OffQc | Québécois French Guide

Another delay in the métro? No problem.

Montréal is full of great opportunities to improve your French. Be a little creative and adventurous and you’ll see them all around you.

The next time the métro goes down, don’t just stand there — improve your French!

Here are 7 ways to make the most out of your next métro delay.

1. Find another passenger to strike up a conversation with in French. Yes, this may take a lot of courage. Know that it’s usually not too hard to make at least simple conversation with strangers in Montréal, though. I once had a stranger approach me for help with his French homework! Find someone to help you pronounce the station name Honoré-Beaugrand like a native. While you’re at it, you might also ask for help with Lionel-Groulx, Angrignon, Henri-Bourassa and Longueuil—Université-de-Sherbrooke!

2. If approaching strangers to talk with really just isn’t your thing, move closer to some people speaking in French and eavesdrop on their conversation instead. Make a mental note of anything interesting that you hear. I get a lot of ideas for this blog just by being more observant to the language that people use spontaneously around me. You can do that too.

3. Study the French used in the advertisements on the walls. You may be surprised at how many words and expressions you can learn by reading them and paying closer attention to the language used. In fact, there’s French around you at all times in Montréal. You just have to take the time to observe it.

4. Read one of the free Métro or 24 heures newspapers cover to cover. Study the new vocabulary and expressions that you find. If you normally read these newspapers, maybe you often just skim through them quickly. This time read them very carefully for the language used.

5. Become an STM expert by reading the regulations posted beside the network maps on the walls, referred to as codification administrative. That will keep you occupied reading French for a while! If you’re new to Montréal, study the maps on the walls. Not only will becoming familiar with the layout of Montréal be incredibly useful to you, you’ll learn station and street names used in French all the time.

6. Visit OffQc on your smartphone if you’re in a station with a signal. Listen and relisten to the videos in the Listen section. If you’re on a limited plan and don’t want to use a lot of data, just read through the transcriptions. Prepare ahead of time too for moments like these by putting French listening material on your phone.

7. Hunt down an STM employee with whom to express your displeasure about the delay. If you’re into uniforms, you could try flirting in French if you see an agent you think is cute roaming around the station instead.

Photo credit: Pierre Obendrauf for The Gazette, via Andy Riga’s Facebook page about Montréal roads, transit and cycling.