What Are the Best French Courses in London?

Are you looking for the best French classes in London? In this guide, we’ll explore four of the city’s most popular options for learning French—from traditional cultural institutes to flexible online tutoring.

French remains one of the world’s most influential languages, spoken by over 320 million people across five continents. London’s status as a global capital for business, diplomacy, and culture makes it the perfect place to study French, whether you’re learning for travel, professional growth, or personal interest.

Below, we compare four of the best options for learning French in London.

Criteria	Language Trainers	Institut Français du Royaume-Uni	Alliance Française de Londres	italki
Pricing per Hour	Starting at £22 (online) / £31 (in-person)	From £60 (private) / group courses from £240 per term	£52 (private) / £55 for couples / £60–£65 for groups	£15–£55 depending on tutor
Offers Online Lessons	Yes (Zoom, Meet, or Teams)	Yes (e-learning and hybrid formats)	Yes (Skype, Zoom, Teams)	Yes (online only)
Offers Private In-Person Lessons	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tailor-Made Lesson Plans	Yes (fully personalised)	Yes (for private and corporate tuition)	Yes (for private and corporate tuition)	Depends on tutor
Minimum Hour Requirement	10-hour pack	15-hour private contract / full term for group	Flexible, usually block bookings	None (pay per lesson)

 

1. One-to-One French Classes in London: The Language Trainers Approach

When it comes to learning French in London, Language Trainers offers the most flexible and personalised experience available. Founded in 2004, the company has earned a strong reputation for providing one-to-one and small group lessons with native-speaking, certified tutors who tailor every class to each student’s goals, interests, and schedule. With both online and face-to-face options, learners enjoy total freedom to decide when and how they study—without any fixed syllabus or rigid timetable.

Course Content and Structure

Every learner begins with a free French level test and consultation, allowing the academic team to design a custom learning plan. This ensures lessons are focused on what each student truly wants to achieve—whether that means preparing for work in a French-speaking company, learning travel essentials before a trip to Paris, or developing conversational fluency for day-to-day communication.

Courses are offered in several formats:

● 1-on-1 General French Course – ideal for beginners or intermediate learners who want to improve speaking and comprehension.
*
● 1-on-1 Business French Course – focused on professional language, email writing, meetings, and cultural etiquette.

● 2-to-1 or Small Group Courses – for colleagues, friends, or families studying together at the same level.

Lessons are available at your home, office, or even at your trainer’s premises, with complete flexibility to choose the most convenient location and time. For those who prefer to study remotely, lessons can take place online via Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, maintaining the same level of personal interaction and feedback.

Pricing

• Online private lessons: starting at £22 per hour
  ● Face-to-face private lessons: starting at £31 per hour
  ● Minimum booking: 10 hours, available for 1-to-1 or private group classes

Expert Support: French Language Ambassador Program

In addition to tailored lessons, Language Trainers provides ongoing academic guidance through its French Language Ambassador Program, connecting students with experienced native tutors and continuous learning opportunities.

The program includes:

● Q&A sessions with teachers on pronunciation, grammar, and everyday expressions.
● Online workshops about French culture, communication, and regional accents.
● Access to curated study materials such as listening exercises and reading guides.

This combination of flexibility, native instruction, and personalised content makes Language Trainers the top choice for learners who want to study French in London on their own terms, without sacrificing quality or support. With 4.9 stars on Google and 4.7 on Trustpilot, Language Trainers is a trusted provider of language training in the UK and beyond.

2. Institut Français du Royaume-Uni

The Institut Français du Royaume-Uni is one of London’s most prestigious destinations for learning French. Located in South Kensington, it serves as France’s official cultural and educational centre in the UK, offering a rich combination of language instruction, cultural immersion, and academic structure. Learners benefit from highly qualified native teachers and gain access to exclusive cultural resources such as the Ciné Lumière cinema, the Médiathèque library, and the French cultural membership programme.

Course Content and Structure

Courses at the Institut Français follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with levels from complete beginner (A1) to advanced (C1–C2). Students can choose between group, private, or corporate lessons, as well as hybrid and online formats. Group classes usually last for 10 to 12 weeks, meeting once or twice a week for 90-minute sessions, while private courses offer greater flexibility and tailor-made content for professional or academic needs.

Each student, except complete beginners, must take a placement test (£15) before enrolment to determine the most suitable level. Classes are capped at 14 students to ensure an interactive learning environment. In addition to regular language lessons, learners enjoy complimentary membership to the Cultural Centre for one year, which includes cinema discounts, borrowing rights at the Médiathèque, and invitations to cultural events.

The main drawback is the Institute’s strict attendance and cancellation policy—missed lessons are non-refundable, and rescheduling is rarely allowed. Despite this, the structured environment appeals to learners seeking consistency and cultural depth.

Pricing

• Group courses: from £240 per term (typically 20–24 hours of instruction)
• Private tuition: from £60 per hour, with 15-hour minimum contracts
• Corporate courses: customised programmes priced individually upon request

The Institut Français du Royaume-Uni offers a complete academic and cultural experience, ideal for students who prefer an immersive and formal learning environment. While its structure leaves little room for scheduling flexibility, the quality of teaching and cultural integration make it one of London’s most reputable options for studying French.

