FAQ

GROUP COURSES

ONLINE COURSES

EXAMS

PRIVATE TUITION

GROUP COURSES

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A COURSE?

You can register:

  • Online
  • Onsite

    • Except for Young Learners courses, all classes are for students aged 18 and over only.

    HOW SOON DO I HAVE TO REGISTER?

    The earlier the better to ensure that you have a place for your course and avoid disappointment. Each class has a maximum of 12 students.

    We advise you to enrol at least two weeks before the course starts.

    If your payment is received 21 days or more before the start date, you will benefit from a 5% discount on all group courses (except on our Live French elearning, Intensive Premium and French at lunch and booster week courses).

    We reserve the right to cancel classes with less than 6 students up to 2 business days before a course is due to start.

    HOW DO I KNOW MY LEVEL?

    You need to take our free online test.
    This will be followed by an informal 10-minute interview over the phone or at the Institut français Language Centre

    HOW MANY LEVELS OF FRENCH DO YOU OFFER?

    For our group classes, we operate 6 basic levels corresponding to the widely-used Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR) as below:

    • Beginner (A1)
    • Elementary (A2)
    • Intermediate (B1)
    • Fluent (B2)
    • Expert (C1)
    • Mastery (C2)

    Each level is divided into 3 or 4 units. Each unit takes 30 hours to complete.

    PAYMENT

    Full payment, by card or bank transfer if required in order to confirm a place on your course.

    Unfortunately, we cannot take deposits or accept payments by instalments.

    The fees are not subject to VAT.

    Students sponsored by their employer must supply a signed letter on headed paper stating that the company will be responsible for the payment of fees. An invoice will then be issued.

    DO YOU OFFER CONCESSION PRICES?

    Please check the available discounts here

    WHERE WILL MY COURSE TAKE PLACE?

    Most of our courses remain online.

    Browse our Group courses offer

    Read more about our courses formats

    If you have chosen an onsite course, it will take place at the Language Centre, 13 Cromwell Place, London, SW7 2JN unless mentioned otherwise.

    WHAT DOES THE COURSE FEE INCLUDE?

    • Free membership at the Cultural Centre for one year (and only once a year)
      Click here for more details.
    • 2 free cinema tickets for the Ciné Lumière as part of the membership
    • An account on our online courses platform

    HOW DO I REGISTER AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE?

    Once your registration is completed, you will receive a confirmation letter by email.

    You will need to show this confirmation email to the reception (printed or on your phone) at the Cultural Centre, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT. You will then receive your membership card.

    IF I FIND THAT A COURSE IS UNSUITABLE FOR ME, CAN I HAVE A REFUND OR TRANSFER TO ANOTHER CLASS?

    Students should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolment.

    Refund:
    Classes are planned for a limited number of students. For this reason fees cannot be refunded once a course has started and no partial refund can be granted for classes not attended.
    The institut français cannot accept any responsability for unforseen changes in students’ circumstances that may prevent attendance.
    The following charges will apply: £36 if the written request is received more than 10 days before the course starts or 30% of the total course fee is the request is received 10 days or under before the first day of the course.

    Transfer:
    If a course proves inappropriate, transfer to another one is possible once only within the same enrolment period.
    If the written request is received less than 10 days before the course starts, any change of course or schedule requested by students is subject to availability and an administrative charge of £36.

    Please note that due to the very nature of the Live French elearning course, transfers and refunds requested by students are only possible if they are received more than 10 days before the start of the course.

    Requests for cancellations and refunds must be made in writing or by email.

    WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MINIMUM CLASS SIZE IS NOT MET?

    Should your course be affected, we will contact you directly to discuss your options, which may include:

    • Moving onto an equivalent course at a different day or time
    • Deferring a term and starting your course at a later date of your choice, for which you will be given priority.
    • Converting your course fee to credit, which can be used as full or part payment for any other course.
    • A full refund of your course fee will be done preferably by bank transfer as it is faster (official documents from your bank will be needed) or by cheque within two weeks.

    SHOULD I BUY THE BOOK PRIOR TO THE COURSE?

    Fees are exclusive of books.

    For most General French courses you will have to get one textbook and one work book (which together cost around £30).

    Your teacher will confirm which books you need during your first class.

    DOES IT MATTER IF I MISS SOME OF MY CLASSES?

    Students should consider their personal commitments and circumstances that may prevent attendance before enrolment.
    Tuition fees based on pro rata basis will not be permitted.
    Missed classes cannot be taken at another time.

