The Best French Classes in Montreal (2026)

Key takeaways

• Best for improving spoken French with personalized lessons – italki
• Best for French certifications and cultural activities – Alliance Française de Montréal
• Best for full-time intensive study – ILSC Montreal
• Best for short, structured French courses – The French School
• Best for studying both English and French – EC Montreal

The best French classes in Montreal give you regular speaking practice, feedback from a qualified teacher, and a schedule you can keep through winter and a full workweek. French is also the language you need at work here: 70% of workers in the Montreal metropolitan area primarily used French on the job in 2021 (Statistics Canada). What you practice in a lesson, you can use with your manager, at the dépanneur (corner store), and with your neighbors the same week.

italki, an online language learning platform trusted by more than 10 million learners since 2007, connects Montrealers with French teachers for live one-on-one video lessons. The platform has more than 30,000 teachers across all languages, and you can choose French tutors from Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and other French-speaking countries, then book lessons before work, at lunch, or late in the evening.

This guide compares the 5 best French classes in Montreal by format, level, and price, so you can pick the option that fits how you learn.

Prefer to learn from home? Find a French teacher in Montreal who teaches on your schedule and book a trial lesson.

How we chose the best French classes in Montreal

Every option was evaluated on the same five criteria: speaking opportunities, teaching quality, level suitability, scheduling flexibility, and total cost. Level suitability is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the six-level scale from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).

Evaluation criteria	How it was assessed
Speaking opportunities	How much of each session you spend speaking. Smaller classes give you more speaking time than larger ones, and one-on-one lessons give you all of it.
Teaching quality	Native French speakers or certified teachers, and programs that state which variety of French they teach (Quebec French or European French).
Level suitability	A clear sequence of CEFR levels. If you studied French in school, placement matters so you don’t repeat the basics.
Scheduling flexibility	Morning, evening, weekend, and online options, and how easily you can make up a missed class.
Total cost	The full course price, registration and materials fees, and how much speaking practice you get for the money.

Exam preparation also matters in Montreal. Canada’s immigration department accepts the TEF Canada and TCF Canada as proof of French ability for economic immigration programs (Government of Canada), so schools and tutors that prepare you for these tests were noted.

Each provider receives a “Best for” label based on its format and the type of learner it serves. These labels are editorial recommendations, not an overall ranking.

Best French classes in Montreal at a glance

School/platform	Best for	Format	Typical Pricing
italki	Improving spoken French with personalized lessons	Live one-on-one online lessons	From US$4 per lesson
Alliance Française de Montréal	French certifications and cultural activities	In-person small groups, workshops, and exam preparation	CAD $588 per 28-hour session, plus a CAD $55 annual fee
ILSC Montreal	Full-time intensive study	In-person group courses	CAD $350 to CAD $470 per week, plus a CAD $220 registration fee
The French School	Short, structured French courses	In-person or online group classes	Not published
EC Montreal	Learning both English and French	In-person group courses	CAD $420 per week

Pricing reflects rates published as of October 2026. Check each school’s site for current offers.

Where can I learn French in Montreal?

1. italki: best for improving your spoken French with one-on-one lessons

• Format: Live one-on-one video lessons with a teacher you choose
• Price: From US$4 per lesson
• Location: Online, from Verdun to the West Island
• Level: Beginner to advanced
• Ideal for: Learners who want dedicated speaking practice, individual feedback, and lessons outside fixed class times

italki is an online language learning platform where you take private French lessons with native teachers who adapt each session to your level and goals. Lessons focus on the French skills you want to develop, including conversation, pronunciation, listening, grammar, and vocabulary.

You choose what to work on, from ordering at a café in Mile End to interviewing in French for a job in Montreal. Lessons are booked individually, so you can study before work, during a lunch break, or in the evening without commuting through a snowstorm to a classroom.

You can book professional teachers for structured lessons in grammar and pronunciation, or community tutors for French conversation practice. Teachers also specialize in Quebec French, TEF and TCF exam preparation, and business French, and many offer online French lessons for English speakers who want explanations in English while they build confidence.

Pros

• More individual speaking time. In a group class, students share speaking time. In a one-on-one lesson, you speak directly with your teacher, who corrects your pronunciation, verb forms, and word choice as you talk.
• Lessons built around the French you need. Your teacher adapts lessons to your goals, such as speaking with francophone coworkers, understanding Quebec expressions, or preparing for the TEF Canada.
• Teachers who match your learning goals. You can choose a teacher from Quebec to practice the accent and vocabulary you hear in Montreal, or a teacher from France if you need European French for exams or travel.
• Flexible scheduling without commuting. Book lessons around your work schedule, including mornings and evenings, depending on teacher availability. There’s no fixed school term or long-term course commitment.

Cons

• Teaching styles vary from tutor to tutor, so a trial lesson helps you find your best fit.
• Lessons happen online, so you won’t meet classmates in person or practice in a physical classroom.

What does research say about learning with italki?

