LingwellFrench classes look alike on a booking page, but they differ in the things that matter: the level scale, the format and whether anyone gives you feedback. This page lists what to check before you enrol, using what school and government pages say about themselves. It does not rank schools. For classes that are free for newcomers, see Learn French in Canada and Learn French for free. To know which level you need, read French levels explained and try a French level test.
What should you check before you pick French classes?
Check six things, and ask the school for any it does not state. Each row shows why it matters and what the pages we read say.
| Check | Why it matters | What pages say |
|---|---|---|
| The level scale | A level name means nothing if you cannot map it to a scale | One school says its levels follow the CEFR [2]. Another has its own scale, Niveau 0 to Niveau 7 [3] |
| A placement step | It stops you starting too high or too low | One school offers a free online placement test [1][2]. Another offers a five-minute test [3]. IRCC says to get assessed first for its classes [7] |
| Feedback | Without it you cannot tell what to fix | IRCC says its formal classes have instructors who give feedback on your progress, and informal circles have no formal feedback [7] |
| Format | Group, private or drop-in suit different goals | Schools list group classes, private lessons and conversation sessions [1][3][4] |
| Online or in person | Decides where and when you can attend | Several offer both [1][3][4]; IRCC says classes can be in a classroom, online or mixed [7] |
| Schedule and time zone | An online class at the wrong hour is a class you skip | One school lists all class times, online ones too, in New York time [2]. IRCC says classes can be full-time or part-time, by day, evenings or weekends [7] |
The last two rows are practical. Look at the time zone on an online class before you pay, and ask what happens if you miss a session.
What do French lessons look like compared with a class?
French lessons come in three common shapes: a group class, a private lesson and a drop-in conversation session. A group class follows a set programme with other learners. A private lesson, as one school puts it, is tailored to your goals and schedule [4]. A drop-in session is built for speaking practice at your level [3].
IRCC describes the same split for newcomers. Formal classes are taught by qualified instructors who give feedback. Informal learning, such as conversation circles, takes place outside a formal classroom and has no formal feedback or assessment requirements [7]. Neither is better in general. A group class gives structure, and informal practice gives talking time.
Three plain words help when you read a timetable. is the course, is the class and is the lesson. The teacher is , and in speech .
Word break
One French word a day. Can you get it in six?
Today's word game takes two minutes. Come back to this page after.
Play today's wordHow do French courses online work?
French courses online and French classes online come in two kinds: live classes at a set hour, and material you use on your own. The schools we read describe the live kind. One lets you join an online group class “from anywhere in North America and beyond” [3]. Another offers online group classes next to in-person ones [4]. A third lists its online classes in New York time [2].
For newcomers, IRCC says its classes can be run in a classroom, online or in a mix of both [7]. The questions to ask are the same as for an in-person class. Is it live? Who gives feedback? How do you speak, not just listen? Ask these before you enrol, since a page that says “online” does not tell you.
What does a French language course level mean?
A French language course level is a label, and the label only helps if you know the scale behind it. The Council of Europe’s CEFR has six levels, A1 to C2, grouped as Basic, Independent and Proficient User [5][6]. They are described by what a learner can do [5]. The table paraphrases the descriptions [6].
| Level | What the learner can do, in short |
|---|---|
| A1 | Use familiar everyday expressions and introduce themselves, if the other person speaks slowly [6] |
| A2 | Handle simple, routine exchanges about immediate needs such as shopping or family [6] |
| B1 | Deal with most situations on a trip and describe experiences, plans and ambitions [6] |
| B2 | Interact with a degree of fluency so regular talk with native speakers is possible [6] |
| C1 | Use the language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes [6] |
| C2 | Understand virtually everything heard or read and express finer shades of meaning [6] |
Schools do not have to use this scale. One says its classes follow levels set in accordance with the CEFR [2]. Another uses a scale of its own, from Niveau 0 to Niveau 7, each described in a sentence [3]. For immigration in Canada, the scale is different again: IRCC says French classes use the NCLC [7]. Ask any school how its levels line up with the one you need.
Level words you may meet are , the level, and , to learn. The 6-level scale says nothing about hours. The CEFR pages give no study hours for any level [5][6].
Quick check
Question 1 of 5
How many levels does the CEFR have?
Question 2 of 5
A school lists its classes as Niveau 0 to Niveau 7. Is that the CEFR?
Question 3 of 5
According to IRCC, what is true of informal conversation circles?
Question 4 of 5
Which CEFR level says a learner can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions?
Question 5 of 5
What does le cours mean?
Common mistakes
- Choosing by the level name alone. One school’s “intermediate” is not another’s. Ask which scale it uses [2][3].
- Skipping the placement step. A free or short placement test is on offer at some schools [1][2][3]. IRCC says to get assessed before you choose a class [7].
- Expecting feedback from every format. IRCC says informal circles have no formal feedback [7]. If you want corrections, ask who gives them.
- Treating “online” as one thing. Live classes and self-study differ, so ask which you are getting.
- Ignoring the time zone. One school lists every class, online included, in New York time [2].
- Taking a blog’s summary as the school’s terms. Schools and government pages change. Check each page’s own date against the date at the top of this one.
See also: finding a French tutor.
See also: business French.
Sources
- L’Alliance New York, “French Classes in Manhattan, Montclair, and Online” (no page date shown). https://lallianceny.org/language-center
- L’Alliance New York, “French Courses for Adults in NYC” (no page date shown). https://lallianceny.org/language-center/adults/ny
- Coucou French Classes, home page (no page date shown). https://coucoufrenchclasses.com
- ABC Languages, “French Classes” (no page date shown). https://abclang.com/language/french
- Council of Europe, “The CEFR Levels”, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (no page date shown). https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions
- Council of Europe, “Global scale - Table 1 (CEFR 3.3): Common Reference levels” (no page date shown). https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, “Language training options for newcomers to Canada”. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/video/language-training-options.html