Tips for learning beginner French for Canadian immigration
Knowing French can greatly increase your chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence (PR), particularly through Express Entry.
This article will discuss
How knowing French can benefit you in obtaining PR;
Trips and tricks to reach basic fluent French proficiency; and
How the federal government assesses French proficiency for immigration purposes.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Benefits of French for Canadian immigration
Foreign nationals with moderate to high English proficiency can gain a distinct advantage in the Canadian immigration process by also demonstrating French language skills.
For those wishing to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, knowing French can improve one’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, making them a more competitive candidate.
The table below shows how French language proficiency can help foreign nationals boost their CRS score.
FactorMaximum number of CRS points gainedConsiderations
Core human capital24For second official language proficiency, without a spouse.
Additional factors50For NCLC level 7 in all four language abilities.
For immigration purposes, scores on approved language tests are converted to the government’s official 1 -12 scale of language proficiency: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English, and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French.
Foreign nationals in the Express Entry pool who meet an NCLC level 7 in all four language abilities can also qualify for category-based selection through the French-language proficiency category.
French-targeted draws typically have lower CRS cut-off scores than Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, with 2025 cut-off scores for French draws ranging from 379 to 481. Cut-off scores for CEC draws, in contrast, have ranged from 518 to 547.
French speakers may also gain a competitive edge through select Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams that actively seek out francophone applicants or offer additional points for French proficiency.
For example, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) both have streams specifically designed to attracted French speakers.
Further, foreign nationals who meet an NCLC 5 across all four language abilities may qualify the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
Tips and tricks for going from no French knowledge to NCLC 4
Pay attention to pronunciation: Understanding the nuances of French pronunciation early in your language-learning journey can help you avoid common mistakes down the line. Equally important is keeping in mind that there are considerable differences between Canadian French and Parisian French, particularly when it comes to pronunciation.
Use resources like Forvo or French language teachers on YouTube to hear accurate pronunciation of common words or phrases, observe and practice vowel combinations, nasal sounds, and silent letters that often trip up beginners.
For the best pronunciation guidance, seek out tutorials from native Canadian French speakers, particularly from regions such as Quebec, New Brunswick, northern Ontario, and Manitoba.
You will also want to take the time to understand the five French accent marks and how they change both meaning and pronunciation:
Acute (é).
Grave (à, è, ù).
Circumflex (â, ê, î, ô, û).
Cedilla (ç).
Trema (ë, ï, ü).
Dive into French media: As a beginner, immersing oneself in French media is one of the most common ways to accelerate your learning. Listening to podcasts or watching French movies and TV shows with subtitles offer a fun, low-pressure way to get used to the language.
This will give you repeated exposure to vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure in real-life use. Through this method, you can pause, rewind, and—in some cases—even slow down or speed up speech. Even if you don’t understand every word, your brain will pick up on patterns, sounds, and common phrases.
Begin speaking from day one: Don’t wait until you “feel ready” to speak; start immediately with a handful of words or phrases a day—even if you don’t fully grasp their meaning. Saying things out loud helps with pronunciation, memory, and confidence.
Practice basic vocabulary or short phrases after you hear them and then record yourself saying things that are relevant to you, even simple, basic sentences.
Find a novice language partner: Learning French with someone who’s also starting from zero, if you both have the right mindset, can make the process feel more fun and doable. You can motivate each other, celebrate small wins, and hold one another accountable through regular check-ins or study sessions.
This strategy will also allow you to practice the learning by teaching method, which reinforces your own understanding of French language concepts.
Note that this method works best in conjunction with outside sources like native media or experienced tutors, and shouldn’t be your only learning strategy.
Practice and study daily: Consistency is one of the most important factors in language learning. Setting aside a small amount of time a day, even just 15 to 30 minutes, can lead to steady, lasting progress.
By studying daily, you’re reinforcing new vocabulary, building muscle memory for pronunciation, and keeping previously learned material fresh in your mind. Rotate between learning new words and phrases and reviewing those already learned, listening to short audio clips, speaking aloud, or writing simple sentences.
To help make daily practice a habit, try incorporating it into an existing routine—a technique known as “habit stacking.” For example, review flashcards with your morning coffee or listen to short dialogue during your commute. Attaching a small reward after, like a break or treat, can also boost motivation.