An independent efficacy study by Dr. Roumen Vesselinov (Queens College, CUNY) and Dr. John Grego (University of South Carolina) found that 71.6% of participating italki learners improved their oral proficiency by at least one level after about two months of lessons (Vesselinov and Grego, 2018). Individual results depend on your starting level, how often you take lessons, and how much you practice between them.

For Montreal learners who understand French but freeze when a colleague answers quickly, private lessons give you regular practice responding in real time and individual feedback on what to fix next.

What French learners say about italki

French learners on Trustpilot highlight three things about learning with italki:

• Fast progress in speaking. Learners say they start forming their own French sentences within a few lessons.
• Patient, prepared tutors. Reviewers describe supportive teachers who bring materials suited to their needs and interests.
• Lessons that fit their schedule. Learners say flexible booking makes it easy to keep lessons going around other commitments.

“It’s been only four sessions of learning French and I am already making an unbelievable amount of sentences. It feels amazing!”

— Trustpilot review

“I have a great and patient tutor to help me learn French. The tutor is always prepared and brings along materials to help improve the various areas to help reinforce learning objectives. The italki application and the time flexibility help me book sessions that are very convenient.”

— Trustpilot review

“Benjamin is an excellent French tutor. He’s patient, supportive, and he provides interesting materials catering to your needs and interests.”

— Trustpilot review

These reviews show what one-on-one lessons add for French learners: a patient teacher, materials matched to your goals, and a schedule you can keep.

Skip the commute and practice French on your schedule. Book a trial lesson with one of italki’s French tutors in Montreal this week.

2. Alliance Française de Montréal: best for French certifications and cultural activities

• Format: In-person small-group classes, workshops, and exam preparation
• Price: CAD 588 per 28-hour session, plus a CAD 55 annual fee
• Location: Old Montreal
• Level: Beginner to advanced
• Ideal for: Learners who want structured French classes, cultural activities, and certification-oriented study

Alliance Française de Montréal is a French language school offering classroom French courses organized by proficiency level. Its adult programs include evening classes, Saturday sessions, and intensive weekday options.

Regular sessions include 28 hours of instruction in small groups. The school also offers workshops, cultural activities, and preparation for French certifications. French classes take place at set times, so attendance requires a regular commitment.

Pros

• Structured curriculum organized by French proficiency level
• Small-group classes with opportunities to interact with classmates
• Cultural activities alongside language instruction
• French certification preparation options

Cons

• A session opens only with enough students, and small groups can be shortened or canceled.
• Fixed weekly class times are harder to keep with shift work or travel.
• The group sets the pace, so faster or slower learners can feel out of step.
• A CA$55 annual registration fee applies in addition to tuition

3. ILSC Montreal: best for full-time intensive study

• Format: In-person group courses, from part-time mornings to full-time intensive (up to 30 lessons a week)
• Price: CAD 350 to CAD 470 per week, plus a CAD 220 registration fee
• Location: Downtown Montreal
• Level: All levels
• Ideal for: International students and newcomers who can study French full-time

ILSC is an international language school group with a campus in Montreal that runs General French programs. Students can add elective classes such as TEF preparation alongside their core lessons

Pros

• Full-time schedules give you several hours of French every weekday.
• Elective classes let you focus on specific goals such as TEF preparation.
• Most programs start on any Monday, so you don’t wait for a new term.

Cons

• Daytime classes conflict with most full-time jobs.
• Absolute beginners must start on set session dates.
• Group lessons divide teacher attention among students.
• Registration and materials fees increase the total cost

4. The French School: best for short, structured French courses

• Format: In-person or online group classes
• Price: Not published; contact the school
• Location: Montreal and online
• Level: Beginner to upper intermediate (A1 to B2)
• Ideal for: Learners who want short, structured courses with clear level goals, including those preparing for work or permanent residence

The French School is a Montreal language school that has taught French since 2008. It offers courses from A1 to B2 and says students can reach A1 in about five weeks.

Pros

• You can switch between online and in-person classes.
• Short courses with set levels give each session a clear goal.
• Courses focus on practice and retention rather than long grammar lectures.

Cons

• Courses stop at B2, so advanced learners need another option.
• The intensive pace leaves less time to review material.
• Group classes share speaking time among students.
• Class availability depends on the level and enrollment period

5. EC Montreal: best for learning both English and French

• Format: In-person group courses, 20 to 30 lessons a week, starting every Monday
• Price: CAD 420 per week
• Location: Downtown Montreal
• Level: All levels (minimum age 16)
• Ideal for: International students who want to study English and French at the same school

EC is an international language school group that teaches English and French in Montreal. Its General French course runs year-round with 45-minute lessons and optional Special Focus classes.

Pros

• You can study English and French at the same school and build both languages in one stay.
• Special Focus classes let you choose topics and change them regularly.
• You can start any Monday and study for as few weeks as you need.

Cons

• An average class of 13.5 students means less speaking time for each learner.
• The program is built for international students, with less focus on Quebec workplace French.
• Classes follow school schedules rather than individual availability
• Additional enrollment costs may apply

Online vs. in-person French classes in Montreal: Which is right for you?

