La Cité des Rocheuses | Restaurant | Services aux nouveaux arrivants

Frequently Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions about AccèsCLIC.

If you have other questions, please contact us.

What is the CLIC Program?

TheCours de langues pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) is an official language program funded by the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) offered to all permanent residents or Convention refugees aged 18+ in Canada. This program is equivalent to the more commonLanguage Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.

Do I have to live in Calgary to be eligible for the program?

No, our program is for all Alberta residents, not just Calgary clients. Please note you are allowed to leave the province temporarily (for example, a vacation) and still be eligible for the program. However, if you live outside of Alberta for a long period of time, you will no longer be eligible.

Am I allowed to miss occasional classes?

We have put in place a three (3) absence policy. Once you accumulate more than three (3) absences, you risk being removed from the program. If you are late by more than thirty (30) minutes, this may be considered as an absence.

What are the different levels of the CLIC program?

The CLIC program levels are based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks/CLBs (in French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens/NCLC) which is a descriptive scale of language ability. Altogether there are 12 CLB levels separated into three stages:

  • beginner: CLB 1 – 4;
  • intermediate: CLB 5 – 8;
  • advanced: CLB 9 – 12.

Currently, IRCC funds classes at the beginner and the intermediate stages fromCLB 1 to CLB 6at la Cité des Rocheuses. For additional information on the CLBs, please consult the following websitehere.

Can I choose my level?

No. You are going to take a placement test. The test assesses your French skills for listening, speaking, reading and writing and determines you level for each skill. We will place you in the class that best matches your level.

If your teacher thinks you have not been assigned to the appropriate level after a few classes, we will aim to assign you to a class that better suits your level if a seat is available.

How will my French be assessed in class?

The CLIC program uses an assessment framework called Portfolio-Based Language Assessment/PBLA (in French: Évaluation linguistique basée sur le portfolio/ELBP). It’s a communicative based approach to teaching and assessing students’ progress that focuses on real-world tasks. Tests will mainly be centred on how the students use French to accomplish everyday tasks. It is expected that students complete about 8 assessment tasks per session.

How long will it take to move to the higher level?

Typically, it takes a student three to four terms to advance to the next level. However, we understand that every student is unique and that some may progress faster or slower than others and exceptions can be made.

Do you offer online classes?

At this moment, all classes are held online. In the future, we plan to reopen some in-person options but continue to offer an online format so that students who live across the province can continue to learn French remotely if needed.

Is the course free?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be accepted into the program. The program cost will be covered by IRCC, and you will not have to pay for the program.

What happens if I am or if I become a Canadian citizen?

Since April 2023, the federal department Canadian Heritage is funding a pilot project: ALLOFrench. This project has been approved until March 31, 2024 and is open to citizens. Any Canadian citizen wishing to learn French can do so online and without any fees. Please click here if you would like to receive more information and join the program.

What is the course schedule?

Classes are held twice a week in the evenings. Depending on your level, classes will either be on Monday and Tuesday or Tuesday and Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm.

When do semesters start and end?

We have three 12-week sessions per year. These sessions are organised in the following manner:

  • Fall: September to December;
  • Winter: January to March;
  • Spring: April to July.

What materials and books do I need?

You will need a computer and your own notebook and pen to take notes. All other course materials will be provided by your teacher.

What will I learn in this program?

Each term, one theme will be covered. You will be taught grammar, vocabulary and communicative strategies in order to accomplish real-world tasks. Here are the main themes being offered:

  1. Canadian culture
  1. Housing
  1. Travel and transportation
  1. Employment
  1. Education
  1. Family and relationships
  1. Health and security
  1. Community
  1. Businesses
  1. Banking, telephone and the computer

Do I need high-speed internet?

Yes, this is highly suggested so that you can engage in the online classes without any technical difficulties.

Do I need a webcam?

Yes. Students are required to have their cameras turned on during class.

How long will I wait before starting classes?

At a minimum, you will have to wait until the next session starts. Our sessions start in September, January and April. Depending on the demand, as well as IRCC funding for seat availability, classes may fill up and you may be added to a waitlist if this is the case. We will attempt to have you start classes at the next earliest opportunity possible, but we cannot guarantee any start date.

Can I use the progress report for citizenship application?

At the end of one session, if your teacher deems your speaking and listening to be at a level of CLB 4 (in French: NCLC 4) or higher, you will be able to request a CLIC certificate from our administrative team. You will then be able to submit this certificate for your language requirement when applying for Canadian citizenship. For more information, clickhere.

Does Cité des Rocheuses offer other activities for me to practice my French outside of class?

La Cité des Rocheuses is a francophone community and cultural centre.We offer a variety of services and events for absolute beginners all the way to French-native speakers. We have events ranging from bilingual comedy shows, movies in French (with English subtitles), festivals, and much more! To stay up to date with all our events, please regularly check our websitehere.