Registering for FLS and ESL courses

The University of Ottawa offers French as a Second Language (FLS) and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to all students who wish to improve their language proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages. Courses range from the beginner to high-advanced levels.

These courses are open to students from any faculty who wish to take them as electives.

Registration steps

1. Placement test

All students must complete a language test, regardless of their current proficiency level, before registering for their first ESL or FLS course. The test determines which course(s) they can register for. Students who have previously completed an admissions test (e.g., Immersion Admissions Test) or have already completed an FLS or ESL course are exempt from the placement test. They should visit the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute website for instructions on how to register for courses.

We encourage you to complete the online placement test as soon as you’ve received your student number and InfoWeb password. This information is included in the acknowledgment of receipt letter and your offer of admission.

2. Register

Undergraduate students: You will be able to register for the appropriate language course(s) online using Rabaska one business day following your test.

Graduate students: Bring your test results page to your department to register for the appropriate language course(s).

Placement test

Description of the test

The placement test includes three sections:

Listening comprehension
Reading comprehension
Fill-in-the-blanks
Depending on your score in the first three sections, you may be asked to complete a grammar test.

Test format

The tests are composed of two types of questions:

  • Multiple choice: Answer the question by clicking next to the correct choice.
Example: Where is the Canadian Parliament located?

a. Toronto
b. Vancouver
c. Ottawa
d. Montreal
  • Fill-in-the-blank drop-down menu: Answer the question by selecting the best choice to complete the sentence from the drop-down menu.

Example: Suzy is sick. Her mother told her she should go see a .


Practice test

If you wish to have a better sense of the types of questions that are included in the test, you can complete the practice test. However, please note that you will not receive any results at the end of this practice test.

Technical requirements

  • a computer with speakers or headphones
  • a high-speed Internet connection (strongly recommended)
  • Flash (version 9 or higher)
Duration

You have two hours to complete the test, but you may finish earlier. Make sure you are available for two consecutive hours. Once you start the test, you cannot close it to continue later, nor can you restart it.

Results

Once you have completed the test, the Test Results Page will appear on your screen. Print or save this page.

This page will contain the following:

  • your student number. If your student number does not appear on the page, email Language Testing Services at L2test@uOttawa.ca with your name and student number.
  • your name
  • the test date
  • your test ID number
  • your result. This appears as a code which indicates the language course(s) you can take (e.g., F3).
  • The code(s) for language course(s) at your level, which you can register for.

Steps for completing the test

  1. Go to the Testing Portal:
  2. Choose I have a uOttawa student number.
  3. Enter your student number and InfoWeb password. These can be found in your offer of admission or acknowledgement of receipt letter. 
  4. Choose the language you want tested (French or English). 
  5. Indicate why you need to have your language proficiency evaluated. If you want to take an ESL or FLS course as an elective, choose To register for ESL credit courses or To register for FLS credit courses. 
  6. You will then see an instructions page. Once you are ready to begin, click Start the Test.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the test or your results.

Language Testing Services:

Email: L2test@uOttawa.ca
   If you have any questions about ESL and FLS courses.

Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute :

Email: olbi@uottawa.ca
Tel: 613-562-5743).

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