⚠️ Francophone draws at 390 won't last forever. Government prioritizing French NOW due to political climate. Competition increasing monthly. Start January 11 →

Neurons & Croissants

Stuck at CRS 490? Qualify for Francophone Draws at 390—Not 515.

The only French program built for working professionals who need Express Entry PR in 6 months—not tourists ordering croissants.

Reserve Your Spot - January 11 Start Date

Weekend classes or weeknight 7-9pm. Toronto. 12-week intensive or 18-week standard.

Research-backed system

Applications from professionals at:

— IBM (3 applicants) — Accenture (2 applicants) — Amazon (1 applicant) — Deloitte (2 applicants)
Professional anxiously checking email waiting for Express Entry invitation

It's Wednesday night. You check your email. Again. Nothing from IRCC.

CEC Draw #281: CRS 515. You're at 497. You've been at 497 for eight months.

Your work permit expires in six months. Your manager keeps asking if you're "planning to stay long-term." You lie and say yes. What else can you say?

« I know Yorkdale better than the mall back home. My dental records are here. My tax return has a Toronto address. But I can't say 'I'm staying' because I don't have the paperwork. »

You watch people with Master's degrees and spouses with Master's degrees get ITAs at 530+. Good for them. Really. But you have a competitive score—you're just not that competitive. You'll never get pulled in the regular Canadian Experience Class pool.

Not a second Master's degree. Not finding a spouse with perfect credentials. Not a provincial nomination.

French gets you into a different pool entirely.

Here's what actually happens: Express Entry has separate draw types. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws everyone's heard of? Those are pulling at CRS 515-534 right now. Completely out of reach for most people.

But Francophone-specific draws are pulling at CRS 390. Not 515. Three hundred and ninety.

Pass TEF Canada or TCF Canada, and you become eligible for these Francophone draws. Same Express Entry system. Different pool. Way lower threshold.

It's not the only way. But it's the fastest way that doesn't require going back to school, finding a new employer, or leaving the country.

The choice is simple:

Keep waiting for draw announcements every two weeks, hoping CEC drops below 515
Learn French in 6 months (or 3-4 if urgent), pass TEF Canada, qualify for Francophone draws at 390, get your ITA

3 Ways We're Different From Every French School in Toronto

🧠

Evidence-Based

Built by an MSc Neuroscientist using proven methods (effect sizes d=0.40-0.88 in peer-reviewed studies). Not theory—what actually works.

👥

Small Group Practice

Conversation pods of 3 students = 6-10× more speaking time than traditional classes. You'll actually speak French, not just listen to lectures.

Actually Fits Your Life

Weekend classes or weeknight 7-9pm sessions. AI practice partner. Built for full-time professionals who can't quit their jobs to learn French.

You've Been Shopping Around. Here's What You Found.

Alliance Française

What they offer:

Comprehensive French education, official TEF test center, small classes (14 max).

The challenge:

Standard program takes 3+ years (44 months). Even intensive requires 9-12 months full-time. Not built for working professionals with 6-month deadlines.

ILSC Toronto

What they offer:

Evening French classes (Mon-Wed, 6 hrs/week).

The challenge:

Toronto location only offers beginner and intermediate French. Cannot actually get you to NCLC 7—you'd need to transfer to Montreal or complete advanced levels online.

Duolingo / Apps

What they offer:

Convenient, affordable ($60-84/year), good for building vocabulary.

The challenge:

Limited speaking practice (5-15 min/hour with AI). Research shows most users reach A2-B1, rarely B2/NCLC 7. 78% feel comfortable reading, but only 31% feel confident in spontaneous conversation.

Private Tutors

What they offer:

Personalized attention, flexible scheduling.

The challenge:

$70-100/hour adds up fast. No structured curriculum, no community support, no guarantee of NCLC 7-specific preparation. Expensive and isolating.

You need something built specifically for Express Entry professionals with deadlines.

That's why we exist.

