French

Learn French — Courses Online & In London

French remains one of the most popular languages in the world spoken by more than 220 million people across the globe. French is one of the official languages in several countries including Canada, Belgium and Senegal.

If you are already fluent in speaking English, learning French can be fairly easy due to the sheer number of words derived from the French vocabulary. For example, did you know that approximately 3 out of every 10 English words are thought to have French origins? These include 'souvenir', 'bouquet' and 'omelette'.

We offer courses for all levels. Whether you are a beginner, a tad rusty or already fluent and want to enjoy French conversation or you want to improve your knowledge with an advanced course. Browse from our range of courses below and choose a time that suits you. Read our blog to discover the benefits of learning French and get tips on how to learn French easily at City Lit.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

Browse our French language courses below and enrol today!

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  1. French 4/5 : Cinq semaines, un livre: Serge
    Course start date:  Tue 7 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    A gentle introduction to French literature. You will read, analyse and discuss a book to develop your understanding of the French language and writing style. The course takes place every other week.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  2. Return to French (Advanced)
    Course start date:  Wed 8 May 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Henriette Harlall
    Come and join this lively interactive course to refresh your advanced French. After attending this course you will be able join a level 4 course in September.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  3. French 3 upper: conversational French
    Course start date:  Thu 9 May 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    Consolidate your upper intermediate level of French in this lively and interactive class. You will consolidate and further practise the main topics and grammar points studied on a level 3 upper course, through a variety of speaking and listening activities. The course is suitable if you are attending a level 3 upper course or if you have an equivalent level of French.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  4. Return to French (elementary)
    Course start date:  Mon 13 May 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Silvana Avram
    Come and join this lively course to refresh your elementary French. After attending this course you will be able join a level 2 course starting soon.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
  5. French 5: Flaubert : une vie, une oeuvre
    Course start date:  Wed 29 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    Flaubert est le contemporain de Baudelaire et, comme l’auteur de « Les Fleurs du mal », il occupe une position charnière dans la littérature du XIXème siècle. À la fois contesté pour des raisons morales et admiré pour sa force littéraire de son temps, il apparaît aujourd'hui comme l'un des plus grands romanciers de son siècle, avec en particulier « Madame Bovary », roman qui fonde le bovarysme, puis « L'Éducation sentimentale ». Il se place entre le roman psychologique de Stendhal et le mouvement naturaliste de Zola et Maupassant, ces derniers considérant Flaubert comme leur maître. Lui-même fortement marqué par l'œuvre d’Honoré de Balzac dont il reprendra les thèmes sous une forme très personnelle - « L'Éducation sentimentale » est une autre version de « Le Lys dans la vallée » et « Madame Bovary » s'inspire de « La Femme de trente ans » - il s'inscrit dans sa lignée du roman réaliste. Il est aussi très préoccupé d'esthétisme, d'où son long travail d'élaboration pour chaque œuvre : il teste ses textes en les soumettant à la fameuse épreuve du « gueuloir », qui consiste à les lire à pleine voix, parfois pendant des heures. On a également souvent souligné la volonté de Flaubert de s'opposer à l'esthétique du roman-feuilleton, en écrivant un « roman de la lenteur ». Enfin, son regard ironique et pessimiste sur l'humanité fait de lui un grand moraliste. Son « Dictionnaire des idées reçues » donne un aperçu de ce talent.







    This course is designed for both advanced French learners as well as native speakers of French.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  6. French 3/4: improve your pronunciation
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Kean Street Wellbeing Centre

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    Having difficulties pronouncing your French ‘r’s and ‘u’s? Practise some difficult sounds on this lively course and impress your French friends!
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
  7. Translate a short story (French into English)
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 24 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Trista Selous
    Enjoy reading in French? Like translating? Come to join this short lively translation course to discuss the subtlety of the language.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  8. French 3: revision course (daytime)
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    Come and consolidate your upper-intermediate French. You will develop your listening skills and practise your oral French by taking part in discussions, debates on news items and cultural events.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  9. French 4: à lire sur la plage
    Course start date:  Mon 22 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Pierre Porcheron
    Vous aimez lire en francais et vous voulez découvrir des romans légers à lire en vacances. Venez les découvrir dans ce cours animé et interactif. C'est aussi une excellente introduction si vous ne lisez pas déjà de romans français.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  10. French 4/5: Expressions familières et argotiques
    Course start date:  Tue 12 Nov 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Stefano D’Egidio
    Vous regardez des films français, écoutez de la musique française, rencontrez de jeunes français et vous n’y pigez rien… pardon, n’y comprenez rien ! Démystifiez les expressions argotiques et familières et développez votre compréhension de la langue française et de sa culture.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  11. French 4/5: art et philosophie
    Course start date:  Thu 14 Nov 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Stefano D’Egidio
    Explore key philosophical concepts related to art and freedom and engage in fascinating discussions while also developing and practising your advanced French.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  12. French 4: Cinéma politique
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 19 Nov 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Masa Uzelac
    This course offers an exploration of French and Francophone political cinema. We will analyse the works of influential directors such as Godard and Varda to gain insights into pivotal historical moments of the development of politically engaged cinema. Join us on an investigative journey where film serves as a lens for understanding the complex dynamics of social and political movements.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00
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About the City Lit School of Languages

Language courses at all levels and in 19 different languages are offered at City Lit. Whether you would like to attend part-time or weekend language classes, our highly popular language lessons offer the widest choice in London. Most language courses are taught at seven different levels and you can start anywhere from beginner to advanced.

Our tutors

Tutors are experienced and friendly, and you can choose from evening, day time or weekend language classes. We also offer early morning sessions and intensive courses to help you learn a language at a time and in a way that suits you best. In many languages you can take an accredited course, with national and international qualifications selected for their relevance to adult learners.

Professional development language courses

We can also offer tailored language training in your workplace, which can be a fast and convenient way to learn a language to help improve your skills for work or develop your business.