Languages and your family in Toronto

Toronto is an English-speaking city in an officially bilingual country, and Ontario's schools make sure your children notice. Every child in an English-language school learns French; the big decision is how much.

The short version

Core French is compulsory in Ontario's English-language schools from Grade 4 to Grade 8, and pupils must build up at least 600 hours of French by the end of Grade 8 [1][2].
French Immersion teaches at least half the elementary school day in French. Extended French is at least a quarter [1]. Boards don't have to offer either [1].
At the TDSB, Early French Immersion starts in Junior Kindergarten, and applications for September 2027 run from 2 to 27 November 2026 [3]. Middle French Immersion starts in Grade 4, with on-time applications from 4 to 29 January 2027 [4].
Every student needs at least one French as a second language credit for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) [5].
Adults aged 18 to 54 applying for Canadian citizenship must prove they can speak and listen in English or French at CLB 4 or higher [6].

French: the second language at school

Ontario has two parallel school systems: English-language boards such as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and French-language boards for families with a right to French schooling. Most British families end up in an English-language board, and that's where French as a second language (FSL) comes in.

The province sets three levels [1]:

Programme	How much French (elementary)	Secondary credits in French	Who offers it
Core French	French as a subject; at least 600 hours by the end of Grade 8	One credit needed for the OSSD	Every English-language board [1][5]
Extended French	At least 25% of teaching in French	Seven credits (four language, three other subjects)	Optional for boards [1]
French Immersion	At least 50% of teaching in French	Ten credits (four language, six other subjects)	Optional for boards [1]

Core French is the default. At the TDSB it's taken every year from Grade 4 to Grade 8, and once started it carries on without a break [2]. In secondary school, a student with fewer than 600 hours of French can take a beginners' course, FSF1O, if their school offers it [2]. That's a useful safety net for a teenager who arrives from the UK with only a couple of years of Key Stage 3 French.

The province's FSL page doesn't list an exemption from French for children who arrive from abroad. It says FSL programmes are for all students in English-language boards, including English language learners and students with special needs [1].

French Immersion: the decision to make early

French Immersion is popular in Toronto, and the deadlines come round quickly. This is where moving mid-year can catch you out.

The TDSB entry points

Early French Immersion (EFI), from Junior Kindergarten. The application window for the 2027–28 school year runs from 2 November to 27 November 2026, for children born in 2023 who live in the City of Toronto [3]. Placement is based on your home address before the deadline, usually at your local French Immersion school, but children can be redirected if a school is oversubscribed [3]. On-time applicants on a waitlist are considered before late ones [3].
Middle French Immersion (MFI), from Grade 4. For 2027–28, applications open on 4 January 2027 and the on-time deadline is 29 January 2027, for children born in 2018. Late applications are accepted until 31 May 2027 and go on a late waitlist [4]. Admission is guaranteed for eligible on-time applicants, but not to a particular school [4].

Children already in a French programme can't apply [3][4]. The TDSB provides a school bus from JK to Grade 5 if your home is more than 1.6 km (1 mile) from the assigned French Immersion school [3].

What it means by age of arrival

Under 4: you're in the sweet spot. Apply for Early French Immersion in the November window before JK.
Arriving between JK and Grade 3: joining Immersion part-way through is hard, because classmates have years of French. Ask your local school about places, or aim for Middle French Immersion in Grade 4.
Grade 4 and up: most British children do core French. A French tutor for an hour a week helps a lot in the first year, especially for a child who never did French at a UK primary school.
Secondary school: core French to at least the one compulsory credit, and FSF1O for those who need to start from scratch [2][5].

A child who arrives in Grade 6 with no French will find core French a bit of a minefield at first. Teachers are used to it, and the TDSB stresses that teachers can support learners whenever they join the class [2].

Keeping English strong

Children whose first language isn't English

If your children grew up with another language at home, they'll be welcome in Toronto, one of the world's most multilingual cities. Ontario counts English as a second language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) courses towards the diploma: up to three of the four compulsory English credits can be ESL or ELD, but the fourth must be a Grade 12 English course [5]. Most students must also pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) [5].

The TDSB also points out that learning French alongside English can reinforce English skills, so a child learning English needn't be kept out of French [2].

Partners whose first language isn't English

A partner who grew up speaking another language should keep citizenship in mind. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show they can speak and listen at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French [6]. Secondary or post-secondary study taught in English or French can count as proof, and documents not in English or French need a certified translation [6]. If the proof is missing or unreadable, the whole application comes back [6].

Ontario also has government-funded English classes for newcomers; ask a settlement agency once you've landed.

English exams

IELTS is widely accepted by Canadian universities and employers, and the IELTS General Training test is used for some Canadian immigration routes.
Cambridge English Qualifications, such as B2 First and C1 Advanced, are a good goal for teenagers in bilingual families.
Professional English helps with the job hunt: Toronto employers are used to accents, but not to vague emails.

Your first steps

Check the TDSB French Immersion dates the moment you know your Toronto address [3][4].
Ask about core French catch-up when you enrol an older child [2].
Look at the OSSD requirements with a teenager before choosing courses [5].
Plan a partner's language proof well before a citizenship application [6].

Parents in our community group for Brits in Canada have been through Immersion applications, waitlists and Grade 4 French homework, and are happy to share.

If you'd rather learn with a live teacher online, our language partner is below.

Languages and your family in Toronto: core French, French Immersion and keeping English strong