7 Beginner French Classes You Need To Become Fluent

Textbooks bore you, apps don't stick, and you're tired of feeling lost when you hear French spoken. You've tried learning on your own, but nothing seems to work. Don't worry; you're not alone.

Learning French is super fun, but in most cases, it feels overwhelming. As a beginner, you want to learn and speak the language. You want to master things like ordering food, chatting with locals, or impressing your friends, but where do you start?

Many beginners struggle to find the right way to learn French. The main problem is that most French lessons for beginners are limited to apps, textbooks, and many other boring and ineffective teaching methods.

But there's good news: French classes designed for beginners can solve these problems and get you speaking confidently.

In this post, you'll learn about the best French classes you can consider as a beginner and we'll show you how the right classes can make learning French easy and fun.

Get French Classes: #1 beginner French language courses to get you speaking

At Get French Classes (GFC), we mix personalized coaching, video lessons, fun practice activities, and a community to help beginners achieve fluency faster and more effectively than traditional apps or courses.

Here is why we designed our services the way we did.

Our experience teaching taught us that new French learners need more than just a basic course or a bunch of french words to memorize.

As part of your French language journey as a new learner, you need a complete package that provides everything you need to learn, practice, immerse yourself in French, speak French, and ultimately, better your French skills.

This typically includes:

• Engaging video curriculum

• Personal tutoring

• Group conversation practice

• Extensive learning materials

• Interactive activities

• Cultural immersion resources

• Affordable pricing

• And much more

Unfortunately, most French language courses aren't that comprehensive, especially when it comes to catering to absolute beginners. And it makes the process of learning French frustrating.

Because of this, we designed our French program to be thorough and accessible, especially for those just starting their language journey.

Here is what you get with us:

We design a customized learning plan for you based on your needs

So, when you join the GFC program, we start by teaming you up with a language success coach who specializes in helping beginners.

They'll assess your starting point (even if it's zero French knowledge), understand your learning style, and create a personalized plan.

The language success coach will be your guide and mentor throughout your journey. And you'll work with them to:

• set achievable milestones that make sense for a beginner,

• choose the best-fit tutor,

• design the right curriculum that starts with the basics and progressively challenges you,

• track your progress from your first words to your first conversations,

• and adjust your plan as needed to ensure you stay motivated and on track.

We will assign you a personal tutor from our pool of standout French tutors

Our tutors are native French speakers who are not only fluent in the language but also skilled in teaching complex concepts to absolute beginners in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.

We've handpicked our tutors for their expertise in the French language, experience in teaching newcomers, patience and ability to break down difficult concepts, and passion for helping beginners succeed.

Furthermore, we provide them with ongoing training and support to ensure they're always delivering the highest quality instruction, especially for those just starting their French journey.

We offer you a thorough video curriculum with in-lesson and take-home exercises

Our video lessons are designed to help you learn through real-world French scenarios, starting from the absolute basics. We begin with simple greetings and introductions, essential everyday phrases, and basic vocabulary for describing yourself and your surroundings.

As you progress, we gradually introduce more complex concepts, always building on what you've already learned.

Our video lessons put you in context-rich situations that reflect how native speakers actually use the language, complete with simple idiomatic expressions, common slang terms, and basic cultural references, whether you're learning French for business, travel, or personal enrichment.

But we don't just leave you to watch pre-recorded videos passively. We include interactive exercises and activities that go along with each lesson, specifically designed for beginners.

These help you understand new concepts better, develop your French skills, and put what you've learned into practice. These include anything from simple dialogues to basic writing tasks and French pronunciation drills focusing on sounds that are new to you.

You will get private tutoring sessions with your tutor

You can't learn French without real-world practice and feedback. So, we include one-on-one sessions with a private French teacher in the program for you. Twice a week, you'll meet with your tutor, a native French speaker, for coaching sessions tailored to your beginner status and goals.

