School Best Online French Classes Wyzant is the best online French class, with hundreds of qualified tutors By Euna Park Euna Park Euna is an award-winning climate and health journalist with over six years of experience. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 21, 2023 Fact checked by Haley Mast Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. If your children are studying French, or you just need to brush up on your own skills for a family trip, you might consider an online French class. Online classes often cost less than in-person options, and they offer a variety of learning methods that can improve language skills while delivering overall benefits like improved memory or reading ability. There are small virtual classes, self-led courses, and one-on-one tutoring experiences to choose from. We researched over 12 different online classes in order to present our list of the best online French classes and to help you navigate the many choices. These online French classes can help you to learn French or improve your French skills, regardless of your goals or skill level. Best Online French Classes of 2023 Best Overall: Wyzant Best Variety: Learn French at Home Best for Family: French Faster Best for Feedback: Verbalplanet Best Flexibility: italki Best for Academic Tutoring: Varsity Tutors Best for Immersion Method: LanguaTalk Best Online French Classes View All Best Online French Classes Our Top Picks Wyzant Learn French at Home French Faster Verbalplanet italki Varsity Tutors LanguaTalk See More (4) Final Verdict Compare Providers How to Choose FAQs Methodology Best Overall : Wyzant Wyzant Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $17-$400 per lessonPlatforms: Web browser, app for iOS and AndroidCertificates: No Why We Chose It Wyzant has more than 65,000 tutors, but navigating its site is easy: You get a detailed view of each tutor’s background and expertise, so new students easily can find someone suited to their needs and goals at an affordable price. Pros & Cons Pros More than 500 French tutors Lesson recordings available on Wyzant system for free Wide range of tutor prices to fit any budget Can request background checks Cons Cannot download lesson recordings Lessons exclusively done via Wyzant platforms Overview Wyzant can help you find a tutor across a range of skills and subjects. On the Wyzant website, you can search for online French tutors, with the option of finding one that you can meet with in person too if you prefer. The company offers a long list of instructors that you can search for based on education, experience, price, age, gender, and more. Its list of offerings contains more than 500 French tutors, and you can read their profiles to learn more about each tutor, as well as reviews that other students have written about them. The prices for tutors vary greatly depending on their experience, education, and more. But on Wyzant, with such a long list, you are bound to find a tutor that works for you. Best Variety : Learn French at Home Learn French at Home Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $16 for drop-in group class; $42 to $49 for one-on-one tutoringPlatforms: Zoom, Skype, Google MeetCertificates: No Why We Chose It Learn French At Home is experienced in teaching all ages of students at all levels. Its pre-designed programs cover different needs and levels; you can sign up for an intensive program to prepare for a language certificate or learn conversational French for your next trip to France. Pros & Cons Pros Courses designed for all French levels Free one-on-one evaluation All teacher bios visible on site Cons Tutors are assigned by company Need to make separate e-book purchase for lessons Overview Learn French at Home is an online French school that offers lessons via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom. All of the service's teachers are native French speakers who also speak English, and some have more than 15 years of teaching experience. Tutors offer different types of lessons, depending on what your goals are. For example, they have French for Kids, French for Travelers, French for Business, and more. During the lesson, you won’t just speak with the teacher, you'll also do a screen share, where an instructor will lead you through a variety of learning exercises. The standard French lessons on the Learn French at Home program cost roughly $42 to $49 a lesson, depending on how many sessions you sign up for. There also are $16 drop-in group classes. You can schedule a free, 30-minute evaluation to see what your level is and make a plan that will fit your needs. Best for Family : French Faster French Faster Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $17 to $45 per hourPlatforms: SkypeCertificates: Yes Why We Chose It French Faster uses an accelerated learning method that allows tutors and students to optimize their time when learning French. It involves teaching French in English and gradually lessening the amount of English used as a student improves. Pros & Cons Pros Free 25-minute trial session Group class option (two students) All tutors are native speakers and have FLE training Cons Limited tutor availability Must schedule classes in bulk in order to have the same tutor or schedule for each lesson Overview French Faster is an online French language school where you can take one-on-one lessons with a private tutor. The instructors are all native speakers from different parts of the world, and they are trained using the Accelerated Learning method, teaching French as a foreign language, and teaching French through English. They also have experience in working with children. On the company's website, you can read about each instructor and their experience. Most offer tutoring services for children, teens, and adults. Their lessons are conducted via Skype, and you can sign up to do a free trial lesson. After that, French Faster will assign you a tutor based on your goals and availability. If you choose to keep taking lessons, you’ll have to sign up for a package of at least four lessons. The French Faster hourly rate ranges from about $17 and $45, depending on how many hours you sign up for. Also, there are discounts for a second or third person signing up in a group class of similar level. Best for Feedback : Verbalplanet Verbalplanet Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $15 to $52 per classPlatforms: Skype, Zoom, Microsoft TeamsCertificates: No Why We Chose It Verbalplanet has a detailed feedback chart that breaks down a student’s strengths and weaknesses in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It helps both tutors and students monitor progress