Reserve Your Spot - January 11 Start Date

How We Compare

Feature Alliance Française ILSC Toronto Duolingo Neurons & Croissants
Timeline to Pass TEF & Qualify 9-12 months intensive
(44 months standard program)
Cannot qualify for Francophone draws
(Toronto only offers beginner/intermediate)
Insufficient alone
(Most users reach A2-B1, not TEF-ready)
4-6 months
(TEF-ready with 15-30 hrs/week)
Schedule Mon-Sat
(mornings, afternoons, evenings)
Mon-Wed evenings
(6 hrs/week)
Self-paced
(anytime)
Weekends or 7-9pm
(Flexible for working professionals)
Class size 14 students max
(10 online)
15-17 students Solo learning 3-person pods
Speaking time per student/hour ~4 minutes
(60 min ÷ 14 students)
~3-4 minutes
(60 min ÷ 15-17 students)
5-15 minutes
(AI practice, limited spontaneous conversation)
20 minutes
(60 min ÷ 3 students)
Focus General French + TEF prep
(Official test center)
General French
(Beginner/intermediate only)
Vocabulary & grammar
(Limited speaking practice)
TEF Canada for Express Entry
(Francophone draw qualification)
Price (to qualify for Francophone draws) $45,000-60,000+
(~$5,000-6,000/month × 9-12 months intensive)
N/A
(Cannot reach required level in Toronto)
$60-84/year
(Requires extensive supplementation)
$4,000
(6-month program)
Results guarantee No No No ✓ YES
(Pay retest + continue free)

Sources & Notes:

  • Alliance Française: 24-level program structure (A1.1-B2.8), 8 weeks per level = 44 months standard; 9-12 months intensive full-time at ~$5,000-6,000/month
  • ILSC Toronto: Evening program only offers beginner/intermediate French; advanced levels require transfer to Montreal
  • Duolingo: Research (Jiang et al., 2021) shows most users achieve A2-B1; 78% comfortable reading, 31% confident in spontaneous conversation
  • Our 80-120% efficiency improvement based on conservative multiplicative model across 8 research-backed methods (see research citations)

Qualify for Francophone Draws in 4-6 Months

Pass TEF Canada. Get your ITA. (vs. 24-month industry average)

Our integrated system improves learning efficiency by 80-120% compared to traditional instruction.

Professional celebrating receiving Invitation to Apply from IRCC for Express Entry permanent residence

The moment it all becomes real

From CRS 497 → Francophone Draw at 390 → ITA → Permanent Resident → Bring your family → Buy a house → Actually live in Canada.

Reserve Your Spot - January 11 Start Date

From CRS 470 to ITA in 4 Steps (6 Months Total)

Three diverse professionals practicing French conversation in small group setting

Small pods = 6-10× more speaking time than traditional classes

1

Learn (Weekend Classes)

Saturday &/or Sunday. Small conversation pods (3 students). 3-8 hours/week depending on your track. Actually speak French—not lectures.

2

Practice (AI Partner)

Between classes, practice with AI via voice. It corrects you, generates flashcards from YOUR mistakes, tracks your progress.

3

Review (Smart Flashcards)

App shows you exactly what YOU struggled with. Spaced repetition = you remember. 10 minutes before bed = optimal consolidation.

4

Test & Qualify (TEF Canada)

Take TEF Canada after your program: Standard track: Week 25 (6 months total) | Intensive track: Week 13 (4 months total). Pass the test. Qualify for Francophone draws at CRS 390. Receive ITA. Get PR.

Don't pass first time? We pay retest + extend program free.

