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Discover French with uOttawa

Explore French language and culture with a free online beginner course you can complete at your own pace, wherever you are.

Important information about Discover French

Discover French is currently on pause due to high demand

Thank you for your interest in Discover French. Due to overwhelming demand, enrolment in the course is currently on pause.
To ensure an excellent learning experience for all participants, the CLL team is taking time to manage current enrolments before opening additional spaces.
If you had already registered and are unable to access the course, we will contact you by email with updates on next steps once the program reopens.
Thank you again for your interest and patience.

Why choose this course?

Whether you're new to French or returning after a break, Discover French offers an inclusive, no-prerequisites learning experience open to everyone.

Please note that this course is not an immigration program and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship in Canada.

Who is this course for?

Students laughing together
  • Beginners with little to no prior experience in French
  • Learners who studied French in the past and want a refresher
  • International students interested in French Canadian culture and language
  • Curious minds looking to explore the Francophone world from home

Course components

Person looking at phone while holding Francophonie flag

Module 1. Introduce yourself and ask basic questions

Module 2. Share personal details and talk about your daily routine

Module 3. Ask for and understand directions

Module 4. Talk about hobbies, activities, and past experiences

Module 5. Write short texts and understand simple messages

Module 6. Discover Francophone culture in Ontario & Canada

All course content aligns with the A1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). 

Course format

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Free of charge

No fees, no materials to purchase

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100% online and self-paced

Start anytime and from anywhere

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Six interactive modules

Each module takes about 3 hours to complete, giving you a total of 18 hours of French practice.

Contact us

Centre for Language Learning

70 Laurier Avenue East, Room 101
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada

Tel. : +1-877-868-8292
        +1-613-562-5980
[email protected]

DLI O19397188593

Office Hours

Monday to Friday

September to May
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

June to August
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.