French for Newcomers

Eligibility Requirements for Adult Programs:

1. Have a French language assessment done at WELARC and ask to be referred to USB’s CLIC program. (See below for WELARC’s contact information)
2. Provide proof of permanent residency* (please note: Canadian citizens are not eligible for IRCC-funded programs).
3. Be at least 18 years of age or older.
4. Be available to attend class when USB contacts you to let you know there is a place for you in the program.

Permanent residents can register without charge for French courses if they meet these eligibility requirements. Please note that IRCC-funded spots are limited and that we maintain a waitlist of eligible learners. Learner attendance reports are also sent to IRCC regularly.

*CUAET Visa holders are also eligible until March 2025. 

Depending on your level for the WELARC French language assessment, there are 3 options available to permanent residents:

1. CLIC program: For NCLC 1-4 (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien – the French equivalent of the Canadian Language Benchmarks)
   A variety of course options, including:
   • Mornings
   • Lunchtimes 
   • Evenings
   • Saturday mornings
   • Saturday afternoons
   • Intensive course options (2-3 evenings/week plus a full day Saturday, over the course of 3-4 weeks) 
2. Français oral program: For NCLC 5+
   Permanent residents can receive IRCC-funded spots in our Français oral courses (levels Intermediate 1-4 and Advanced)
   • For Fall, Winter & Spring: 3 hrs of class time/week with classes offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, or Saturday mornings; 11 weeks per session; total of 33 hours per session
   • For Summer: intensive options offered for 2 weeks (5 mornings/week) or for 4 weeks (3 evenings/week)  
3. Perfectionnement du français program: 
   Permanent residents can receive IRCC-funded spots in our Perfectionnement courses
   • *You must have successfully passed the Perfectionnement placement test
   • For Fall, Winter & Spring: 3 hrs of class time/week with classes offered in the evenings; 11 weeks per session; total of 33 hours per session
   • Perfectionnement courses are not offered during the Summer session

1. Contact the WELARC office to schedule your free, mandatory French language assessment :
   

   WELARC
   400-275 Portage Avenue
   204-943-5387
   info@welarc.net
   www.welarc.net

2. Wait for us to contact you by email (be sure to check your inbox and junkmail folders regularly).
3. Reply to our email, fill out any forms that we may send to you and respond to any questions that we may ask you by email.
4. Provide us with proof of permanent residency. For example, a photocopy of your permanent resident status card (photocopy of both front and back of card).

Please note that IRCC-funded spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If all of these spaces have been assigned at the time of your registration, you will be placed on a waiting list. Courses can only be offered if enrolment is sufficient.

CLIC:   What does CLIC mean?

‟CLICˮ stands for ‟Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada ˮ (Language classes for immigrants to Canada). It is a program open to permanent residents in Canada and is funded by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). You may be familiar with its English-language counterpart, LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada).

What are CLIC courses like? Are they similar to LINC courses?

CLIC courses provide French language instruction and focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening. Our dedicated instructors provide engaging and stimulating lessons that focus on the completion of real-life tasks based on a variety of themes, such as Housing, Transportation, Education and Citizenship. While LINC is focused on English language training and uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, CLIC is focused on French-language training and uses the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).

What levels of the NCLC are offered through the Université de Saint-Boniface?

We offer CLIC classes at levels NCLC 1, 2, 3 & 4. We also offer a limited number of spots in our Conversational French and Perfectionnement programs for students who are at an NCLC 5+ level.

How do I know if I am eligible for the CLIC program?

Any permanent resident who is at least 18 years of age and can show proof of current permanent residency status is eligible. CUAET holders are also eligible until March, 2024.   

I just became a Canadian citizen. Can I still participate in a CLIC class?

Unfortunately, no. Only permanent residents of Canada are eligible for CLIC classes. 

I am currently applying for citizenship. Can I still participate in a CLIC class?

Yes. As long as you are still officially a permanent resident (i.e., You have not taken your oath of citizenship yet), you are able to participate in a CLIC class. If you become a citizen while taking a CLIC class, we usually allow you to continue the class until the next break (e.g., if you become a citizen in fall, you can remain in the class until the holiday break in December and at that point, you would need to leave the CLIC class).

How do I apply for the CLIC program?

To apply for the CLIC program, the first step is to contact WELARC (Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre) in order to set up an appointment for a French Language Assessment.

How do I set up an appointment with WELARC?

Phone WELARC at 204-943-5387 and ask to schedule a French Language Assessment. You can also visit their website: http://www.welarc.net. Their office is located at 400-275 Portage Avenue.

I have never spoken French before. Do I still need to get tested through WELARC before I register?

It is mandatory for all learners enrolled in federally funded programs through IRCC to undergo a language assessment before commencing language training.

What happens after I have completed my assessment with WELARC?

If you were assessed at NCLC 1-4: 

WELARC will forward your referral to our CLIC program administrative staff. Wait for us to contact you by email (be sure to check your inbox and junk mail folders regularly). A member of our administrative staff will be in touch as soon as possible. You must be able to:

• Respond to any questions asked of you
• Indicate your availability for classes
• Provide us with proof of permanent residency (for example, a photocopy of the front and back of your permanent resident status card)

Once you have completed these steps, you will be placed on our wait list. These CLIC classes have continuous intake and so students are placed in spots as they become available throughout the session. CLIC classes are offered throughout the year. 

If you were assessed at NCLC 5+: 

WELARC will forward your referral to our Français oral/Perfectionnement administrative staff. Wait for us to contact you by email (be sure to check your inbox and junk mail folders regularly). A member of our administrative staff will be in touch when it is time to register using our online registration form. You must be able to: 

• Respond to any questions asked of you
• Indicate your availability for classes 
• Provide us with proof of permanent residency (for example, a photocopy of the front and back of your permanent resident status card) 
• Provide us with your WELARC assessment (if you have not taken CLIC classes prior) 

These classes do not have continuous intake. Students are only able to register at certain times prior to the start of the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions. Limited spots are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must reapply each session, as the waitlist is not kept from one session to the next.

• Registration for Fall Session (Sept-Dec) is in August
• Registration for Winter Session (Jan-Mar) is in November
• Registration for Spring Session (Apr-June) is in March
• Registration for Summer Session (July) is in May

How soon can I start my classes after being referred to the CLIC program?

This depends on a number of factors, including your French level as assessed by WELARC, your availability and our current wait list. It is helpful to indicate the maximum availability possible.

Please note that if you were assessed by WELARC at an NCLC 5+, the registration process and waitlist are different. See above information regarding students assessed at NCLC 5+.  

What happens when a spot becomes available?

We will let you know by email and/or telephone when a spot becomes available for you in a CLIC class, based on the availability you have indicated. At that point, you must accept the spot when it is offered to you. You cannot delay your start time, except in certain exceptional circumstances. We ask all students on our wait list to keep us informed of any changes in their availability. Our CLIC classes are continuous intake, meaning that if a spot becomes available mid-session, we will fill it with the next available student.

Please note that if you were assessed by WELARC at an NCLC 5+, the registration process and waitlist are different. See above information regarding students assessed at NCLC 5+.

Are classes offered in-person or via distance learning?

The majority of CLIC courses are offered online. However, we do have options that are in person as well as hybrid (partly online with some classes scheduled in person).

My child (under 18 years old) is a permanent resident as well. Can he or she participate in CLIC classes?

Unfortunately, no. CLIC classes are only open to permanent residents of Canada aged 18 and over.