a room to rent on Craigslist or a similar site, and make sure that you'll ONLY have francophone roommates. They'll be able to speak some English to you if it's absolutely necessary, but otherwise -- immersion totale.
- Check out Meetup.com for French conversation groups. Montreal has at least one large one with hundreds of members. They're free to join. People just show up at a suggested time and location, like Starbucks. They have a mix of ability levels, and some members whose first language is actually French. Great practice.
- Join other hobby groups in Montreal, for activities that interest you -- but only French-speaking ones!
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