Why French is Important as a Second Language in Canada

You can normally hear numerous people in Canada speak French, while the first official language is English. Unsurprisingly, French as a second language in Canada is noticeably important and makes great differences in your everyday life. 
Millions of people in the country speak French as their official language. It’s needless to say that being able to communicate in French can provide you with lots of benefits. In this post, we’re going to find out why French is important as a second language in Canada. 

Quick Facts about French in Canada

  • French is the first official language of 22.8% of people in Canada.
  • Most Francophones (85.4%) live in Quebec.
  • Almost 10.4 million Canadians can build a conversation in French.
  • Roughly 3,000 primary and secondary schools, 75 colleges, and 30 universities offer their courses in French in Canada. 
  • Almost 1.7 million young people study French as a second language in Canada.
  • Source: Government of Canada
1. Communication and Cultural Awareness
Those who are skillful in the French language can communicate with a myriad people in Canada. There are different cultures in the country and millions of people speak French. In more exact terms, 7.8 million people in Canada speak French as their first language. These people mostly live in Quebec where French is the first official language. 
French speakers can adapt more easily to different cultures in the country. They can communicate with Francophones and learn a lot about their traditions, art, music, literature, and more.
2. Job Opportunities and Higher Salaries
If you can speak both English and French, you have a higher chance to find jobs with better salaries in Canada. Numerous jobs need bilingualism, and those fluent in both languages are in high demand. 
Bilingual employees often receive a bonus and have higher salaries. The best part is that it's not only private companies that need bilingual employees; many federal and provincial government jobs value bilingualism and offer higher salaries to qualified candidates. 
3. Doing Business in Quebec
Quebec plays a pivotal role in Canada’s economy, and the majority of residents speak French there. There are countless big investment projects in Quebec and their companies make millions of dollars every year. What’s more, the cost of living is lower in Quebec compared with many other provinces. 
Quebec has over 8 million residents, hence being an attractive market for different businesses. Being able to communicate in French helps businesses build relationships with Quebecois clients and achieve greater success in the Quebec market.
4. More Points in Immigration Programs
Bilingual immigrants who speak both English and French can get more points in Canada's Express Entry immigration system. That's because French language skills are valuable in Canada, especially in provinces like Quebec and New Brunswick. 
French language skill is considered a game-changing factor in Canada's Express Entry system for immigrants. The system specifies an applicant's eligibility for permanent residency. If you're fluent in French and tend to immigrate to Canada, you can get many points in the system for immigration. 
5. High-Quality Education
If you know French in Canada, you can enjoy high-quality education as it helps you access top-ranking universities in both English and French-speaking regions. 
Some universities in Quebec are among the highest-ranking universities in Canada and offer courses in French, including Université de Montréal and Université Laval
Final Words
Now that you understand how necessary it is to know French in Canada, the best strategy is to start learning it if you haven't yet. Whether you're planning to immigrate to Canada or you're a native Canadian citizen, learning French as the second official language of the country can provide you with countless benefits.