Speaking French in Canada...?

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Mathew H

No one in Southern Ontario speaks French. You'll be just fine with Englihs. The only places in this country that speak French (generally speaking) is Quebec and some parts of New Brunswick.

countpetez

In Southern Ontario, Parisian French is about as useless as in Quebec. Spanish is as similar as Vesuvian is to Martian. Just be nice, as most immigrants are, and help us be the greatest country on earth.

Educated A

You do not need french to get by but it does open alot fo doors career wise especially in ontario where government jobs are abundant. It is up to you many many many canadians do not speak it I mean im sure more candians speak french thans americans speak spanish but think about it in the same way. If you like in the southern US you dont need to know spanish but "could it open some doors to know it?" It is the same as in canada. I speak french 2nd language and learned spanish after and yes they are so similar where I reached in one year of spanish studies is what most do in like 4 just because of my knowledge of french.

IMPORTANT

Also because we are a bi-lingual country there are probably alot of government subsidized programs both nationally and provincially depending on your age so look into all of them. If you are younger look at http://www.jexplore.ca/english/index.html
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/career/enrich.html
and these are some government ones to look at
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/lo-ol/progs/mev-als_e.cfm

jade iris

Unless you're going to Quebec or New Brunswick, you don't need to learn french.

j d

On paper, Canada has 2 official languages, but in practice that is far from the truth. Going to Southern Ontario, you won't need a lot of French. In fact, I'd say you'd never hear it there, let alone speak it. However, if you move to QuÃ©bec, speaking French is not only an asset, but a necessity depending on where you live in the province. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province. Elsewhere in the country, there are communities of French speakers, but almost everything is done in English. Knowing some French will not be a hindrnace to you. It will be an assest no matter where you go in this country.

Danni

I live in Southern Ontario, and the only time I have to use french, is when a tourist comes into my work, as I work in people services or however you would say it.. I work with people all day every day. If you're planning on living in Quebec, New Brunswick, along the Quebec boarder in Ontario, or some parts in northern Ontario, then it would be a good idea to learn french.

â™¥blondieeeâ™¥

French is mainly spoken in Quebec, and it's not needed to speak French because everywhere in Canada English is widely understood, of course.

It is an asset to learn French though as it opens up so many more opportunities. Employers like people with fluency in both English and French.

People going to school in Canada have to learn French up until grade 10, where we get the choice to drop it or not, but I am definitely wanting to continue my education in French.

There are many French schools or private French lessons you can take, at the very least it's good to be conversational in French for business. French won't be needed for things like restaurant, taxi, etc. everyone speaks English.

I think French will also be an asset to you because one of my cousins in Canada speaks French and English perfectly and she was the one in the company who spoke the best French, so she was the one chosen to go to France for her company!

:D So yeah. I'm Canadian, I speak both French and English (and Arabic, but that's neither here nor there). I think its good you speak Spanish because the more languages you know, the more windows of opportunity there are. French and English are very closely related, and so is Spanish. They all link together, I don't think you'll have any problems.

Good luck!

running on empty

You need to speak french in Quebec. In southwestern Ontario you will hardly hear it spoken.

Peter L

Living in Southern Ontario, you wont need to learn French. However, if you still want to pursue it, there are government jobs which require at least some French speakers (to help those Quebecers who venture down here). Since you are already fluent in Spanish, French will be a breeze. The grammar for all romance languages are pretty much the same, you just need to know the vocabulary.

kafkasmirkingrevenge

If you are fluent in Spanish, then that will be a great asset in learning French.

Although, French is not spoken as much in southern Ontario, it would be beneficial if you are ever applying for a job in the public sector. Because Canada is officially bilingual, you will be passed up for jobs if you can't speak French. Almost all government (that includes local) jobs require you to be bilingual these days.

Even if you never intend on using it for work, it's always great to have another language. There are many areas outside of Quebec where French is predominant, especially in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

There are French classes in almost every decent sized city offered through the board of education at night school (usually at your closest HS). There are also many private schools, but obviously more expensive.

Imaka

I am a unilingual Canadian - I do not speak French. I understand a little, and can speak a little, but not enough to say I speak it. I would love to know French and I think it is great that you want to learn it. With that said, it is not necessary to speak French in Canada. Many Canadians do not speak French. Many of us did not have the opportunity to learn French when we were young. You go for it though. As a previous poster said, if you become fluent in French it will open many more opportunities for you in Canada.

Just my opinion

Forget learning French. In all honesty, unless you are a "French" Canadian, French is useless and most Canadians dislike the French immensely.

mb

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