Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

LingQ Review

Sunday, March 26th

2023 French Lesson Reviews

LingQ Review 3 Star Rating

LingQ

3 Star Rating
  • Cost: Free for 5 imported lessons and 20 LingQs per month, no mobile app
  • $12.99/month for unlimited imported lessons/LingQs/Import-Export Vocabulary
  • $39.99/month for unlimited imported lessons/LingQs/Import-Export Vocab + 3000 points

LingQ (which is pronounced like the word "link") was created by Steve Kaufmann out of his personal experiences with learning languages. He believes that one's own motivation is the biggest key to learning French - and what could be more motivating than trying to make sense out of authentic examples of the language? This is the only program of French lessons in our review that encourages and even expects users to interact with real samples of the language, to upload their own examples (like song lyrics or social media posts), and to interact frequently with native speakers.

The good news is that it's free to try LingQ. You can create an account that lets you try 5 lessons and use 20 LingQs - words or phrases that you want to remember - with no need to subscribe. If you're thinking that 20 words doesn't sound like much, you're right! To really see how LingQ works, you'll need to choose between their two monthly subscription plans:

  • Premium, $12.99/month: this level lets you have unlimited lessons and LingQs, unlimited import/export vocabulary, and gives you access to their mobile app. You'll also be able to practice using cloze passages and multiple choice quizzes, and enjoy an ad-free learning experience.
  • Plus, $39.99/month: you'll get all of the features of the Premium package, plus 3000 points a month. LingQ points can be used to buy access to premium lessons, pay for writing corrections or for a live conversation session with a native speaker. You'll need about 500 points for a 15-minute conversation, and 333 points for a 100-word writing correction. Points can also be purchased separately for approximately $10/1000 points.
Best French Lessons

Unfortunately, at the time of our most recent review, the sample lesson video on the LingQ site wasn't working. Previously, we had watched the video and came away less than encouraged; we felt that there wasn't enough structure or research-based language strategy employed by the LingQ methodology.

But, there's a noteworthy number of people who have good things to say about their experience using LingQ. If you're interested and motivated by real-world use of French - maybe you have a group of friends from a French-speaking country or your travels regularly take you to one - you might benefit from LingQs structure that specifically targets authentic samples of the language.

For all of these reasons, LingQ continues to earn an average rating, and we still encourage potential users to create a free account and try out all of the available features before committing to a subscription plan for their French lessons.

Who Offers the Best French Lessons?

In order to know which type of French instruction would work well for you, ask yourself this question: "Why do I want to learn French?" For some, learning French is a requirement for school or work. In that case, choosing a provider of French lessons that will deliver the necessary vocabulary and grammar, reading and writing skills, and even pronunciation will be important.

You may want French lessons that will help you be a better-educated traveler. If you frequently visit any one of the 29 countries where French is spoken as an official language - not just France and Canada but also Switzerland, Haiti, Togo, and Madagascar, to name a few - being able to speak French fluently could make a huge difference. And, who wouldn't want to be able to confidently order coffee and a croissant in a Paris cafe?

The Best French Lessons Compare French Lessons Compare French Lesson Reviews What are the best French Lessons Best French Lesson Reviews

French Lesson FAQ

That can be a tricky question! It's estimated that there are about 76 million people who speak French fluently as their first language. But, there are another 235 million individuals that use French daily and fluently without it being their native tongue, plus up to 110 million who use it as a second language with varying levels of proficiency. Beyond France itself, you'll find speakers throughout Africa, India, the Caribbean, and Canada.
There are many different French dialects, depending on where it's spoken, but for the most part they're all mutually understandable. If you learned French from a Parisian and then traveled to Montreal, you would still be able to use the language without much of a problem - though you might need to pick up new vocabulary and train your ear to hear it a little differently. It's similar to the regional accents you'll find within the US - think of how English is spoken in New York vs. Texas, for example - or how English differs depending on whether you're in Canada, England, or Australia.
According to the US State Department, French is a Category I language. That means that French is closely related to English, making it easy to learn! (Spanish, Italian, Swedish, and Romanian are some of the other languages in that category.) Most students of French find the language to be somewhat familiar, which makes it more comfortable to study and to retain the vocabulary.
Start by learning some basic vocabulary. If you've got plans to use French in a specific context, like an upcoming vacation or a business meeting, choose some words and phrases that you'll need there. And, as with any language, the more you can expose yourself to the way it's used by native speakers, the more you'll pick up without even trying. Many students swear by watching TV shows and movies in French (with or without subtitles)!
You won't find a way to learn French that's more convenient or affordable, that's why! While French is one of the most commonly-taught languages in American schools, it can still be hard to find a class that fits your busy schedule. Even if you can find one that works, you may pay a lot of money for a semester of coursework; for that same investment, you could access years of online French lessons.
One reason French is easier to learn than some languages is because it uses the same alphabet is English - mostly. There are a few different characters that you'll need to know how to produce. Fortunately, they're not hard to make: on a smartphone, you can usually hold down the base letter (like c, e, or a) and accented options will pop up. On a desktop pc, there are shortcuts you can use when typing.
Not at all. You could pay under $300 for three levels of French coursework, or study as long as you like on a subscription plan that ranges from $4 to $23 per month. That's much more affordable than in-person lessons!
Each language platform has different policies regarding satisfaction guarantees and refunds. For subscription-based French lessons, you can probably cancel future payments but might not get your money back for what you've already spent. If you've paid a one-time fee for a language program, there may be a 30- to 60-day refund period. We recommend utilizing any trial options offered by a French lessons program before committing to it: you can usually find sample lessons or a one-week all-access pass, and that will help you get a feel for how the platform teaches French.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Finally, individuals with family trees that extend into French-speaking cultures may be interested in learning more about their heritage and connect with living relatives.

With so many options for studying the language independently, what should you look for in the ideal French lessons? Here are some aspects to consider as you evaluate the many programs currently on the market:

  • Teaching Methods. How does the program approach teaching language? Will you find a good variety of methods, like videos and written instruction, or do the French lessons mostly focus on one modality like listening or reading? Is it a good fit for your ideal learning style?
  • Fluency Level. How much French is covered by the program? Can you get beginner, intermediate, and advanced instruction as you progress through the French lessons?
  • Reputation. What do other students have to say about the experience of learning French with this program? Is it effective?
  • Value. A more expensive set of French lessons is worth the investment if it delivers superior results. Will you get your money's worth?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best French lessons available today. We hope these reviews will help you get on the path to fluency in French quickly and affordably!

Compare French Lessons

Select any 2 French Lessons to compare them head to head

best-french-lessons
See the Best French Lesson
The Best Reviews of French Lessons