6 Benefits of Learning French with a Native Teacher
- Camille Alayrangues
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
If you’re on a journey to learn the language of baguettes and macarons, you’ve probably wondered what kind of tutor would suit you best! Have you ever considered studying with someone who actually comes from France?
Here are the main benefits of learning French with a native teacher 🌠:
1. Hear the real Parisian accent
When you talk with a native speaker, you know you’re getting 100% exposure to a genuine French accent. During your lessons, you’ll naturally start mimicking their pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation, often without even noticing it! It’s the easiest way to build an authentic accent from day one.
You’ll also get to hear the “music” of the language and learn to reproduce it more accurately. And depending on where your tutor is from, you might even pick up a regional accent—whether it’s the warm Southern accent from Toulouse, the Belgian one, or, of course, the famously nasal Parisian accent! 👌
➡️ By the way, the accent from Toulouse has been voted sexiest French accent!
2. Learn authentic expressions and slang straight from France
Brace yourself—I’m about to drop a little bomb 💣!
Did you know that hardly anyone actually says “Comme-ci, comme-ça” anymore? That phrase is basically outdated. Yet most students still learn it because it’s everywhere in textbooks. In real life, people in France usually just say “Bof!”—and that’s exactly what I teach my students.
One of the biggest advantages of learning with a native tutor is that you’ll skip the formal classroom-style lesson. Instead, you’ll pick up the expressions people actually use in everyday life. And if you ask nicely, your tutor might even let you in on some authentic French slang 🤫.
3. Pick up French body language and interjections
Another great advantage of learning with a native tutor is that you get a front-row seat to observe their natural body language. Every culture has its own gestures, interjections and even facial expressions, and French is no exception!
Language isn’t just about the words you say: it’s also about how you move your hands, how you nod, and the little words you use when you experience different kinds of emotions (oh là là, ouf, aïe, euh…). I often tell my students that copying these can really help you “embody” the language and sound more authentic.
4. Get an inside look at your tutor’s culture
Chatting with a native tutor is also a fantastic way to dive into French culture. During your lessons, they might share local traditions, regional quirks, or cultural insights you’d never learn at school. And if you’re curious, they can even tailor a lesson around a specific celebration or cultural theme.
With my own students, I love adapting the topics to what’s happening throughout the year:
In December, we compare how each of us celebrates Christmas or New Year’s Eve;
If I’m invited to a wedding, I tell them how weddings work in France 👰;
On June 21st, I explain how we celebrate Music Day in Bordeaux;
In July, I tell them about Bastille Day.
Little by little, culture becomes a natural part of the learning process. (And by the way, we native tutors also love learning about our students’ own culture 🤩!)
➡️ Curious to know what a real French Christmas dinner looks like? Just click on the link to get all your answers 🎄!
5. Develop better listening comprehension
Speaking with a Francophone is one of the best ways to train your ear. You get used to an authentic accent right away, just as if you were already in France. Little by little, you’ll start understanding real conversations—not just the slow, scripted dialogues from textbooks.
This naturally helps you develop solid listening skills. Plus, your tutor will use as many real, authentic materials as possible. No more painfully fake dialogues about Jean-Jacques buying a croissant at the bakery… except maybe when you’re just starting out 😉.
6. Improve your confidence when speaking le français
Last but not least… Learning with a native tutor is a fantastic way to boost your confidence when speaking French. Simply being able to chat with a real Francophone is already proof to your brain that you can do it. And the more you practice in a safe, friendly, and genuine environment, the more natural speaking the language of Molière will feel!
To sum up: the 6 benefits of learning French with a native tutor
By learning your favourite language with a Francophone teacher, you get to…
Hear a real, authentic Parisian accent (or from another region!);
Learn genuine expressions and maybe even everyday slang 😉;
Pick up natural French body language and interjections (oh là là!);
Get a deeper look at Francophone culture;
Develop your listening comprehension as if you were already in France;
Improve your confidence!
I hope this article has inspired you! If you would like to try a session with one of our native tutors, or if you have any other kind of questions, don't hesitate to contact us. 🙂
➡️ You want to boost your French skills? Discover how we can help you!
Bonne journée à toi!