General Information
Based on the result of a placement test, anglophone students will be registered in LCF100, LCF200, LCF301, LCF302 or LCF400. Students will automatically be exempt from applicable lower level LCF courses once placed in the appropriate course. Students who attain a Second Official Language (SOL) proficiency level of at least BBB or higher on the Public Service Commission (PSC) Second Language Evaluation (SLE) will be exempt from LCF courses at RMC.
The PSC SLE is the only SOL certification-testing instrument currently accredited and used by the CAF to assess the SOL proficiency level. (DAOD 5039-8, Canadian Armed Forces Second Official Language Certification Testing)
The aim of the Language Centre is to enable students to function well in their second language as officers of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Every effort is made to ensure that students become bilingual in the shortest possible time. Classes are small, with a maximum of 10 students. In first and second year, six periods, each lasting 50 minutes, are timetabled for each week of the academic year. In third and fourth year, four periods per week are timetabled. The learning process is given a practical aspect by the frequent use of technology. Classroom activities are designed to promote a high level of participation by the student. Students who have not reached the appropriate fluency level by the end of their second year take an intensive summer course of 250 hours.
Official testing is granted when students reach an acceptable level; the tests determine whether they have achieved a satisfactory rate of progress, they also indicate their actual level via a linguistic profile.
Language Centre Director
R. Paquet, B.A., M.A. (Laval)
Language Center Teaching Staff
French as a Second Language
All non-Francophone students who have passed the Public Service Commission’s bilingualism tests with a minimum of BBB can register for the Minor, Certificate, and Attestation in French as a Second Language. (Only students with BBB or with a maximum of one C in their profile (CBB, BCB or BBC) will be allowed to follow these programmes)
The course will be split between the Language Centre and the Department of French, Literature and Culture, in a one third (LC) /two thirds ratio (FLC), The Language Centre portion of each course – the bilingualism portion – will focus on grammar, syntax, vocabulary and pronunciation. The French, Literature and Culture portion – the biculturalism portion – will explore the language via argumentation, persuasion, debates, conversations, analysis and literature, all of which with various themes.
For more information on the French as a Second Language programmes follow the link.
Second Language Course Descriptions
LCF100 Compétence de base – partie I
This course intended for beginners takes up the basic knowledge required to start communicating in the target language. It covers modules 1 to 3 of the Canadian Armed Forces French Curriculum. In this course, learners will acquire the means to establish basic social interactions; to ask for personal information; and to request for services in the target language.
- Note(s):
- This course is only available to students enrolled in the 4-pillar programme.
- Contact Hours:
- Variable
- Credit(s):
- 0
LCF200 Compétence de base – partie II
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in level 100 and leads to a level of communication that allows simple exchanges. It covers modules 4 to 6 of the Canadian Armed Forces French Curriculum. In this course, learners will acquire the means to make calls; to explain an itinerary; and to give further details about an intended move or a trip in the target language.
- Note(s):
- This course is only available to students enrolled in the 4-pillar programme.
- Contact Hours:
- Variable
- Credit(s):
- 0
LCF301 Compétence intermédiaire – partie I
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in level 200 and leads to a functional level of communication in most situations. It covers modules 7 to 8 of the Canadian Armed Forces French Curriculum. In this course, learners will acquire the means to inform others about an activity to come and describe events of the past in the target language.
- Note(s):
- Mandatory for students enrolled in a 4-pillar degree, unless they are exempt if their level of bilingualism is above this course.
- Prerequisite(s)
- LCF100 and LCF200, unless they are exempt.
- Semester
- Fall/Winter
- Contact Hours:
- 4-0-2
- Credit(s):
- 0
LCF302 Compétence intermédiaire – partie II
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in level 301 and leads to a functional level of communication in even more situations. It covers modules 9 to 11 of the Canadian Armed Forces French Curriculum. In this course, learners will acquire the means to talk about their trade and position; to explain how to operate a tool or a device; and to follow an investigation in the target language.
- Note(s):
- Mandatory for students enrolled in a 4-pillar degree, unless they are exempt if their level of bilingualism is above this course.
- Prerequisite(s)
- LCF100 and LCF200, unless they are exempt.
- Semester
- Summer
- Contact Hours:
- 4-0-2
- Credit(s):
- 0
LCF400 Compétence intermédiaire – partie III
This course refines the language skills required to reach level B on Public Service linguistic tests. It is a review of all previous courses (LCF100, 200, 301 and 302) as well as an overview of the modules 12 to 14 of the Canadian Armed Forces French Curriculum. In this course, learners will acquire the means to provide details about the circumstances of an event; to distribute tasks; to evaluate the work done; and to assess the efficiency of a piece of equipment in the target language. They will also prepare for the Public Service testing for their Second Official Language profile using various tools (practice tests, simulations, targeted reviews).
- Note(s):
- This course is only available to students enrolled in the 4-pillar programme.
- Contact Hours:
- Variable
- Credit(s):
- 0