Reading to argue
Spot the thesis, arguments and techniques in an opinion piece, then reuse that information in your own text.
French · Secondary 5
Secondary 5 French, without surprises.
A make-or-break year: writing counts for 50 % of the French mark and Secondary 5 French is required for the high school diploma (DES). We support your teen from September to the ministry exam, in reading, speaking and writing.
Rate$45 / hour
- Open letters marked against the 5 ministry criteria
- First class free, same tutor every week
The year that counts twice
In Secondary 5, French is no longer just one subject among others. To earn the Quebec high school diploma (DES), a student must pass, among other requirements, 6 credits of Secondary 5 language of instruction. On the report card, the Writing competency is worth 50 % of the French mark, and the ministry writing exam comes at the end of the year. A shaky mark in September quickly turns into real stress as the exam gets closer.
Our approach is simple: we start from the texts your teen writes in class, identify the three or four mistakes that keep coming back, and fix them one at a time. Alongside that, we practise reading opinion texts and speaking, because the three competencies feed each other. For exam details (preparatory file, timing, marking grid), read our guide to the Secondary 5 French writing exam. For elementary school or other high school years, see our French tutoring page.
What we cover
The whole Secondary 5 year
The open letter
Introduction, thesis, two or three arguments backed by sources, conclusion: write, correct, repeat under time limits.
Agreement rules
Subject and verb, past participles, agreement inside the noun group: a sentence-by-sentence proofreading method.
Syntax and punctuation
Complete sentences, well-placed commas, controlled subordinate clauses: often the criterion that costs the most points.
Oral communication
Prepare a presentation or debate, organize ideas and speak confidently in front of the class.
The preparatory file
Read the five to eight texts, annotate them and build a compliant note sheet, with no outline written in advance.
Timeline
A plan from September to exam day
From September to December, we build the foundations: agreement checks, sentence structure, and regular reading of opinion pieces published in Quebec. Your teen writes a first complete open letter so we can measure the starting point, criterion by criterion.
From January to the exam, we switch to exam pace: one timed open letter a month, marked against the five criteria, then targeted work on the weakest one. During the preparatory file week, we read the texts together and prepare the note sheet. Official dates are in our ministry exam calendar, and the final grade calculator shows where the average stands.
- Open letter
- Agreement
- Punctuation
- Note sheet
- Oral
Non-francophone families
When French is not spoken at home
In Montreal, many students in French schools speak English, Persian or another language at home. They are often fluent when speaking, but some written mistakes stick: noun gender, prepositions, structures borrowed from English. Our tutors teach the rules in French and can explain in English or Persian when that helps, so parents also understand what is being worked on. You do not need to correct the homework yourself: a short written report after every class tells you what was done. Classes are in person in Montreal or through online tutoring anywhere in Quebec.
How it works
Getting started is simple
- 1
Pick a time
Choose the subject and a free time slot. We assign a qualified tutor.
- 2
Free first class
The tutor assesses the level and finds what is blocking.
- 3
Follow the progress
After every class, a short report arrives by email and in your parent space.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Questions? Call or write to us:
Other courses
When should my teen start preparing for the writing exam?
Ideally in the fall. Language mistakes are fixed through repetition over several months. A few weeks of intensive preparation also helps, but it leaves less time to change proofreading habits.
My child struggled in Secondary 4 French. Where do we start?
With an assessment during the free first class: reading, writing and grammar. Then we target the gaps that weigh most on writing, since that competency counts for 50 % of the Secondary 5 mark.
We speak English at home. Can you still help with French school work?
Yes, this is very common in Montreal. Classes are in French, with explanations in English or Persian when needed, and the written report after each class is easy to follow even if you do not read French well.
Do you also work on reading and oral skills?
Yes. Reading opinion texts feeds directly into the open letter, and we can prepare a presentation or debate assigned in class.
How many classes a week in Secondary 5?
Most students take one 1-hour class a week, and two in the weeks before the exam. Packages of 8 and 12 classes give 5 % and 10 % off.