3. Alliance Française de Londres

The Alliance Française de Londres is one of the city’s oldest and most respected French language schools, with more than a century of experience in promoting French language and culture. Located in the heart of London, it offers a warm academic atmosphere combined with professional instruction from native teachers. The school follows a modular progression system aligned with the CEFR framework, allowing learners to advance smoothly from beginner to mastery levels.

Course Content and Structure

The Alliance Française divides its courses into 27-hour modules, labelled from 1A to 5G, corresponding to CEFR levels A1 to C2. This detailed structure allows students to progress through small, well-defined stages while building solid foundations in grammar, pronunciation, and conversation. Each class meets once or twice a week, either during weekdays or weekends, and can be taken in person or online.

Students can choose from:*

● Group classes – perfect for those who enjoy studying in a traditional classroom setting.

● Private lessons – fully tailored to individual needs and schedules, with the possibility to focus on business French, exam preparation, or travel vocabulary.

● Corporate training – designed for companies wanting to improve their employees’ communication skills, offered at the office or at the Alliance Française premises.

Private students enjoy flexible scheduling and the ability to reschedule up to one-third of their lessons, provided they give advance notice. Teaching materials are included in the tuition fee, and lessons can even continue online during travel periods, ensuring steady progress.

Pricing

• Private tuition: £52 per hour

• Couples: £55 per hour

• Groups (3–8 students): £60 per hour

• Groups (9 or more): £65 per hour

• All materials included, with no VAT applied

The Alliance Française de Londres is ideal for learners who appreciate a traditional academic structure with experienced native teachers and a clear, level-based curriculum. While not as flexible as independent tutoring, its combination of small class sizes, cultural emphasis, and progression system makes it a trusted choice for serious French learners.

4. italki

italki is a global online learning platform that connects students with thousands of independent language tutors worldwide. For learners in London who prefer to study from home or want maximum control over their schedule, italki offers a practical and affordable way to take one-to-one French lessons entirely online.

Course Content and Structure

Each student chooses their own tutor from a wide selection of native and community French teachers, filtering by price, availability, and teaching style. Lessons take place via Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, and topics range from conversational practice and pronunciation to professional French, DELF/DALF preparation, or travel-focused learning.

Most tutors design flexible, personalised plans that adapt to the learner’s needs and level, though the quality and teaching approach vary depending on the individual instructor. Students can book trial lessons before committing, and there is no minimum hour requirement—you simply pay per lesson and learn at your own pace.

The platform’s main advantage lies in its convenience and variety, but it lacks the academic support and course consistency of a dedicated language institution. Learners seeking structured progress or guaranteed teaching standards might find more guidance with institutions like Language Trainers or the Institut Français.

Pricing

• Private online lessons: typically between £15 and £55 per hour, depending on the tutor’s experience and qualifications
• Trial lessons: from £4 to £10 for short sample sessions
• No registration fees or fixed-term contracts
  

Final Thoughts

London is home to some of the most reputable institutions for learning French. The Institut Français du Royaume-Uni offers an exceptional mix of language instruction and cultural immersion, appealing to learners who want to connect deeply with French heritage and academic rigor. The Alliance Française de Londres provides a clear, level-based structure and a long-standing reputation for excellence, making it perfect for those who value tradition and methodical progression. For flexible, budget-friendly online study, italki stands out with its vast range of independent tutors and adaptable scheduling.

Despite these advantages, Language Trainers remains the best choice for learners who want a fully personalised and flexible French learning experience. Unlike most institutions with fixed timetables or pre-set syllabuses, Language Trainers offers one-to-one private lessons with native French tutors, conducted online or in person anywhere in London. Students choose their own schedule, location, and learning focus—whether business communication, exam preparation, or conversation skills. Lessons are supported by an academic team that monitors progress and ensures quality, while the Language Ambassador Program connects learners to ongoing cultural and linguistic guidance.

In short, Language Trainers combines the personal attention of a private tutor with the professional structure of an established language school, offering the most adaptable and student-centred French course in London.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning French in London

1. Which school offers the best French lessons in London?

Language Trainers is the top choice for learners who want flexible, tailor-made lessons with native tutors. While the Institut Français and Alliance Française offer strong academic programs, Language Trainers provides the most convenience, allowing you to study at home, your office, or online with no fixed schedule.

2. How much do French lessons cost in London?

Prices vary by provider. italki lessons range from £15 to £55 per hour, the Alliance Française charges from £52 per hour for private tuition, and the Institut Français offers group classes starting around £240 per term. Language Trainers’ rates start at £22 per hour for online lessons and £31 per hour for face-to-face sessions, depending on the package and format.

3. What is the most effective way to learn French in London?

The most efficient method is one-to-one learning with a native speaker. This approach allows for customised lesson plans, immediate feedback, and faster improvement. Language Trainers’ personalised courses follow this model, helping students master grammar, pronunciation, and fluency through consistent practice and real-world communication.

4. Are private French lessons worth it?

Yes. Private lessons offer the highest level of personalisation and progress tracking. They adapt to your specific goals and pace, ensuring efficient results. With Language Trainers, students receive expert native instruction, total scheduling freedom, and a course designed entirely around their learning objectives—making it the most effective investment for mastering French in London.