Health benefits of French classes
- Stéphanie Berton
- Aug 31, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 22
Did you know?
Learning a foreign language is good for your health & wellness
No matter how old the student is, learning a new language brings its load of benefits.
On the social aspect, the group activity remains a great way to meet new people, to weekly socialize, have fun, and spend time away from daily life issues.
Children develop academically useful skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts... Learning French, for instance, will rime with getting better at math.
It is also a great cognitive activity for all ages stimulating neurone development for the kids, but also for seniors.
Indeed, a study about the effect of learning a new language on the enhancement of cognitive functions among healthy older individuals clearly shows why every adult should engage in such activity.
« One of the cognitive training activities, which may enhance cognitive abilities and protect against the decline in healthy older population, seems to be the learning of a foreign language (see Antoniou et al., 2013; Kroll and Dussias, 2017). As Connor (2016) points out, learning a foreign language can promote thinking skills, increase mental agility and delay the aging of the brain. » (1)
Another study, done by Psychologist Ellen Bialystok and her colleagues at York University in Toronto, explains that bilingual Alzheimer’s patients have symptoms five years later than monolingual patients.
On top of that, their brain seems more protected:
« Once the disease begins to compromise this region of the brain, bilinguals can continue to function," Bialystok said.
"Bilingualism is protecting older adults, even after Alzheimer's disease is beginning to affect cognitive function." » (2)
For those of you who think that one must have learned a second language as a children know that it is not the case. The same result appears when learning it as an adult.
Have you always dreamt of speaking the Molière language (this is how French people call their language)?
Have you always dreamt of strolling the Paris streets (other small towns are wonderful too)?
Now that you know that learning a foreign language is great for your social life and health, are you ready to start?
Your next question should be "What is the best way to learn French?".
Apps, books, online resources are part of the many studying options, but are they reliable and will they take you at the level you want?
I explain it all in my next blog post:
The tutoring sector is now heavily investment-driven, with large companies sometimes employing inadequately vetted online instructors, not to mention the online self-proclaimed French teacher.
When looking for a French class, you should always make sure you have a qualified teacher. How to be sure? Read my post How to find a qualified teacher and the right fit for you.
If you are part of the braves who read this article up to now and you would like to learn French, I would appreciate your business. Support a qualified freelance teacher.
About Stéphanie
I am a French Native.
F.L.E. teacher since 2010
BA in English, Master in French
From elementary school teacher in France to community college FLE professor in California
Author of books for self-learners:
- My Private French Class, Grammar & Conjugation
- My French Passport, Reading & comprehension, Level 1-Level 2
- My French Word Search Puzzles
Franco-American, bilingual, and familiar with both cultures and business practices.
Experienced expat understanding the challenges you could face learning a foreign language and moving abroad.
My business is fully registered and insured, providing payment receipts for potential tax deductions.
How am I different from other real teachers?
My method targets long-term memory and muscle memory.
During learning, three memory types are involved: short-term, long-term, and muscle memory. Rote memorization relies on short-term memory, allowing you to recall information without true comprehension. This knowledge, if unused, fades to accommodate new information. Short-term memory also handles temporary tasks, such as remembering appointments. Effective learning requires transferring information from short-term to long-term memory, a more permanent storage location. This happens when you actively apply knowledge through exercises. Ultimately, muscle memory enables effortless, spontaneous use of French in various situations.
Textbooks, alone, often only engage short-term memory. Therefore, I can, of course, offer textbook-based instruction upon request, but my own method prioritizes custom learning materials designed to build fluency through muscle memory with the right brain stimulation (pedagogy), I shape your cognitive areas to go through a three-step process.
I am deeply passionate about my work and dedicated to my students' success.
My background in special education provided invaluable insights into brain and memory function, allowing me to develop effective learning strategies. I apply this method to foreign language education to accelerate student progress and develop muscle memory.
Achieving muscle memory requires consistent effort, so be wary of promises of fluency in just weeks or months. I am a dedicated teacher.
A reachable teacher
I am deeply passionate about my work and dedicated to my students' success.
My hours are flexible. No regular business hours (9am-6pm) since I adapt to different time zones. I work 7 days a week. I reply to emails in a timely manner. I am still your teacher outside of class.
I like open communication and take constructive criticism well.
I go beyond my teaching role for my students living in France, who might need help while facing an issue.
Whether you need structured conversation or in-depth grammar study, I offer a class to suit your needs. I provide a calm, relaxed, and nurturing learning environment. I monitor your progress to optimize future lessons. Ready to begin? Contact me via the registration form.
In February 2026
Conversational group class. On Zoom. Special promotion starting at 50 euros/month (before 01/20/26) for the first ten students starting in February. Rate guaranteed after February for these students.
Short, 30-minute classes focus on daily life topics. Material taught with emphasis on speaking opportunities. Repetition is key for muscle memory.
Feel free to visit my website and contact me via the contact form.
Sources:
Learning a Foreign Language: A Review on Recent Findings About Its Effect on the Enhancement of Cognitive Functions Among Healthy Older Individuals - PMC
Learning a Second Language Protects Against Alzheimer's | Live Science
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