As Canada’s capital, Ottawa is the ideal city to learn French. Surrounded by government institutions, international organizations, and a vibrant bilingual community, the city offers daily opportunities to practice—from ordering at ByWard Market cafés to handling official conversations in federal offices. Mastering French here not only helps with everyday life but also strengthens your career and education prospects across the country.

By joining French classes in Ottawa with Berlitz, you’ll learn with the proven Berlitz Method, which focuses on real communication rather than memorization. Guided by native-fluent instructors, every lesson combines practical vocabulary, cultural insights, and interactive role-plays—so you gain the skills and confidence to thrive in both professional and social settings.

Why learn with Berlitz Ottawa

At our Ottawa language school, your success is our focus. We provide flexible formats to fit every learner’s needs, including:

  • Private French lessons, fully customized to your pace and objectives
  • Small group sessions for collaborative and interactive learning
  • Intensive immersion programs (30–45 hours per week) for rapid results
  • Online or blended options for maximum flexibility

No matter your starting level or your goals, you’ll find a French course in Ottawa that adapts to your lifestyle and helps you progress effectively.

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How you will learn

Forget old-school memorization. With Berlitz Ottawa, you’ll start speaking French from day one. Our instructors focus on realistic scenarios—whether that’s preparing for the TEF Canada exam, leading a meeting, or navigating everyday situations. Lessons are always interactive, so you practice listening, speaking, and cultural understanding in a way that feels natural and relevant.

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Create your own schedule

We know life in Ottawa can be busy—especially for professionals and government employees. That’s why our French courses are designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule:

  • Join in-person lessons at our downtown Ottawa centre, right across from Lyon O-Train station
  • Study online with live instructors from anywhere in Ontario or Québec
  • Combine both formats for a hybrid experience that blends structure with flexibility

Morning, evening, and weekend French courses are available, so you can learn at the time that works best for you.

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In-person French classes in Ottawa

Choosing in-person lessons at our Ottawa language school means learning in the heart of the capital. With 12 bright, modern classrooms overlooking Sparks Street, you’ll practice French in real conversations guided by experienced instructors. And just outside, you can immediately put your skills into action—whether networking near Parliament Hill, exploring Ottawa’s museums, or chatting with locals at nearby cafés.

French private classes

Our one-on-one French lessons in Ottawa are built entirely around you. With the full attention of a native-fluent instructor, you’ll move at your own pace, focusing on the skills and topics that matter most to your goals—whether that’s preparing for TEF Canada, improving workplace communication, or gaining confidence in daily conversations.

French group classes

Learning together makes progress more motivating. In our small group French courses in Ottawa, you’ll practice speaking from the very first session, guided by a Berlitz-certified instructor. Group classes encourage interaction, collaboration, and peer support, helping you build fluency in a dynamic and encouraging environment.

Blended learning

Looking for maximum flexibility? Our blended French programs in Ottawa combine the best of both worlds: live lessons (online or in-person) plus self-study through our digital platform. This hybrid approach gives you the freedom to practice independently whenever you want, while still benefiting from live coaching and real-time conversation practice.

French intensive classes

Need fast results? Our intensive French courses in Ottawa immerse you in the language for 30–45 hours per week. With a curriculum tailored to your personal or professional objectives, you’ll achieve measurable progress in just a few weeks—ideal for newcomers, government employees preparing for the SLE, or professionals needing French for their careers.

Berlitz Language center in Ottawa

Berlitz language centre in Ottawa

  • Prime downtown location at 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1001, just steps from Parliament Hill
  • 12 bright, modern classrooms with panoramic city views
  • Fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators and secure building access
  • Directly across from Lyon O-Train station, with bus and car access available
  • Paid parking nearby, plus cafés, restaurants, and shops within walking distance
  • Multiple learning formats: private, group, intensive, online, or blended

Find your ideal French course with Berlitz Ottawa

No two learners are the same—which is why our French classes in Ottawa are designed to adapt to every age, level, and learning goal.

French courses for adults

Our French programs for adults go beyond memorization to focus on real communication skills. You’ll learn how to handle daily interactions, succeed in bilingual workplaces, and prepare for exams or academic requirements. Choose between private, group, or intensive immersion formats depending on your goals.

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Business French courses

Ottawa is home to government institutions, embassies, and thriving industries like tech, healthcare, and law. Our Business French courses are tailored to your professional context, covering vocabulary, presentations, negotiations, and intercultural communication—delivered at our downtown centre, online, or directly at your workplace.

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French courses for kids and teens

Our French programs for kids and teens in Ottawa make learning interactive and fun. Through role-plays, games, and engaging activities, young learners gain confidence while developing long-term language skills. Seasonal programs during school holidays and summer vacation offer extra opportunities to reinforce learning outside of the classroom.

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Why learn French in Ottawa with Berlitz?

