However, finding and choosing a suitable online French class is a bit challenging, especially if you’re starting from scratch.
Here are some of the French online classes in Canada that might help you choose the language-learning journey that suits you.
| Course Name | Students Enrolled | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
| 180,000+ | 9,800+ | |
| Udemy – 3 Minute French – Course 1 | Language Lessons for Beginners | 700,000+ | 500,000+ |
| Amazing Talker | 1,800,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
| Udemy French 100 – Language Course for Complete Beginners | 250,000+ | 230,000+ |
| Lingoda | 102,000+ | 95,000+ |
| EC English | 1,300,000+ | 840,000+ |
| Udemy – Complete French Course: Learn French for Beginners | 580,000+ | 410,000+ |
| Alliance Française Ottawa | 1,450,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
| University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies | 1,600,000+ | 1,500,000+ |
| French Ace Canada | 1,500,000+ | 1,200,000+ |
| Udemy – French Language Course for Beginners: From Scratch to A1.1 | 200,000+ | 150,000+ |
| italki – Online French Tutors & Classes | N/A (tutor-based) | N/A (millions of lessons delivered) |
| Preply – Online French Tutors | N/A (tutor-based) | N/A (high tutor ratings) |
Coursera – French for Beginners
This beginner-level course (offered through a collaboration with language experts) introduces core French vocabulary, essential phrases, pronunciation, basic grammar, and everyday conversation skills.
It covers greetings, introductions, numbers, directions, ordering food, shopping, travel basics, and simple sentence construction, with clear audio practice, interactive exercises, quizzes, and cultural notes.
Fully self-paced (typically 4–8 weeks at 5–10 hours/week), engaging, and highly rated (around 4.8/5) for its straightforward approach and immediate usability.
In 2026, it’s an excellent starting point for Canadians learning French for travel, work, immigration, or personal enrichment—especially useful for building confidence in basic communication quickly.
Udemy – 3-Minute French Course for Beginners
This Udemy course is the perfect French language for beginners. Each lesson only lasts for 3 minutes, but you will surely learn a lot in such a short time.
Here are some advantages you’ll get upon completing this online French course:
- Confidently speak French in everyday situations.
- Travel to French-speaking countries without any worries about the language barrier.
- Learn French vocabulary and phrases you can easily use daily.
- Understand the French language structure.
- Learn solid French pronunciation.
Students who took the course were amazed by the 3-minute learning technique. It helped them understand and recall the lessons better. Check out the course here.
Amazing Talker
With Amazing Talker, you can enroll for a trial lesson to help you decide if it suits you. Some of the skills you’ll learn in their online French courses are:
- French Grammar
- French language in a business setting
- Conversational French
The price of each lesson varies according to your chosen tutor rate. They also offer special promos such as group discounts when a certain number of students join a class.
You can directly access their website to find a tutor. You can also book your slot on the simple calendar format provided so it can be flexible with your schedule then you’re good to go.
You can also see great reviews from their students to help you decide which tutor and class you prefer. If you are unsure which tutor to get, they have an AI matching system to find a suitable tutor.
Students who enrolled in French online courses loved their learning experience. They also achieved their French learning goals. They say that the tutors are skilled and professional.
Students who enrolled in French online courses loved their learning experience. They say that the tutors are skilled and professional. They also achieved their French learning goals.
Find the course details right here.
Udemy French 100 – Language Course for Complete Beginners
Another beginner course in this list is Udemy’s French 100. Students who are novices in the French language love the lectures in this course as they are comprehensive and straightforward. The lessons are structured perfectly so learners can easily follow through.
This online course teaches French basics, including the following:
- Alphabet and Phonetics
- Introducing yourself in French
- Counting in French
- French pronunciation and accents
- Basic Math in the French language
The entire course is divided into 11 sections with 199 lectures. It will take approximately 22 hours to finish everything.
The instructor Dr. Chiwi Igwe is an Assistant Professor at the University of Regina. He has MA in French Linguistics, so you are assured that you are learning from an expert. Discover the course at this link.
Lingoda
Lingoda offers experienced teachers who are all native French speakers and live in different time zones. Their courses are CEFR aligned and can cater to all learning levels. They offer different learning plans, so you can choose which one suits you best.
