5 reasons it’s better to learn French in a group
Picture it…
You’ve been taking one-to-one French classes for months. You understand everything your teacher says, and you’re so ready to put your new skills to work on your upcoming trip to Brussels.
As you approach the ticket vendor, you take a deep breath before announcing “Un aller-retour pour Durbuy, s’il vous plait”.
And they reply…
“Comment?” as your heart sinks and you question what you did wrong.
Frustrating? Extremely!
But it’s not uncommon — especially if you’ve taken private lessons (yes, really). Because although it might seem like you’ll improve your French faster without the distraction of other people, that’s not always the case.
Learning in a group can actually benefit your speaking MORE than private tutoring, and in this article, I’m showing you why.
1. It challenges you to improve
Teachers have a unique superpower for understanding what you mean, even if your grammar isn’t perfect or you’ve used the wrong word.
Because we’re so used to teaching people with different levels and accents, we instinctively know what you want to say (it’s a special kind of magic!).
This is important because it doesn’t make sense for us to correct every single mistake you make. Still, it also has a downside: it can fool you into thinking your French is more advanced than it really is.
Don’t get me wrong, I want you to feel unshakably confident in your skills, but I also want you to avoid the disappointment that comes with not being understood after you’ve worked so hard.
Learning in a group prepares you more effectively for using French in the real world by forcing you to think and express yourself in new and different ways.
Your classmates likely won’t always understand what you want to say (like a teacher might). And that’s good because it challenges you to push your linguistic limits and keep trying in a safe, supportive environment.
2. It gives you inspiration and motivation
Ok, so there are obviously huge benefits to listening to your teacher speaking natural, grammatically correct French, and I don’t suggest you stop!
But as a language learner AND teacher, I find that listening to other students speak is just as useful in its own way.
My students think so too. They often tell me they find it inspiring to hear how their classmates construct complex sentences and express their ideas.
Of course, other learners will make mistakes, but that’s part of what makes it so great.
You’ll find you start to naturally identify wrong verb endings, sentence structures or noun agreements and naturally internalise the correct language.
3. It prepares you for real-world French
If your teacher spoke to you in full-on real-world French from the moment you entered your first class, you’d probably feel overwhelmed and want to quit.
That’s why we speak more slowly and clearly in lessons to familiarise you with the language’s sounds (and make sure you don’t run away!).
This is super important at the start of your journey, but once you’ve learnt the basics, you’ll NEED to converse with other speakers. Because your teacher’s French only represents a tiny corner of the huge French-speaking world — and you want to understand as much as possible!
Group classes are the perfect way to prepare for interacting with different people because they train your brain to understand varied pronunciation.
They’re kind of like a training ground for chatting with French speakers from all over the world. So, by the time you encounter an accent you’ve never heard before, you won’t panic and convince yourself you’re not ready for this!
4. It creates a more balanced learning environment
Learning a foreign language as an adult can make you feel very vulnerable, especially when you’re speaking with a native.
This feeling intensifies in a one-on-one setting because even if your teacher is really nice, their extensive knowledge of the language can feel super intimidating.
It’s essential to overcome these insecurities to reach your French-speaking goals — and that’s a LOT easier in a group class, where you can experiment away from the teacher's watchful eye.
Speaking to others in the same situation as you isn’t just helpful in pushing your linguistic boundaries. It also creates a more equal environment where you feel happier speaking and making mistakes.
5. It helps you learn in new ways
One of my favourite parts of teaching group classes is seeing my students support and learn from each other.
Although I’m the teacher and I’m guiding the lesson, I’m not the only source of new information. Everyone knows slightly different words and phrases and has varying levels of understanding of grammar rules and structures, which they share naturally when working in pairs or groups.
And you know what? Receiving explanations from other learners who have grasped complex concepts can be even more effective than hearing them from the teacher.
Don’t ask me why, but there’s something about learning from our peers that makes it easier to remember new things.
Ready to start learning French in a group?
While group French classes are usually more cost-effective than private lessons, that’s not the only benefit they offer.
Learning alongside people from all over the world can help speed up your progress, build your confidence and prepare you to use French in your everyday life.
Ready to see for yourself? I’m launching a new round of online group classes this autumn, where you can immerse yourself and gain confidence in using French with up to 6 wonderful people.
You can learn more about the course here or join the waiting list
