Learn French in Toronto
In Toronto, French is a Canadian official language, a career asset and, for many newcomers, a route to extra immigration points. This page covers the francophone side of the city, the tests that matter for Express Entry, and where to take them.
French in Toronto
French is one of Canada's two official languages, and the whole City of Toronto is a designated area under Ontario's French Language Services Act, so provincial government services there are available in French. A City of Toronto profile based on the 2021 Census counts 77,145 Francophones in the city, about 2.8% of residents, using an inclusive definition. More than 43% of them are immigrants, and France, Morocco, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon are the top places of birth for recent francophone arrivals. Toronto has French-language public schools, Glendon, the bilingual campus of York University, and the Université de l'Ontario français on the waterfront, which opened in 2021.
Why people in Toronto learn French
For many Torontonians, French is about immigration. Express Entry gives up to 50 additional points to candidates who score NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills, and French proficiency has been one of the categories used for targeted draws. The federal target for French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Québec is 9% of admissions in 2026. French also matters at work, since many federal public service positions are designated bilingual. Parents with children in French immersion or French-language schools learn so they can keep up, and Montréal and Ottawa are a short trip away.
The French you'll hear
Toronto's francophones come from Ontario, Québec, France, Africa and the Middle East, so there is no single local accent. Canadian French uses some words you will not find in a Paris textbook: fin de semaine for weekend, magasiner for to go shopping and courriel for email all appear in Ontario government services. For TEF Canada and TCF Canada, standard international French is what is assessed, so build that base first and add Canadian vocabulary as you meet it.
- Je prépare le TEF Canada.I'm preparing for the TEF Canada.
- Bonne fin de semaine.Have a good weekend.
- Est-ce que je peux être servi en français ?Can I be served in French?
- Je vais magasiner au centre-ville.I'm going shopping downtown.
- Je vous envoie un courriel demain.I'll send you an email tomorrow.
French exams in Toronto
Alliance Française de Toronto is an official exam centre for the tests Canadians use most. Its tests page lists TEF Canada, in a four-module version for permanent residence and a two-module version for citizenship or francophone mobility, and TCF Canada for immigration. Its diplomas page says DELF sessions and preparation courses are available at all of its centres across the Greater Toronto Area, and it also offers the DALF. Language test results for immigration are only valid for a limited time, so plan your test date around your application.
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 Toronto or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in Toronto
What French level do I need for extra Express Entry points?
IRCC awards additional points when you reach NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. That is a solid upper-intermediate level. French Ultimate does not run TEF classes in Toronto, as it is an online course, but its B1 and B2 units build exactly the skills these tests measure.
Is Toronto a good place to practise French outside lessons?
Yes, with some effort. Provincial services in French, a French-language university, Glendon's bilingual campus and the cultural programme at the Alliance Française give you real chances to use the language. Many learners pair online lessons with these events so that the French they study at home gets regular use in person.
Should I learn Québec French or France French for the TEF?
The TEF and TCF assess standard French, so a clear international French is the safest base. Listening sections can include speakers from different regions, which is good preparation for life in Canada. Once your foundation is secure, getting used to Canadian expressions will make everyday conversations in Ontario much easier.
Learn French from Toronto, 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