By Simar Dua, French Program Lead · · 12 min readOf the five options on this list, Toronto French Academy is the only one whose programs are built around the TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Most online French classes teach general French; if you need CLB 7 on the TEF or TCF to earn French points for permanent residency, only one of the five is built for that.
The Best Online French Classes at a Glance
Before you compare prices, decide whether you need French or need a test score. IRCC accepts two French tests for Express Entry: TEF Canada and TCF Canada; the French points need CLB 7 (NCLC 7) in all four abilities.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | TEF/TCF preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Toronto French Academy4.8418 reviews | TEF Canada, TCF Canada and CLB 7 for permanent residency | $249 CAD per month for 20 one-hour group classes | Built into every program |
| 2 |  Lingoda4.35,881 reviews | Flexible general French at any hour of the day | US$239.99 every four weeks for 20 group classes | Not listed |
| 3 |  Alliance Française Toronto (online)4.2165 reviews | A structured general French course from a recognised institute | $510 CAD per sub-level of about 24 class hours | A separate add-on for learners already at B1/B2 |
| 4 |  Preply4.425,517 reviews | Low-cost one-on-one practice | US$21 per lesson on average | Depends on the tutor you pick |
| 5 |  CLIC en ligne | The free option for permanent residents | Free for eligible newcomers | No, levels CLIC 3 and 4 only |
Prices were checked in October 2026 on each provider’s own website. Toronto French Academy and Alliance Française Toronto charge in Canadian dollars, Lingoda and Preply in US dollars.
4.8418 reviews1. Toronto French Academy: Best Online French Classes for TEF and TCF
Toronto French Academy is an online French school built from the ground up for one purpose: to help adults pass the TEF Canada or TCF Canada for permanent residency.
Unlike other schools that add an exam prep course, the Academy’s entire curriculum is designed to train students for the specific skills and formats of these tests, from the very first lesson. With live, tutor-led classes and a clear focus on hitting the CLB 7 benchmark, it earns the top spot for immigration-focused learners.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The curriculum trains all four skills for the TEF Canada and TCF Canada from the first class
- Every course starts with a diagnostic that places each of the four skills against its CLB 7 band
- Every week the tutor corrects one speaking task and one writing task; full 15-minute mock speaking interviews under real timing before the exam
- Billed monthly in Canadian dollars, with practice exams, grammar guides and vocabulary lists included in tuition
- Classes Monday to Friday, mornings or evenings
Cons
- Live classes on a set weekly schedule; no self-paced or app-only option
- Built for the immigration exams, so not for children, travel French or business French
- The curriculum runs from A1 to B2 and stops there
Programs and pricing
| Program | Price | Classes a month | Days a week | Class size | Average time to target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Classes | $249 per month | 20 one-hour classes | 5 | 6 to 8 students | 10 to 12 months |
| Individual Classes | $369 per month | 12 one-hour classes | 3 | One-on-one | 8 to 10 months |
| Fast-Track Individual Classes | $549 per month | 20 one-hour classes | 5 | One-on-one | 6 to 8 months |
Is it a fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Yes, this is the most targeted option for the TEF Canada and TCF Canada exams. The curriculum is not just for the exam; it is the exam, broken down into a learning plan that starts with a CLB-based diagnostic and ends with full mock interviews.
It’s not the pick if you want to learn French for travel, for your children, or at your own pace, but for earning immigration points, its focus is unmatched.
