Learn French when it's convenient for you!
Private lessons are a great way to get customized one-on-one or semi-private instruction at your own pace. With private lessons, you get to pick what you cover with your instructor. Study with a book, focus on conversation skills, or work with video and audio material - it's up to you!
Whether you are moving to a French-speaking country, planning a trip to Paris, or seeking to advance your French language skills on your own time, let us help you prepare for your next adventure in French!
We offer personalized lessons for adults, kids (ages 7+), and teens at all levels of proficiency.
Registration
Click on this link to submit a request for private lessons for an ADULT.
Click on this link to submit a request for private lessons for a CHILD.
Instructors
The majority of our Alliance Française-trained teachers are native French speakers. You can learn more about them here. Our instructors have varied schedules! Generally, the more flexible you are regarding availability, the more efficient we will be in finding the perfect instructor for you.
Private lessons can be taken:
- In person at the French Library
- Off site at your home, office or another location (depending on instructor’s availability)
- Online via Zoom
Course Content
Here are a few examples of the types of private lessons we offer:
Regular Courses
- General French (Beginner to Proficient levels)
- French Refresher
- Skill-Strengthening (Phonetics, Grammar, etc)
NEW - Custom Courses to prepare for DELF TP exams Custom courses that are created to meet a student’s specific goal to take the DELF exams.
Recommended Hours
General French courses are offered at the following levels Beginner A1, Advanced Beginner A2, Intermediate B1, Advanced B2 and Proficient C1/C2. Students (ages 15 and over) can normally cover one sublevel of general French, for example Beginner A1 French 1, in 15-18 hours of private lessons. Similarly, younger students (ages 7-15) can normally cover one sublevel of French course for their age group in 8-10 hours of private lessons. Individual results vary. For custom French courses, we will estimate and recommend the number of hours required to cover the course content when you sign up. Please make sure you take a placement test!
Pricing
Prices vary depending on the type of class and the number of students. Special rates available for packages starting at 10 or more hours.
Adults and kids/teens (ages 7+) – Regular courses
- General French (Beginner to Proficient levels)
- French Refresher and skill-Strengthening (Phonetics, Grammar, etc)
| Per hour PER STUDENT | 1 student | 2 or 3 students |
| 1-9 hours | $85 | $70 |
| 10-24 hours | $80 | $65 |
| 25+ hours | $75 | $60 |
Adults and Kids/Teens (ages 7+) – Custom courses
Corporate French, Legal French, French in French-speaking countries, French for Travelers, French for Fashion, Essentials of French Culture, Translation, French Arts & Culture, French Art de Vivre, and more.
| Per hour PER STUDENT | 1 student | 2 or 3 students |
| 1-9 hours | $95 | $80 |
| 10-24 hours | $90 | $75 |
| 25+ hours | $85 | $70 |
NEW! Adults and Teens (ages 17+) – DELF TP Preparation
The French Library now offers specific custom private lessons to prepare you for the DELF TP exams. The DELF TP (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française – Tout Public) is an official diploma issued by the French Ministry of National Education. It certifies the French‑language skills of adult learners and older teenagers (16+), in alignment with the CEFRL (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Recommended hours are as follows:
A1= 14 hours
A2= 18 hours
B1 = 22 hours
B2 = 24 hours
Please be advised that you will be required to take a specific placement test ($15) to ensure you enroll for the right level. This test will have a written part followed by an oral assessment. It will take about 30mn to complete.
The French Library does not offer the DELF exams, only preparation for the exams. Here are the next national dates:
Exam Dates: June 8–12, 2026
Registration Deadline: May 12, 2026
| Per hour PER STUDENT | 1 student | 2 or 3 students |
| 10-24 hours | $90 | $75 |
| 25+ hours | $85 | $70 |
Offsite:
Hourly rates are the same as listed above + $0.72/mile + $10 fee per lesson. The mileage calculates the round-trip distance between your address and the French Library.
Policies
- Tuition and fees must be paid before lessons can begin. Private lessons are non-refundable.
- For on-site, all students must check in at Reception prior to each private or semi-private lesson as well as sign the attendance sheet during their lesson.
- Lessons bought on a pass must all be of the same duration.
- Please note the minimum duration for lessons -- 1 hour for adults, and 30 minutes for children.
- Rescheduling a lesson: students must notify the department as well as the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to cancel a lesson. Students will be charged the full fee for lessons cancelled less than 24 hours in advance.
For questions or more information? Contact our Education Administrator at adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org for adult classes or youthprograms@frenchlibrary.org for kids/teens'. You can also call us at (617) 912-0415 with any questions.Placement Tests
For all of our classes, group or private, a placement test is required. This test helps us to have a better idea of your level and give our teachers the information necessary to prepare for your first class together. Therefore, if you have not done so, please complete our written evaluation. It should take between 15 to 20 minutes. Your instructor will complete the oral evaluation during your first private lesson.
Want to reach the Education Department? Send us an email at adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org or youthprograms@frenchlibrary.org