French ranks as the second most popular foreign language learned after English and is spoken by approximately 300 million people worldwide, and with its role as a United Nations working language, more Brooklyn residents want to learn French than ever before.
Brooklyn has something for everyone who wants to learn French. Students can pick between private lessons or group classes based on their level and budget. The programs work well for complete beginners at A1 level and advanced learners pushing toward C2 proficiency.
We tested the best French classes Brooklyn has to offer to help you choose the right one. Our research covers private tutoring that starts at $100 per session and programs at language schools that have been teaching for decades. Let’s look at the best ways to start your French learning experience.
1. Elite French Tutoring: Personalized Learning Experience
Elite French Tutoring has provided private French lessons in Brooklyn since 2012. Students choose this premier service because it customizes language instruction. Learning French becomes easier when the program adapts to your needs instead of following strict curricula.
Elite French Tutoring Teaching Approach
The program starts with a free 10-20 minute consultation to check your French skills and goals. Your original meeting helps create a detailed learning path just for you. The method focuses on practical French for real-life situations, unlike standard language schools.
The teaching philosophy builds on four key areas:
- Conversation skills for authentic communication
- Listening comprehension for real-life interactions
- Reading proficiency for cultural understanding
- Writing skills to master the language fully
Students speak French throughout each session. English comes into play only to explain complex concepts. This immersion approach speeds up your learning.
Programs adapt to different students – adults who need professional skills, children as young as 3 years old who learn through fun games, and business professionals who need specific vocabulary.
Elite French Tutoring Pricing Options
Lesson length ranges from 40 minutes to 2 hours based on what works for you. Here’s the simple pricing structure:
- 40-minute sessions: $100
- One-hour lessons: $125
- Group lessons (1-2 hours): Prices change based on student numbers
New students get 10% off their first order when they sign up for the newsletter. The rates are higher than New York City’s average tutoring cost of $60-$100 per hour. Students find value in the customized attention and specialized French instruction.
Elite French Tutoring Location and Accessibility
Students can take lessons in several ways. The Brooklyn-based company offers:
- Private lessons at your Brooklyn home
- Online classes with flexible times
- Virtual immersion courses you can join from anywhere
The main office sits at 1619 Third Avenue in Manhattan. Tutors come to your Brooklyn location for face-to-face lessons. Online platforms help busy professionals or people with changing schedules learn without losing quality. Students love how easy it is to change their schedule when needed.
Student Success Stories
Students report big improvements and love the teaching methods. One student started thinking in French after a few months of better vocabulary and grammar.
A parent of a 10-year-old student shared: “Andrei is an excellent French tutor. He works with our 10-year-old weekly. Our child looks forward to seeing Andrei and gets a lot out of each lesson. Andrei’s teaching style is direct and warm”.
Another student mentioned: “I wanted to bring my French up to another level of writing and speaking. Andrei is a very talented and understanding teacher. He’s aware of my needs as an English speaker learning French, and he’s encouraging but also pushes me during our lessons”.
Adult students appreciate homework expectations that speed up their progress. One student says: “I look forward to our sessions each week because Andrei is not only a fantastic teacher but a really nice and interesting person. I’m so happy with my progress – I’m getting comfortable with my French”.
Regular progress checks and strong teaching methods give you constant feedback during your learning. Elite French Tutoring helps you gain language skills and cultural understanding. This makes it a complete option for dedicated French learners in Brooklyn.
3. The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF): Traditional Excellence
The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) sits in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building. Since the early 1900s, it has served as New York’s premier center for French language and culture. Two separate organizations—one promoting French arts, the other teaching French—merged in 1971 to create what is now one of the largest French-American cultural centers in the United States. Brooklyn residents looking for French language classes with historical credibility will find FIAF’s blend of traditional excellence and cultural richness appealing.
FIAF Teaching Philosophy
Students at FIAF learn through complete language immersion from day one. The teaching approach creates an environment where you speak French right away and build confidence through practice rather than theory.
Their teaching philosophy builds on these elements:
- Native French-speaking teachers lead fully immersive instruction
- Students learn practical communication skills through authentic resources
- Language learning blends with cultural context
- Small to medium-sized classes give individual-specific attention
Students learn more than grammar rules and vocabulary lists. Your first class introduces you to authentic French materials and ground tasks. This method helps you develop natural language patterns instead of memorized phrases. Students often mention how the helpful teachers improve their pronunciation skills naturally.
