In Canada’s competitive and evolving job market, bilingualism is an asset that can make a candidate stand out. That’s why, in coordination with Alliance Française de Toronto, the University of Guelph-Humber’s (U of GH) Liberal Studies department piloted a French language workshop series that prepared students for the Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) B1 exam.
The DELF exam assesses French language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Upon successful completion of the B1, an internationally recognized certification of French proficiency is issued by the French Ministry of Education and is valid for life.
The U of GH pilot was a success, with 100 per cent pass rate among Guelph-Humber students who took the exam.
“The critical feedback was crucial for me in succeeding on this exam,” Justice Studies student Aaron Mariathas said, who participated in the initiative. “I never felt judged when participating in the workshop and I truly felt that the instructor wanted everyone to succeed and appreciate the beautiful French language.”
Why this is important for students
The pilot, taught by Guelph-Humber instructor Claire Gouveia, was designed to test whether U of GH students with one semester of university-level French could successfully prepare for an internationally recognized exam. According to Liberal Studies Chair Dr. Bill Molos, the results showed they could.
With the success of the B1, the B2 workshop will be offered next academic year at U of GH and will occur annually. This next-level certification will open even more doors. Guelph-Humber students who still want to pursue the B1 can still do so through Alliance Française. Liberal Studies subsidizes the cost of the workshop, so that students pay only $50 to participate.
According to Dr. Molos, having this certification exempts students from French-language entrance exams at universities in French-speaking countries, carries more weight in Canadian federal hiring, and signals genuine professional competence. It benefits students of any area of study at the University.
“Students in Early Childhood Studies can use it to work in francophone school boards and childcare settings. Students in Justice Studies, Psychology, and Social Services & Well-Being Studies can serve bilingual communities and qualify for positions in the federal public service, where roughly 40 per cent of roles require proficiency in both official languages. Business students gain a competitive edge in firms that operate in both English and French. Whatever the program, the certification signals to employers that a graduate can function professionally in French,” he said.
Psychology student Alissa Witter participated because as an aspiring health-care professional, she understands the need for an increase in French speakers across Canada.
“Passing the B1 exam was important to me because it brings me closer to my goal of supporting francophone communities in my future career,” she said. “The DELF preparation course clearly outlined what is expected, how the exam is structured, and what examiners are looking for. It helped me develop the confidence I needed to successfully pass the B1 exam.”
Mariathas said that as a Canadian citizen, he feels it’s his duty to learn French as a second official language. With dreams of working in the legal field, Mariathas hopes to serve francophone communities, too.
“As an aspiring lawyer, passing this exam offers me a chance to serve a multitude of diverse individuals within my community,” he said.
The launch of a new French course at U of GH
Furthermore, learning a language broadens the mind to different cultures. This is the kind of “rigorous and outward facing” learning that Liberal Studies is aiming to foster through preparing students for the B1 exam, Dr. Molos said, along with the launch of a new course in fall 2026, AHSS*2460, French Language and Culture II.
The new course is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their French language skills beyond the introductory level, building on that foundation, and follows an internationally recognized framework for language instruction.
Keep up with Liberal Studies department at the University of Guelph-Humber here.