Quebec looks for ways to teach Syrian refugees French

The Quebec government is trying to come up with ways to help newly arrived Syrian refugees learn French.

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Immigration Minister Kathleen Weilsays theywill have access to French lessonswithin 45 daysof arrival.

"It's the right timing, because the first they have to do is find housing, they're settling in, they're getting their bearings in terms of the new place where they're at," she said.

"They want to get their kids registered for schooland at that point the parents are ready to register for a French-language course."

Weilmade the comments after sheand Education Minister Franois Blais met Tuesday with several refugees and community groups.

The meetingwasheldat Cgep de Sainte-Foy in Quebec City.

A total of7,300 Syrian refugees are expected in the province by the end of 2016.

Montreal will house the vast majority of those newcomers.