Montréal

Hello Beautiful people of the Montreal community,

I just moved to Montreal from Central Canada three days ago! Im still trying to get use to the new environment. So far I really love it here.
My dilemma is this and I'm sure questions like this are asked over and over again and I apologize for that. But I really need some help.

Well the thing is my french is not that great..Im sure you had guessed that would be the problem from the start..hehe. I really really want to learn it (one of the main reasons I picked montreal) but need a job at the moment since I just left my life back home and moved here just for the sake of it!!
Ive heard that most anglos end up working in call centers and that is fine with me. But the thing is, where do I look? Are they advertised somewhere? Do you know any that are hiring close to the downtown area?

Also, I just graduated with a BSc in Microbiology before I moved here but have no work experience at all. I dont even know where to start looking for jobs. Are there any good agencies that you know of that could help me find a job related to my education? I would really love to use what I learned to make a living. If you have their contact info that would be even better:))

Thanks in advance. I love your city and want to be live here as long as I can but I need to make some money for that..lol. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

My girlfriend and I are looking for an elementary school for her son (my step-son) somewhere on the island. If anyone in this community has any first hand experiences with some of Montreal's elementary schools, any help/advice or just your own personal experiences of hunting for a good school for your little ones would be appreciated. Just a little tidbit about my step son; he's anglophone and will be going into grade 4. We want him to finish his current year before we place him in a new school.

x-posted to moi!

Helloo... I was wondering.. how hard is it to get a job in or around montreal only speaking english?


I currently work at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic downtown Toronto, and have worked in the field for a good number of years now. I know moving to Montreal or somewhere close, I won't necessarily be able to get a job in that field only speaking english.. but I was wondering if there are any other jobs out there that would hire knowing that.

where are good places to start, etc.

any advice/suggestions, anything, greatly appreciated

 Hi,

I can see there are several posts on the whole "I'm looking for a job" topic, but nothing too recent.... so I hope you guys don't mind me posting-
I moved to Montréal from Ireland a few months ago and have not had much luck looking for work-

I have lots of admin office experience, and a qualification in PR.... I'm basically looking for an office job, maybe in a  PR / media company, but *any* office job would be great right now.... English (My French is improving but no way could I work just through French)

I'd love to have something sorted soon, I know this isn't a good time to be looking, anyone have any suggestions or know of anything... so I don't have to eat dry toast on Christmas day ;)

Thanks a mill :)

Montreal Gazette employees are fighting to preserve a vibrant English-language daily newspaper produced in Montreal to serve Montrealers.

The Gazette’s owners, Winnipeg-based Canwest Inc., are moving more and more of The Gazette’s editorial and customer-service operations out of the province of Quebec in violation of the employees’ collective agreements. Now, in contract negotiations, Canwest is demanding the removal of impediments to outsource any remaining work outside of Quebec in order to facilitate layoffs in Montreal.

These moves threaten to diminish Canada’s diversity of voices, whittle down local input and stifle The Gazette’s vital role of covering local news and reflecting Montrealers’ values, concerns and culture. The Gazette has been a proud Montreal institution since 1778 and its readers deserve better than Canwest’s plans to further downsize, centralize and outsource to maximize profits.

The newspaper is operated by Canwest, however it is the public that will ultimately decide whether it will tolerate a “local” newspaper produced elsewhere. Gazette staff are appealing to the Montreal community to tell Canwest to keep the “Montreal” in the Montreal Gazette.



Please take a minute to sign the online petition. The Montreal Gazette should stay in Montreal, not Hamilton or Winnipeg or Ottawa. Also, please, share the URL.

my french is OKAY but not perfect. realistically, can i try to work as a graphic designer in montreal and still be able to eat?

i was studying design at concordia and i did explore. i can do 400 level french courses at concordia apparently, but aside from making lattes i never speak french any more.

this wouldn't be happening for a few months but i don't know if i should even be considering montreal. i am not as adventurous as i was 2-3 years ago...!

 Hello!

