Living in Montreal without french
May 27th 2011, 7:55 pm
#1
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Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 261
Living in Montreal without french
Hi
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
May 27th 2011, 7:58 pm
#2
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Edinburgh, UK
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
I don't know the industries of Quebec in great detail, but as a geophysicist wouldn't you do better in Alberta?
May 27th 2011, 8:15 pm
#3
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
Yes, it's the other place I'm looking at but my boyfriend lives in Montreal and I'd prefer to be with him if possible. Obviously the job opportunities are more limited for me in Montreal in my line of work, hence why I need to know if my lack of French would take me out of the running.
May 27th 2011, 10:17 pm
#4
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Joined: May 2011
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
I think it's a tough question. Montreal is more bilingual than other parts of Quebec I'd say but still the laws are pretty strict regarding language so I think it might be tough for you. You should perhaps have your boyfriend check it out if he lives right in Montreal and maybe check with some possible employers online to find out whether you could easily get work.
Is your boyfriend not French-speaking?
Is your boyfriend not French-speaking?
May 27th 2011, 11:05 pm
#5
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
If you are relocating to Canada for your boyfriend, would he not consider relocating to Alberta for you to get some canadian experience?
May 28th 2011, 2:38 am
#6
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Joined: Mar 2011
Location: North of the 49th parallel
Posts: 140
Re: Living in Montreal without french
Hi
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
May 28th 2011, 2:39 am
#7
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Joined: Mar 2011
Location: North of the 49th parallel
Posts: 140
Re: Living in Montreal without french
If you are a female geophysicist, don't waste your time learning French! You already rock and Quebec doesn't deserve you. Just my 2 cents.
May 28th 2011, 2:41 am
#8
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Posts: 92
Re: Living in Montreal without french
catpea33,
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
May 28th 2011, 7:18 am
#9
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Joined: May 2011
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 261
Re: Living in Montreal without french
I haven't asked him because his brother and niece live in Montreal and he's literally just bought a house. So really if I wasn't living in Montreal then it would be a case of breaking up and I don't want to do that.
May 28th 2011, 7:20 am
#10
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Joined: May 2011
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
Er, maybe I'm being dense but are their politics that might stop me? I was planning on doing a 12 week residential course in France to get the required DELF B1 standard that Quebec wants and I'd hope to surpass that too. Not really sure that's off-the-cuff to immerse myself for 3 whole months beforehand taking intensive classes!
Last edited by catpea33; May 28th 2011 at 7:29 am.
May 28th 2011, 7:24 am
#11
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Location: Kingston, ON
Posts: 261
Re: Living in Montreal without french
catpea33,
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
Thanks for the advice though. It's given me a lot to think about in that I'm making it more difficult for myself by living out there. Now I just have to decide if my bf is more important or if I should head to Alberta!
May 28th 2011, 5:20 pm
#12
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 909
Re: Living in Montreal without french
catpea33,
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
in my experience, my advice would be that you avoid Montreal-you are starting a new job in a new city. This is a factor you should not play down & couple this with the stress that you will put on yourself to learn a new language will be immense. It was the toughest part of the 'Montreal experience'. In addition to it really putting you outside any semblence of a comfort zone, for you to succeed in the short to medium term, you will need to do it intensively, which will mean nightschool- at least 3-4 times per week.
I was fortunate in that I worked in aerospace, most of the suppliers 7 customers were American & therefore English was the language spoken at work. What I found to be very, very difficult was that the office spoke French- lunch breaks, office get togethers, etc. Through 30 years of Bill 101, most Montrealers grow up with French being their language of education. If you choose to make no effort to learn the language, Quebecers are not stupid, they see right through it- just another Anglophone in Quebec for the short term, expecting to muddle through life being unilingual. If, however, you embrace the language & make a genuine attempt to learn French, you will not meet a warmer group of people.
As far as day to day stuff, if you live in NDG or the West Island, you will have no problem getting by. Buying groceries, having a chat in the park, going to a restaurant, buying a house, etc.
It's the work environment, where it counts.
May 28th 2011, 6:11 pm
#13
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
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Re: Living in Montreal without french
Hi
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
I've just received an open work permit and was considering spending my time working in Montreal (or maybe elsewhere in Quebec). The problem is that my knowledge of French is limited to fragments I learnt in school about 13 years ago! Would I still be able to find work even with that problem? I was intending on working as a geophysicist in the oil/minerals industry, which is what I'm doing now in the UK.
I should add that I was hoping to take a 12-week residential course in France to get me to a minimum DELF B1 level before heading to Canada but the dates aren't really working out. That's why I was wondering if I could get a job and possibly do a French course while I was in Montreal rather than heading to France first and delaying my arrival...
Cheers for any insights you may have!
Cat
May 28th 2011, 7:46 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: North of the 49th parallel
Posts: 140
Re: Living in Montreal without french
Hi Catpea. I am a Canadian citizen (born) and have lived in the bilingual city of Ottawa all my life. It is generally understood that learning French is not the same as being French. (I am not French, btw). Language is *highly politicized* here and simply learning the language may seem from the outside to suffice, but in reality it is much more complex than that. Ottawa is the nation's capital and jobs here are very competitive between the anglos and the french. Many native-born Canadians try to learn French and become fluent, but hiring practices go much deeper than that (being born French Canadian and having the requisite French last name, accent, culture, politics, etc. all play into it.)
My honest two cents.
My honest two cents.
May 28th 2011, 7:48 pm
#15
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Joined: Mar 2011
Location: North of the 49th parallel
Posts: 140
Re: Living in Montreal without french
Hi Catpea. I am a Canadian citizen (born) and have lived in the bilingual city of Ottawa all my life. It is generally understood that learning French is not the same as being French. (I am not French, btw). Language is *highly politicized* here and simply learning the language may seem from the outside to suffice, but in reality it is much more complex than that. Ottawa is the nation's capital and jobs here are very competitive between the anglos and the french. Many native-born Canadians try to learn French and become fluent, but hiring practices go much deeper than that (being born French Canadian and having the requisite French last name, accent, culture, politics, etc. all play into it.)
My honest two cents.
My honest two cents.
Now, given, jobs in the government sector may be much more highly politicized than those in private business. I just view French as an added and undesireable hurdle.