Can you really learn French online? A French teacher’s insight

So, you’ve decided to learn French, and now you’re considering the best way to study. 

You could try and find a local class… but that sounds inconvenient. You might have to travel a long way, you’d have to squeeze it into your schedule, and you’re not sure what would happen if you miss a class.

Maybe you’ll learn online instead. But hold on…

Can you really learn French online? Is it actually effective?

Having taught French online for the last two years, I’ve noticed a few major benefits that make it a really effective way to learn.  ever since I started my business.

And I’m not just saying that because I’m a teacher! I also went from being a total beginner in Italian to conversing fluently in one year by taking virtual classes. 

The point is that you can reach a good level of French by learning online. And in this article, I’m explaining why, and how to know if it’s the best option for you…

You can gain confidence quicker

When you’re sitting in a classroom with a group of people ⁠— or even just a teacher —  speaking French can feel really intimidating, and getting something wrong can knock your confidence. 

Learning online, on the other hand, can help you overcome your shyness faster. That’s because the screen separating you from the teacher offers a level of comfort you don’t get in a physical classroom. 

And the more comfortable you feel, the easier it is to start speaking and improving your French! Don’t just take it from me - many of my students prefer learning online for this very reason.

You can feel more accountable to attend

Learning French online allows you to study with people who are working towards the same goal as you. That might sound a little scary, or maybe even not that useful, but hear me out. 

Online group courses tend to be smaller and more intimate to give everyone more time and attention from the teacher.

When you learn in this way, you develop a sense of camaraderie that you don’t always find in physical lessons. And as you form bonds with your fellow students, you’ll feel more accountable to practice between classes and show up! 

Because yes, learning a new language has many ups and downs. There will be times when you don’t want to attend class or do your homework. And when this happens, it can be super helpful to feel accountable to the rest of the group.

You can speak to other people

Speaking French with the teacher sometimes means putting a lot of pressure on yourself to be perfect, which can create mental blocks that stop you from speaking. 

Some students find it easier to express themselves with their classmates before speaking with me. That’s because they worry less about making mistakes and focus more on sharing their message. 

Learning French online with a group allows you practice with classmates and build confidence in breakout rooms before sharing your ideas with the teacher.

You can learn anywhere you go

As adults, fitting French classes and studying into our routines can be difficult. Between work, holidays, business trips, networking events and late meetings, sticking to a regular schedule can feel impossible.

This is one of the biggest problems professionals have with taking in-person French classes because you’re often tied to a certain number of sessions that run at the same time each week and expire after a specific date. 

If you’re too busy to attend all sessions, you’ll end up with gaps in your learning, which can leave you feeling stuck, demotivated and struggling to improve. 

However, studying online usually provides more flexibility. 

I allow my private students to select their class times each week, so they can fit their French study around their schedule. Many of them continue classes while on business trips or holidays because all they need is the internet. 

The result? Quicker progress and more confidence!

You never have to miss a lesson

Many students who want to take online group courses ask me what happens if they miss a session. Honestly? Not much! 

When you learn online, you automatically have the advantage of being able to access the class materials any time you like. For example, I organise all my class content into chapters that students can refer back to later. That means if you can’t make a class, you don’t need to miss out and fall behind. 

Equally, if you want to recap the content where you learnt le subjonctif or le passé composé, you can. You don’t have to rely on frantically scribbled notes to find the answers to your questions. 

This also means you can dedicate your full attention to each class instead of writing everything down!

So, you could say that learning French online is more effective than taking in-person classes.

You can get better value for money

Without the overheads of renting an office space, online French classes are often more affordable than in-person ones. 

Even in the case they’re not, if you’re learning with an experienced teacher, there’s a chance you’ll be getting more value for your money. 

I often send my students class materials in advance, so they can prepare the activities before the meeting. This means that by the time we meet, we can practice the content rather than learn it from scratch. 

So really, they’re getting two or three hours' worth of study and meaningful practice for every one hour they pay for! 

And when you get more value for your money, you’re more likely to improve because the quality of the classes is better! 

C’est chouette, non? 

You can form a better bond with your teacher

If you take classes with an experienced online French teacher who knows how to plan and deliver a lesson (like me!), you won’t just be making random conversation. Unless you want to, that is.

You’ll work through a structured course or curriculum that helps you achieve your desired goal. Often, you’ll receive other materials that support your learning outside of classes and maybe even more contact with the teacher. 

That’s certainly the case with my courses. I don’t believe in just showing up once or twice per week and speaking to you! 

All my students can reach out to me at any time. In fact, I encourage it because I love hearing their success stories and motivating them to use French in real life. 

It’s like having a teacher in your pocket all the time, which is especially useful if you’re living in a French-speaking country or using French daily.

Okay, but can you really learn French online?

Because online learning isn’t for everyone! 

The most effective way to learn French is in a way that suits your learning style and lifestyle. In my experience, you’ll benefit most from online lessons if you…

Are an introvert or shy to speak: As an introvert myself, I totally get it! And I assure you that learning online makes overcoming that initial embarrassment and shyness about speaking a foreign language easier.

Are super busy: If you have a lot of commitments and very little time, online classes can work really well to keep your learning on track. 

Travel a lot: If you’re learning French for work (or a hobby) and you have to travel a lot, online learning can help maintain consistency and ensure you progress no matter what. 

Want to connect with others: this is especially useful if you are learning French before moving to a French-speaking country and want to meet other people. Many of my clients are either in or moving to Belgium, and they have been able to meet through our classes before they arrive! 

When you find a teacher you like who cares about helping you reach your goals, online lessons can be a really effective way to learn French. 

By studying consistently and regularly chatting with the teacher and other students, you can quickly gain confidence and progress. 

If I’ve convinced you that you really can learn French online, I’d love to help you start! 

Check out my group or private French language courses. Let’s start building your confidence and your skills.