Strengthen your immigration profile

In Ottawa, learning French at Berlitz is closely tied to long-term goals like securing permanent residency. Once you achieve Level 5, you can sit for recognized exams such as TEF and TCF to maximize your immigration score. Most of our French learners in Ottawa follow this route, combining language progress with a stronger immigration application.

Gain cultural understanding

As Canada’s bilingual capital, Ottawa offers a unique chance to live in both English and French every single day. By taking French classes in Ottawa, you’ll connect more deeply with the city’s vibrant francophone community—whether that’s enjoying French theatre, attending cultural events, or simply feeling at home while chatting with locals at ByWard Market.

Improve professionally

For professionals in Ottawa, French isn’t just an asset—it’s often a requirement. From government departments to healthcare, tech, and law, bilingualism is key to advancing your career. Our French courses in Ottawa will help you gain the confidence to write professional emails, lead bilingual meetings, and succeed in workplaces where French is part of daily communication.

Access further education

Planning to study at a bilingual university in Canada, or even in France or Québec? With Berlitz Ottawa, you’ll build the language skills to follow lectures, participate in seminars, and handle academic requirements with ease. Learning French in Ottawa gives you a strong advantage for higher education opportunities.

Get started learning French at any level with Berlitz Ottawa

No matter your background, you can start French courses in Ottawa at the level that suits you best. From complete beginners to advanced learners, our programs are structured to move you step by step toward fluency.

Beginner French courses

Berlitz Level 1 & Level 2 (A1-A2.1)

Perfect for newcomers or absolute beginners, our starter courses focus on everyday vocabulary, pronunciation, and simple interactions. By the end, you’ll be able to manage daily tasks—ordering food, asking for directions, introducing yourself—with confidence.

Please select a level for more info
Beginner French courses
1
Intermediate French courses
2
Advanced French courses
3

Prepare for your language test with Berlitz Ottawa

TEF Canada – required for Canadian immigration and permanent residency applications

TCF Canada – recognized for studies, work permits, and official applications

SLE (Second Language Evaluation) – essential for federal and provincial government employees

Man with a laptop attending an online French course with Berlitz from his living room

Online French classes in Ottawa with Berlitz

If flexibility is what you’re looking for, our online French courses in Ottawa are the ideal choice. Learn from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere in Ontario while still benefiting from the immersive Berlitz Method.

With live sessions led by native-fluent instructors, you’ll practice real conversations from the very first lesson—without the commute.

Through our interactive student portal, you’ll also get access to:

  • Self-paced modules for extra flexibility
  • A library of digital learning materials available 24/7
  • Live speaking practice with professional coaches
  • Cultural insights to help you thrive in francophone environments

  • Prefer to learn independently? Our self-study programs let you progress at your own rhythm, with expert guidance available whenever you need support.

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Start your language journey today

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French classes Ottawa: Frequently Asked Questions

Ottawa is Canada’s capital and a truly bilingual city, so the best way to learn is through real-life immersion. At Berlitz Ottawa, you can choose between in-person French classes at our downtown school or live online lessons from anywhere in Ontario. With the Berlitz Method, you’ll be speaking French from your very first class—whether it’s for daily life, work, or exams.

Yes. Our school is one of the leading French schools in Ottawa for Second Language Evaluation preparation. We offer personalized coaching for oral, written, and comprehension sections, plus realistic practice tests. Whether you need level A, B, or C, our experienced instructors know exactly how to get you ready for the requirements of the Canadian public service.

Yes. Many of our students take French courses to prepare for TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or the Second Language Evaluation (SLE). Our instructors provide practice tests, personalized coaching, and strategies to help you achieve the required scores for immigration or government employment.

If you’ve just arrived in the city, our intensive French courses in Ottawa (30–45 hours/week) are ideal for quick results and smooth integration. If you prefer a slower pace, you can join private lessons for personalized coaching or small group classes to practice with peers. Either way, you’ll start building the skills you need for housing, job applications, and daily interactions.

Absolutely. Ottawa’s professional world relies heavily on bilingual communication, especially in government, healthcare, tech, and law. Our Business French programs are customized to your field—covering emails, meetings, negotiations, and intercultural skills. Courses are available at our centre, online, or directly at your workplace.

Yes. We run French courses for children and teenagers with engaging, age-appropriate methods. Kids learn through role plays, games, and interactive activities that keep them motivated. We also offer holiday and summer programs, making it easy for young learners to stay ahead in bilingual environments.

Our programs are designed to fit busy schedules. You can choose:

  • Morning, evening, or weekend classes
  • Private, group, or blended formats
  • Intensive or standard-paced programs

If your schedule changes, you can easily switch formats or adjust your learning pace.

Our school is located at 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1001, right in the heart of downtown. We’re just across from Lyon O-Train station and steps from Parliament Hill. With 12 modern classrooms, wheelchair access, panoramic views, and easy access by bus, train, or car, it’s one of the most accessible French schools in Ottawa.