FSL Program · Gastown Campus
French classes in Vancouver, from complete beginner to TEF Canada ready
Eight weeks. 80 hours of class time. Evenings or weekends at our Gastown campus, in classes small enough that you actually speak.
Foundation level for true beginners
Weekday evenings or weekend classes
TEF Canada preparation built in
4.8 / 5 · 230+ Google reviews for our Vancouver campus
Get the French course details
An admissions advisor replies within 1 business day.
Why SELC
A French program built for people starting at zero
Speaking first, in small classes, at a campus in the middle of downtown Vancouver.
Beginners Welcome
The Foundation class is designed for true beginners with little or no exposure to French. No prior study required.
Speaking-Focused
Our curriculum follows the 80:20 rule, so most of your class time is spent using French out loud rather than listening to a lecture.
Small Class Sizes
Small groups mean your instructor can correct your pronunciation, not just your worksheets.
TEF Canada Prep
Coursework covers all four exam areas: reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and written expression, plus test day strategy.
Language Lab Access
Practice outside class hours with our language lab and learning resources.
56+ Nationalities
Students from more than 56 countries study at SELC, and French gets practised at events and activities outside the classroom too.
How It Works
Four steps to your first class
Speaking first, in small classes, at a campus in the middle of downtown Vancouver.
01
Take the free test
A short online French test tells us where you should start. Complete beginner? Skip it, you are in Foundation.
02
Talk to admissions
We confirm your level, walk you through fees, and answer questions about the TEF Canada exam.
03
Pick your intake
Choose a start date and a schedule, weekday evenings or weekends, then complete the application form.
04
Start in Gastown
Eight weeks of class at 321 Water Street, with support from the student services team throughout.
Course Details
Schedule, levels, and what you need to enrol
Every course runs 8 weeks and 80 hours of class time, with a new intake roughly every two months.
Class times
Weekday classes
Monday to Thursday, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Weekend classes
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Course length
8 weeks, 80 hours total
Campus
2nd Floor, 321 Water Street, Vancouver (Gastown)
2026 start dates
Aug 17
Oct 13
Earlier 2026 intakes (Jan 5, Mar 2, Apr 27, Jun 22) have already started. Ask admissions about 2027 dates.
Levels
Foundation
True beginners with little or no exposure to French
Intermediate
Completion of Foundation, or an assessment placing you at intermediate level
What you need to enrol
Domestic students
Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
International students
A valid passport
Gallery
Life at the Gastown campus
Where you will be spending your Monday evenings.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do by the end
Eight weeks is not fluency. It is the point where French stops feeling like a wall.
Read a text on your own
Get through a page of French without reaching for a translation app every other line.
Build a proper sentence
Structure words correctly instead of stringing vocabulary together and hoping it lands.
Answer a question in French
Someone asks you something, and you respond. In French. Without freezing.
Express yourself freely
Say what you actually mean, not just the sentence you memorised.
Sit TEF Canada prepared
Walk into the exam knowing the format of all four sections and how the timing works.
Keep going to the next level
Finish Foundation and move straight into Intermediate at the next intake.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know any French to start?
No. The Foundation class is built for true beginners with little or no exposure to French. If you have studied before, take the free online test and we will place you correctly.
How long is the course?
Eight weeks, 80 hours of class time. Finish Foundation and you can move into Intermediate at the following intake.
When does the next course start?
The remaining 2026 intakes are August 17 and October 13. Start dates run roughly every two months, so ask admissions if you need a later one.
What are the class times?
Weekday classes run Monday to Thursday, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Weekend classes run Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Pick whichever fits around work.
What is the TEF Canada exam?
The TEF Canada (Test d'Evaluation de Francais) is a standardised test that measures your French across four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Our coursework covers all four, plus strategy for test day.
What do I need to enrol?
Domestic students provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. International students need a valid passport. Students aged 15 or younger need a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian.
How do I register?
Fill in the form on this page and an admissions advisor will walk you through it, or complete the online application form directly on our website.
4.8 / 5 · 230+ Google reviews for our Vancouver campus
The next French intake starts October 13
Seats in each class are limited by design, because small groups are the point. Talk to admissions and we will confirm your level, your schedule, and your start date.
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French and English language programs in downtown Vancouver
Contact
2nd Floor, 321 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8
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