Core French Option for Non-Specialists

Learning and Teaching Core French as a Non-specialist

Do you have some French language skills? Interested in adding Core French to your teaching portfolio?

The Department of Language and Literacy Education (LLED) and the Teacher Education Office (TEO), with the participation of the Government of Canada and the Ministry of Education and Child Care of British Columbia, are pleased to offer the Core French Option for Non-specialists. This is an additional option designed for elementary & middle years and secondary teacher candidates interested in teaching Core French in grades 5-12.

Who Can Apply

This option is open to all non-specialists (anyone not enrolled in the French Cohort anyone who does not have a French teachable), and provides both pedagogical and linguistic preparation to support learning and teaching French as an additional language.

This is a flexible, additional, and concurrent option: it can be added to any secondary teachable subject(s) and be completed concurrently with any other secondary option (Dual Degree, IB, EDID, Digital Pedagogy & AI pilot), as well as alongside any elementary & middle years cohort.

Why Choose the Core French Option?

  • Broaden your qualifications and become more competitive in the job market.
  • Respond to the ongoing shortage of qualified French teachers across BC and Canada.
  • Gain practical skills and confidence to teach Core French effectively.
  • Earn a Certificate of Completion from UBC’s TEO and LLED department.

Please note: This option provides foundational preparation but does not replace the French specialization and does not certify you as a French specialist. However, in regions experiencing French teacher shortages, many employers recognize this when certified Core French teachers are unavailable.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • be admitted to the 2025/26 Bachelor of Education program.
  • not be enrolled in the French cohort or not have French as a teachable subject.
  • demonstrate interest in teaching Core French at the grades 5-12 level.
  • have some background and knowledge of the French language.

Program Components

French Pedagogical Workshop

Attend four face-to-face workshops focused on teaching French as an additional language. Sessions will be held on the UBC Vancouver campus during Winter Term 1 (September–December), on non-practicum days.

Professional French Oral Communication Course

This non-credit course develops your oral fluency through weekly one-hour sessions (September to January). Classes feature small group discussions, interactive activities, and teaching simulations—all conducted in French. No assignments or evaluations.

No additional tuition fees.

Personal Language Learning & Teaching Portfolio

Build a reflective portfolio that documents your personal language learning and teaching journey. Include goals, risk-taking activities in French, cultural experiences, and professional development throughout the year.

Recommended Enrichment Opportunities

LLED 371 – Foundations of Teaching French: Secondary

Summer Term 2 elective course

This course is articulated around the question: How can we teach French in an inclusive, equitable and effective manner so that each student learns and develops their French proficiency and an intercultural mindset? Anchored in an intercultural orientation and focusing on oral language development and literacy skills in a second language, students will work on planning, teaching and assessing language tasks and strategies for teaching intermediate Core French levels. The course will be taught in French and English and will be adapted to the students’ proficiency level.

LLED 3352 – Teaching and Learning French as a Second Language in Multilingual Contexts: Elementary (Enhanced Section)

Winter Term 2 special section of a required course (January to February)

The special Enhanced section of this required course for all Elementary BEd teacher candidates is available to those enrolled in the Core French option as well as to anyone else with prior knowledge of and background in French. This section is offered in French with opportunities to use English as needed.

EDUC 430 – Community Field Experience (CFE) in a French context

Winter Term 2 (May for Secondary | June for Elementary & Middle Years)

The three-week Community Field Experience is a requirement of the BEd program. However, students enrolled in the Core French Option can choose to complete their CFE in a French context, either in a school or community setting, locally, nationally or internationally. 

UBC Summer Institute in Québec City | Institut d’été de UBC à Québec

August (dates TBA)

A three-week French language non-credit immersion program offered each summer in Québec City. All participants receive a bursary covering part of the institute fee. Students must cover the remaining fees* (usually $2000-$2300), as well as their transportation to and from Québec City.

*Additional bursaries are available to teacher candidates enrolled in the Core French Option to cover most of the remaining fees.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit an expression of interest by completing this form.

For more information about the Core French Option or the application process, please contact:

For frequent updates and announcements, follow us on Instagram @UBCFrenchEd.

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