The 3 Methods That Matter

👥

Small Groups = 6× More Speaking

Traditional class of 20 → each student speaks 3 min/hour

Our pods of 3 → each student speaks 20 min/hour

🤖

AI Practice = Perfect YOUR Mistakes

• Corrects you in real-time
• Generates flashcards from YOUR errors
• You study what YOU need

Not generic vocab lists

📚

Spaced Repetition = You Remember

Daily 10-min reviews before bed

50% better retention (25+ studies)

Optimizes memory consolidation during sleep

See all 8 research-backed methods →

🏃 Exercise Integration

Movement breaks enhance memory consolidation by 20-30% (Roig et al., 2013)

😴 Pre-Sleep Review

Overnight consolidation improves retention by 50% (meta-analysis of 25 studies)

🧪 Retrieval Practice

Weekly low-stakes testing boosts retention by 40-50% (100+ studies)

🎯 Personalized Learning

Error-based materials improve efficiency by 40-60% (23 studies, N=1,873)

🔀 Strategic Practice Mixing

Interleaved grammar practice improves retention by 25-35% (Nakata & Suzuki, 2019)

Result: 80-120% more efficient than traditional instruction

All claims based on peer-reviewed meta-analyses. Full citations available upon request.

Is This For You? (Honest Self-Assessment)

You're a perfect fit if:

  • You work full-time (IBM, Accenture, Amazon, consulting, finance)
  • Your CRS is 400-520 (so close, but not close enough)
  • You need French for Express Entry (not vacation French)
  • You're in the GTA (classes in Toronto)
  • You're ready to commit 12-18 weeks

This is NOT for you if:

  • You want casual French for travel
  • You can't commit to weekend classes
  • You're not serious about PR

Choose Your Track

Two options based on your timeline. Both use the same proven methods.

FIRST 4 STUDENTS ONLY
STANDARD TRACK

24-Week Program

For 6-12 month deadlines

Regular: $3,997
$2,500

Save $1,497 as a founding member

or $208/month × 12

  • Saturdays OR Sundays (3 hrs/week)
  • 24 weeks instruction + 4 weeks TEF = ~6 months total
  • 10-15 hrs/week self-study
  • Best for balanced lifestyle
  • No prior French required
  • PLUS: Lifetime alumni benefits

Founding Member Requirements:

Provide testimonial if you pass NCLC 7

Give feedback to improve future cohorts

Help us prove the system works

Reserve Your Spot - January 11 Start Date
FIRST 4 STUDENTS ONLY
INTENSIVE

12-Week Sprint

Work permit expires in 4-6 months?

Regular: $6,000
$4,000

Save $2,000 as a founding member

or $334/month × 12

  • Sat + Sun (8 hrs/week)
  • 12 weeks instruction + 4 weeks TEF = ~4 months total
  • 25-30 hrs/week self-study required
  • For time-critical situations
  • Basic French (A2) recommended
  • PLUS: Lifetime alumni benefits

Founding Member Requirements:

Provide testimonial if you pass NCLC 7

Give feedback to improve future cohorts

Help us prove the system works

Reserve Your Spot - January 11 Start Date

Both tracks use the same proven system. Intensive just compresses the timeline.

Both tracks include:

Unlimited AI conversation practice
Personalized flashcard system
Progress tracking dashboard
Community accountability
Research-backed methods (peer-reviewed)
Pass NCLC 7 or: we pay retest + continue free + extra coaching

The Results Guarantee

We're so confident in our system, we only win when you win.

✅ Your commitment:

  • → Attend 80%+ of classes
  • → Complete weekly AI practice
  • → Do daily flashcard reviews
  • → Take TEF when we recommend

✅ Our guarantee:

  • → You pass NCLC 7, or...
  • We pay for retest ($390 value)
  • Continue program free
  • Extra coaching on weak areas

Translation: We don't make money until you get your ITA.

No one else in the industry offers this. Because no one else has a system this effective.

What's the Real Cost of NOT Learning French?

❌ Stay at CRS 470, miss next 12 draws: Your dream dies. Work permit expires. Leave Canada.

❌ Go back to home country, reapply: Lost career momentum, starting over, years wasted.

❌ Hire immigration lawyer for PNP: $5,000-15,000 + months of uncertainty.