Lingoda offers French courses online on different levels:
- Basic
- Intermediate
- Advanced
You can take a one hour class through private lessons. Or you can join a group of students for more collaborative learning.
Lingoda also provides a 7-day free trial class. Once you sign up for lessons, they will automatically send you the class materials you can download and practice anytime.
The students like Lingoda’s “communicative approach” learning system. According to one of their enrolees, this approach allowed her to learn French vocabulary and grammar better. Explore the course by clicking here.
EC English
EC English has experienced French teachers who will help the students through listening, speaking, and collaborating in a live online French class. They offer different General French courses:
- General French (20 lessons)
- Semi-Intensive French (24 lessons)
- Intensive French (30 lessons)
- One-to-One Sessions
They offer 2, 3, or 5 days a week of lectures, depending on your preferred schedule.
Aside from the lessons with their guided EC French curriculum, they also offer cultural experience in French, allowing a more profound and entertaining learning experience.
EC English has a lot of students worldwide who love their learning experience with them. Students felt more confident in speaking French after taking the course. Check out the course here.
Udemy – Complete French Course: Learn French for Beginners
This course is one of the most popular on Udemy. Here you’ll learn the following in the French language:
- Dictionary terms
- French reading and writing techniques
- Top phrases that are most beneficial in everyday situations
- Simple meal and drink ordering
- How to construct simple sentences
- Make introductions, both formally and informally, and greet people.
- French pronunciation
- The fundamental elements of French grammar
Most learners gave positive reviews on this course for its elaborate and comprehensive lectures. This course has six sections with 138 lectures. You can finish the entire course in 50 hours duration. Find the course details right here.
Alliance Française Ottawa
Online French language classes are offered by Alliance Française Ottawa (AFO) at levels A1 through C1. Signing up for their courses will give you 6-month access to their platform. You can maximize the materials and online forums provided for more accessible learning.
Each course has 14 online sessions via Zoom. The experienced instructors provide practical activities and exercises so you can practice and apply your knowledge. You will also have your own self-study period.
Students of AFO are amazed at the learning results they achieved. They love how the instructors help them with their lessons.
You will reap the following benefits once you enroll with AFO:
- Highly accomplished and seasoned teachers
- A testing facility offering internationally recognized French language diplomas and certifications and language assessments for immigration.
- Internationally acknowledged expertise. AFO is a part of the global Alliance Française network, which has more than 130 member nations.
- Free use of our physical and digital libraries, including Culturethèque, to further your advancements
- Access to discounted student rates for social and cultural events
- Training costs that qualify for the tuition tax credit: tax certificates that detail the eligible costs that were paid for the tax year are provided in February.
Dive into the course by heading over here.
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
Numerous French language courses for various levels are available at the University of Toronto (UoT).You have the option to choose a purely online course and learn from home or attend your classes personally on campus.
Before you enroll online, you will have to fill up the French level assessment form so they can gauge what French language level fits you.
The university also offers elective courses such as French through films and Advanced French Writing. Get started with the course by following this link.
French Ace Canada
French Ace Canada is a significant French language institution with professional and experienced faculty members. Instructors conduct all classes with exposure from different regions and students worldwide.
They offer several French programs depending on your learning levels, including:
- A1
- A2
- B1
- B2
- TEF
- Kids
- Exam Prep
You will learn French intensively and get a certification upon completion of the courses.
French Ace Canada has garnered positive reviews from its students globally. The reviews show that the school’s quality learning system is outstanding. Check out the course here.
Udemy – French Language Course for Beginners: From Scratch to A1.1
This course in Udemy will teach you the fundamentals of French. It is ideal for beginners with no knowledge of the French language.
The course is for the A1 level and will teach you the French basics like the following:
- Greeting
- Introducing yourself
- Giving directions
- Giving your opinions
- Daily conversations
There are downloadable materials and exercises available that you can use to learn faster and easier. The whole course is divided into nine sections with 101 lectures.
The students of this course find the exercises and activities helpful in their learning journey.
italki – Online French Tutors & Classes
italki connects learners with native French tutors worldwide for personalized 1-on-1 or small-group lessons via video.
