Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How to learn French in Fresno, CA and what are my options in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study with recorded courses, you have a few main possibilities for learning French interactively in Fresno, CA. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, research centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are less pricey.) Your other possibility can be local private language academies that charge less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, not-for-profit learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Fourth, you can find a private French tutor in Fresno, CA. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Fresno, CA and online French tutors.
🎟 How expensive is it to learn French and what does a lesson with a tutor of French cost?
For university and college courses you can estimate French course cost as one-tenth of the yearly tuition (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of 1/2 of a hundred course hours each semester. Language centers and individual French tutors charge $30-55 an hourly group lesson, with individual classes starting from $50 or more. Some of the more affordable French tutors can be found online, with tuition on Preply averaging 22 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor geography, positive reviews and languages the tutor can teach in. Real student rating average for French lessons on Preply is 4.93 out of 5 stars.
📚 How much French do I need to know to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared to show a language test profeciency score or take an entrance test to determine your level. Planned classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework commitment and exams, so research all such requirements in advance. With personal French tutors you can read reviews and get a good idea for whom the tutor is effective with and which other specializations they make available (like intermediate level practice, advanced students etc.) For more flexibility, choose a tutor from those teaching online.
🔥 Why is French so challenging and are there ways to learn it in a better way?
Standardized language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn French. In reality, you can gain basic French fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback a few hours a week you will be able to understand everyday expressions, be understood when you talk, do most everyday tasks in about a year. Relocating is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a rapid and easy way of acquiring the basic knowledge of French. After gaining basic skills, online marketplaces like Preply have French tutors who specialize in intensive classes for intermediate and advanced speakers.
🤷 How long does it take to learn French?
Some people seem to have a natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in French will take at least 600 hours of dedication. The amount of time can differ a lot depending on your already acquired level of French or knowledge of other languages in the same group. As soon as you've learned the basics it is best to use the language as often as possible: watch television, start a journal or write posts and comments using your new language skills, find native speakers to speak with, try more ways to think and speak in French out loud. If you're struggling when starting a discusssion you can also take conversational French classes online.
🤳 What are my options when choosing the French coach?
In learning centers, you can possibly choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, always! The largest selection of tested French tutors with extensive profiles and comprehensive reviews is available on online language learning 'supermarkets' like Preply.
🗓 What time of day and on which days are classes available?
Colleges as a rule structure classes two times weekly over a semester (15-week period). Language schools as a rule make available shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, allows the flexibility to schedule lessons around your commitments, on weekdays and/or weekends.