    The teacher can send you a summary of the material covered in that class and if necessary the homework.

    Alternatively, you can use your free account on our online platform, in order to find out what material was covered and what homework was set.

    If you know that you will have to miss some classes prior to your course, you can consider adding a Combo 1 or 2 of private tuition to catch up with what you have missed or to customise your needs.

    EXAMS

    CAN I TAKE AN EXAM at the institut FRANCAIS?

    The Institut français is a major examination centre in London for a wide range of official French language proficiency diplomas.

    DELF/DALF

    (Diplôme d’études en langue française/Diplôme approfondi de langue française)

    Do you want your level of French to be recognised worldwide? Consider taking the DELF/DALF.

    The language Centre is accredited by the Centre international d’études pédagogiques (International Centre for French Studies) for the DELF (French Studies Diploma) and DALF (Advanced French Studies Diploma) exams.

    These correspond to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

    The DALF C1 gives access to French universities and to a growing number of European and francophone universities. With the DELF B2, you also do not need to pass the pre-admission French language tests if you wish to enter a French university.

    The Language Centre offers DELF/DALF preparation and revision courses (3 sessions per year).

    Timetable and online registration.

    TCF

    (Test de connaissance du français)

    TCF tous public, TCF Québec and TCF pour l’accès à la nationalité Française are offered.

    Timetable and online registration.

    Professional French exams

    Professional French diplomas of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) are practical exams testing written and oral skills in French in the main situations of professional life in different fields (business, medicine, law, secretarial, science, tourism, etc).

    Timetable and online registration.

    French university exams

    We also organise all the exams for French university students interning in London.
    For more information: examination.centre@institut-francais.org.uk.

    PRIVATE TUITION

    HOW DOES PRIVATE TUITION WORK?

    Classes are a minimum of 90 minutes.

    Before starting your tuition course we will speak with you about your level and motivation for learning a language so we can allocate a tutor we believe is best suited to you.

    We provide individual instruction for all levels of proficiency from beginner to advanced.

    Full payment must be received at least 1 week before the first class is due to be held.

    Fees are payable in advance and exclusive of books (except where otherwise indicated).They are not subject to VAT.

    WHEN CAN I START PRIVATE TUITION?

    We are able to arrange your first lesson within 7 days.

    WHERE CAN I HAVE PRIVATE TUITION?

    • Online
    • At the Institut français

    WHO ARE OUR TUTORS?

    We have more than 85 instructors, all native French speakers and qualified teachers. All our teachers hold a specific qualification to teach their native language (Master FLE), are degree educated and have experience teaching their native tongue.

    We also hold regular seminars to keep our tutors up to date on the latest teaching methods. All our courses are therefore taught by highly trained professionals.

    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRIVATE TUITION?

    Private tuition is the fastest and most effective way to learn a language. Private tuition can be tailored to your exact needs whether you are learning for pleasure, business or an academic qualification. You can learn on the days and times you choose and the lesson duration can be specific to your needs.

    I’M UNABLE TO MAKE A LESSON ONE WEEK. CAN I POSTPONE MY LESSON?

    Courses are flexible to take account of holidays and illness, and lessons can be rescheduled for another convenient date and time.

    Should unforeseen circumstances arise, further flexibility is provided by permitting a limited number of changes in the student’s schedule without extra cost. Any unused lessons will be lost after one year. Should you need to cancel a scheduled lesson, please note that at least 48 hours’ (24h for Online lessons) notice is required (Monday 9:00 to Friday 14:00).

    Replacement classes can only be scheduled within the duration of the contract. Any other arrangement is at the sole discretion of the Institut français. In any case, a maximum limit of 3 months from the date of the original final last class of the contract will apply.

    CAN I STUDY IN GROUP?

    Yes, with a maximum 4 people with the same linguistic level per group.

    Small group courses are ideal for participants who wish to improve their general communication skills in French alongside friends or colleagues.

    CAN I CANCEL MY CLASS AND HAVE A REFUND?

    Should you need to cancel a scheduled lesson, please note that at least 48 hours’ notice is required for face to face lessons, 24 hours’s notice for online lessons (business days).

    Fees cannot be refunded once a course has started and no partial refund can be granted for classes not attended. The Institut français cannot accept any responsibility for unforeseen changes in students’ circumstances that may prevent attendance.

    Requests for cancellations and refunds must be made in writing, before the course commences. The following charges will apply: £36 if the written request is received more than 10 days before the course starts, 30% of the total course fee if the request is received 10 days or under before the first day of the course.