French courses in language schools

Language schools that teach non-native speakers through French courses

Our second option among the resources for learning French in Lyon are independent schools. Unlike the universities, these are for people with all different types of situations (students, professionals, tourists) and at all language levels.
However, contrary to social centers and perhaps more like private classes, they are for people who have a certain budget, which can be explained by the centers’ beautiful labs, advanced technologies, highly qualified teachers and all of the different course options.

 

 

Alliance Française de Lyon

This was the city’s first language school and has since become a UNESCO center with a “French as a Foreign Language” quality label to top it off. It is also an examination center, offers accommodation services and cultural activities, welcoming around 2 500 students of 130 different nationalities every year. They present a wide range of courses going from general French (intensive or extra intensive, public or private) to specific courses (grammar, pronunciation, French for business, etc.) as well as exam preparation and cultural workshops. Prices fluctuate between 288€ for “au pair” classes, 5 661€/year for intensive general French and 8 541€/year for extra intensive or more for tailor-made courses.

• Website: aflyon.org
• Address: 11 Rue Pierre Bourdan, 69003 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 95 24 72

 

Lyon Bleu International

This establishment also has its “French as a Foreign Language” quality label and teaches 1 200 students every year. They welcome people of all ages, starting at 18, and nationalities, with the majority of them being between 18 and 25 from Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK.
Their focus is on communication and practicality, with groups of maximum 12 people, offering courses year-round of all levels (A1.1 to C2) such as intensive French, semi-intensive, premium, business, food and culture, ranging from 125€ to 890€/week depending on your course choices.

• Website: lyon-bleu.fr
• Address: 82 Rue Duguesclin, 69006 Lyon
• Phone: 04 37 48 00 26
• Email: learnfrenchinlyon@lyon-bleu.fr

 

EICLE (École Internationale de la Culture et des Langues Étrangères)

Most students here are between the ages of 20 and 30, from China and South America, looking to obtain certain certifications and/or get into higher education institutions. Course periods can be short (monthly) or long (yearly), going from 1 880€/year for “au pair” classes to 3 200€/year for intensive classes (which have the advantage of thematic workshops and collective projects). Moreover, they offer DELF/DALF exam preparation and private lessons with prices depending on the number of people in the group (for example, 20€/hour with 3 people).

• Website: eicle.fr
• Address: 4 Place Danton, 69003 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 82 81 52
• Email: service.info@eicle.fr

 

 

Tanit Forma 7

These OPQF-labeled services target regional and national companies with programs adaptable to your needs and language level. The classes focus on expatriates’ (and/or their spouse’s) development of written and oral expression and comprehension for professional reasons; it is usually 52€/hour for individual courses but estimates vary according to your needs, availability, etc. They also offer help with administrative formalities.

• Website: tanitforma7.fr
• Address: 22 Rue Victor Lagrange – 69007 LYON
• Phone: 04 72 80 93 95

 

Inflexyon

Welcoming around 500 students a year from all over the world and starting at age 15 (though most are 18 to 30), Inflexyon is also an exam center and offers accommodation. With groups of 3 to 18 people, there are A1 to C1 collective classes and it goes up to C2 for individual classes: you can choose semi-intensive (grammar and homework), intensive (workshops are added on), personalized (private lessons are added on) or au pair.
Prices go from 90€/week for au pair to 385 for personalized classes.

• Website: inflexyon.fr
• Address: 48 rue Quivogne, 69002 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 39 77 02
• Email: contact@inflexyon.com

 

 

Inlingua

At Inlingua, the classes very much depend on things like your level, objectives, budget and availability. Oral communication is key and although independent computer courses are part of the program, they are not the main source of learning: they are simply there to complete it.
They’ve got French for business classes, everyday French and French for families: all of the above include courses and activities.

• Website: inlingualyon.com
• Address: Le Britannia Bâtiment A, 20 Boulevard Eugène Deruelle, 69003 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 62 72 57

 

EIFE (École Interculturelle de français pour étrangers)

With 12 to 17 students per group, this school is all about practice out-loud with its oral expression workshops and projects destined to help integration outside of the classroom. Their programs are divided into beginners/false beginners (A1/A2 level), elementary, intermediate and advanced.
Prices range from 3 050€/year for the “mini” program to 4 600€ for intensive (however, you can pay by the month, the semester or the week in certain cases as well).

• Website: eife2f.com
• Address: 3 Grande Rue des Feuillants, 69001 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 39 04 88
• Email: eife2f@eife2f.com

 

Institut Lyonnais

This center once again doubles as a host for exams and an accommodation service. Its classes, under the level titles of complete beginners (A1.1), elementary (A1/A2), intermediate (B1/B2) and superior (C1/C2), usually include around 15 students.
You can choose programs such as au pair, extensive, intensive, combined and super intensive with prices between 270€/month (au pair) and 595€/month (super intensive) but there’s an even longer list of special courses and options (including distance education and summer programs).

• Website: institut-lyonnais.com/fr
• Address: 9 Avenue Leclerc, 69007 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 69 25 04

 

Safore

This establishment offers three different types of “French as a Foreign Language” courses. The basic one focuses on oral communication while still working on writing, depending on what the student’s needs are and according to the Common European Framework of Reference levels.
They then have preparation for the DILF/DELF/DALF exams as well as a course aimed towards professional life: they work on real situations the students have been in and professional lexical fields according to the person’s career and domain.

• Website: safore.fr
• Address: 322 Rue du Doyen Georges Chapas, 69009 Lyon
• Phone: 04 78 24 36 52
• Email: contact@safore.fr

 

 

Alpadia

Alapdia welcomes students starting at 16 years old, the average age being 25, mostly from countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Germany and many more. Classes can be standard, intensive, premium or private for levels A1 through C1, going from 8 400€ to 13 920€/year or more for combination or private lessons.
They also offer preparation for the DELF/DALF exams, accommodation and even summer camps for those between 8 and 17.

• Website: alpadia.com/fr
• Address: 6 Quai Jules Courmont, 69002 Lyon
• Phone: 04 72 41 98 06
• Email: info@alpadia.com

For those of you who are curious about the above-mentioned certifications, the DILF, DELF and DALF exams are diplomas acting as proof of an acquired French level for non-native speakers. They are accessible to all and recognized by a large number of countries around the world. They can therefore act as official certification for academic or professional matters.