Introduction:
The French language is probably the most internationally significant Romance language in the world. It is the official language not just in France, but in parts of Belgium and Switzerland, in Monaco, in parts of Canada. It is an official or a main second language in 55 countries worldwide and is reputed to be the foreign language which is most widely used in international communications, after English. Almost 300 million people speak French as their native language or as a second language. French phonology is characterized by great changes in the sounds of words as compared with their Latin parent forms as well as cognates in the other Romance languages.
Whether you want to learn French for personal or professional reasons, or even just for fun, there are many offerings out there that can help get you started on your French learning adventure. Some people who enjoy independent study opt to use a traditional language textbook for learning French, while others go for the more modern approach of using an app to learn the French language. Others prefer to use a French tutoring service. Another approach is to take lessons online. Online classes can be live, one-on-one, or group lessons, and they can also be self-paced sessions that you complete on your own. Here, you’ll discover the best online French classes to find the one that best fits your needs.
Best French courses for you
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Babbel
Babbel is a language-learning system that offers 12 different language options. The Babbel method involves learning through conversation and real-life dialogue. With lessons that are between 10 and 15 minutes long, the company uses realistic scenarios and interactive dialogues to help you learn. Babbel uses the spaced repetition technique to help with long-term memorization, too. The company’s system is meant to appeal to both visual and auditory learners. There are multiple subscriptions available: one month ($13 a month), three months ($9), six months ($8), or 12 months ($7). There’s even a 20-day money-back guarantee with your subscription purchase.
Multibhashi is a Technology platform that imparts impactful Content designed by its empaneled Linguist experts across major Indian languages imparted via Adaptive Learning platforms. They use an approach that will help you grasp the language quickly and be able to use it in your day-to-day situations in just a few days after you start taking the sessions. At the end of the course, they will provide you with a checklist and you can evaluate yourself on all the parameters and see where you stand. They will also provide you a course completion certificate. It costs Rs. 4299 for 30 classes.
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Udemy
This course from Udemy is designed for students with no experience with French. It offers a chance to learn the basics of the French language, including vocabulary, sentence structure, and basic conversational French. You’ll learn skills by listening to a bi-lingual speaker. There are also helpful flashcards for learning basic vocabulary. It costs $13.99/month.
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FrenchPod101
FrenchPod101 is a French learning system with audio and video lessons that are based on real French conversations. The classes focus on listening comprehension and pronunciation, and the teachers and speakers vary so that you can be exposed to different voices and speaking styles. You can start with a seven-day free trial, and after that, you can sign up for a basic plan for roughly $8 a month. The basic plan includes unlimited access to all the audio and video lessons and notes, as well as a list of 100 French core words and phrases.
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French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF)
FIAF is an organization based in New York City that promotes the French language and cultures. It offers French classes that feature an immersive, culturally rich setting, both in-person and online. Online lessons are taught via Zoom by the FIAF’s experienced teachers. The FIAF offers one- and two-week refresher courses, which would be ideal for someone who needs a crash course to brush up on their French before traveling or starting a new job.
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Berlitz
As one of the oldest and most well-known language schools, Berlitz is known for its immersive, communicative style, using and learning language in a natural way for communication. The Berlitz corporation has been hosting lessons at language centers for years, but now you can also take its classes online. The French classes are taught live by Berlitz-certified instructors, and you can enroll in either private or group classes. A 12-week online group class that meets twice a week for 90-minute lessons costs roughly $1,620.
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Rocket Language
If you’re new to French, the Level 1 course from Rocket Languages might be a good fit. This paid course comes with many extras that make the price tag well worth it. This includes 172 hours of lesson time, 3840 phrases with voice recognition, 33 Interactive Audio lessons, 53 Language & Culture lessons. The interactive nature of the course is helpful for learning French more quickly. By engaging in activities, you’ll be able to learn faster and retain more information at the same time. The cost is $59.98/month
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FluentU
FluentU provides a unique and immersive French learning experience. The lessons are video-based. In fact, videos are from the “real world” – movies, music videos, news clips, and so forth. The idea is that you can learn a language better if you have real, engaging content to watch. You also get access to a video dictionary, audio recordings, and flashcards. The cost is $20/month.