Language learning apps also support this consistency by offering rewards, sending notification reminders, and using gamified elements like streaks and progress tracking to keep you engaged.
Engage in error journaling: Keep a notebook where you write down the mistakes you make while learning. Write down what went wrong—word choice, grammar, pronunciation, or sentence structure—and then add the corrected version and a quick note about why it’s correct.
Focus on mistakes that repeat or confuse you and review the journal regularly to strengthen your understanding and make long-term improvements. Group similar mistakes together, if possible: for example, errors with verb tense, gender, or pronunciation.
Join an online or in-person practice group: Try finding a French language group to add real-time interaction to your study routine. These can be local meetups, online video calls, or structured conversation circles. Some are guided by a fluent speaker or teacher, while others are more informal and peer-led.
Regular attendance and participation allow you to practice speaking aloud, listening to others, and learn naturally through consistent communication.
Go on an immersion retreat: Few things accelerate language learning like being fully immersed. If you can afford the time and cost, retreats offer full French immersion for several weeks or months by combining lessons, group meals, and activities and outings.
Typically held in French-speaking regions or communities, these retreats force you to actively listen, think, and respond in French day in and day out, allowing you to develop high levels of fluency very quickly. After the retreat, be sure to set aside dedicated time to practice and to complete your immigration language test, so you don’t lose the proficiency you’ve gained.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
What you can expect from your French language test
To take a French language test, you must first schedule it online with an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)-approved language test provider.
IRCC currently recognizes two language tests for French:
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français.
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français.
On the day of your language test, you will report to the test centre specified in your invitation, where you will be tested on your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in French.
The table below outlines what you can expect from both TCF Canada and TEF Canada for each language ability.
Language abilityFormatPortion durationMethod of testing
TCF CanadaReading comprehension39 questions, multiple choice1 hourComputer-based
Listening comprehension39 questions, multiple choice35 minutesComputer-based
Written skills3 exercises1 hourComputer-based
Speaking skills3 exercises12 minutesOne-on-one with examiner
TEF CanadaReading comprehension40 questions, multiple choice1 hourComputer-based
Listening comprehension40 questions, multiple choice40 minutesComputer-based
Written skills2 sections (A and B)1 hour
Section A: 25 minutes
Section B: 35 minutes
Computer-based
Speaking skills2 sections (A and B)15 minutes
Section A: 5 minutes
Section B: 10 minutes
One-on-one with examiner
Reading: You will be assessed on your ability to read and comprehend written documents—which may include abstract texts, informal everyday language, and information in common documents, such as brochures or menus.
Listening: You will be given audio documents, which may include colloquial words and common expressions, information in simple everyday conversations, or information on people, facts, or events.
Writing: You may be asked to write an article continuation, explain or convey something to a specified individual (or several), express and justify a point of view (or several), and the like.
Speaking: You may be expected to obtain information, express a point of view spontaneously and continuously, and converse with an individual you do not know (the assessor).
The exact content of each test varies between TCF Canada and TEF Canada.
The total test duration for TCF Canada is 2 hours and 47 minutes, whereas TEF Canada’s total test duration is 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Test preparation
It is recommended that you prepare for your language test in advance.
TEF Canada provides test preparation resources, such as study materials, practice tests, and general information to know—including sample papers and replays from preparation workshops.
TCF Canada offers sample tests for you to try before taking the official test, as well as third-party resources.
These should be referenced in conjunction with self-study and preparation using the strategies and techniques previously mentioned.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Breaking down NCLC levels 1 to 4
Each pathway has a minimum required level of language proficiency.
There are three language proficiency stages:
Stage 1: Basic language ability, encompassing CLB/NCLC levels 1 to 4.
Stage 2: Intermediate language ability, encompassing CLB/NCLC levels 5 to 8.
Stage 3: Advanced language ability, encompassing CLB/NCLC levels 9 to 12.
Under stage one, here is how each NCLC level equates to level of proficiency.
NCLC levelDesignated level of proficiency
NCLC 1Initial Basic
NCLC 2Developing Basic
NCLC 3Adequate Basic
NCLC 4Fluent Basic
To show you meet the required level for your pathway of interest (generally a minimum of NCLC 4 or higher), you must take one of the language tests approved by IRCC.
