Learn French in Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada's capital and an officially bilingual city, sitting right across the river from French-speaking Gatineau. For many residents, French is the step that opens federal careers and the other half of the region.
French in Ottawa
Ottawa is in Ontario, but the city has its own bilingualism by-law, adopted in 2001, which gives residents the right to communicate with the City and receive its services in English or French. In 2017, Ontario's legislature amended the City of Ottawa Act to recognise this bilingual character. In the 2021 census, close to 15% of Ottawa residents gave French as their mother tongue, and more than 367,000 people could speak both official languages. Francophone communities are strongest in neighbourhoods such as Vanier and Orléans. Across the Ottawa River, Gatineau is in Québec, where French is the official language, so many people live, work and shop in both languages every day.
Why people in Ottawa learn French
The federal public service is Ottawa's biggest employer, and many positions are designated bilingual. To be appointed, candidates are tested through the Public Service Commission's Second Language Evaluation, which rates reading, writing and oral skills at levels A, B and C. Each bilingual position sets a required profile, such as CBC. French also helps immigrants, since TEF Canada or TCF Canada results can add points in Express Entry. And with Gatineau a bridge away, French opens jobs, housing and cultural life on the Québec side.
The French you'll hear
Ottawa's francophones speak Franco-Ontarian French, which is close to Québec French in accent and vocabulary. Across the river in Gatineau you will hear Québec French. In federal offices and many shops, staff greet you with a bilingual Hello, bonjour, inviting you to answer in either language. Federal workplaces use a more formal standard French in documents and meetings, which is useful practice for the Second Language Evaluation.
- Bonjour, est-ce que je peux être servi en français ?Hello, can I be served in French?
- Je traverse le pont pour travailler à Gatineau.I cross the bridge to work in Gatineau.
- Mon poste exige le niveau CBC.My position requires the CBC level.
- La réunion aura lieu dans les deux langues.The meeting will be held in both languages.
- On patine sur le canal ce week-end ?Shall we skate on the canal this weekend?
French exams in Ottawa
Alliance Française Ottawa has been an official exam centre for more than ten years. It offers the TEF and TCF, including TEF Canada and TCF Canada for immigration, as well as the DELF and DALF and the Diplôme de français professionnel. For federal jobs, the Second Language Evaluation is administered by the Public Service Commission, not by exam centres, so check your job posting for the required profile.
Check dates and fees with the exam centre directly; they change every session.
Where to start in the course
French Ultimate is an online course, so you can follow it from Ottawa or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in Ottawa
Will French Ultimate prepare me for the federal SLE?
French Ultimate is not an SLE preparation course, but it builds the skills the SLE measures: reading, writing and spoken interaction in a professional setting. Our units on business French, debating and presentations are especially relevant for B and C levels. Check the Public Service Commission's sample tests to see the format.
Can I live in Ottawa without speaking French?
Not for daily life, as most of Ottawa functions in English. French becomes important for federal careers, for many jobs in Gatineau, and for joining the city's francophone community. Residents also have the right to receive City of Ottawa services in French, which is good practice once you are comfortable.
Does French Ultimate have classes in Ottawa?
No. French Ultimate is an online course with no school, teachers or events in Ottawa. Many public servants use it before or after work to keep their French active between official language training sessions. For TEF, TCF or DELF exams, you can register with Alliance Française Ottawa.
Learn French from Ottawa, at your own pace
Animated video lessons that stop for your answers, speaking practice, graded stories and DELF/DALF mock exams, from A1 to C2. Start with the free placement test to see where you are.
Take the placement test