and stay motivated. Pros & Cons Pros Free or discounted trial class Easy online booking system Quick and thorough feedback analysis from tutors Cons No standardized method of teaching Tedious to refine searches for tutors Many tutors’ reviews are outdated Overview Verbalplanet offers online tutoring across a range of languages, with instructors located all over the world who offer lessons via Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. The service's tutors are native French speakers, and you can find one for beginner, intermediate, or advanced French. The company believes that the key to language learning is to have live conversations with native speakers. You have the option to book a single lesson or even an entire language course, depending on your objectives and what you want to learn. At Verbalplanet's website, you can search the list of teachers based on their availability, rates, profile, and reviews from other students. Each tutor sets their own rates, which are between $15 and $52 for a 40-minute lesson. Also, if you want to try out the service, many tutors offer a free or discounted trial lesson. Plus, Verbalplanet offers discounted prices if you buy more sessions. Best Flexibility : italki Italki Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $4 to $80 per sessionPlatforms: Web browse, apps for iOS and AndroidCertificates: No Why We Chose It With more than 1,100 French teachers, italki has among the most online tutors available. You can refine your search based on what type of tutor you’re seeking, whether native speakers, community tutors, or certified professionals. Pros & Cons Pros Wide range of lesson prices 25-, 30-, 45-, 60-, or 90-minute lessons, depending on tutors Instant lesson option Cons Some tutors offer only one class length Must wait for some teachers to accept a lesson request Not all teachers offer free or discounted trials Overview Italki has a highly regarded booking system that users find very convenient when searching and booking instructors. Through this system, you can book a French class, lesson, or even a basic chat to practice and facilitate your learning. Italki teachers depend on your positive reviews to gain additional students. This system ensures that teachers provide quality instruction, because if they fall short, this could impact their rating and ability to increase their student base. When searching for a teacher with italki, there are five basic filters: Instructor’s level of education, language, location, price, and skills. These filters narrow your search so that you can make an informed instructor selection. Italki is highly interactive and would be an excellent choice due to its abundant options available to all students. Best for Academic Tutoring : Varsity Tutors varsitytutors Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $70 to $95 per hourPlatforms: Web browser, apps for iOS and AndroidCertificates: No Why We Chose It With only certified tutors on board, Varsity Tutors has some of the most qualified tutors available online. They are experienced in creating personalized curriculums designed to get you better scores—in fact, they guarantee it. Pros & Cons Pros High standards in accepting qualified, certified tutors 24/7 live instant tutoring for immediate help Offers group tutoring sessions Cons Cannot view prices online—must speak to a rep on the phone Online sessions only through in-house platform Expensive Overview If you need a French tutor for a more academic purpose, Varsity Tutors might be the right fit for you. Varsity Tutors can help you connect with an in-home or online French tutor (although many other languages and academic subjects are offered). You can browse the website to see the list of certified French tutors and read about their experience and education. This service offers tutors all over the U.S., and you can meet them via the company's online platform. Varsity Tutors allows you to purchase tutoring hours that can be used for any subject it offers, and you can even share the hours with family members. Varsity Tutors has a 100% instructor satisfaction guarantee. However, the prices for the service are higher than other options. Best for Immersion Method : LanguaTalk LanguaTalk Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $11 to $40 per classPlatforms: Zoom, SkypeCertificates: No Why We Chose It LanguaTalk requires its tutors to either be native in the language they teach or hold a C2 proficiency certification, the highest level qualification provided by Cambridge Assessment English. Pros & Cons Pros Free trial with many of the tutors Tutors can teach at multiple levels Strong requirements for tutors Cons No refund on missed lessons Overview When you book French classes with Languatalk, you can book one, five, 10, or 20 classes at a time, with the price decreasing as you increase the selection amount. Classes with Languatalk typically range from $11 to $40. Since the instructors set the cost for their courses, the cost can change from instructor to instructor. However, before requiring you to commit to any of these options, Languatalk offers a one-time free 30-minute taster session. This session includes a video call where you can sample a lesson and ask questions about the program. Every class runs for 55 minutes and is conducted through either Zoom or Skype. Each class and instructor is different, allowing students to search for a personalized learning model. Final Verdict Overall, our top choice is Wyzant for its flexibility in prices and availability, making it a suitable option for many students. It also has more than 500 French instructors with a variety of certifications and plenty of experience. For those looking to prepare for language exams or certifications, Learn French at Home and Varsity Tutors are good options. Both have either pre-designed intensive programs or certified instructors who can help you prepare for and pass your exams. Varsity Tutors even has a guarantee for better scores, pass rate, tutor satisfaction, and personal experience. Compare the Best Online French Classes Company Cost Platforms Certificate Best Overall Wyzant $17-$400/hour Web browser, app No Best Variety Learn French at Home $42-$49/class; $16 drop-in option Zoom, Skype, Google Meet No Best for Family French Faster $17-$45/class Skype Yes Best for Feedback Verbalplanet $15-$52/class Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams No Best Flexibility italki $4-$80/hour Web browser, app No Best for Academic Tutoring Varsity Tutors $70-$95/hour Web browser, app No Best for Immersion Method LanguaTalk $11-$40/class Zoom, Skype No Guide for Choosing the Best French Classes Are