Tutors offer flexible scheduling, conversation practice, grammar, exam prep (TEF/DELF), business French, or casual learning—pay per lesson with trial options.
Highly popular (millions of lessons delivered) for its customization, tutor variety, and community feedback system—excellent in 2026 for conversational fluency, accent work, or tailored goals.
Preply – Online French Tutors
Preply matches students with professional French tutors for live, personalized online lessons (1-on-1 or group).
Offers flexible scheduling, trial lessons, and tutors specializing in conversation, grammar, pronunciation, exam prep, or business French—pay per session with many affordable options.
Strong ratings for tutor quality and progress tracking—ideal in 2026 for interactive, goal-oriented learning with immediate speaking practice.
2026 French Learning Trends in Canada: Why Now Is a Great Time
French language demand in Canada remains robust in 2026, driven by federal public service requirements (bilingualism advantage in many roles), Quebec’s economic and immigration opportunities, international business ties (especially with France, Africa, and Europe), and personal/cultural interest.
Key trends include:
- Conversational & Practical Focus: Learners prioritize speaking confidence over grammar perfection—short, daily practice (like 3-Minute French) and live tutoring (italki, Preply, Lingoda) dominate for real-world use.
- Hybrid & AI-Supported Learning: Platforms blend self-paced lessons with live interaction; AI tools (e.g., chatbots, pronunciation feedback) accelerate progress, especially for busy adults.
- Exam & Immigration Prep: Increased interest in TEF Canada, TCF, DELF/DALF for citizenship, Express Entry, or Quebec selection—Alliance Française and French Ace Canada excel here.
- Cultural & Immersive Methods: Courses incorporating films, music, podcasts, and real-life scenarios (e.g., University of Toronto electives, Coursera cultural modules) make learning engaging and retention-focused.
- Accessibility & Flexibility: Fully online, affordable options (Udemy, Coursera) and tutor platforms thrive as Canadians seek work-life balance while building bilingual skills.
These trends make courses like Coursera’s structured beginner paths, Udemy’s bite-sized lessons, and live tutoring platforms particularly effective—helping learners achieve fluency faster in a bilingual country.
Practical Tips for Choosing and Succeeding with Online French Courses in 2026
- Match to Your Goal & Level: Complete beginners → Start with bite-sized (Udemy 3-Minute French) or structured foundations (Coursera French for Beginners). Travel/conversation → Prioritize live speaking practice (italki, Preply, Amazing Talker). Exam prep (TEF/DELF) → Choose Alliance Française Ottawa or French Ace Canada. Career/immigration → Look for CEFR-aligned (Lingoda) or university-backed (U of T SCS).
- Combine Methods for Faster Progress: Use self-paced courses (Udemy, Coursera) for vocabulary/grammar, then add live practice (tutors) for speaking/listening. Supplement with free resources (Duolingo streaks, Radio-Canada podcasts, YouTube channels like Français Authentique).
- Build Daily Habits: Aim for 15–30 minutes/day (consistency beats intensity). Practice output early—record yourself, speak aloud, or chat with language partners via apps like Tandem/HelloTalk.
- Track & Certify Progress: Use CEFR self-assessment grids; take mock TEF/DELF tests; earn certificates (Coursera, Alliance Française) for resumes or immigration points.
- Stay Motivated & Current: Join Canadian French communities (Reddit r/learnfrench, Facebook groups, local Alliance Française events); follow Quebec media (ICI Radio-Canada) for immersion; revisit courses or switch tutors if plateauing.
Conclusion
All of the listed French courses are amazing and definitely worth your money in 2026.
Our top pick among the listed courses is Coursera – French for Beginners for its structured, university-level foundation and cultural depth, alongside Udemy’s 3-Minute French for quick, bite-sized progress.
These courses offer flexible, engaging ways to learn at your own pace—whether for travel, work, immigration, or personal enrichment.
Whatever course you find appealing, studying French your way is still the best method to learn more efficiently.
Finding a program that suits your goals, schedule, and learning style should be your priority when choosing an online course.
Learn a new skill now and try booking a French language course from the options above.
