Language skills

English and French Communication Skills

Students are introduced to clinical observation in the first year of the MDCM program, and will take on more active responsibilities upon entering clerkship in third year.  While the language of instruction for classes is English (Montreal Campus) or French ( Campus Outaouais), our clinical environment is bilingual or francophone, so it is important to feel comfortable and prepared to work in both French and English, as per the MDCM Language Policy. To offer helpful suggestions for language learning resources, the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office verifies students' language proficiency at the time of application to ensure all students have at least a B2 or mid-intermediate competency in French for the Montreal Campus, or C1 advanced for Campus Outaouais.

Students are encouraged to continue to improve their French language skills to an advanced level by taking courses.  Students who are studying in English for the first time can take courses with the McGill Writing Centre to improve their mastery of academic English.

How to register for McGill language courses

MDCM students are normally restricted from taking courses outside of the Faculty, but an exception is made for language courses (See UGME Registration Policy). Note that MDCM program activities take priority in terms of schedule; students are not permitted to register for a language course whose schedule conflicts with that of an MDCM program course or activity.  Regular semester evening, weekend, and some summer session courses are accessible for 1st and 2nd year students.  Students in 3rd and 4th year can enroll in French for Medical Purposes, but may need to consider online or private courses if there are conflicts with their clerkship rotation schedules. To register for:

• School of Continuing Studies courses 
  • Registration in SCS credit courses is by via virtual in-person registration. Contact SCS Client Services.  You will be enrolled with specific coding so that registration in a credit language course is listed as extra to your program.
  • Registration in SCS non-credit courses (workshops, including French for Medical Purposes Program ) is done through the SCS online non-credit course registrations system, Athena.
• Faculty of Arts French Language Centre courses (including Health and Social Work Sector courses) - Register via Minerva
• McGill Writing Centre courses  - Register via Minerva

Resource list - courses and self-study:  english_french_language_resource_list_eng.pdf

Is there a minimum level of proficiency students should aim to attain?

Even advanced speakers can continue to improve; however an intermediate level is generally considered the minimum point at which students can be active and functional in the clinical environment. For most learners, this is equivalent to completing the 200 (intermediate 2) or even 300 (intermediate 3) level courses at McGill’s School of Continuing Studies. The equivalent Canadian Language Benchmark level is approximately 6 to 8 (see https://www.nclc-ael.ca/ for an interactive self-assessment up to level 8); Common European Framework of Reference level is approximately B2 (Montreal campus) to C1 (Campus Outaouais).

Some of the clinical communication competencies students will exercise during their studies include: listening to a patient describe their reason for consulting, asking questions to take a medical history, speaking with healthcare professionals (such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists) about cases, often in a fast-paced or high-stakes environment in person or on the phone, and writing notes in a file that are clear for other healthcare professionals.

Practicing medicine in Quebec after graduation

Students educated outside of Quebec in a language other than French, who choose to practice medicine in Quebec, will need to complete the separate Office Québécois de la langue Française (OQLF) Examination toward the end of their MDCM studies. See www.cmq.org/page/en/les-examens-requis.aspx for more information. We encourage students to take advantage of language classes now to prepare.