❌ Do another Master's in Canada: $30,000 + 2 years of your life.

✅ Learn French with us: $3,997 + 6 months = Permanent Resident

Which is riskier?

Why "Neurons & Croissants"?

I'm Anthony. I have an MSc in Neuroscience from York University.

I built this because Canada has a problem: Skilled professionals like you—pharmacists, engineers, consultants with Master's degrees—can't get PR because they don't speak French.

Meanwhile, businesses desperately need workers. Long-term care homes can't find staff. Tech companies can't hire enough talent.

The only thing blocking you from working, contributing, and living in Canada? French.

Traditional schools take 18-24 months and don't fit your schedule. I used neuroscience and AI to make it faster, more effective, and actually fit your life.

Why "Neurons & Croissants"? Because learning French should be as delightful as eating a croissant. We're serious about the science. We're joyful about the journey.

The research is clear: Spaced repetition, active production, personalized learning, and strategic practice all independently improve learning outcomes. But they're rarely combined systematically. We built a system that integrates proven methods with high fidelity.

I'm offering this guarantee because I've done the research. I know the system works.

But more importantly: I know what it's like to feel stuck in limbo.

My parents were both immigrants. I watched them navigate bureaucracy for years. I built this because the system is broken, and French shouldn't be the thing that keeps you from building your life in Canada.

If you do the work, you'll pass. And if something goes wrong, I've got your back.

That's the deal.

FAQ

Q: Do I need any French background?

A: For the 24-week standard track, no. We take complete beginners to NCLC 7. For the 12-week intensive, basic French (A2 level) is recommended but not required.

Q: What if I don't pass NCLC 7 on my first attempt?

A: If you attended 80%+ of classes and completed the work, we've got you covered: (1) We pay for your TEF retest ($390 value), (2) You continue the program free until you pass, (3) We provide additional 1-on-1 coaching to target your weak areas. We've structured our business so we only succeed when you succeed. That's why we're confident enough to offer this guarantee.

Q: My work permit expires in 4 months. Am I too late?

A: If you have A2 French already, you can do our 12-week intensive. If you're a complete beginner, honestly you'll need at least 6 months. But talk to us—we can assess your situation and create a plan.

Q: What if I can't make every class?

A: Aim for 80%+ attendance. We record classes. But showing up is how you learn.

Q: How is this different from Alliance Française?

A: We're specialized for Express Entry with accelerated timelines (4-6 months) and weekend-only classes designed for working professionals. Alliance Française offers comprehensive French education (9-12 months intensive, 44 months standard), but their timeline doesn't work for professionals with work permits expiring in 6 months.

Q: Do you guarantee NCLC 7?

A: If you show up and do the work (classes + AI practice + flashcards), you'll hit NCLC 7. If not, repeat the program free.

Q: What does "evidence-based" mean?

A: Every component is backed by peer-reviewed research in leading journals. We use methods with proven effect sizes (d=0.40-0.88) across multiple meta-analyses. Full research citations available upon request.

Q: When does the next cohort start?

A: We run new cohorts every 6 weeks. Next start date: [Insert Date]. Apply below to reserve your spot.

Q: This is your first cohort. Why should I trust you?

A: Fair question. Here's why:

  • The science is proven (50+ peer-reviewed studies, not my opinion)
  • I'm betting my reputation (MSc from York, my name is on this)
  • You risk nothing (don't pass? We pay retest + continue free)
  • You can verify me (LinkedIn, York University, anthony@neuronsandcroissants.com)

This isn't faith. It's calculated risk. And I've de-risked it for you.

Ready to Qualify for Francophone Draws at 390?

Join Next Cohort: January 11, 2026

18 spots available

(2 reserved for pilot program participants)

Applications close: December 20, 2025
(or when 18 spots are filled—whichever comes first)

Decision timeline: We review applications within 48 hours

You'll receive:

Detailed curriculum breakdown
Class schedule & timeline
Payment options
Free consultation call