The Benefits of Being Bilingual: French Literacy in Canada

Friday | December 16, 2016 | by Sigrid Roman

As a country with two official languages, Canada offers many opportunities for skilled
immigrants who are proficient in English and French. Being able to communicate well in
either language is vital in order to succeed in Canada. Being able to communicate well in
both languages is better, and gives you a competitive edge over someone who speaks only
one language.

The French Language

In 1867, French became one of the two languages in Canada that could be used in
parliamentary debates as well as any Canadian court established under the Constitution Act.
Its official status was later confirmed in 1969 under the first Official Languages Act which
ensured that every Canadian would have access to federal services in the official language—
English or French—of their choice.

Since then, numerous events and policies have continued to frame the French language as a
fundamental and important characteristic of Canadian identity. The most notable is the
Constitution of 1982 which clearly states the importance of language rights in the Canadian
Charter of Rights of Freedoms. French, it would seem, is here to stay.

Nearly 10 Million Canadians Speak French

According to Statistics Canada’s 2011 Census of Population, approximately 10 million

people reported being able to speak in French. Of these, 7.9 million people reported they
speak French at home on a regular basis.

In recent years, there has been a slight decline in Canada of Canadians (outside of Quebec)
who are fluent in French. However, with a strong government mandate, and companies
continually seeking employees who are able to communicate in both English and French,
there are still many reasons why you should consider improving or marketing your French
language skills in Canada.

 Benefit # 1: It’s good for business: New Brunswick, one of the francophone regions
of Canada, reports that its bilingual workforce has been a key reason why it has
attracted big corporate players. As a result, being bilingual might be a key reason why
you have a better chance of being hired in bilingual organizations.
 Benefit # 2: Being bilingual increases your opportunities in your job search:
Statistically speaking, knowing more than one language increases the options you
have within the job market. Whether it is because the workplace needs someone who
can get into contact with a certain community or they have a special need for
language-based service (i.e., interpretation and translation services), your French
skills can become important in such situations.
 Benefit # 3: You can work in French-speaking parts of Canada. Relocating from a
city in Canada that you’ve already settled in may not be an easy choice but there are
opportunities to consider that may not only improve your job prospects, but also your
 quality of life. Speaking French will give you the freedom to work anywhere in
Canada.
 Benefit # 4: You get paid more: If by any chance, you have found your bilingual
opportunity, chances are you are paid more for it. As this Globe and Mail article
points out:

“[Canadian] men who know both languages earn an average income 3.8% higher than
those who know English only. Bilingual women earn 6.6% more.”

 Benefit # 5: Being bilingual is better for your brain: The ability to speak more than
one language is true for many skilled immigrants who settle in Canada. It is important
to cultivate that ability, not only for the reasons listed above but also because it might
actually be good for your brain. As stated in this Guardian article:

“A superior ability to concentrate, solve problems and focus are, of course, valuable
in everyday life. But perhaps the most exciting benefit of bilingualism occurs in
ageing, when executive function typically declines: bilingualism seems to protect
against dementia.”

If you speak other languages in addition to English, you are off to a great start already.

For all of the benefits listed above, and more, consider adding French as one of your
professional languages. Doing so will expand the possibilities of your career path in Canada.

Related articles:

If you speak both French and English, you're likely to earn more than your unilingual
counterparts, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Guelph. And
depending on where you work in Canada, you don't necessarily have to use a second
language on the job to reap the financial rewards; merely knowing it can translate into a
higher income.

Economics professors Louis Christofides and Robert Swidinsky found that men in Quebec
who can speak both official languages earn an average income 7 per cent higher than those
who speak only French, and bilingual women in Quebec earn 8 per cent more.

Meanwhile, in the rest of Canada, men who know both languages earn an average income 3.8
per cent higher than those who know English only. Bilingual women earn 6.6 per cent more.

But the researchers found that the rewards for actually using both languages on the job differ
based on where in the country you work.

In Quebec, men who use their second language frequently at work can earn an additional 14
per cent (on top of the 3.8 per cent) than those who speak only French, and women can earn
an additional 7 per cent. In the rest of Canada, however, it makes no significant difference
whether English-speaking men and women use French at work or simply know the language;
the financial benefits are about the same.

