French

Discover a World of Cultural, Intellectual and Linguistic Riches

French is the language of rich, diverse cultures including world-renowned artists, philosophers, and scientists such as Simone de Beauvoir, Coco Chanel, Maryse Condé, Marie Curie, Assia Djebar, Xavier Dolan, Naomie Fontaine, Michel Foucault, Jean-Luc Godard, Gabrielle Roy, and Michel Tremblay as well as Nobel Prize winners JMG Le Clézio and Annie Ernaux. 

It is one of Canada’s two official languages and spoken around the world in the eighty-eight states of the Francophonie with large numbers of Francophones found in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. It is the second most learned second language after only English. French speakers also represent a young and fast-growing portion of the world’s population. 

Acquire Skills, Knowledge and Global Attitudes

French Studies allow you to develop a broad range of cultural, linguistic, professional, and research skills. UTM French graduates pursue a variety of careers in teaching, public service, speech-language pathology, educational technology, law, new media, broadcasting, and the arts as well as graduate studies in fields such as linguistics, literature, and teaching. 

Explore UTM’s French Programs

Programs are offered in three areas for both non-native and native speakers: 

  • French Studies: Minor (ERMIN1135), Major (ERMAJ1295), and Specialist (ERSPE1295) 
    • Programs in French Studies involve a combination of language and disciplinary (linguistics, literature, teaching & learning) classes with a strong research component 
  • Functional French: Minor (ERMIN1000) 
    • The FSL Minor is designed for students with little to no previous knowledge of French who wish to develop French language and cultural competences to realize their personal and professional goals 
  • Language Teaching and Learning: French - Major (ERMAJ1056)
    • The Major in Teaching & Learning French, structured around both French language learning and pedagogical studies, includes both research and practical experience designed for students with a passion for teaching the language 
  • Specialist Program: Language Teaching & Learning: French & Italian (ERSPE1092)
  • Combined Degree Programs - Any of the French major or specialist programs may count towards a combined degree (Honours Bachelor of Arts / Master of Teaching (MT)) from UTM and OISE

Meet Our Professors from Around the World

Our diverse faculty come from Africa, Canada, Europe, and Asia. They are passionate teacher-researchers with specializations in a broad range of areas: 

  • Linguistics 
    • Bi/multilingualism including creoles and heritage languages; French language structure (sound, sentences, words); Second/third language learning 
  • Literary & Cultural Studies 
    • 19th, 20th and 21st Century French & Québec literature, including popular culture, Indigenous and world literatures in French; Book and periodical Studies; Contemporary LGTBQ literature; Contemporary Franco-Canadian transnational writers; Women’s writing and cultural practices  
  • Teaching & Learning French
    • Pedagogy, including task-based and technology-assisted learning; Plurilingualism in teaching practices in primary and secondary schools; Second language assessment 

Take Part in French Experiential Learning Opportunities

Take your French learning beyond the classroom – engage in a range of opportunities including both learning-based (international study abroad, internships) and research-based experiences (research opportunity courses, work study positions & research assistantships on faculty-led projects). 

Consider joining our student society, ÉFUTM (Étudiants francophones de UTM), and participate in activities such as conversation circles, film nights, and a trip to Quebec. 

Be Eligible for Scholarships and Awards

Prizes include the David Trott French Prize for an outstanding second-year student, the Howard Root Memorial award for students in the Minor in Functional French, and the Anne Ritchie Award for the highest standing in a third/fourth-year French (FRE) course. 

For any questions about French @UTM, please contact the Program Coordinator, Prof. Jeffrey Steele (fre.pc.utm@utoronto.ca).