I am a Winnipeg university student planning to spend the summer in your lovely city and I have three questions for you.

I've found an apartment on the Plateau, off de Bullion. Can anyone tell me about this area? I hear it's a wonderful culture centre. I'm wondering specifically about things like safety (walking home from the Metro alone after dark, yes or no?), transit access, locations to frequent, or to avoid, etc.

Also, job hunting. My first language is English. I do speak some French, but I'm quite rusty. I want to improve my French, and if my job can help me do that, awesome, but if I were thrown into a situation where fluent French was required, I would be in trouble. :-P Can anyone recommend some good resources to check out? I've glanced at sites like monster.ca and working.ca, but they seem to be geared towards people who are looking for a very specific sort of job, not just a general summer job. Retail, childcare, barista-ry, etc are more the sort of jobs I'm looking for. I've been told by Montréal friends that call centres are always the last bastion of Anglo job-seekers, but as I've worked in one for two years, I'd prefer to not do that. Also, if anyone knows of a specific place that will be hiring in mid-May that they can let me know about, that's great too!

Also, I'm moderately visually impaired. Mobility (using transit, reading street signs, etc) isn't usually too much trouble for me, but I am unable to drive. I have a CNIB card, and in Winnipeg this enables me to use public transit for free. Does anyone know if Montréal does the same?

Thanks! (I hope that I've used the tags properly, I've never used them before. If I need to fix them, please let me know).

Hello,

I have a question to ask of you all...

I have a friend from Australia who wants to come and stay with me in Montreal, and work here for a while, and she was worried that because she doesn't speak French, she won't be able to get a job.

What sort of jobs are there out there for english speakers, is there anywhere that is good to look them up, and do you have any suggestions of places that would need friendly Australian labour?

Thanks awfully! :)

I am about to start a new job and so far all the communication I have received has been in French: the offer letter, the business code of Conduct, the HR information etc. The company knows that I moved to Montreal a year and a half ago (in order to learn French) and that I have some language limitations--I was VERY honest in my interview so as not to get myself into a pickle.

When I asked if they could provide me with English versions I was told that because some details were province-specific, it would be too difficult to provide an English translation. (The company has branches all over Canada with its largest centre in Toronto). I accepted this explanation and my French is good enough to understand all of the correspondence, so I did not object but then the HR lady followed it up with the: "Well, we are in Quebec and it's French only here, you know."

I understand that in Quebec there is a French-first rule but can this rule apply to a job where the company itself is NOT Quebecois? (There are several branches in both the rest of Canada and the US--the company itself was started in Vancouver)

My question to you is:
Has anyone ever been hired and NOT been provided with any English versions of their job (ie. training manuals etc.)? And if so, would you be kind enough to share with me how you went about trying to deal with this issue?

Hi there,

Does anyone know of a place where one could go to partake in community theatre?
I'd prefer English-only, if only because I would be more comfortable with that language.

Thank you in advance for any leads!

I'm sorry this has been asked many times, but I've searched through the memories, and I can't seem to find much of exactly what I'm looking for, so I thought I'd try. And I have looked through the memories, and I'm sorry if I missed it.

I'm looking to do an intensive French immersion program in Quebec, preferably Montreal, but I'd go anywhere, really. I have a car, money saved up for this, and I'll be unemployed in a few months, and I'm willing to spend the time and money to devote to this. I've been looking for some kind of review or confirmation or something that can tell me if the schools I'm finding are any good. I've seen bits and pieces, small comments, but basically I'm looking to find out if some of these schools are on the level.

What I'm looking for is immersion, as much as possible. I've heard people say I may not get that in Montreal, but, well, I'm trying all the same. I'm open to any programs outside of Montreal. I'm looking for something like 25+ hours a week, and if it has weekend components, the more the better. I'm not really looking for a university type course. I took French classes in university and really didn't like the way they were taught, and was looking for something a bit more personalized.