4.35,881 reviews2. Lingoda: Best for Flexible General French at Any Hour
Lingoda is an online language school offering live 60-minute classes on Zoom. It provides a structured CEFR-aligned curriculum from level A1 to B2, with classes available 24/7. You can choose between small group classes (3 to 5 students) or private online French classes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Classes at any hour, 24/7
- A 7-day free trial; pause, change or cancel at any time
- A structured CEFR curriculum from A1 to B2
- Unused class credits roll over
Cons
- No TEF Canada or TCF Canada preparation listed
- Different teachers and classmates from one class to the next
- Billed in US dollars
- The curriculum is French for everyday life, not the exam’s tasks
Pricing
Prices are in US dollars. Plans renew every four weeks, and you can get a 7-day free trial of 3 group classes or 1 private class.
| Classes every four weeks | Group price | Private price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 classes | US$79.99 | US$184.99 |
| 12 classes | US$159.99 | US$369.99 |
| 20 classes | US$239.99 | US$509.99 |
| 40 classes | US$439.99 | US$899.99 |
New students get 15% off the first month on plans of 12 classes or more.
Is it a fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Lingoda is a good option for building a foundation in general French on a flexible schedule that you control.
However, its online French courses are described as “French for everyday life” and the school does not list any specific preparation for the TEF Canada or TCF Canada exams.
4.2165 reviews3. Alliance Française Toronto (Online): Best for a Structured General French Course
Alliance Française Toronto offers general French courses for adults in a structured series of sub-levels, from A1.1 up to C2. These are taught at its campuses in the GTA and as live online (“remote”) classes. As an official test centre, it is also a place where you can sit the TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
Pros and cons
Pros
- An official TEF Canada test centre in the GTA
- A full path of levels, all the way up to C2
- Online or in person, your choice
Cons
- The courses are general French; TEF/TCF preparation is a separate purchase and requires B1/B2 first
- 24 sub-levels at $510 each to reach B2.8
- Three to four class hours a week on fixed session dates
Pricing
| Option | Price (CAD) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Online group course per sub-level | $510 ($433.50 with loyalty card) | About 24 hours of class, in groups of at least four students |
| Beginner to B2.8 | $12,240 | All 24 sub-levels (approximately 576 hours of group classes) |
| Private lessons | $90/hr ($75/hr on weekday afternoons) | One-on-one lessons (minimum 10 hours) |
| TEF/TCF online preparation package | $75 | Self-paced access to the PrepMyTEF or PrepMyTCF platform (requires B1/B2) |
| TEF/TCF personalized package | $375 (5 hrs) or $750 (10 hrs) | Private sessions with a certified examiner (requires B2) |
Is it a fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Alliance Française is a fine place to learn general French online and to sit the exam. The exam preparation itself, however, is a separate package designed for candidates who have already reached an intermediate level (B1, entering B2).
For a beginner, the path to the B2.8 level required for strong French points involves completing 24 sub-levels.
4.425,517 reviews4. Preply: Best for Low-Cost One-on-One Practice
Preply is an online marketplace that connects students with private tutors for one-on-one lessons. It lists nearly 7,000 French tutors with an average rating of 4.94 out of 5. You browse tutor profiles, choose the one you want, and schedule lessons directly with them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-on-one lessons from a few dollars each
- Nearly 7,000 French tutors to choose from
- Free tutor replacement after the trial lesson
- Some tutors advertise TEF and TCF preparation
Cons
- A marketplace, not a school: TEF/TCF preparation depends on the tutor you choose
- You compare and vet the tutors yourself
- Private lessons only, billed in US dollars
Pricing
| What | Price (US$) |
|---|---|
| Price per lesson | From $3 to more than $40 |
| Average price per lesson | $21 |
| Trial lesson | 25 or 50 minutes with the tutor you pick; free tutor replacement if the first one does not suit you |
Is it a fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Preply can be a good fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada practice, but only if you find a tutor with specific experience in these exams.
Some tutors advertise preparation for the TEF, TCF, DELF, and DALF in their profiles. Because it is a marketplace and not a dedicated exam-prep school, the responsibility is on you to compare profiles and vet tutors to ensure they meet your needs.
