Learning French offers a multitude of benefits, no matter how you approach the language. As one of the most widely spoken languages globally, proficiency in French opens doors for communication and cultural exchange with millions of people across several continents.

French immersion is perhaps best way to fully grasp the language, but sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds. Luckily, with so much technology available these days, there are many platforms available to learn French online at your own pace and convenience. But how do you know which online French platform is the best one for you?

Today we’ll compare all the details between two popular platforms: LingoCulture vs Lingoda.

Even if you’ve read a few Lingoda reviews already, you’ve come to the right place to see how it compares to LingoCulture. The aim of today’s LingoCulture and Lingoda review is to provide ample insight into what both have to offer, so you have a good idea about where to learn French online.

For both of them, we’ll look at teachers, methodologies, flexibility, pricing structures, and special features, allowing you to choose the platform that best meets your needs to learn French online. We’ve done the same analysis for another platform to learn French language online, in case you’re interested in our italki review. For now, let’s get started with our Lingoda review to see how its online language classes compare LingoCulture’s!

How does Lingoda work?

Among platforms offering online foreign language courses, Lingoda stands out for its focus on live classes with native-level teachers. Students can choose to learn French, Spanish, German, and English, and it’s based on a subscription model for accessing these live classes.

To start using the platform, you choose the language you want to learn, your skill level, and a course that fits your goals. Then you pick a subscription plan that grants you a certain number of group classes or private lessons each month. Once you’re subscribed, you can schedule live classes that fit your availability.

These online sessions are led by native-level teachers and are packed with interactive activities. You’ll get to practice conversation, you’ll get explanations of grammar, and you’ll have access to additional learning materials. Lingoda tracks your progress through tests and class participation, so you can see how you’re doing and get feedback from your teachers.

On top of the live classes, Lingoda offers extra resources like study materials, practice exercises, and a community forum to connect with other learners.

How does LingoCulture work?

LingoCulture is an online language learning platform that focuses entirely on French. Like Lingoda, it provides live, interactive lessons via video conferencing, though they’re all one-on-one rather than group classes. Access is through a monthly subscription as well, offering unlimited access to lessons.

LingoCulture follows a unique curriculum that’s used by all its teachers, tailored specifically to French learners. The focus of LingoCulture is to get students speaking French confidently as soon as possible: LingoCulture utilizes real-life conversation scenarios to make learning more practical and engaging. Progress is tracked through the in-house curriculum, all of which is available to students from day one.

Signing up, First lessons

Lingoda

Enrolling in French classes with Lingoda is pretty simple. To get started with your Lingoda French classes, head over to their website and create an account with some basic information. From there, you’ll select French as your target language and choose from their course options.

Once you find a course that aligns with your learning goals and the amount of time you can dedicated to learning French online, you choose a subscription plan that fits your schedule. Subscription plans offer a set number of group classes or individual lessons each month.

Following your subscription, scheduling your first French lesson is a breeze. Lingoda provides a placement test to help you determine your language level that’s most appropriate, so you sign up for the right classes from the beginning. Classes are offered at all hours of the day and night, fitting into anyone’s schedule.

LingoCulture

LingoCulture’s registration process is also really simple. You just provide some basic details about yourself, including your current French level and your language learning goals. You then enter your payment information for a discounted introductory week that costs just $1.

Once you’ve registered, you can begin taking classes right away. There are teachers available for 18 hours out of every day, so students can almost always take lessons to fit their schedules. The initial week serves as a chance to immerse yourself in the platform, explore the curriculum, and connect with different teachers to find a good fit.

The teachers

Lingoda

Lingoda has a roster of qualified instructors. All Lingoda teachers speak native-level French, and have experience in online language learning and education. These instructors are compensated based on the hours they dedicate to teaching, and they have the flexibility to choose the topics they cover.

From a student’s perspective, this flexibility has its pros and cons. The upside is that it offers students the potential to learn from a variety of teachers with diverse backgrounds, accents, and interests, enriching the learning experience with a broader perspective on the French language. The flip side is that it can be challenging to maintain consistency with a single instructor across multiple classes, as transitioning between instructors inevitably involves some reintroduction to fill them in on your individual strengths, weaknesses, and current level of French proficiency.