Keep in mind that our sessions are not lectures but conversations. That means you will not just be sitting around passively listening to the tutor lecture at you. Instead, your tutor's role is to create a stress-free environment where they will:

• Engage you in simple discussions that gradually increase in complexity

• Provide targeted feedback on your French grammar and pronunciation

• Push you to express yourself more fluently and confidently, starting with basic phrases and sentences

But that's not all. Your tutor will also serve as your cultural guide, sharing:

• Simple insights about French daily life

• Basic information about French customs

• Anecdotes about French history

• And more

We train them to help you understand not just what to say but how to say it, with the cultural nuance and context that can make all the difference in effective communication

Your live sessions with the tutor are also an opportunity for you to practice the language some more.

To make this happen, we include some extra curriculum exercises and French learning materials for the teacher's program to go through with you. These include materials and exercises you have both seen and haven't seen in the video courses.

You'll form groups with other beginner learners and have classes together for more practice

Our group classes are an excellent way for new learners to practice in a supportive environment. The idea behind this feature is to offer you the opportunity to practice your French in a fun, low-pressure setting.

So, on top of your private live sessions with your tutor, you'll join a small group of 4 to 6 learners at your level twice a week.

Together, you'll have conversations, play simple games that reinforce your French grammar (definite article, indefinite articles, etc.), vocabulary (certain word endings, syllables, etc), and just basically engage in beginner-friendly activities designed to get you thinking and talking in French.

These might include “Find someone who” activities to practice asking and answering simple questions, picture description games to build vocabulary, and basic role-playing exercises to practice everyday scenarios.

Your tutor also participates in these sessions as a facilitator. Our group classes are a great way to learn from your peers, hear different accents and speaking styles in a controlled environment, and build your confidence in a supportive setting where everyone is a beginner.

We offer social clubs and activities for immersion

To truly become fluent in French, you need to immerse yourself in the language and French culture, but as a beginner, this can seem daunting. That's where our social clubs and cultural activities come in handy.

As a learner at GFC, you'll have access to a virtual cultural center filled with beginner-friendly French resources and experiences, including:

• Virtual city tours on public transportation with simple French commentary

• Basic French cooking classes focusing on easy recipes

• Beginner-level book and film clubs featuring short stories and simple movies

• French books and literature from the likes of Victor Hugo

• How to greet French people (i.e., say good evening, the meaning of à bientôt) in an informal way or even in formal situations

These activities not only give you a chance to practice your French in a real-world context but also help you connect with a global community of fellow beginners who share your passion for the language and culture.

You'll get an accountability and habit-building system to keep you engaged

We know that learning a new language from scratch is not always easy, and it's common to face challenges and setbacks along the way.

That's why we've made accountability and habit-building a core part of the GFC program, especially for beginners. When you join, you'll be paired with an accountability partner—another learner at your beginner level who shares your goals and challenges.

Each week, you'll check in with your partner to:

• Share your progress, even if it's just learning a few new French words

• Celebrate your successes, no matter how small

• Work through any obstacles together

You'll also have access to a range of tools and resources designed to help you build good study habits and stay on track, from daily practice reminders to progress-tracking tools to personalized feedback and encouragement from your tutor and success coach.

We offer learners performance certificate

Our learners get a certificate at the end of the program. Our certificates attest to both their course completion and most importantly their ability to practice and produce the language.

The thing is that most online language schools give learners completion certificates at the end of their program. While this incentivizes the learner, we found that it doesn't help them keep an eye on the actual prize, which is how fluently they can speak.

Our point is that just because you completed a language course doesn't make you de facto a proficient speaker of that language.

We offer you a pricing that works for beginners

For just $307 per program, you get access to all these beginner-friendly features. This comprehensive package provides everything you need to start your French journey, from your first words to your first conversations.

Here is the real kicker, though. While our program won't cost you a fortune, it does require your time and dedication. We take teaching French seriously, and we expect the same commitment from our learners.

