The three options, honestly compared
| Apps | Private tutor | Small online class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live speaking | Almost none | The most per hour | Shared, but regular |
| Correction of your mistakes | Automatic, limited | Detailed and personal | Personal, shared with the group |
| Structure and program | Built into the app | Depends on the tutor | A set program by level |
| Motivation | Streaks and reminders | An appointment you keep | A group expecting you |
| Cost | Free to low monthly subscription | Priced per hour, set by each tutor | Monthly, lower cost per hour |
| Best for | Vocabulary between lessons | Specific goals, exam coaching | Steady progress on a budget |
The number that matters most: hours of live French
Progress in speaking tracks how many hours you actually spend using French with a real person. One hour a week with a tutor is roughly 4 hours a month. A class that meets most weekdays can reach 20 hours a month — in a small group, you will not speak for all of it, but you will hear, answer and be corrected far more often.
≈ 4 h
a month with one weekly tutor session
20 h
a month in our online classes
4
students maximum per group
Apps: the right tool for the in-between
Apps are excellent at what happens between lessons: daily vocabulary, quick reviews, keeping French on your mind. They are weak at the moment that matters — someone waiting for your answer. Use one, but don't count on it to make you speak. We explain why in Starting French from zero? Don't download an app yet.
Private tutors: maximum attention, slower accumulation
A good tutor adapts every minute to you: your mistakes, your goal, your pace. Tutor marketplaces let you choose from many teachers, with hourly prices set by each one — so quality and cost vary widely. The limit is volume: unless you book several sessions a week, the hours add up slowly.
Small online classes: structure and hours
A small class gives you a program to follow, classmates at your level and a fixed rhythm. Keep the group small — above a handful of students, your speaking time shrinks fast.
| Group class | Private class | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | CA$150–250 / month | CA$200–300 / month |
| Hours | 20 h per month | 20 h per month |
| Class size | 4 students maximum | 1 student |
| Schedule | Monday to Friday, 1–2 h per session | Monday to Friday, 1–2 h per session |
| Trial | Free 30-minute trial class | Free 30-minute trial class |
Choose in five minutes
- 1
Do you have a deadline?
An exam date or an immigration step points to a structured option with feedback: a class or a tutor, not an app alone.
- 2
How many hours a week can you really give?
Under two hours: a weekly tutor plus an app. Five or more: a class makes those hours go further.
- 3
Do you keep going on your own?
If motivation fades after a few weeks, a group and a fixed schedule are worth more than any feature.
Before you pay any tutor or class
- Take a trial lesson first
- Ask how mistakes are corrected, during and after the lesson
- Check the maximum group size
- If you are preparing the TCF or TEF, ask about experience with the exam
- Read the cancellation and rescheduling policy
“The best option is the one you still show up to in week eight.”
Just starting out? Your first 90 days of French shows how to combine all three.
Try a class before you decide
Book a free 30-minute trial class with a native teacher and see if the format suits you.
Book a free trial class
