Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. After your initial evaluation, we’ll send you a clear and detailed quote tailored to your specific training needs and goals. If you need a quote quickly, please contact us at sales@lrdgonline.com.

Learners enroll in ESL/FSL sessions or tutoring sessions for various reasons, including personal and professional reasons. In Canada, official language laws require government employees to be proficient in both English and French, in order to serve the public in both official languages.

In an ESL/FSL class, learners should expect tutoring to build off of the current language level they are capable of. For LRDG, this means learners are evaluated and provided a personalized learning path and timeline to achieve their specified bilingualism goals.

ESL/FSL classes can be administered in a variety of formats, including one-on-one training, group lessons, or delivered through an online platform.

• The full-time program is intensive, with a high hourly volume, ideal for rapid progress.
• The part-time program is more flexible, designed to accommodate busy schedules while maintaining effective FSL learning.

Selecting the right option depends on your SLE timetable, professional obligations, and your weekly availability. In both cases, you benefit from the same access to our platform, personalized follow-up and support from our specialized tutors.

Start your language journey by booking a call with our team. During this initial conversation, we’ll discuss your goals, availability, and training needs. From there, our advisors will guide you in selecting the program that best fits your situation—whether full-time or art-time. You’ll also receive a personalized training plan and support every step of the way.

The courses aim to improve listening, speaking and writing skills, while specifically preparing learners to pass the Second Language Evaluation (SLE) required for bilingual positions.

They are designed to help you reach your target level in French (BBB, CBC, CCC), focusing on the skills assessed in official tests. Thanks to targeted content, interactive exercises and simulated tests, you’ll progress at your own pace towards mastery of French in a professional context. For more information, see our Second Language Evaluation Preparation section.

LRDG (Language Research Development Group) specializes in teaching French and English as a second language.

Our approach is based on :

• Flexible and personalized learning plans
• A 24/7 interactive online platform
• Human support with qualified tutors
• Content aligned with real SLE criteria

The LRDG course includes :

• An initial evaluation to determine your current level
• A customized training plan
• Access to an online platform with practical exercises
• Tutoring sessions for oral and written exams
• Pedagogical follow-up until you reach your objectives

This organization allows you to move forward at your own pace, while benefiting from a structured framework and expert support.

LRDG stands for Language Research Development Group. We’re a Canadian company specializing in personalized online language training designed for government employees, organizations, and individual learners who want to improve their communication skills in English or French.

LRDG is primarily aimed at Canadian public service employees who need to pass the Second Language Evaluation (SLE) to obtain or maintain a bilingual position. Our training courses are also suitable for managers, future candidates for the public service, or anyone wishing to strengthen their professional language skills:

• Managers wishing to improve their team’s language skills
• Candidates about to enter the civil service, who want to prepare effectively for tests
• Anyone working in a bilingual environment who wants to improve their oral and written communication
  skills.

LRDG offers language training for all proficiency levels, aligned with the Government of Canada’s standards:

• A Level (Beginner): Modules 0–7
• B Level (Intermediate): Modules 8–12
• C Level (Advanced): Modules 13–15

Whether you’re just starting or preparing for advanced government evaluations, our programs are designed to help you progress confidently through each stage.

Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll receive a secure login to LRDG’s WCAG 2.1 compliant online learning platform, available 24/7. You can access it anytime from any device with an internet connection, including your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

No! The LRDG platform is fully bilingual, available in both English and French. Your training is customized to your target language, whether you’re learning English, French, or maintaining your levels.

Tutoring sessions are conducted individually or in small groups, by specialized tutors. They are scheduled according to the learner’s availability and are integrated into a personalized learning plan. Each session targets specific skills (oral expression, writing, grammar, etc.) in line with SLE criteria. Tutors monitor your progress closely and adjust content to enable you to progress effectively.

Our tutors are available Monday to Friday, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Eastern Time), with flexibility to accommodate learners across all Canadian time zones. Weekend sessions are also available based on demand to better suit your schedule.

LRDG’s tutors are qualified bilingual instructors with extensive experience teaching Government of Canada learners and private students. Each tutor is carefully selected, trained, and supported to help you achieve your official language proficiency goals with confidence.

Getting started is simple: schedule an initial discovery call with our team. After this meeting, we will recommend a personalized training plan that matches your profile, objectives, and deadlines. This initial evaluation is completely commitment-free and allows you to explore whether a full-time or part- time program best fits your situation. Our advisors are here to guide you toward the solution best suited to your learning journey.

The French proficiency test for Canada is referred to as the Second Language Evaluation (SLE). This is a test used to assess a public service job candidate or employee’s proficiency in their second official language (English or French). The SLE consists of three parts: reading comprehension, written expression, and oral proficiency, in that order.

There are several strategies to pass the Canadian government French exam, often referred to as the Second Language Evaluation (SLE). These include enrolling in a specialized language training program like those offered by LRDG, regular practice and immersion in French, and, lastly, simply understanding how tests are administered and best practices.