7 French classes to learn French as a beginner

Lawless French

Lawless French offers an extensive and meticulously structured self-study course designed to provide beginners with a solid foundation in French language skills.

It is a comprehensive program that consists of 30 thematic units, each covering essential aspects of:

• French grammar,

• French vocabulary,

• French pronunciation,

• And cultural insights.

The course's flexible structure allows learners to progress at their own pace, with a recommended timeframe of 1-4 weeks per unit.

Each unit incorporates an array of resources, including online lessons, listening exercises, quizzes, and cultural tips, fostering a well-rounded approach to language acquisition.

The curriculum systematically introduces you to key language elements, from basic communication and French grammar fundamentals to practical vocabulary and proper pronunciation.

The website also offers extra resources such as proficiency tests (i.e., a placement test or simply one to assess your current skills), a Q&A forum, and links to tutoring services. It's quite a comprehensive ecosystem for French language learners.

Interestingly, the course is entirely free and accessible online. You can track your progress using printable PDF checklists or a free online checklist account.

After completion, you'll have a robust understanding of beginner-level French, approximately equivalent to CEFR level A1 with some A2 content.

Linguae Learning: Learn French for Beginners on Udemy

According to what Linguae Learning promises, upon completion, not only will you receive a certificate, but you'll also gain the confidence to engage in basic French conversations, comprehend simple texts, and navigate everyday situations in Francophone contexts.

Here is how they set you up for this:

Linguae Learning's French course boasts an impressive 85.5 hours of on-demand video content, systematically divided into seven progressive sections that guide you from basic concepts to more advanced language skills.

The curriculum is carefully crafted to cover essential topics, including over 250 vocabulary words, practical everyday phrases, fundamental grammar rules, and proper pronunciation techniques.

The course is also practical and down to earth, meaning you will develop the ability to handle common real-world situations, like ordering food, introducing yourself, and navigating directions in French-speaking environments.

The course's practical focus is further complemented by a solid grammatical foundation, as it also covers elements like verb conjugations, tenses, pronouns, and sentence structures.

The program also offers diverse learning and practice materials, including exercises, cultural insights, and bonus sections featuring the 500 most useful French phrases and words, as well as a unique module on learning French through music.

Plus, the course being hosted on Udemy means a flexible, self-paced format and lifetime access. In other words, you can tailor your study schedule to your individual needs and access the content on various devices.

Coucou French Classes

Coucou French Classes was founded in 2013 by French cousins Léa and Marianne Perret. The company offers a culturally immersive approach to French language courses.

Coucou has developed a comprehensive 8-level curriculum that caters to every learner, from an absolute beginner to advanced students, with physical locations in New York City and Los Angeles, as well as a robust online presence.

The school's unique methodology emphasizes practical communication skills and cultural fluency, delivered through small group classes capped at 10 students, ensuring an intimate and interactive learning environment.

They work with native French-speaking tutors who lead all classes and also bring diverse professional backgrounds to enrich the learning experience.

Coucou's custom-designed course materials, including textbooks and exercise books, seamlessly blend grammar instruction with engaging activities and homework assignments.

As well, learners get flexible learning options, including weekly group classes, intensive courses, private lessons, and specialized workshops, all available both in-person and online via Zoom.

This flexibility extends to their make-up policy, allowing you to access recorded sessions or attend alternative classes to catch up on missed content.

Beyond language learning, Coucou strives to foster a community of francophiles. And they do this by creating social elements and cultural events in their programming.

Learners also get access to additional resources, such as placement tests, flashcards, and cultural workshops, to further support their language acquisition journey.

The French Experiment's resources and lessons for beginners

The French Experiment is a comprehensive online resource designed to help beginners learn French through a variety of engaging and accessible methods.

It's a free platform that offers a structured approach to French language acquisition by combining practical lessons with cultural immersion.

