Chandigarh: Most Punjabis aspirants to settle in Canada, are now giving more preference to French language after English in Punjab.
Last year, 8,000 students from various colleges and universities of Punjab took up certificate and diploma courses for French language. This time the number is expected to increase by 50 per cent to 12,000.
A student of French graduate said that French is the second official language in Canada. Because the number of French-speaking students in Canada is steadily declining. In view of this, a special committee of the Canadian Parliament has recommended in its report that french-speaking students should be given visas on a priority basis. Having a French level B-1 or B-2 diploma gives 65 points more in visa assessment.
Canada’s goal will be up to 7 percent
In Canada, 2.8 percent of French-speaking students arrived in 2019 and 3.6 percent in 2020. The Government of Canada has now decided to achieve the target of 4.4 percent this year, which will later be increased to 7 percent.
Students preferring the French language
An expert said that the number has increased in Chandigarh and Punjab for admission to colleges and universities for French courses. Compared to the year 2019-20, there has also been an increase in the number of students going to France this year.
It is evident that a large number of students are pursuing French courses mainly for study and PR in Canada but the number of students going to France is also increasing. Even there is rise in admissions in Panjab University this time for French course compared to previous years.