FIAF Course Levels
FIAF’s detailed range of courses suits all ages and proficiency levels. Their well-laid-out program has:
- Introduction to French: 5-week primer courses designed for absolute beginners
- Beginner French (A1): Regular course (10 weeks, 3 hours/week, $599), accelerated options (5 weeks), and intensive formats (2 weeks)
- Advanced Beginner (A2): Students expand vocabulary and learn to express themselves clearly
- Intermediate and Advanced levels: Programs refine skills and cultural understanding
- Special courses in conversation, grammar, and business French
Students progress systematically through language proficiency levels. Each stage combines multimedia activities, authentic texts, and practical conversations. Many learners value this structured approach, though some want a faster pace.
FIAF Cultural Events
FIAF brings more than just language learning—it’s a vibrant cultural hub. The institution’s 120-year history showcases:
- CinéSalon, a year-round French cinema series in their 400-seat Florence Gould Hall Theater
- Art exhibitions light up the FIAF Gallery
- Literary events and culinary demonstrations fill their Tinker Auditorium
- Le Skyroom, a penthouse space with demonstration kitchen, hosts wine tastings and cultural workshops
- The largest private French library in the United States houses books in multiple languages
A complimentary one-year FIAF Membership (valued at $99) comes with any course lasting one week or longer. Language learning and cultural immersion blend to create a complete French educational experience.
FIAF Private French Lessons Options
Students wanting individual attention will find FIAF’s private French lessons in Brooklyn valuable:
- Native-speaking teachers provide one-on-one instruction tailored to your goals
- Adults, kids (ages 7+), and teens at all proficiency levels can learn
- Flexible scheduling works around busy lifestyles
- Learn in-person or online from home
- American ESL teachers offer specialized English lessons for French speakers
Teachers create individual-specific curricula based on your interests, learning style, and pace. Students consistently report better pronunciation and overall language skills after working with FIAF’s instructors.
FIAF stands out as the most affordable among elite options on this list. With over 6,000 students in their Language Center, FIAF continues to be Brooklyn residents’ trusted choice for quality French language education in the New York area.
4. Brooklyn College French Studies: Academic Approach
Brooklyn College’s Department of Modern Languages and Literatures gives students a chance to study French in an academic setting. The college’s approach combines language skills with cultural understanding, which sets it apart from other language schools and private tutors in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn College Course Structure
The French program at Brooklyn College shines with three specialized tracks for French majors:
- French Literature and Culture: Focuses on literary analysis and cultural studies
- French Language and Business: Combines language skills with business courses
- French Translation: Emphasizes translation techniques and practices
Students must complete core courses and specialized electives. The foundation courses are French 2030W (Advanced Language Skills), 2432, 3610, and either 3515 or 3525. Students then take four more courses from French 1030 and above.
The business track adds specific courses like Business 3100, 3170, and two courses from Business 3240, 3200, 3210, 3230, 3130, or 3140. This mix helps students build careers that need both French language skills and business expertise.
French majors develop these skills:
- Strong French communication at high intermediate levels
- Understanding of Francophone linguistic and cultural diversity
- Knowledge of major literary movements and authors
- Critical thinking skills that apply to various careers
Students explore French language, history, and culture through courses about religion, film, and literature from France and the Francophone world. Knowledge of Latin or another language besides English helps students in their studies.
Brooklyn College Certification Options
Brooklyn College helps future French teachers with specialized programs. The French Teacher (7-12) B.A. program readies students to teach in middle and high schools. Students need 30 credits in the content area to get New York State certification.
The Master of Arts degree in education for French teachers (grades 7–12) needs 30 to 40 credits. Students split their time between the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and the Department of Secondary Education.
MA program graduates can:
- Pass New York State Education Department teacher certification exams
- Use standards in planning and instruction for all students
- Create engaging lessons for diverse learners
Brooklyn College Tuition Costs
Students pay less for French language instruction at Brooklyn College than at private tutoring services:
New York State residents’ undergraduate costs:
- Full-time (12+ credits): $3,465 per semester
- Part-time (fewer than 12 credits): $305 per credit
Undergraduate costs for non-residents and international students:
- $620 per credit (no full-time flat rate)
Graduate program costs for New York State residents:
- 12+ credits: $5,545 per semester
- Fewer than 12 credits: $470 per credit
Graduate program costs for non-residents:
- $855 per credit
Extra fees include Student Activity Fee ($118.55 for fall/spring), Technology Fee ($125 for full-time students), CUNY Consolidated Services Fee ($15), and University Student Senate Fee ($1.45).
