French lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What french lessons is

French lessons cover pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and conversation, for travel, school, work or personal goals. Parents book them for teens preparing for a class or exam, and adults use them before a move or a long trip.

Signs you need it

  • You can read French signs and menus but cannot answer a simple question about yourself out loud.
  • People ask you to repeat yourself because of the nasal vowels or the French r.
  • You keep choosing the wrong gender for nouns and are unsure when to use the subjunctive.
  • A school course or exam now requires spoken French, and you need practice speaking it.
  • You are moving to a French speaking place and need to handle daily tasks in French soon.

What the pro does

  • Test your listening, speaking and reading so the teacher can see where the gaps are.
  • Work on the sounds that are hardest for English speakers, such as nasal vowels, the French r and liaison.
  • Teach grammar in a clear order, starting with articles, gender and the present tense, then moving to past tenses.
  • Practice short dialogues for your real situations, such as ordering, asking directions or talking about work.
  • Assign reading and short writing tasks, and correct them before the next lesson.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • One-on-one lessons compared with small group classes
  • Lesson length and how many sessions you book each week
  • Whether the focus is speaking, grammar, exam preparation or reading
  • Whether the teacher is a native French speaker or a trained second language teacher
  • Whether you want written homework review or extra practice between sessions
  • Whether lessons are online or in person, and any materials you need

What a written quote should spell out

  • The total number of lessons and how long each one runs
  • The level check at the start and the goals for the first set of lessons
  • The materials used and whether you need to buy books
  • How progress is measured, such as a short test at a set point
  • The rules for cancelling or moving a lesson

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which French do you teach, such as Parisian or Canadian, and can you adjust it to the one I need?
  • How will you work on the French r and the nasal vowels, which are hard for many learners?
  • Do you have experience teaching adults who are returning to French after many years away?
  • How do you balance grammar and speaking practice in each lesson?
  • If you are booking for a teen, what is the teacher's policy on background checks, cancellations and parent attendance?

Red flags

  • A teacher who says French is easy and promises quick fluency.
  • Lessons that are only grammar charts with no speaking practice.
  • A teacher who will not say what training or French background they have.
  • Pressure to commit to a long package before a trial lesson.

What you can do yourself

You can learn basic French vocabulary, listen to short French recordings and practice simple sentences on your own. Hire a teacher when you need someone to correct your pronunciation, explain grammar as it applies to your speech and keep you working toward a test or trip.

Licenses and permits

Teaching French privately does not usually require a license. Ask for proof of skill instead, such as a degree in French, a teaching certificate or references from past students.

French lessons questions

Will a teacher make me study grammar first?

Grammar is part of most plans, but a good teacher ties it to what you need to say, so you learn it by using it.

Can a parent book French lessons for a child?

Yes. Ask about the teacher's background checks, whether a parent can attend, how lessons are scheduled and the cancellation policy before you book.

How do I hire a French teacher here?

Describe your level and goal, then pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

Pro reviewers

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