Offered in collaboration with the Francophone Affairs Office of the Faculty of Medicine, these courses will help you improve your French in real, professional medical contexts.
French as a second language courses Faculty of Medicine
Would you like to feel more confident speaking French in your workplace?
Whether you're a medical student, resident, researcher, physician, or administrative staff member, these courses are designed for you.
Whether you're a medical student, resident, researcher, physician, or administrative staff member, these courses are designed for you.
Enrollment requirements
- You are eligible to take our classes, if you fit these requirements:
- You are affiliated with:
- uOttawa Faculty of Medicine,
- Montfort Hospital
- Ottawa Hospital
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
- You are a:
- Medical student or resident
- Professor
- Researcher
- Physician
- Support staff (employee)
- You are affiliated with:
- You have completed the online placement test to determine which courses you’re eligible to enroll in. A non-refundable fee of $33 may apply.
Overview
Our French classes are offered in autumn and winter sessions and last around 12 weeks. Please find below our overall classes and their level.
Beginner (F0-F1)
We recommend beginner class if you:
- Have no prior knowledge of French
- Want to develop your language skills from the ground up
- Need a class focused on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing
Class options
Autumn: FLS1700 and FLS2622-MD (for support staff only)
Winter: FLS1700 and FLS2621-MD (for support staff only)
Learn more about our courses – Winter 2027
Class options for health specialists (from January 28 to April 8):
FLS 1700-A
Initiation to basic French
Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (no courses during reading week)
Introduction to basic French focussing on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Listening practice with audio/audiovisual materials. Reading practice with short texts. Basic conversation practice and short writing tasks. Authentic material drawn from the health sciences context will be used wherever possible. Individual and group practice. This course is designed for individuals with no prior knowledge of French.
FLS 1711-A
Elementary: Speaking & Writing
Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (no courses during reading week)
Basic French for “false-beginners” focussing on speaking and writing skills. Review of basic production skills (pronunciation, grammar and spelling, and vocabulary). Basic conversation practice and short writing tasks. Authentic material drawn from health care contexts will be used wherever possible. Individual and group practice. This course is designed for individuals with some basic knowledge of French.
FLS 2811-A
Intermediate: Reading & Writing
Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (no courses during reading week)
Review and development of reading and writing strategies. Application and review of the linguistic features of various text types. Observation of these models and their integration into reading tasks, including the identification of the target audience, topic, main and supporting ideas, cohesion markers, text organization and progression, etc., as well as writing tasks such as note-taking, drafting memos, briefing notes, short reports, emails, and more. Reinforcement of grammatical and lexical knowledge. All content is related to the health sector. Individualized practice.
FLS 3811-A
Advanced: Reading & Writing
Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (no courses during reading week)
Advanced-level review of reading and writing strategies, including the steps required to develop complex texts related to the health field, such as summaries, abstracts, reports, and analyses. Observation and analysis of a variety of models and their application in writing tasks. Reinforcement of advanced grammatical and lexical knowledge. Individualized practice. Development of strategies for speed reading, revision, and self-editing. All content is related to the health sector.
Class options for health specialists (from February 3 to March 17):
FLS 2601-MD
Intermediate / Advanced: Oral communication workshop (NEW)
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (no courses during reading week)
This course is intended for intermediate to advanced learners who wish to enhance their French oral communication skills in a health-related context. The specific level of the workshop will be determined based on the profile and proficiency level of the majority of registered participants.
The course provides numerous opportunities for practice through presentations, guided and open discussions, as well as authentic communication exercises based on situations and topics from the health sector. Particular emphasis is placed on expanding specialized vocabulary and reviewing and strengthening key grammar concepts that support accurate and effective oral communication.
Class options for support staff (employees) of the Faculty of medicine:
FLS 2621-MD
Beginner / Elementary: Reading & Writing
From January 26 to April 20 - Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Review and expansion of reading and writing strategies. Application and review of the linguistic features of various text types. Observation of these models and their integration into authentic writing tasks drawn from academic and medical settings, including note-taking, writing messages, letters, and emails. Reinforcement of grammatical and lexical knowledge. Individualized practice.
FLS 3621-MD
Intermediate / Advanced: Reading & Writing
From January 28 to April 22 - Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Intermediate-advanced review of reading and writing strategies, including the steps required to develop complex texts related to the administrative field, such as summaries, abstracts, reports, and analyses. Observation and analysis of a variety of models and their application in authentic writing tasks drawn from academic and medical settings. Reinforcement of intermediate and advanced grammatical and lexical knowledge. Individualized practice. Development of strategies for speed reading, revision, and self-editing.
Practice your French at the Julien Couture Resource Centre
The Julien Couture Resource Centre (JCRC) offers workshops and conversation partners in English and French to help you start or continue your language journey in a relaxed and stimulating environment. Come put your skills to the test with the help of our student facilitators!
Contact us
Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
70 Laurier Avenue East
Room 130
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Canada
Tel. : 613-562-5743
Fax. : 613-562-5126
[email protected]
Admissions
If you have any trouble enrolling in a class, please contact [email protected]
For questions about the courses, we suggest contacting OLBI at [email protected]
For any technical issues, you can always reach out to Medtech at Sign in to your account
We thank you for choosing our classes.