Programs

French at Carleton

French programs at Carleton meet a variety of needs and interests. Our team specializes both in French studies (literature and linguistics) and French as a second language. Our programs include:

• a Bachelor of Arts program of 15 credits (7 credits in FREN courses) usually completed in three years ;
• a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) of 20 credits (11 credits in FREN courses) usually completed in four years ;
• a Combined Honours program of 20 credits (7.5 credits in FREN courses) for students interested in combining their studies in French with another discipline ;
• a Minor in French of 4 credits in FREN courses that can be combined with any other major;
• French as a second language courses that can be taken as electives or to fill language requirements in other programs

Our French as a second language courses align with the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, recognized by employers and institutions around the world) and will help you gain, maintain or improve your competency in French, a valuable asset in Canada’s bilingual job market.

Our team also includes experts in French linguistics and sociolinguistics and in French Literatures from around the world. In our programs, you can take a combination of courses from these 3 areas of studies (or focus more on one of them to fit your interests and goals).

French as a Second Language

Interested in learning or improving your skills in Canada’s official languages? You’ll be placed in French courses that fit your level best, ranging from beginner to advanced. Our courses provide students with the opportunity to practice listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You’ll develop skills in vocabulary, grammar, and culture that will serve you well in professional contexts and in everyday life. Learn more about our course offering in French as a second language here.

French Linguistics and Sociolinguistics

Where did the French language come from, and how has it changed over time? What are the differences between French in Canada and elsewhere? French linguistics opens up the world of this diverse and constantly evolving language. You’ll get to learn about how people actually speak French, and how they feel about it when they do. Some highlights include learning about French accents, creoles, dialects, and even slang. Learn to transcribe spoken French using the International Phonetic Alphabet, make language maps, and draw tree diagrams of French words and sentences.

French Literature

Studying literature is a great way to put your language skills into practice. It’s also a window into the many Francophone cultures that you’ll learn about at Carleton through our literature courses. By reading poetry, novels, and plays from Québec and Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and France, you’ll grapple with current and historical issues like migration, colonialism, nationalism, and identity, and develop an appreciation for the ways in which different cultures express themselves through language and the literary arts.

Courses That Are Right For You

From our first-year course, French in the classroom and beyond to our advanced written and oral French courses, from a basic introduction to French language to upper-year courses in French linguistics, students interested in taking French courses can find the right course, no matter what their level of French may be.  Our web-based Language Placement Test ensures that you are enrolling in the appropriate course. To further ensure proper placement, students enrolled in language courses are also evaluated by the instructors during the first week of class. Here is a sample of courses regularly offered… come and see for yourself!

• FREN 1050 French in the classroom and beyond
• FREN 2202 Introduction aux études littéraires
• FREN 3414 Sociolinguistique du français
• FREN 4301 Experiential learning: Séminaire d’été à Québec

March Advising for students in the BA and Minor in French

All students enrolled in a BA program in French should meet once a year with the Undergraduate Supervisor or the Chair of the Department to discuss courses required or recommended for the forthcoming academic year. Students enrolled in a Minor in French are also strongly encouraged to meet with us. For this purpose, we will be holding extended advising hours in March of each year (you will be asked to book a twenty-minute appointment with the Undergraduate Supervisor or the Chair of the Department to meet in person or on Zoom and to bring your Audit with you).

Supervisors for March 2026: Sébastien Côté (Undergraduate Supervisor) and Émilie Urbain (Chair) – Schedule TBC in Winter 2026.