Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How do I skill up on French in Kyoto and what are the possibilities in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study with apps, you have 4 primary choices for learning French interactively in Kyoto. 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 a little more affordable.) Your 2nd spource can be local commercial language academies that cost less and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, government-supported learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Finally, you can find a private French tutor in Kyoto. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Kyoto and online French tutors.
🎟 Is it expensive 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 fifty or so instruction hours each semester. Language schools and individual French tutors charge $30-55 an hourly group lesson, with individual 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 hometown, positive reviews and languages the tutor can teach in. Average reviews for French lessons on Preply is 4.92 out of 5 stars.
📚 What level of French do I need 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 load and exams, so research all such requirements in advance. With personal French tutors you can find reviews for whom the tutor is effective with and which other specializations they make available (like instruction for beginners, etc.) For better flexibility, choose a tutor from many teaching online.
🔥 Why is French not easy and are there ways to learn it the easy way?
One-size-fits-all language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn French. Realistically, 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, have simple conversations, shop and place orders in about a year. Physical language immersion is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a ready and fun way of acquiring the basic knowledge of French. After acquiring 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 achieve a good level of French?
Some people brag about their natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in French will demand at least 600 hours of active use. The length of time can differ by a lot depending on your available level of French or proficiency in 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 TV, write using your new language skills, try to communicate with native speakers to speak with, try more ways to think and speak in French out loud. If this is not easy you can also take conversational French classes online.
🤳 What are my options when choosing the French tutor?
In language centers, there's a likelyhood you could choose your own tutor (from the ones who already work there). Online, certainly! The largest selection of pre-screened French tutors with full profiles and real student reviews is available on online language learning marketplaces like Preply.
🗓 What time of day and on which days are classes available?
Colleges as a rule schedule classes two times weekly over a semester (15-week period). Language schools offer 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.