University of Ottawa

Overview

The Second-Language Teaching—French major at the University of Ottawa equips students with the skills to teach French as a second language. This program integrates language acquisition theory with practical classroom pedagogy, fostering a deep understanding of bilingual education and official languages. Delivered through a collaborative approach between the Arts and Education faculties, it is ideal for those aspiring to teach in diverse linguistic environments.

What you'll study

This undergraduate major encompasses a blend of foundational coursework and specialized language-teaching classes. Students engage in required Arts and Education-related components alongside a focused curriculum on French language and didactics, ensuring preparedness for FLS teaching contexts.

Core course areas include:

• Second-language didactics
• Linguistics relevant to language teaching
• Developing language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing
• Methodologies for teaching grammar
• Curriculum design and instructional materials for second-language education
• Teaching in multicultural and minority-language settings
• Supporting grammar and language accuracy

Additional learning components:

• Electives covering topics such as French immersion, educational technology, and sociolinguistics
• University-wide Arts requirements, including literature, composition, and philosophy

This program is designed to enhance both linguistic proficiency and pedagogical judgment, preparing students for further teacher education studies where relevant.

Entry requirements

Admission to the program is generally based on academic performance and the overall strength of the application. Specific GPA cut-offs are not detailed, so prospective students should focus on presenting a strong academic background.

Career prospects