The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) offers three programs in French as a second language, each tailored to students' needs, skill level, and communication goals: a basic minor, an advanced minor and a major. 

University of Ottawa programs are designed to improve and broaden students' skills in their second language. Courses focus on the four essential language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and on more specialized areas, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and culture. 

Students develop their French through a variety of learning activities using motivating instructional materials. Students' learning is supported by innovative and traditional learning resources, such as multimedia materials and language labs, a resource centre, web-based activities and conversation groups.