Dr. Christofides, a professor emeritus at the University of Guelph and also a dean of the
faculty of economics and management at the University of Cyprus, says employers may be
willing to pay workers extra simply for knowing a second language because bilingualism is
associated with other attributes, such as a proclivity for education, cultural sensitivity or
sophistication.

"They would see a [bilingual]person who is 'able' or 'sensitive' or 'has good social skills,' " he
says. And as indicated by the lack of difference between the financial benefits of using and
knowing French in English-speaking provinces, "the employer doesn't care that this person
doesn't speak French as well. He has no use for it. But when ... you use this marker that the
individual is bilingual, this marker is going to pick up all these extra qualities that the
individual has."

In Quebec, however, the substantial financial reward for actually using English on the job
reflects the demand for English in the marketplace, he says, particularly in the province's
major cities. Moreover, jobs in Quebec that involve international business also value English.

To reach their findings, Dr. Christofides and Dr. Swidinsky examined data from Statistics
Canada's 2001 Census, which, for the first time, asked respondents not only about their
knowledge of the official languages but also the languages used at work. The latter data
allowed the researchers to compare people's use of bilingual skills against their income. The
results are adjusted for variables such as education, experience, regional differences and type
of industry.

The researchers say the findings of their study, recently published in the journal Canadian
Public Policy/Analyse de Politiques, have implications for bilingual policy in Canada.

French-speaking newcomers have great potential to utilize their language skills in Canada.
Many employers seek bilingual candidates to fill a wide range of roles within their
organization and there is often less competition for these roles. By building a strong network
within the bilingual community, there are many ways for French-speaking immigrants to
succeed in Canada. Our Spotlight on Success this month, Imane Sahir, is proof of this.

Imane Sahir participated in ACCES Employment’s Speed Mentoring® en Français program

in 2016. Her experience led to many job opportunities, including her current position as
a bilingual account coordinator at International Financial Data Services.

Thank you for speaking with us Imane. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am from Morocco and I moved to Canada in 2015. I had three main careers in Morocco: a
procurement manager, manager at a finance company, and quality assurance manager. I have
a bachelor’s degree in business and economics, and a master’s degree in logistics
management, as well as audit and business control.

ow did you learn French?

I learned French in Morocco and used it when I studied and worked. I felt that speaking more
than one language would benefit my career.

What were your career expectations before leaving for Canada and what did you
experience after you arrived?
When I arrived in Canada, I wanted to find work as a procurement specialist. The most
challenging part of the job search was finding recruiters who specialized in my area of
expertise and employers looking specifically for French-speaking candidates.

How did you start your job search in Canada?

I tried to attend all of the bilingual events, job fairs, and mentoring sessions. I also searched
online for bilingual opportunities. I wanted to use my language skills to find a job, but I
didn’t have a lot of luck when I first started looking for jobs.

What services and resources did you use to help with your job search?

I enrolled in a bridging program through Collège Boréal and it was through this program that
I learned of Speed Mentoring en Français. This was a unique program that provided French-
speaking job seekers with the opportunity to meet with employers who wanted French-
speaking candidates.

How did Speed Mentoring en Français help you?

I was matched with employers who were actively looking to hire French-speaking
individuals. It provided me with the chance to learn from mentors in my field, practice my
networking skills, and find job opportunities.

Can you tell me how you went about finding your current job?

I found my current job through an employer I met at a Speed Mentoring en Français event.
The employer provided me with information about a position that I was interested in applying
to, and after the interview process, I was successful in securing the position.

Was your employer looking specifically for a French-speaking individual?

Yes.

Do you have any advice for French-speaking job seekers in Canada?

ACCES Employment offers a unique opportunity for French-speaking job seekers. Speed
Mentoring en Français connects bilingual newcomers with employers who are looking to hire
French-speaking candidates. Speed Mentoring en Français events allow newcomers to
showcase their language skills and connect with employers who can provide advice on
finding jobs that match their skills and experience. This networking opportunity can also lead
to future job offers. I highly recommend it!