How to find a qualified French teacher and the right fit for you
- Stéphanie Berton
- Jan 21
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The tutoring sector is now heavily investment-driven, with large companies sometimes employing inadequately vetted online instructors.
Choose your tutor or teacher carefully; not everyone is qualified.
Qualified teacher or self-proclaimed?
Economic crises inflate the ranks of self-proclaimed teachers. From social media ads to under-the-table work, they've always existed. Unfair competition with low fees is attractive, but will it truly benefit you? Large tutoring franchises charge expensive rates, hiring anyone from online ads. I've been in this business since 2000 and worked for them. Trust me. How do you ensure your time and money will build the "muscle memory" needed to understand and speak French?
If you seek a teacher/tutor, ensure they are qualified.How to know a person is are qualified to teach French?
Be selective. Ask questions. It is the only way.
"Is it your Native language?"
This ensures correct pronunciation. Modern languages evolve, and some aspects can become outdated. Finding a native speaker is the first step, but not the only one. Speaking a language doesn't mean mastering it. Do you want to learn poor grammar and slang? If you invest time and money, you likely want correct French.
Your next question should be: "What are your degrees?" Degrees in French literature or French as a second language are good indicators.
"Were you officially trained to be a teacher?" "What is your experience teaching?"
Now you have a native speaker with the appropriate degree.
Verify the person's teaching ability. There's a science to teaching, called "pedagogy," defined as "the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept."
Subject expertise is supported by class preparation, lesson planning, and the careful selection of exercises and activities to achieve specific learning goals.
"Can you teach without a textbook and create custom materials?"
Effective teaching isn't simply reading a textbook; it should be a tool, not the core of the class. The role involves dedicating time to prepare lessons by selecting or creating materials tailored to students' needs.
Choosing a portrait painter, you'd expect more than a glued-on photograph. Brushes and paint are the minimum for a realistic representation. The artist envisions the final piece, analyzing light and shadow, selecting appropriate mediums, colours, and shades.
Your portrait is your objective: fluency, exam success, travel ease. Simply following a textbook is like the glued photograph. The artist's vision is the teacher's pedagogy, tools, and strategies. Preparing the brain to receive and retain information is a fascinating process, and you deserve a teacher who knows how to facilitate your learning experience. A teacher is a person with an influence on your brain and its stimulation. Be selective about who you allow to do that.
"Do you teach French as a second language?"
This is an important one if you are in France. Teaching French is different from teaching French as a second language (called F.L.E. in France). One cannot teach French the same way to Natives than to foreigners.
If the answer is yes, all the way, most likely, you found your real French teacher.
Work around your budget
Real French teachers typically don't offer low hourly rates or work illegally, as this is their profession, not just supplemental income. In France, undeclared work carries legal risks, especially for the employer, in this case, the student.
The budget influences the equation. While it may be tight, if you're moving to France, review all moving expenses, understanding that language learning is essential. Invest in your success abroad.
When comparing rates, don't be fooled into choosing an unqualified "teacher" thinking you'll save money. You won't.
Frequently, I have clients who believe they're intermediate or advanced after months or years of study, but it's disheartening to tell them they aren't. Being unable to conjugate verbs means they're still beginners.
A low hourly rate over years becomes a massive waste of money.
Keep your budget, choose a qualified teacher, and take fewer lessons. You'll save both money and time. With a skilled instructor, you'll master what you learn and be able to apply it later in France.
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.
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