The two schools I had been mainly looking at were ILSC and CLC and any reviews, impressions, or anything you've heard from either of these schools, or any others, would be great. How fast did you start picking things up? Was it really useful, or was it just fun? I'm basically looking to learn French to improve my employability, I just got out of school and a lot of the jobs I'm looking at now consider Bilingualism a huge asset.

I'm currently living in Mississauga, so I doubt I can get any programs offered by the Quebec government, and I've heard explore is a big party, but feel free to correct me.

Again, I'm sorry if this gets asked a lot, but any advice would be most appreciated.

Cheers.

My boyfriend and I will be in Montreal this Saturday to Wednesday. We went earlier this year (February), plus he lived there during school, so there's definitely not a lack of ideas of things we want to do. One thing we were thinking of was to hit the drive-in for the Simpsons movie. I checked out cinemamontreal.com for the drive-in times and it says the movies are played in their French version. Unfortunately, my very limited French only goes as far as apologizing for my very limited French. :o| My bf said he remembers going to those drive-ins when he was a kid and they were in English. He says that the drive-in MUST have english versions, perhaps on another channel, because of the bilingual laws. Can anyone give me a heads up? Thank you! 

Hi all,

I'm posting this on my boss' behalf as we're looking for new people.


English CSRs needed immediately for 24/7 ecommerce environment.
Previous CSR experience required.
Email your CV to csmanager@inoveo.com

Xposted to montreal montreal_jobs

Are French programs such as the J explore program only for ppl who are citizens or permanent residents? I am neither a citizen nor a permanent resident, but I want to take cheap intensive French classes. Any suggestions?

My french at the moment is pretty bad. Though I will try my best to take every french course imaginable in order to improve it, could I ever land a decent job with sub-par french? Because after studying in Montreal, I want to live there but I am horrible with languages.

I'm looking for someone to fill a position (probably part-time) primarily as cashier with a few other duties at a tabagie in Montreal. The store is located at Bonaventure metro. This is NOT a summer job! We're looking for someone who will be able to continue on through the fall and possibly into the winter as well.

This is a wonderful and easygoing job with desirable hours (most likely 2-7 PM), a great work environment and a fun, friendly and supportive team of coworkers. No experience necessary. Applicants should preferably be able to communicate clearly in both French and English, though it's fine if you're not completely bilingual, as long as you have a good grasp of either language.

If interested, please forward your CV to calculationtheme[at]gmail.com. Questions and requests for more information can be forwarded to the same address.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,
Melissa

I recently moved to Montreal and want to improve my French.

I participate in weekly language exchanges with a native speaker, try to watch French TV, and attempt to read the news online, but it's just not coming fast enough. My vocabulary, grammar and conversation skills are still very poor and I get nervous and flustered if I find myself in a real conversation. In short, I need some full-time practice.

I've heard that the government subsidizes intensive courses, but I'm having trouble finding information about these courses and how to apply. The other alternative is to take courses from any of the universities, but they seem to be outrageously expensive (~$1500-2000).

Has anyone here taken an intensive course they could recommend? Did it work?

1. i'm interested in going to french cegep or university. i know there are placement tests for prospective students who don't speak french natively... does an anglo who's never gone to a french school have a chance? is it common for non-francophones to attend french schools after high school? are language issues taken into consideration like in english schools? it's a shot in the dark, but i'd like to apply everywhere i can.

2. what are my best options for 3-year graphic design and/or advertising programs? are they equivalent to college programs offered in ontario? as an example: george brown college in toronto. i know about dawson but i don't know if it's equal to college in ontario.

ETA 3: what is the average age of CEGEP students in technical/non-uni prep programs? at concordia it was like 22 in my first year classes.

i was a design student at concordia but it isn't working out for a lot of reasons, and i'm taking some time off before changing schools. i'd like to stay in montreal of course... :)

thanks in advance for any responses!

Hey all,

I am going to be in Montreal from mid-June until the end of August.  I would like to find a job, but I'm not exactly sure what types of jobs are available for those with only a decent comprehension of the French language and mediocre speaking skills.  Any suggestions would be great!

