Where in Quebec speaks english as their 1st language?

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pomme de terre

I've been here for more than 5 years now mainly to work because I already finished university and have some units of masters of education.

It's kinda hard here if you don't speak French, most French that I met are harsh on people who don't speak their language and they force you to talk to them in French. If they can't express what they want to say they'll just tell you, Je ne sais pas. Parlez vous anglais?

Any ways, if you have to come here to study, then, it'll be easier for you to speak faster because you learn French in school. and yeah, West Island is the perfect place for english people.

Tethys13

Bonjour!

There are many people that live in Quebec whose first language is English. Furthermore, most Francophone Quebecois also speak English. Don't worry, most people will be glad to help you - especially since you are from another country.

Try to take the opportunity to learn French though; being in Quebec and immersing yourself in the language is the best way to learn. Grab a phrase book for the long flight over. It won't be hard to pick up on the basics. Any attempts at speaking French will be appreciated by the locals.

Bon chance! (good luck!)

SteveN

If you are coming to Quebec, there are only a few cities where English is pretty commonplace.

Montreal is pretty bilingual (French and English), and you can get service at a hotel, restaurant, or shopping centre in English no problem. The West end of Montreal has more English while it is mainly French if you go East of St. Denis Street.

Quebec City is also bilingual. but mainly in the tourist areas. So again, hotels and most restaurants will have someone who understands English and can answer your questions.

Outside of these communities, there are a few areas that have large anglophone communities (Knowlton, Stanstead, Hudson, Lennoxville for a few examples).

Keep in mind that if you speak with someone on the street or in a store, they are likely to greet you in French first, as that is the primary language spoken here. For example, when I go to McDonald's, I place my order in French because the girl behind the counter spoke French to me, she will turn and speak to her co-workers in English, then come back to me and complete my order in French! lol

It would not hurt to learn a few French words before you get here though, since Quebecers seem to appreciate and be more friendly to tourists and strangers if they see you are making an effort to speak French.

So here are a few that may help:

"Pardon" = Pardon (pahr-doughn)
"Excuse Me" = Excuser-moi (ex-q-zay mwah)
"I am lost" = Je suis perdu (juh swee pair-du)
"How much" = Combien (cohm-byain)

Please = S'il vus plait (sill voo pleh)
Thank You = Merci (mair-see)

snowpatrol321

You don't know where you're going?

curious_lalalala

Montreal is where the vast majority of Anglo-Quebecers (Quebecers speaking English as their first language) live. The West Island area is predominantly English, while the eastern boroughs of the city are mainly French-speaking. The centre of the island (meaning the Downtown area) is relatively bilingual, if not mostly English around McGill and Concordia Universities or in Westmount, Town of Mount Royal, etc.

Outside of Montreal you'll find mainly English-speaking towns in the Eastern Townships region (2 hours south of Montreal), especially in Lennoxville and around the area, going south towards the U.S (Stanstead, etc.) or west towards Ontario.

The Gatineau area (across the river from Ottawa) is relatively bilingual
as well, with English-speaking communities in Aylmer, Hull, Masson-Angers, etc.

Quebec City (provincial capital) has an English-speaking community of about 25,000 people.

If not, you'll find pockets of English-speaking communities in the GaspÃ©sie Region (commonly called the GaspÃ© Coast in English).

Strong piece of advice, though: Try to learn French, as it is the both the ''national'' and official language of the province.

kent_shakespear

parts of Montreal, or the Eastern Townships, areas close to the US border, are the main English areas. There are English pockets here and there (less than there used to be), and the Ottawa suburbs in quebec aren't too bad.

If you are definite on Quebec, you should at least learn a few words, or plant to take an intro course before or upon arrival. Even a basic understanding and attempt goes a long way.

I've never lived in Quebec, but I've probably spent about a month or so there adding up lots of short trips. I live about 20 minutes from the border at the moment.

The St. Lawrence Valley at the southwestern end is rather flat, but the occassional ancient mountain pops up here or there. The valley steepens as one goes northeast, and beyond Quebec City the river widens and widens... by Tadoussac its about 20 miles wide and has whales residing in it.

There are small (less than 5,000 feet high) mountain ranges parallel to the St. Lawrence, the Appalachins which come in from New England, and the Laurentians to the north. Both tend to be forested; I prefer the northern boreal forests of thin evergreens.

As the St. Larewnce reachs the Gulf, the southern shore ends in a beautiful peninsula, the Gaspe, with rocky cliffs, seals and mossy forests. The north shore of the gulf gets into tiny isolated towns along windswept coasal areas.

Montreal is a large cultured cosmopolitan city, one of my favorite cities anywhere. Quebec City is a walled city and seems like an old-world European city. Other cities are smaller, and very North American with big-box sprawl.

feel free to send me a message if you have specific follow-ups.

Mat D

there's also lachute and brownsburg which speaks english Alto also sherbrook :D

Theses people are pretty thorough in telling you where the language is situated, and i lived in montreal for 25 years and they just told you everything,west is english and est is french, good luck,you need to learn a few french words !lol lol

MinLo

I would say the West Island of Montreal would be about it. Montreal is generally bilingual (french and english) but it is somewhat divided between the west part of the island (English) and the east (French). I grew up in the West Island so I know that it is definitely very English. I grew up in the borough of Roxboro/Dollard-des-Ormeaux but there is also Pierrefonds, Kirkland, Pointe Claire, Beaconsfield, etc. But you shouldn't have a problem living downtown Montreal either if you wanted (especially around McGill and Concordia Universities). It's very bilingual.
And about your question about how it is here- it's great! Of course there are positives and negatives but it's generally a really fun place to live. I would say some negatives are that their is some rudeness between the french and english. However, with your Australian accent you will definitely not have any trouble. People will definitely find it charming! Another negative would be the extremes in temperature. We have a really cold winter and a really hot and humid summer. But I personally love the changing of the seasons (especially fall, it's beautiful in QC when the leaves change colours).
Anyways, I hope I've helped some. Have a great trip!

Melanie B

You'd better learn very quick. Even a few basic things is helpful.

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