LingoCulture

LingoCulture boasts a team of over 200 highly trained French teachers, who possess expertise not only in the language itself but also in effective teaching methodologies. All instructors utilize the same core curriculum and resources, while still retaining the flexibility to personalize their approach based on individual student needs. Since teachers note what they covered at the end of each lesson, this shared curriculum offers students seamless transitioning from one teacher to another.

Unlike some platforms, LingoCulture directly employs its teachers, meaning that they have a reliable income stream regardless of the number of classes actually booked each day.  This system incentivizes teachers to consistently dedicate time to the platform, ensuring a pool of readily available instructors for students.

Choosing a teacher

Lingoda

It’s important to note that Lingoda doesn’t offer direct teacher selection, instead putting the emphasis on schedules and lesson topics. In this way, students choose the times that work for them and the subjects they’re interested in. They’re also exposed to a variety of teaching styles, accents, and dialects, similar to what they might encounter in real-world French conversations. However, it might it might not suit learners who prefer consistency with a single tutor.

There’s a workaround, though, for students who want to take consecutive lessons with the same teacher. You can browse teacher profiles and see their upcoming group class schedules, allowing you to strategically choose classes that align with your interests and availability. However, keep in mind that consistency with a single instructor isn’t guaranteed. Since teachers manage their own schedules, the same instructor may not be available for every session you’d like to attend.

LingoCulture

LingoCulture empowers students to personalize their learning by selecting the teachers they prefer. You can use filters to help you narrow down choices based on personal preferences, and even save a list of favorite teachers. LingoCulture also incorporates student feedback, using it internally to assess instructor performance and promote continuous improvement among their teaching staff.

Even if your preferred teachers aren’t available when you want to take a class, the platform’s unified curriculum fosters continuity in learning between instructors, since all LingoCulture teachers are professional language teachers who utilize the same curriculum. Since instructors record your progress in the system after each lesson, subsequent teachers can quickly pick up where the previous one left off, streamlining your learning journey.

Classes

Lingoda

Lingoda caters to diverse learning ambitions with a range of subscription packages, although the core curriculum and class structure remain consistent across them. Classes focus on building a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. You have the flexibility to follow the curriculum sequentially, or pick specific lessons that pique your interest.

For French learners, Lingoda’s Flex package is the most popular option. Students sign up to take either individual lessons or group classes, with the group option being the most popular since it’s more affordable.

Individual lessons are naturally more personalized, allowing you to select from existing class subjects or propose your own topic, whereas group classes have a pre-defined topic and level. A maximum of five students can sign up for Lingoda group classes at once, so each person will have some time to speak. There are plenty of lessons available at any time, so you just have to book the time slots that work best for you. Lingoda recommends booking at least a week in advance to secure your spot on the lesson.

Group classes are the most popular due to their affordability and the opportunity to practice with fellow learners. However, it’s important to note that the learning pace and quality can be somewhat influenced by the performance of other students. This can impact the amount of speaking time you get and the speed at which you progress through the material. And, while classes are available 24/7, finding exactly the time slot you desire might not always be possible. Nevertheless, with a continuous stream of classes offered throughout the day, you’re likely to find a suitable alternative most of the time.

Another popular option is Lingoda Sprint. This program is better suited to learners seeking an intensive experience. It consists of a two-month challenge where you get half of your fees refunded if you attend every single one of your classes. Depending on how much you want to challenge yourself, you can choose between the regular Sprint, with 15 classes per month, and the Super Sprint, doubling down with 30 classes. While there are scheduling guidelines to follow, the potential refund provides a strong motivator for dedicated learners with a predictable schedule for those two months. Keep in mind that Lingoda Sprint is only available for new Lingoda clients.

No matter the package you choose, all Lingoda classes take place on Zoom and last 60 minutes. Before each session, you’ll receive the lesson materials, typically in PDF format, along with the learning objectives.

LingoCulture

Lingoda tailors its lessons to fit your schedule, offering individual sessions in 30-minute increments. Most students opt to book consecutive slots for a full hour of focused learning. Unlike Lingoda’s group classes, LingoCulture provides a completely personalized experience – you’ll have the undivided attention of your teacher throughout the session.

