How much French do you need to know in Montreal?

Question

I want to move to Montreal, but I don't know any French. How much should I learn before going there?

Answer 1

I would try to learn to speak french but don't worry if you don't know alot of french when you first get there. I went there for vacation( I don't know french) and had a great time, every person in Montreal I've asked ( for direction and whatnot) spoke perfect english and perfect french. The city is mostly bilingual. I think that once you get there and is affected more by the environment, learning french would be much easier. Before you know it, you'll be speaking french.

Good Luck and you'll be great. Montreal is a great city.

Answer 2

You can get by without speaking it, but you won't likely have a great job or you'll be capped in your salary. Just learn it when you get there, look up the info from CSDM for adult French Second Language classes. You can even get on an Emploi Quebec program to have it paid for you. You'll learn it fast, depending on what part of the city you live in.

Not knowing French does make living hard, especially any time you have to deal with government things, but its not impossible.

Answer 3

you don't NEED to know any.

but it would definately help if you knew abit (the basics and also what the road signs mean)

you'll pick some up when you go there.

Answer 4

i lived in Montreal for 4 years and i speak french. it is helpfull to speak some french.

Answer 5

Montreal is a very international city. While knowing some French will be helpful (believe me, it will be), you don't need to be fluently bilingual. If you move to Montreal but are uncertain about how much French you need to get by, consider moving to the West Island. Places like Pierrefonds, Dollard des Ormeaux, Roxboro and especially Kirkland have a higher number of English speakers than places like Verdun, Anjou and other more downtown suburbs.

Incidentally, as you live in Montreal, you will find yourself picking up French whether you are aware of it or not.

Answer 6

I had a friend move from Vancouver to Montreal and she said it was very important to be bilingual.  She was not completely fluent, but when she attempted to learn and to speak to people in French, mostly they appreciated that she was respectful enough to be trying and learning.  Because she was willing to do that, they usually spoke to her in English and helped her with her French.  (this was at her job).