Yes. LRDG offers test preparation and simulations for the Public Service Commission’s Second Language Evaluation (SLE), including the oral assessment, reading comprehension, and writing expression. Learn more about our preparation options here.

Yes. While LRDG works closely with the Government of Canada, we also provide language training for private individuals, corporations, businesses, and organizations. To get started, book a call with our team.

No, simulations are open to all levels. They’re specifically designed to help you understand where you currently stand.
Whether you’re just starting out or approaching the final stage of your SLE preparation, a simulation helps you see what’s working and what still needs attention.
It’s a helpful starting point to guide your learning, without added pressure.

No, you don’t need to have completed an SLE program or training with us.
You can book a simulation at any time, whether to assess your current level, prepare for a test, or simply find out where you stand.
In fact, many people choose to start with a simulation before deciding whether to enroll in a training program.

Once we receive your availability, we can usually schedule your oral simulation within 24 to 48 hours. The simulation itself takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a B level and 45 to 60 minutes for a C level. You’ll receive a detailed report within 2 to 3 business days, including personalized feedback and clear recommendations based on Public Service Commission (PSC) standards.

Simulations are available in both French as a Second Language (FSL) and English as a Second Language (ESL). At LRDG, our simulations focus exclusively on oral expression—a key component of the federal public service language test. Designed to reflect the structure and standards of the official SLE, our mock oral exams help you prepare for Levels B or C with confidence.
Upon completing a SLE simulation, you’ll receive personalized, PSC-aligned feedback from a trained evaluator to help you clearly identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

A simulation is one of the best ways to prepare for your federal public service language test. It reflects the format and difficulty of the real exam, helping you build confidence and focus your study. At LRDG, our simulations follow Public Service Commission standards, so the feedback you get is reliable and relevant. It’s a practical way to:

• Get used to managing your time under real test conditions
• Identify patterns in your mistakes or language habits that need attention
• Focus your energy on the areas that will help you reach your target level (BBB,CBC)

Because our evaluators are trained to meet Public Service Commission (PSC) standards, the feedback you receive is reliable, constructive, and directly tied to what’s expected in the real evaluation.

Manager positions typically have a minimum requirement of a BBB profile meaning someone has received a Level B in language proficiency for reading, writing, and oral. Most director-level positions require a CBC profile.

Any position in public service requiring communication will require a candidate to be proficient in French and English at a specific level. Not having the requisite certifications is a major career barrier.

The SLE evaluates different levels of proficiency: Level A, Level B, and Level C, with Level C being the highest. Those who cannot achieve this score are assigned an “X.” However, depending on a specific job and its requirements, a candidate may have at least earned Level B or Level C proficiency to qualify.

Over 90% of our learners pass their SLE on the first attempt after completing their program. This is due to our progressive method, which helps you consolidate your foundations before moving on to higher proficiency, and to our targeted coaching, which prepares you concretely for the types of questions asked on the official SLE assessments.
Whatever your starting level, our aim is to get you to the required level with confidence.

The difficulty of the SLE test will vary depending on a candidate’s proficiency in the second language. With proper preparation, practice, and confidence, you can succeed in the test. You can prepare by learning from experienced tutors, incorporating the second language into your everyday life, and practicing with online resources or self-assessment tools. Remaining focused and present in the moment, thinking positively, and remaining calm throughout the exam will also help you optimize your performance.

For the test of written expression, learners have 45 minutes to answer 30 multiple-choice questions, which include fill-in-the-blank problems and error identification. The test of reading comprehension provides candidates with 45 minutes to answer 25 questions. The oral language assessment is administered by a live evaluator and usually takes 20-40 minutes. There is no specific number of questions.

SLE tests are graded with three proficiency levels: Level A, Level B, and Level C. In this system, Level C is the most advanced level. The level obtained in writing, reading, and oral evaluations are used to create a candidate’s profile, such as BBB or CBC.

SLE stands for “Second Language Evaluation,” which is a suite of tests developed by the Public Service Commission of Canada to measure fluency and proficiency in one’s second language. SLE tests consist of reading comprehension, written expression, and oral proficiency, in that order, and grades within these tests (A,B,C) are used to define a public service employee’s bilingualism profile.

The process of making a call up against a standing offer can vary greatly depending on numerous factors. Our sales team will be best able to guide you through the process depending on your agency and position.

Because standing offers are pre-arranged, they can be secured relatively quickly, avoiding bid periods and other typical procurement delays. We generally advise government clients to expect two to three weeks for their call-up to be processed.

A standing offer can be called up against by certain authorized officials within federal agencies, departments, or organizations. These officials typically have approval authority within their respective organizations.

There are many benefits to issuing a call-up against a standing offer. This includes competitive and pre-negotiated prices, time efficiency, simplified procurement, reduced risk and flexibility.

Rather than a request for a proposal or contract bid, a standing offer is a proposal from a supplier to provide goods or services at pre-established prices and terms. That offer becomes a contract for when a “call-up” is issued.