What does NCLC level 1 through 4 entail?
When you take a language test, you will score an NCLC level for each of the four language abilities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Below, you will find what each NCLC level from 1 to 4 consists of for each of the four language abilities.
The information detailed below is intended to provide a high-level understanding of each NCLC level.
NCLC 1 – Initial Basic
Language skillAbilities
Reading-Only able to identify individual letters, numbers, and select everyday words.
-Can occasionally recognize very short, simple phrases tied to personal or immediate needs.
-Relies heavily on graphics and other visual clues.
-Inability to guess the meaning or unknown words based on context clues.
Writing-Can write basic elements like single letters, numbers, or a few known words.
-Attempts very short and simple phrases, but with frequent spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
-Written output typically lacks structure and relies on memorized words or phrases.
Speaking-Can express only the most basic needs using isolated, familiar words.
-Relies heavily on body language, prompts, and help from others to communicate.
-Demonstrates little to no understanding of French sentence structure or verb tenses.
-Frequent switches back to their first language due to limited French vocabulary and grammar.
Listening-Understands a few words and short phrases.
-Requires speakers to talk slowly and very clearly to understand.
-Relies on accompanying gestures (like hand movements or visuals).
NCLC 2 – Developing Basic
Language skillAbilities
Reading-Can find key words and basic details in texts, and identify short and familiar phrases and sentences.
-Has a limited grasp of sound-symbol relationships within the French language.
-May need pictures, graphics, and/or a bilingual dictionary to understand written material.
Writing-Can communicate basic personal information, single words, and very simple phrases.
-Most comfortable expressing highly familiar information tied to immediate needs, limited to common words and phrases.
-Has trouble expressing basic ideas clearly.
Speaking-Can use short, simple and familiar words in conversation, but has difficulty connecting ideas.
-Speaks slowly and often pauses or hesitates.
-Shows only very minimal understanding or use of grammar, verb tenses, or sentence structure.
-Dependent on gestures, guidance, and prompts from familiar listeners.
Listening-Understands a small range of simple words, phrases, and short sentences tied to immediate needs.
-Requires the speaker to talk slowly and clearly.
-Has difficulty following spoken French beyond the most familiar or predictable sentences.
-Likely requires visual aids or body language to understand.
NCLC 3 – Adequate Basic
Language skillAbilities
Reading-Understands brief, straightforward texts on familiar, everyday subjects when texts are short and well-structured.
-Understands certain simple connected discourse, though deeper comprehension can be limited.
-Benefits from visual clues.
Writing-Demonstrates growing awareness of basic grammar, sentence structure, and common vocabulary.
-Can likely form simple sentences about familiar personal topics and routine situations.
-Writing may be understandable but is often affected by issues with word order and form.
Speaking-Beginning to show some ability to link sentences and use basic grammar and tenses.
-Speech is fragmented but can communicate basic information using simple sentences about immediate needs and personal experiences.
-Difficulty with pronunciation, but improvements showing.
-Will likely require visual clues or prompts.
Listening-Understands simple, familiar words, common phrases, and short sentences in slow and clear speech.
-Able to grasp the main idea behind spoken communication, though may require repetition, visual context, rewording, or occasional translation.
NCLC 4 – Fluent Basic
Language skillAbilities
Reading-Shows an ability to identify purpose, main points, key details, and basic connections between ideas.
-Has a growing grasp of simple grammar and begins to recognize some complex sentence forms.
-May still require bilingual tools and visuals like charts or images to support comprehension.
Writing-Constructs basic sentences using simple language—usually with one clause per sentence.
-Capable of writing short texts about familiar subjects and personal life, with simple grammar and vocabulary.
-Showing early development in using correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Speaking-Can share basic information about everyday topics, personal experiences, and wants and needs in casual settings.
-Speaks in short, simple sentences with some ability to maintain connected speech.
-Sentence structure may be inconsistent, and occasional errors affect clarity.
Listening-Understands spoken language on familiar topics in one-on-one or small group conversations.
-Can follow along if speech is slow to moderately paced and supported by context or visuals.
-Shows an understanding of more complex sentence forms and common, everyday expressions.
