It is essential to learn how to read, speak and comprehend the French language in order to succeed in a bilingual workplace.
There are four levels of proficiency in the French as a Second Language courses, and they have more than one section for additional practice. The levels are Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. Each level complements the other and builds upon previously introduced concepts and vocabulary.
Free Placement Test
There are 3 sections to the assessment, listening and reading comprehension, and grammar. The test is approximately 70 minutes and should be completed in one sitting. At the end of the test, you will be shown your results as a percentage. Use the chart below to determine which FSL course to register for.
Take the French Placement Test
| Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) |
Government of Canada Proficiency Levels | Algonquin College Previous Courses |
Algonquin College Current Courses |
| Beginner – A1 | X | French Beginner Level 1 (Pre-A) | FSL Beginner 1 |
| Beginner – A1 | X | French Beginner Level 2 (Pre-A) | FSL Beginner 2 |
| Elementary – A2 | A | French Intermediate Level 1 (A) | FSL Elementary 1 |
| Elementary – A2 | A | French Intermediate Level 2 (A) | FSL Elementary 2 |
| Intermediate – B1 | B | French Advanced Level 1 (B) | FSL Intermediate 1 |
| Intermediate – B1 | B | French Advanced Level 2 (B) | FSL Intermediate 2 |
| Intermediate – B1 | B | French Oral Exam Preparation – Level B | Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Preparation Oral B |
| Advanced – B2 | C | French Proficient Level 1 (C) | FSL Advanced 1 |
| Advanced – B2 | C | French Proficient Level 2 (C) | FSL Advanced 2 |
| Advanced – B2 | C | French Oral Exam Preparation – Level C | Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Preparation Oral C |
Level Change Requests
If you are enrolled in a FSL course and you wish to transition to a different level, you may request a change, subject to availability. Such requests can only be accommodated after completing no more than two classes within their current session.
Get started on your French as a Second Language journey with this introductory course.
In this second level course, learn to describe and react to different situations in real life using present, past, and future tenses.
Develop your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking French through active participation in a wide range of communication activities.
Broaden your ability to communicate in the past, present and future tenses. The learning activities in this course focus on comparing habits and activities, giving reasons and justifying actions.
Develop your French communication in professional situations, discussing and comparing present and past experiences, express your opinions along with conditions and hypotheses.
Practice all communication skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) to gain more grammatical control in complex sentences used to augment and reason on complex or unfamiliar topics.
This advanced level course focuses on discussing workplace and societal issues to study complex sentences in context.
This advanced course explores workplace and social issues through debates and discussions, encouraging authentic expression of complex ideas with advanced language skills.
Increase your ability to express yourself in the present, past and future for your Level B Second Language Evaluation exam.
Increase your ability to express yourself in the present, past and future for your Level C Second Language Evaluation exam.
