Last updated on October 26th, 2026 at 06:30 pm
Live French was founded in 2007 with one goal: to help anyone who wants to learn or improve their French do it with an online French teacher, wherever they live and whatever their level. We asked its founder, Stephanie, how it all started and what she has learned from teaching online.
Key takeaways
- Live French started in 2007, a few months after its sister school Live English.
- Lessons are one-on-one and online, so each lesson adapts to the student’s needs.
- Stephanie’s advice: the beginning can feel theoretical, but the effort pays off.
- Preparing students for the DELF and DALF exams is one of her favourite parts of the job.
How did the idea of an online French school come about?
« I was living in a very international environment back then in 2007, and I realised that a lot of people were very fond of the French language. A few months earlier, we had started Live English, and our students really enjoyed the flexibility of learning English with native tutors without leaving their living room. So naturally I thought we could use the same concept to teach French. I gathered a small team of French tutors I knew would be comfortable teaching online, and we got started! Not many people were doing that at the time, so it was very exciting. »
What do you like best about teaching online?
« As an online French teacher, you realise that the world is a small place. In one day, you can teach very different people, from Spain, Japan, Germany, the USA and many other countries. I love teaching about French culture and comparing how things work in my students’ own countries. Also, a private lesson gives you the opportunity to truly adapt to the student’s needs and to choose the right learning method. Some students hate grammar, for example, so you have to be creative to teach certain concepts. »
What advice would you give someone who wants to learn French?
« It’s never too late to learn French, but it takes a few weeks or months before you understand how the language works. It might feel too theoretical at the beginning, but if you make the effort, it will pay off. »
In short: stick with it through the first weeks. Once the basics click, progress speeds up.
Can you tell us about students you enjoyed teaching?
« Personally, I love preparing students for the DELF and DALF exams. A lot of people lack confidence and feel their level isn’t good enough. At the same time, passing the exam is really important for them: to get a job, a visa or a university place. You know you have no choice but to succeed. So we work hard, I don’t let my students give up, and I encourage them. A week or so before the exam, I want them to feel how much they have improved. It’s not the time to learn new vocabulary or grammar, but to reflect on what they have achieved and feel they can do it. My reward is when students message me to say they passed, with marks well above their expectations! »
Going further
Discover our French conversation course and our French exam preparation, read our guide to the DELF B2, or test your French level before your first lesson.
Frequently asked questions
When was Live French founded?
In 2007, a few months after its sister school Live English, to offer one-on-one French lessons online with native teachers.
How do online French lessons work at Live French?
They are private lessons online, so the teacher adapts the content and the method to each student’s level, goals and preferences.
Is it too late to learn French as an adult?
No. It takes a few weeks or months to understand how the language works, and the start can feel theoretical, but regular effort pays off.
Does Live French prepare students for the DELF and DALF?
Yes. Exam preparation is one of the school’s specialities, with a focus on building confidence as well as language skills before the exam.
Live French · one-on-one Zoom lessons with native teachers since 2007 · 4.9/5 on Google
Perfectionnez votre français : cours d’essai gratuit ! Inscrivez-vous ici