At its core, learners get free online French lessons covering day-to-day life topics like numbers, question words, grammar, time-telling, and everyday phrases, all voiced by native French speakers to ensure proper pronunciation.

The website goes beyond traditional language instruction by providing popular children's stories translated into French. This allows learners to improve their reading comprehension while enjoying familiar tales.

Furthermore, The French Experiment offers an extensive guide on the surefire way to learn French, addressing various learning styles and goals.

eLearning French's beginner French lessons and goodies

eLearningFrench.com caters to both beginners and intermediate learners through its adaptation of the FSI French basic course.

The platform provides two main courses, each consisting of 12 free lessons that cover all of the language skills (i.e., listing, writing, speaking, and reading.) These are good not only for your own personal use, but also, for improving your business French skills.

Each of their French lesson incorporates vocabulary awareness, contextual dialogues, useful phrases, and extensive grammar explanations with practice drills, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.

The website's approach combines audio elements for proper pronunciation, written explanations for grammar comprehension, and interactive quizzes and exercises for skill reinforcement.

Beyond the core curriculum, ELearningFrench.com offers supplementary resources, including pronunciation tips, French slang and idioms, sayings and proverbs, flashcards, and even popular French songs with lyrics and translations. This allows learners to immerse themselves in the language and culture.

Alison's “French for beginners”

Alison's “French for Beginners” is a free course that offers 1.5-3 hours of learning content. The curriculum is structured to guide learners from beginner to intermediate level while covering essential aspects of French language acquisition.

The course is divided into three main modules: Introduction to French, French Verbs, Date, and Time, and More French Vocabularies, each building upon the previous to create a solid foundation in the language.

They promise key learning outcomes like being able to distinguish between masculine and feminine nouns, translate French greetings, identify letters of the French alphabet, and explain verb conjugations.

The course also incorporates practical elements, enabling students to handle everyday situations in French confidently. Upon completion, you can take a final assessment to test your knowledge. And if you're a polyglot to be, they also offer courses in other languages like German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and more.

University of Toronto's “French for absolute beginners”

As suggested in the name of the course, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies's "French for Absolute Beginners" is meticulously designed for individuals with no prior exposure to the French language.

It's a foundational course priced at $495 that provides 24 hours of lessons and is available both in-class at the St. George Campus and through flexible online formats, including real-time virtual classrooms and self-paced tutorials.

The curriculum covers essential aspects of French, including masculine and feminine genders, the correlation between written and spoken French, basic verbs and tenses, and fundamental vocabulary such as the alphabet, dates, times, and colors.

The course uniquely incorporates both standard international French and Québécois French, ensuring a well-rounded introduction to the language.

Their learning outcomes prioritize learners' ability to recognize and pronounce French sounds, understand the gendered nature of a French noun, and distinguish between formal and informal modes of address.

Also, the course ensures personalized attention by capping class sizes at 15 students for online sections.

The course's flexible structure, with options for weekly live classes or bi-weekly tutorials, helps with various learning preferences, and schedules. You won't need a textbook, as all materials are provided online, accessible 24/7 throughout the course duration.

Start learning French as a beginner with Get French Classes

Learning French as a beginner doesn't have to be overwhelming or frustrating. With Get French Classes (GFC), you have access to a comprehensive, beginner-friendly program designed to take you from your first “Bonjour” to confident conversations.

Like you've seen, most of the other services on the list will either cost you a lot of money or are simply free resources for beginners to self-sudy which isn't realistic.

Our unique approach combines personalized coaching, expert tutors, immersive video lessons, interactive group classes, and cultural activities, all tailored to the needs of new learners.

We understand the challenges beginners face, which is why we've created a supportive environment that encourages progress at every step.

From customized learning plans to accountability systems, from beginner-specific video curricula to performance-based certificates, every aspect of GFC is crafted to ensure your success.

Our program isn't just about completing lessons; it's about achieving real fluency, even if you're starting from zero.

For just $307, you get access to this complete French learning experience.