Online French Classes Worth It? About 2.1 million people in the United States speak French as their primary language, making it the fourth most common language behind English, Spanish, and Chinese. It's an official language in many nations and widely spoken as a diplomatic language, so it's often considered a smart business and professional language choice, too. Children learning French (or any foreign language) at a young age will likely see increased academic performance across all subjects, with enhanced focus, memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities. A recent study found that online classes help students make noticeable improvements in developing language skills and scores. For children, learning a second language early on may help them to retain and use the language, naturally switching back and forth between it and their native tongue. Comparing Online French Classes When comparing online French classes, many different factors should be taken into consideration. Every student is different, and so are each of these services. Look through all the factors listed below and use them to develop a list that can help you decide which online program would work best for you. Pricing: When looking for online French classes, there are a variety of prices and a variety of payment plans. Before enrolling, consider the number of classes you are able to take per week, and the duration of classes. That will help you determine which option would be the most cost-effective. Is it a class-by-class fee model, a flat rate, or a monthly subscription? Platforms: Each company hosts its students through either an app, a website (which may use a service like Zoom or have its own video call system), or both. Before selecting your program, consider which platform would suit your lifestyle best. If you are constantly on the go, an app would probably suit you best. If you have a desk in a dedicated workspace, a web-based program could be a great option for you. Free trial: If you are hesitant or unsure of your commitment level or style of learning, choosing a company that offers a free trial would be a wise choice. This way, you can sample the courses prior to making a financial investment. Experience level: Most companies offer courses starting at the beginner level. However, not all have courses for more advanced French students. Make sure to explore the catalog to ensure that they have classes or instructors available to meet you at your level of learning. Equipment required: In order to participate in an online French class, you will need to have access to high-speed internet and a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Frequently Asked Questions Are There Free Online French Classes? There are some free online resources but usually, you get what you pay for. Free online resources are typically minimal and require you to hunt and navigate catalogs to find what you need. Additionally, they are not usually interactive and have no live options for in-person learning. Is French Hard to Learn? The U.S. Foreign Language Institute puts French in the easiest language group for English-speaking students. This is largely because of how closely related the two languages are. What Type of Device Do I Need in Order to Take Online French Classes? You will need a device with a functioning microphone and camera to connect with your tutor, as well as a good internet connection. Some people use a smartphone app to connect with their tutor, though a device with a larger screen may be better for viewing some learning aids. How Can I Help My Child Learn French? When learning a second language, French in this instance, the key to fluency is consistency. Develop a dependable routine for your child that fosters frequent engagement with the language. When Should My Child Start French Classes? The sooner, the better. Studies show that children under about 11 years old acquire languages more easily than others. Methodology To create this list of the best online French classes, we analyzed 12 online tutoring websites and looked at the services and options that they provide, including the quality of the tutors (i.e education and experience), the technology and software used for online lessons, as well as user reviews and the cost of tutoring sessions. All the tutoring services we selected have unique strengths that make them stand out. VERYWELL FAMILY / Design by Amelia Manley Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Poarch GJ, Krott A. A bilingual advantage? An appeal for a change in perspective and recommendations for future research. Behav Sci (Basel). 2019;9(9):95. doi:10.3390/bs9090095 U.S. Census Bureau. Language use in the United States 2019. Tao J, Gao X. Teaching and learning languages online: Challenges and responses. System. 2022;107:102819. doi:10.1016/j.system.2022.102819 U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Institute. Foreign language training. Hartshorne JK, Tenenbaum JB, Pinker S. A critical period for second language acquisition: Evidence from 2/3 million English speakers. Cognition. 2018;177:263-277. doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2018.04.007 By Euna Park Euna is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer based in New Jersey who covers health, climate change, travel, commerce, and beauty. She has reported on the rise of heat exhaustion in student-athletes due to climate change, the dangers of air pollution from urbanization, and the impact of clean energy on saving an island. Her byline has appeared at The Weather Channel, Upworthy, AskMen, and RetailMeNot. Updated by Ashley Rowe Ashley Rowe Ashley has nearly 15 years of experience teaching in early childhood education. She has written for early childhood education blogs and newsletters and focused her expertise on developing a curriculum around The Nature Explore project. Ashley has helped develop nutritional guides for families and education centers in Southern California, as well as spearheaded the implementation of physical fitness programs for children. Learn about our editorial process Edited by April McCormick April McCormick April is the health editor for performance marketing at Verywell, where she oversees family health, wellness, and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Verywell Mind, Verywell Family, Verywell, Fit, Verywell Health, Time, Parents, Parents Magazine, The Straits Times, The Huffington Post, TripSavvy, Parenting, First Time Mom and Dad, Mama Mia, All4Women, the New York Times Bestseller, A Letter To My Mom, and more. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? 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