French Language and Culture

This program helps you become more proficient in spoken and written French, and understand and appreciate Francophone cultures in a variety of countries. By the end of this program, you’ll be able to: talk in detail about familiar topics understand how to use correct protocols, grammar and verb tenses understand the nuances of colloquial and formal French language interact comfortably with native French speakers read contemporary French texts write clearly on a range of subjects After you have completed the required courses, you will complete a personalized final project where you can learn specialized French vocabulary related to your area of expertise or to an area of personal interest.

This program is designed for professionals and students who want to communicate in French fluently and comfortably in their professional life, and understand Francophone cultures for work, study or travel.

Before applying to this program, we recommend you have a basic command of spoken and written French. Conversation courses start at the lower intermediate level. Our reading and writing courses require that you have a lower intermediate level of French before you enrol. Read an overview of our conversational language course levels to determine your level, or contact us if you need guidance.

Each course (including course materials) is $415−$620. The cost for the personalized final project is $680. You can pay for one course at a time.

The cost to complete the program is approximately $3,105–$3,430, which includes a $175 non-refundable application fee and depends on how many courses you complete.

All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Find more details on refunds, cancellations and transfers.

$3,105 to $3,430

The program consists of a minimum of five courses of nine weeks each, followed by a final project you complete over nine weeks. You have the option to take four conversational courses and one reading and writing course, or three conversational courses and two reading and writing courses.

You work on your final project over nine weeks, and then present and discuss it before a small committee.

If you’ve taken an eligible French course with UBC Extended Learning in the past year, you can ask to have it applied retroactively to the certificate. Note that only one French course can be applied retroactively.

The UBC Certificate in French Language and Culture is a part-time program with options for online and/or in-person study that consists of a minimum of four courses in French conversation and one course in reading and writing, or three conversational courses and two reading and writing courses.

French conversation courses are instructor supported, with either in-person classes or real-time online classes. Outside of class time, you can access handouts and other materials online. You might be doing readings or watching videos to prepare for your next class or practising with the material you have learned in your previous class.

French reading and writing courses are 100% online and facilitator/instructor supported. Modules are released weekly, and you can review materials, complete assignments and interactive quizzes, and contribute to a discussion forum. Your instructor will provide you with individualized feedback.

For the final project, you work one-on-one with an instructor for nine weeks. Under their guidance, you select a topic relevant to Francophone living, and write an essay of a minimum of 3,000 words. You also prepare an oral presentation about your essay that you present before a small committee of instructors. Every week, your instructor provides you with feedback and support on your progress.

Expected effort

Expect to spend two to three hours on your course per week, including time spent in class sessions, and completing homework and course materials.

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone (to access real-time classes)

Assessment

These are non-credit courses without letter or numerical grades. In conversational courses, you receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. In instructor-supported reading and writing courses, lessons may include auto-corrected quizzes, exercises for which you’ll receive written feedback and occasional forum posts from your facilitator/instructor.

Obtaining your certificate

Once you’ve completed your final presentation and received confirmation of graduation, your certificate will be mailed to your personal mailing address.

Our program instructors are native French speakers with experience teaching adult language learners and working in French-speaking countries.

The admissions process helps to ensure that the needs, intentions and expectations of participants are adequately matched to the program's objectives and capabilities.

Before you apply

Before applying to this program, we recommend you have a basic command of spoken and written French. Conversation courses start at the lower intermediate level. Our reading and writing courses require that you have a lower intermediate level of French before you enrol. Read an overview of our conversational language course levels to determine your level, or contact us if you need guidance.

Application steps

Complete the following steps to submit your application:

1. Complete the online application form. You should include personal and/or career goals, interests and program expectations.
2. You will be directed to pay the $175 non-refundable application fee online.
3. Once you have been accepted into the certificate program, you can begin registering for courses.