Online one-on-one lessons are a practical choice when you want more individual speaking time, personalized feedback, and flexible scheduling. In-person group classes suit learners who prefer studying alongside classmates and following a set weekly timetable.

Factor	Online one-on-one lessons on italki	In-person group classes
Speaking time	Direct conversation with your teacher throughout the lesson	Speaking time shared among 6 to 14 students
Feedback	Corrections focused on your individual mistakes	Feedback during group activities and exercises
Curriculum	Lessons adapted to your goals and level	Usually follows a scheduled course plan
French variety	Choose a Quebec French or European French teacher	Set by the school
Scheduling	Choose individual lesson times	Fixed weekly class times
Payment	Pay per lesson	Usually pay for a full session plus registration fees
Commute	No travel, even in a snowstorm	Travel to a school downtown or in Old Montreal

Research suggests learning online does not weaken your speaking. A study of an elementary French course at Carnegie Mellon University found no significant difference in speaking or listening between online students and students in a traditional classroom, and online students scored higher in writing (Chenoweth and Murday, 2003). This means format alone doesn’t decide your speaking level.

For Montreal learners, the more useful question is how much French conversation and individual feedback each option gives you within your time and budget.

• Choose online one-on-one lessons if you want dedicated speaking practice, personalized corrections, or lessons designed around a goal such as a job interview or the TEF Canada.
• Choose in-person group classes if you prefer a classroom, learning with other students, and a structured course with regular meeting times.
• Combine both. A weekly session of online 1-on-1 tutoring gives you extra conversation practice and feedback alongside your group course.

If you’re ready to start, book a trial lesson with a French tutor at a time that fits your week.

How to choose the best French class in Montreal

The right French class depends on four factors: how you learn, your schedule, your budget, and your goal.

Learning style. If you want personalized attention on specific skills, one-on-one lessons give you focused practice time. If you prefer classroom structure and peer interaction, a language school gives you a group setting.

Schedule. Winter weather, long commutes, and full workweeks make fixed class times hard to keep. French lessons in Montreal taken online can fit early mornings, lunch breaks, or late evenings, while school classes run at set times.

Budget. Group programs charge per session or per week, plus registration and materials fees. With one-on-one lessons, you pay only for the lessons you book, and this breakdown of French tutor cost shows what affects rates.

Goal. If you need a certificate for immigration, work, or university, look for TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or DELF exam preparation, and compare each French proficiency exam before you choose a course. A TEF Canada tutor or one of italki’s TCF tutors can focus every lesson on the test format. If you need French for business, a business French tutor can practice meetings, emails, and presentations with you.

Which French class in Montreal is best for you?

• Choose italki if you want to improve your spoken French through personalized online lessons, individual corrections, and flexible scheduling.
• Choose Alliance Française de Montréal if you need an official French certificate and want cultural activities with your classes.
• Choose ILSC Montreal if you can study French intensively on weekday mornings.
• Choose The French School if you want short, structured courses in person or online.
• Choose EC Montreal if you want to learn English and French at the same school.

Whatever you choose, practice between classes makes the difference. A simple French study plan and the French learning resources you enjoy, such as podcasts, shows, and apps, keep you hearing French every day. 

If you split time between cities, you can also compare the best French classes in Paris, the best French classes in NYC, and the best French classes in Chicago

Ready to start speaking French in Montreal?

French makes daily life in Montreal easier, from job interviews to conversations with your neighbors. The best online French class is one that fits your schedule, corrects your mistakes, and gets you speaking every week.

Learn French with a qualified teacher who adapts each lesson to your goals and corrects you as you speak. Trusted by more than 10 million learners since 2007, italki offers flexible one-on-one lessons with no commute and no fixed term. Book a trial lesson today.

FAQs

How much do French classes cost in Montreal?

One-on-one French lessons on italki start from US$4 per lesson. Teachers set their own rates, so cost depends on experience and specialty, and you pay per lesson with no registration fee. Group courses at Montreal schools typically cost CAD 350 to CAD 470 per week, or CAD 588 for a 28-hour part-time session, often plus registration and materials fees.

Is it better to learn French online or in person?

For speaking skills, online lessons work as well as classroom courses. A study of an elementary French course found no significant difference in speaking or listening between online and classroom students (CALICO Journal, 2003). What matters more is how much time you spend speaking and getting corrected each week.

How long does it take to learn French in Montreal?

Most English speakers need 600 to 750 class hours, or 24 to 30 weeks of full-time study, to reach professional working proficiency in French, according to the Foreign Service Institute. Basic conversation comes much sooner with regular speaking practice. Living in Montreal helps because you can use French every day outside your lessons.

Do I need French to live in Montreal?

Yes, for most jobs and many daily situations. French is the official language of Quebec, and Montreal is the province’s largest city (Wikipedia). Many people in Montreal also speak English, but French gives you access to more jobs, government services, and local friendships.