While McGill is an English university, it’s also home to a dynamic francophone community. French is the mother tongue of about 20 per cent of students and staff; the University provides many services and resources in the language.
Located in multilingual and cosmopolitan Montreal, McGill also has much to offer those interested in learning French or improving their fluency.
Ian: French as facilitating exploration
Ian Hendricksen arrived in Montreal eight years ago from the United States. A doctoral student in physics, he originally came to do his bachelor’s degree and has been at McGill ever since.
Hendricksen’s affection for his adopted city is evident. It’s part of what inspired him to learn French, something he said has allowed him to enjoy the city in new ways, from taking in francophone music festivals to chatting with strangers.
The fact his girlfriend is from France was another motivation, he acknowledges: one day, they might wish to move there.
In the meantime, though, for Hendricksen, the French language serves as a gateway to the wider world and to his city.
“It broadened the city for me,” he explained. “One thing I appreciate about French is that it has opened many doors for me. And if you are interested in learning a new language, of course Montreal is an ideal place to learn French. And there is a wider world to be discovered.”
Djamila: Reinforcing her francophone identity
Djamila Mostefai grew up in Montérégie. Speaking French at McGill has allowed her to better understand her own identity as a francophone, she said.
Having attended a French high school and then an English CEGEP, the undergraduate saw her relationship to French evolve over the years and become increasingly important to her.
Enrolled in Political Science and in Gender, Sexuality, Feminist and Social Justice Studies, Mostefai also is doing a minor in Quebec Studies, which is allowing her to explore her francophone and québécoise identities in a new way.
She worked with classmates to create the first-ever association for students taking the minor. She particularly appreciates how active and lively student associations are at the University.
“There is truly a group for everything,” she said.
Francophones at McGill can count on the support of an active community, she said, one where people help each other, for example, in courses.
“And there are tons of resources in French at McGill, even if it’s an English university. For example, you can submit your papers in French,” she noted.
A proud francophone, Mostefai is helping to organize this year’s Francofête, serving as a student representative.
La Francofête: French in the spotlight
Francofête, running March 9 to 31, is the product of the work and dedication of its 14 organizing committee members, who include students, administrative staff and professors, and of the collaborations they have been able to build.
“Our rich programming is also thanks to the enthusiastic response from members of the McGill community to the invitation we put out in January. Francofête is thus created by and for our community. The schedule for the 2026 edition includes more than 30 activities, twice as many as last year. For us, it’s proof that French is alive and well at McGill,” said Manon Gadbois, who is in charge of Vivre McGill en français and is co-ordinator of the organizing committee.
This year’s theme, McGill, Montréal et le Québec – Une langue qui crée des ponts et ouvre des horizons (McGill, Montreal and Quebec – A language that builds bridges and expands horizons) aligns with the President’s priorities, namely Engage locally: Build on two centuries of our rootedness in Quebec, to advance the knowledge, innovation, and partnerships that strengthen our society.
“For more than 200 years, McGill University has been deeply rooted in Montreal and in Quebec. The trust that generations of Quebecers have placed in us has enabled our University to achieve excellence and, in turn, to contribute actively to Quebec’s vitality,” said Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor.
“To engage locally is to recognize that this rootedness carries a collective responsibility. As we advance knowledge, innovation and partnerships for the benefit of Quebec, we also affirm the essential place of French at McGill. On our campuses, the French language shapes our intellectual and community life, and reflects our enduring attachment to Quebec.”
The recent appointment of Natallia Liakina as Associate-Provost, Rayonnement du français, is a further reflection of the University’s engagement with French and francophones.
A celebration for francophones and francophiles
While Francofête celebrates the francophone presence at McGill, it would be wrong to see the event as being only for mother-tongue francophones.
Hendricksen expects to participate for the first time this year, motivated by how much his French has improved.
Learning a new language can be intimidating, but success comes with time – and it’s worth it, he said.
For students who wish to learn French, McGill offers several resources.
For her part, Mostefai encourages those interested in learning French to go for it. Her advice? Don’t hesitate to socialize with francophones and to consume media in French.
And participate in Francofête, of course!