Do you feel drawn by the romance and the intrigue that is Montreal? You want to make this vibrant and multidimensional city your new home, but you hesitate? Only one thing is really preventing you – the French.

Fear of the French language prevents many English speakers (we’re called Anglos here) from diving in and experiencing everything that Montreal has to offer. Here's the good news: there's really not much to be frightened about.

Montreal is most likely more Anglo-friendly than you think. Heck, there are entire neighbourhoods, schools and businesses teeming with Anglos, just like you. Many have come from out of province and found a home here. Many others are Anglophones from Quebec who have learned French in school (and by osmosis). The fact is, Montreal is filled with Anglophones, perhaps more than you'd like when you're inspired to practice your conversational French skills with the cutie at the local "charcuterie." She or he may be a secret Anglo who will recognize your accent and flip the conversation back to English before you can say “poutine.”

The west part of Montreal is where most of the Anglo neighbourhoods are to be found. Westmount, NDG, Cote-des-Neiges, parts of downtown near the English universities; you shouldn’t have much trouble getting around these areas using only English.

The Montreal mood is friendly

More good news! Speaking French can be fun and rewarding. Whether you want to refine your skills for a potential job or simply to join in on the ongoing Franco-Anglo conversation, most people in this city are happy to help you practice. Choosing to speak to someone in their native language (even if you sound like a four year old) is a sure sign of respect, and it will be appreciated. Contrary to popular belief, you won't get hit over the head with a bag of bagels if you muck up your verb tenses. And fumbling in French won't prevent you from buying your groceries. These moments of bilingual innovation are part of what makes Montreal so special, and you can engage in them at your own pace and comfort level.

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Personal tip: If someone is speaking to you in French and you have no idea what they’re saying, simply nod your head and repeat “c’est ça” a couple of times. Generally this works as an alternative to shrugging your shoulders and saying "eeughh, sorry, no French." You also might try drawing out the word “oui” (yes) in traditional Quebecois style (sounds like “ouaaiiii”) in moments you feel are appropriate. Employing these terms while deducing what the conversation is really about based on hand gestures and facial expressions helped me become the master of broken French that I am today.

Bottom line: it is entirely possible to have a happy and fulfilling experience in the city of Montreal, even if English (accompanied with some slight hand gestures on occasional sojourns to the very Franco East Plateau) is your main mode of communication. However be warned that upon arriving, the sudden urge to start rolling your r's and learning the romantic language that is le français, may overwhelm you.

P.S. Affordable French classes are offered all over this city, so make sure to do some research and find out where you can get in on one. If you are a recent immigrant, the government will pay for them. If you’re a student, you can find them at Concordia and McGill. Classes happen in YMCAs, church buildings, colleges, and homes, so you can also just ask around to find something that works for you. Bonne chance!