Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How do I skill up on French in Sintra and what does it take in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study using recorded courses, you have 4 key choices for learning French interactively in Sintra. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, check centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are less pricey.) Your other possibility can be local specialized language academies that charge less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, international learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. 4th and last, you can opt for a private French tutor in Sintra. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Sintra and online French tutors.
🎟 Is it affordable to learn French and how much should French tutors ask?
For university and college courses you can estimate French course cost as 1/10th of the yearly tuition (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of 45-48 course hours each semester. Language centers and independent French tutors charge $30-55 an hourly group lesson, with private classes starting around $50 or more. Some of the better priced French tutors can be found online, with tuition on Preply averaging 22 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor geography, experience and student demand. Average student satisfaction 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. 'Canned' classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework volume and graded tasks, so research the details 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 add-ons 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 more effectively?
Standardized language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn French. As proven by others before, 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 many sentences, speak on some level, socialize in about a year. Physical language immersion 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 learners.
🤷 How long does it take to learn French?
Some people just 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 practice. The amount of time can differ a lot depending on your existing level of French or knowledge of other languages in the same group. After alphabet and basic reading it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch television, start a journal or write posts and comments using your new language skills, seek native speakers to speak with, try more ways to think and speak in French out loud. If this is a greater challenge than you had anticipated you can also take conversational French classes online.
🤳 Can I choose my own French instructor?
In language centers, there's a chance you can choose your own tutor (from the ones who already work there). Online, always! The largest selection of pre-screened French tutors with extensive profiles and true reviews is available on online language learning marketplaces like Preply.
🗓 What's the lesson schedule like?
Colleges as a rule offer classes twice a week over a semester (75-day period). Language schools usually have shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, you can take as few as one lesson a year, as many as several a day - and as many (or as few) as you want during any time of day, on weekdays and/or weekends.