Discover the Best French Classes in NYC
Over 120,000,000 people are estimated to be learning French today. This Romance language has attracted so many people in part because it’s so widely used. French was used by the aristocracy in the 12th and 13th centuries, which gave it a refined image, encouraging Europeans to learn the language. France’s time as a colonial power also contributed to its spread. As a result, it’s now the official language of 29 countries and spoken in many more.
Written forms of French date back to the 9th century and the language has evolved into different forms, like Classical French and Modern French, its current form. French has Latin roots, which has made it a common second language among speakers of other Romance languages like Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Many English speakers also turn to French as a second language, because French and English share many words and a similar grammar structure, which makes it a more familiar language to them than others.
New York City is home to over 80,000 French speakers. As a result, New Yorkers have plenty of opportunities to take French classes and interact with NYC’s French community and culture.
Why You Should Learn French in NYC
Learning a new language benefits your brain. When studying a new language, you must focus heavily on vocabulary and grammar, especially if the language is entirely different from your first language. This challenges your brain and can improve your memory. As you learn the language, you’ll also learn to make contextual connections with vocabulary and grammar.
Adults have larger vocabularies and a better understanding of how to study than children, giving them an advantage when it comes to language learning. Learning a new language can be intimidating, but the benefits it provides can’t be overstated. It’s been found that knowing a second language might slow the development of dimension in older adults. It will also improve your decision-making skills, problem-solving, and confidence.
French is one of the most used languages on the internet and was ranked the fifth most spoken language in the world. If you learn French, you’ll be able to communicate with many more people than you were previously able to. This can be useful when traveling or in a professional work setting.
You can get started on reaping the mental and social benefits of learning the language by taking an in-person French class in New York City.
In-Person French Classes & Schools in NYC
In-person French classes are offered across New York City. In an in-person French class, you’ll learn from a fluent instructor. If you’re new to the language, you can sign-up for a beginner-level class. These classes typically introduce you to basic words and phrases and will introduce you to some important grammar rules, like gendered nouns. If you have a prior learning experience with French, there are intermediate and advanced-level classes you can take.
Learn French BK, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, offers French classes for learners within a range of skill levels. If you have no prior experience with French, sign-up for their beginner-level French class. This class will teach you introductory words and phrases and encourages you to work on your pronunciation, something many French learners struggle with. You’ll also work on your confidence in speaking a foreign language in this class.
After you’ve taken the first beginner-level French course at Learn French BK, you can advance to their class, Beginner-ish French. This class is still a beginner-level course, but it focuses more heavily on grammar. Previous French learners who are a little rusty can jump right into this class.
If you’re looking for an advanced-level French class in NYC, Learn French BK also hosts an advanced-level conversational French class. To take this class you need to be fluent or near fluent in French. You’ll interact with spoken, written, formal, and informal French as you ensure your understanding of a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. This class is ideal if you’re looking to relocate to a francophone country.
Practicing a new language can be nerve-wracking. Many people learning a new language are embarrassed to speak it in front of others for fear of saying something wrong or incorrectly. If this is a fear of yours, you can sign-up for private French lessons through ABC Languages. Your lesson will be customized to your skill level, needs, and goals. These lessons can be taken in-person or online.
There are also classes in NYC that you can enroll your child in so that they can learn French as you take your French classes. At the French Institute Alliance Française in the Upper East Side, you can enroll your two to three-year-old in a petits pas. You or another caregiver will attend the class with your child and will witness them as they learn words from another language. Learning will take place through arts and crafts projects and enrichment games. This class is meant to be both fun and engaging for your child.
Schools in NYC also offer in-person classes in other Romance languages. Knowing one Romance language can help you understand the basics of another. This is because they’re all rooted in Latin, and therefore share similar vocabularies and grammar. You can sign-up for beginner Portuguese and Spanish classes through CourseHorse.
Check out the listings on CourseHorse to learn about more in-person French classes taught in the NYC area. New and returning classes are frequently added.
Virtual French Classes & Schools
Virtual French classes are another option available to you. A fluent instructor will remotely guide you through a lesson along with other participants. You can take this class from anywhere with a stable internet connection and where you won’t be interrupted by anything. This eliminates the need to commute within busy NYC for a class.
The instructor of your virtual class may ask you to purchase learning materials. This can range from textbooks to vocabulary sets. They may also choose to provide these materials to you as PDF files. Check out the main page of the virtual French class you have signed up for to see if the instructor has included a list of required materials.
If you have no experience with French, check out Fluent City’s online beginner-level French class. This class can also be taken by anyone looking for a refresher in the basics of French. By the end of the class, you’ll understand the basics of French and be working toward speaking it conversationally. Fluent City provided follow-up beginner-level classes. After you’ve gotten the hang of the basics, you can sign up for an intermediate class, including their French Meetup.
Private French lessons are also available online. Hyperfluent offers consultations before you take their private French fundamentals class. You’ll master the basics and receive one-on-one feedback in this class. They ask that you bring a notebook and a phone or other recording device to tape your voice for future review. Learning materials will be provided by your instructor.
For anyone unsure of whether to commit to French lessons, ABC Languages has an online French crash course. This is an introductory-level class that lasts 90 minutes. In those 90 minutes, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself and other basic phrases. This is also a good class to take if you’re traveling to a French-speaking country. It’ll provide you with essential travel phrases and vocabulary.
There are more virtual French classes that you can sign up for on CourseHorse. These classes are offered by schools from around the country and provide a variety of materials. Consider your skill level and your schedule before deciding which class interests you the most.
Private Group French Classes in NYC
Are you looking to book French classes before an upcoming group trip to France or another French-speaking country? If so, CourseHorse can deliver online private French classes for groups to you. These classes take place using an online video platform and are taught by expert instructors who will work to meet your group’s needs and goals.
If you’re interested in the private French classes that CourseHorse can offer you, reach out to them through the contact form on their website. You can discuss the needs of your group and what you’d like to get out of a French class. They’ll also work with you to accommodate your group size. If you’re unsure of how many will be taking the class, you can provide them with the minimum group number and update them with a final headcount before the class.
CourseHorse offers 20-minute demos for $100. Demos allow you to experience the class before fully committing to it. If you take a demo and decide you’d like to cancel your scheduled class, CourseHorse will allow you to cancel for free so long as you let them know at least two weeks beforehand. For an additional $150, you can customize your class. A common customization is the addition of games.
CourseHorse does not charge booking fees. You may choose to take the class using Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or WebEx. Zoom is the recommended platform.