Brooklyn College stands out as a budget-friendly choice for French classes in Brooklyn. Students get quality academic instruction at public education rates and can earn recognized degrees or teaching certifications in a traditional academic setting.
5. Idlewild Books: Language and Literature Combined
Idlewild Books started as a travel bookstore in 2008 and grew into a distinctive language learning spot in Brooklyn.
The store combines literary resources with practical French instruction. Students get a different approach to learning French in Brooklyn through this blend of language teaching and cultural immersion.
Idlewild Books Teaching Style
The school uses a communicative teaching method that emphasizes conversation and practical usage. Students focus on real-life situations instead of textbook exercises.
Their approach has these elements:
- Native French speakers with years of teaching experience lead classes
- Language lessons center on travel and everyday conversations
- Weekly lessons connect grammar and themes to real-life situations
- Students actively participate and practice rather than passively learn
Students benefit from a balanced mix of structured learning and conversational practice. “If you need to hold your own at a party in Paris, Idlewild takes the gâteau,” according to one student review. Students learn phrases they’ll actually use while traveling or socializing.
Idlewild Books Class Schedule
French courses at Idlewild follow a set format:
- 7-week courses meet once weekly
- Each session runs for 90 minutes
- Students can choose Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Zoom classes
Students can find the Brooklyn location in Cobble Hill at 249 Warren Street, making it easy to reach from anywhere in the borough. Zoom classes launched in March 2020, letting students join remotely.
Idlewild Books Learning Materials
Students in beginner through intermediate classes use a textbook covering one chapter weekly. The required book costs $30 plus tax from their website.
Students enhance their learning through:
- Weekly material review between classes (minimum one hour)
- French newspapers, TV, and radio programs
- Language-learning apps as additional tools
- French presentations at advanced beginner level
Idlewild Books Pricing
The school keeps pricing simple based on format:
- Zoom classes: $295 for a 7-week course
- Cobble Hill in-person classes: $345 for a 7-week course
Course levels fit every student from beginners to advanced speakers:
- Beginner: Perfect for new learners or those with rusty skills
- Advanced Beginner: Students who know present and simple past tenses
- Intermediate: Students who speak and understand simple French
- High Intermediate: Students with solid grammar seeking fluency
- Film and Conversation: Advanced students discuss Netflix films
Classes often show “Sold Out” status quickly. New York Magazine named Idlewild the “Best language classes in New York”.
Comparison Table
| School Name | Price Range | Class Format Options | Location | Notable Features | Target Audience |
| Elite French Tutoring | $100-125/hour | Private, Group, Online, In-home | Manhattan with Brooklyn travel | Free initial meeting, Personal learning plans, Native French teachers | Students of all levels, 3 years and up |
| FIAF | $599/10-week course | Group, Private, Online | Manhattan (available from Brooklyn) | Cultural hub, French library, Movie events | All skill levels, Various age groups |
| Brooklyn College | $305/credit (NY resident) | Academic courses | Brooklyn campus | Full degree options, Teacher certification, French literature focus | University students, Future educators |
| Idlewild Books | $295-345/7-week course | Group, Online | Cobble Hill | Bookstore learning space, Literature-based teaching, French native instructors | Casual students, Reading enthusiasts |
Last Words
Brooklyn’s French learning landscape offers multiple paths that align with various goals and learning styles. Elite French Tutoring excels at giving one-on-one attention.
Students who want a complete French experience will find FIAF’s traditional excellence and rich cultural programs appealing.
Brooklyn College serves academic learners who need well-laid-out programs and formal qualifications. Idlewild Books creates a distinctive learning space by blending language instruction with literature. Here’s what matters when picking your French class:
- Your French proficiency and what you aim to achieve
- Money and time you can invest
- How you learn best
- Where and how classes happen
- Your interest in cultural immersion
Book a trial class at your chosen school to begin your French experience. Most schools let you try a free consultation or sample lesson to help you decide. The right French class should fit your schedule, budget, and learning approach while keeping you excited to practice.