Stacey

I live in Plateau Mont-Royal, and I am in desperate need of a good Anglo bookstore. I find there are a few decent used places I know about, but when I'm just itching for something that I came out more recently, I would really rather not have to spend my money at places like Chapters.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Hii^^

any english cosmetology schools ? or courses? -- would prefer one close to the west island

also whats a good cellphone company that has a decent plan for lots of text msging or calling back and forth to the states
<3

Hello all,

I'm trying to find an English-language class on meditation and/or Buddhist teachings (preferrably Tibetan, but others are okay). I've found some names and numbers of Buddhist centres (here, here, and here) and have called a few but have been unsuccessful. Many more to call, but I figured I'd ask:

Any personal recommendations? Close to metro is best.

Much thanks in advance.

hey, my brother is coming to visit next month, and he is vegan. where are some good places, preferably in the downtown and mcgill areas, that serve vegan food, or where i can buy vegan food (organic grocery stores, etc). are the major chains (metro, provigo) well-stocked on vegan food?

I'm a resident Ontarian considering McGill for the upcoming fall. I was just wondering if there are any English-language channels on basic cable. Most importantly, the CBC? Thanks a bunch, Montreal!

Hello,

I'm new in town. I just moved here on New Years eve. I now have the difficult task of trying to find a job, the problem is: I'm an anglophone.  I'd like to learn french (it's one of the reasons I moved here) but I can't afford the classes without a job.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice for finding a job as an anglophone. I don't have very much going for me. I have a masters degree, but it's in history (not anything practical). My main areas of expertise are in research and writing. I have little to no actual work experience.

Before anyone asks me why in the whole world would I move to Montreal when I have no work experience, don't speak french, and only have enough money to last another two months without a job, let me just say that I'm already aware that I'm slightly crazy...but I'd really like to make this work.

So...any advice?

EDIT: Oh yeah, I meant to say: I'm looking for something besides the obvious call-centre gig. That's my fall back plan, but with my student debt I actually need something that pays a little bit more.

Everyone is always asking about French classes but I have the opposite question: Where can someone take English as a second language classes in Quebec that isn't super expensive?

I am going to school with someone who recently moved back to Canada (she was born here but grew up abroad) and would like to better her English but she has told me that every ESL class is SUPER expensive.

I recommended the summer language bursary program offered during the summer but other than that, I'm at a loss.

Does anyone know anything?

Thanks so much, guys!

Hi,
I've looked in the memories for this and can't seem to find anything. I heard something about government  subsidized French classes for anglophones, and was wondering if anyone had the scoop on this..
Thanks..

Can someone please recommend a specific hairdresser? Not just this or that salon? I don't want to spend more than $40-$50.

I wear my hair in an angled bob lately and Yanic at Coupe Bizarre mangled it. I got my hairdresser back home to fix it, but it's growing out and looking silly again. I need to find a hairdresser here anyway because my hair grows like a bad weed.

My French is pretty much null à chier, so a hairdresser I could actually communicate with would be terrific... I need to be able to tell them, "No, please don't cut a huge area of the back of my head short and then do a long layer on top instead of just thinning it out." =D

Any help is appreciated!

Tonight's Comedy Cafe features Tim Rabnett with host Chantel M and DJ B'Ugo

Special guests:
Assaf Gerchak
Dan Bingham
Jason Whiting

$10
Doors open at 8
Show begins at 9

Pub Quartier Latin
358 Ontario E



If the name sounds familiar: the same people behind Coco Cafe (and the original Therapy), Canada's longest running spoken word night (last Sunday of every month).

first off, i apologize because i'm sure there are many many posts similar to this one on back log, but i was wondering:

as a new resident of this wonderful city who speaks no french and is wanting to meet new people, what's my best bet? what are fun things to do around here that will allow me to mingle with other folks?

other information: i'm living on St. Urbain and Laurier so things in that general area would be good. i also just transferred into McGill University after a year at another school in the United States, so i kinda missed meeting all those folks over at McGill last year. so what else is there to do?

thanks a lot!