What if I told you that the COVID era brought one unexpected positive impact to language learning? 😉 The pandemic played a significant role in making distance training more accessible than ever. When it comes to practicing the language of the holy baguette land, you now have two options: face-to-face vs online French class! So, which team are you on?
Pros of face-to-face French classes
Building a stronger connection with your teacher
Face-to-face interactions have been at the core of human bonding from the dawn of time. In-person courses allow the student and tutor to connect on a deeper level by meeting “in real life”.
Being physically present also allows teachers to pick up on subtle signs of confusion from the learner... which sometimes lead to a more personalised experience!
Mimicking your tutor’s body language
Traditional French lessons are also a great way to pick up on non-verbal communication! Mimicking a native speaker is an essential part of the learning process, and it is naturally easier to observe in-person.
Gestures and facial expressions bring heaps of cultural nuances with them! Did you know that the citizens of wine and cheese country had a special gesture to show someone’s tipsy? Or one for when they have no clue about something? Adopting these little quirks is key to sounding natural in French.
Meeting the French-speaking locals
One of the biggest benefits of face-to-face classes is the social aspect - it’s a great way to connect with locals. Just like with any new hobby, getting out and being pro-active can create a real snowball effect!
By stepping out of the house, you open up chances to grow your circle - and might even make some French-speaking friends along the way. 🥳
Cons of in-person classes
Commuting to class
When attending in-person classes, you may need to commute once, twice, or even three times a week to get to the meeting location. Depending on the distance between your home and the class, commuting can take up a good chunk of time!
Adding to that the financial aspect one can have with commuting - whether it’s the cost of fuel or public transport fares. Over time these expenses can add up… And this alone can be a demotivating factor for a lot of people.
Feeling unwell or too tired to attend the lesson
Have you ever had that feeling, when just the thought of getting dressed up feels overwhelming? We’ve all been there, right! 😂 Well, this can be even tougher when you need to head-out for your in-person training.
Not only do you have to gather your energy, but you also have to deal with the stress of being on time, finding parking or navigating public transport!
Pros of online French courses
Attending class in your pyjamas
Don’t we all just love hanging out in our pyjamas, cosy socks and comfy trackies? That’s one amazing thing about online classes: you can come just as you are.
And if you’re a coffee lover like me (tea works too!), just brew a cup, hop onto Zoom and enjoy your lesson with a blanket on your lap!
Gaining precious time
Speaking of pyjamas… remember during the pandemics, when we’d wake up at the very last minute before class or work? Admit it - it was pretty nice being able to sleep an hour longer 😉.
One of the best things about online classes is… There’s no need to commute, which means you save loads of time. Whether it is for sleeping, dancing, walking the dog or squeezing in some extra French practice, online classes give you much more flexibility throughout your day!
Talking with native speakers directly in their natural environment
The internet is pretty magical when you think about it — it’s like a gateway to the whole world! How cool is that when your main goal is to learn a language? You’re literally just one click away from connecting with native speakers.
Engaging with French speakers directly from their country gives you a sense of immersion, as if you already had one foot in France.
➡️ Psst, meet our amazing team of tutors who live in all corners of France!
Cons of learning a language through online courses :
Dealing with technical issues
Oh, the technical problems! Don’t we all love it? Of course I am kidding, that’s probably the biggest inconvenience of online classes. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the most common ones:
having a slow internet connection;
having a sound lag;
having a mic problem;
having the camera image blurred or frozen;
tapping the wrong button and closing Zoom (happened to me several times 🤦);
the computer decides to make an update right before class starts, or worse shuts down (my nightmare).
Managing concentration in virtual class
Some people find it harder to concentrate when studying on the internet. How to focus during online classes? It varies for everyone, but here are a few tips: put your phone away during the Zoom call, let your flatmates or family know you’ll be in a meeting for a while, close any windows (on your computer 😂) that might distract you…
Face-to-face vs online French class: key takeaways
In-person lessons
build a strong connection with your tutor;
absorb cultural nuances and body language effectively;
meet people with similar interests and expand your social network.
Online classes
enjoy flexibility and comfort;
save time and money;
experience French immersion online, from anywhere.
In the end, it all comes down to your personal taste. Whether you prefer the “old-fashioned” classroom experience or the flexibility of learning French at home from your computer, the key is finding what works best for you!
So, have you made up your mind? Let us know in the comments! 😀
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