5. CLIC en ligne: Best Free Online French Classes for Permanent Residents
CLIC en ligne is an official French course for immigrants to Canada, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It has been offered entirely online by Collège La Cité since 2014 and is available across Canada except Quebec. CLIC stands for Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada, and the program covers all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free for eligible newcomers, funded by IRCC
- Self-paced, with virtual classes and instructors
- An official program, run by a public college since 2014
Cons
- Only for permanent residents and protected persons
- Levels CLIC 3 and CLIC 4 only
- No TEF Canada or TCF Canada preparation; not available in Quebec
Pricing
| Who | Price |
|---|---|
| Eligible newcomers | Free |
| Everyone else | Not available |
Is it a fit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
No. The program covers only levels CLIC 3 and CLIC 4, while the French points for Express Entry require NCLC 7 in all four abilities. More importantly, it is only available to those who are already permanent residents or protected persons. If you need the points to become a permanent resident, you do not have the status the program requires.
Expert Opinion: Which Online French Classes Should You Choose?
We do not say that you should prefer one provider over another.
Your best choice comes down to your goals.
If you just want to learn French in general, for travel, as a hobby or to build a skill, go with Lingoda or Preply.
If you are learning French for academic purposes, such as sitting the DELF exam or earning a French diploma that universities and colleges recognise, or if you want to use French in your career, go with Alliance Française Toronto.
If your goal is permanent residency in Canada and you want to reach CLB 7 on the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, go with Toronto French Academy.
How to Choose Online French Classes
Start with your goal
Earning the French points for Express Entry requires a CLB 7 (NCLC 7) in all four abilities. This is a different purchase from learning general French for life.
Pro tip: ask any provider which TEF or TCF tasks you will practise in class and who corrects your writing.
Check who corrects your speaking and writing
Two of the four exam abilities, speaking and writing, are marked by assessors. For the TEF Canada, writing is marked by two independent assessors and speaking is double-assessed. You need a person correcting your work before the exam.
Work out the price of a live class hour
Compare what you pay for each hour of live class time. Watch the currency: two of the five providers charge in US dollars.
| Provider | Plan | Cost per class hour |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto French Academy | Group | $12.45 CAD |
| Lingoda | Group | US$12.00 |
| Alliance Française Toronto | Group | $21.25 CAD |
One-on-one lessons average US$21 on Preply or cost from $27.45 CAD per hour at Toronto French Academy. CLIC en ligne is free for eligible permanent residents and protected persons.
Online French Classes: FAQ
Which online French course is best?
The best online French course depends on your goal.
For general French, Lingoda and Alliance Française Toronto teach a CEFR curriculum online, while Toronto French Academy is best for the TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
How much do online French classes cost?
Online French classes can be free for eligible newcomers through CLIC en ligne.
Paid options range from an average of US$21 per lesson on Preply to monthly plans like Lingoda (US$79.99 to US$439.99) or Toronto French Academy ($249 to $549 CAD).
Which online French classes are best for TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Toronto French Academy offers online classes specifically for the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, the two tests accepted by IRCC for Express Entry.
They teach online from A1 to B2, with an average time to reach CLB 7 from A1 being 6 to 12 months.
Are there free online French classes in Canada?
Yes, CLIC en ligne is a free online French course funded by IRCC.
It is available to permanent residents and protected persons in Canada (except Quebec) for levels CLIC 3 and CLIC 4, but Canadian citizens are not eligible.
Can I reach CLB 7 with online French classes only?
Yes, you can reach CLB 7 with online French classes only, as providers like Toronto French Academy teach entirely online on Google Meet.
However, the TEF Canada exam itself must be taken in person at an approved test centre.
The Bottom Line on Online French Classes
For general French, flexible hours, or a low price, the other schools on this list are great. If you need to score CLB 7 on the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, Toronto French Academy is built for that purpose.
See if it’s the right fit. Book a 60-minute demo class with a C1/C2 instructor, including an assessment of your current level.
Written by
Simar Dua, French Program Lead
Simar leads the TEF Canada and TCF Canada programs at Toronto French Academy and has guided hundreds of Express Entry candidates from their first French lesson to the NCLC 7 result. She hosts the academy’s free monthly French for Canada PR info session.