The platform leverages videochat technology built directly into your web browser, keeping things simple by eliminating the need for additional software downloads. Additionally, a chat pane within the platform allows teachers and students to share notes during each lesson. All class notes are then saved to your profile for easy reference. Learning materials also remain accessible beyond class hours, allowing you to revisit concepts, review notes, and track your progress at your own pace.

Materials

Lingoda

Lingoda structures its French courses around the Common European Framework of Languages (CEFR) for standardized learning, which categorizes language proficiency into six levels of proficiency and expertise. Lingoda offers courses up to the B2 level, which is upper intermediate.

Each level within the Lingoda curriculum is further divided into manageable units. Students have the opportunity to review these units before each live lesson to ensure they’re prepared and can get the most out of their class time.

Lingoda’s offering goes beyond live lessons to provide a comprehensive learning experience. The platform offers a wealth of self-study resources, including exercises, flashcards, summaries, and quizzes. These resources reinforce the concepts covered in live lessons and allow students to independently practice, study, and track their progress at their own pace.

LingoCulture

Within the LingoCulture platform, each unit of the curriculum comes with dedicated learning materials. These include slides outlining grammar lessons and vocabulary lists, all of which are accessible whenever you log in and and want to review past or future lessons to solidify your understanding.

Additionally, all course notes exchanged during lessons between students and teachers are saved for future reference, allowing you to easily review any personalized guidance or specific questions you may have had during a class.

For an extra layer of learning support, LingoCulture also boasts a vast online library of French language lessons on its blog. These freely available resources delve into various aspects of French grammar, vocabulary, and culture, providing supplementary learning opportunities even outside the platform itself.

Flexibility

Lingoda

Lingoda boasts impressive flexibility with its 24/7 class schedule. Students can book lessons whenever it suits them, even snagging a last-minute spot if one is available. They can also personalize their learning pace by choosing a relaxed approach, or by enrolling in intensive courses for quicker progress.

It’s important to note, however, that Lingoda has very strict cancellation rules. Within the Flex package, you can only reschedule by canceling and rebooking, and any cancellations within three days of a class result in losing the lesson credit. The exception is for classes that you just booked: you can cancel without penalty within 30 minutes. It’s also worth noting that Lingoda recommends booking classes at least a week in advance, which might not be ideal for learners who crave more spontaneous scheduling.

The Lingoda Sprint program is even stricter, as cancellations are only allowed with a minimum of seven days notice. Additionally, students are limited to one class per day and five classes per week in the regular Sprint program. To qualify for the Sprint promotion, perfect attendance (all 60 minutes of every class) is mandatory.

LingoCulture

LingoCulture caters to busy students by offering a high degree of scheduling flexibility, allowing you to book as many lessons and as many time slots as you want, in 30-minute increments. Classes are available seven days a week from 6am to midnight, France time, and they can be booked in advance or last-minute.

LingoCulture also has a very flexible cancellation policy, as lessons can be cancelled without penalty. If you need to cancel, just do so beforehand as a simple courtesy, so the teacher can open up their time slot to be available for other students.

Price

Lingoda

Lingoda’s Flex option uses a tiered pricing structure based on two main factors: lesson format (group vs individual) and the number of lessons purchased per billing cycle (typically four weeks). You choose between group classes or individual lessons, and each category offers options for 5, 12, 20, or 40 lessons per billing cycle. There’s no rollover, so any unused lessons at the end of a four-week cycle are forfeited.

The billing itself recurs every four weeks, but you have the flexibility to adjust your plan from one cycle to the next to suit your needs.

To allow new students to try out the platform before committing, Lingoda offers a free 7-day trial for their Flex packages, granting access to up to three group classes or one individual lesson.

To give you a better idea of the cost breakdown, their website provides a pricing table specifically for Lingoda Flex, their most popular option. This table details the various package options, all listed in US dollars and rounded to the nearest five cents. We’ve also included the corresponding per-lesson price for each package to simplify cost comparisons across different options.

Let’s look closer at the specific Flex plan pricing details for Lingoda French lessons.

Unlike the Flex plan, the Lingoda Sprint program requires a two-month commitment up front. After those initial two months, your subscription will automatically renew for either 16 or 8 group classes a month, depending on if you are participating in the Super Sprint or Sprint.

The unique incentive of Lingoda Sprint is that if you attend all your Sprint classes (either 30 or 60 lessons total depending on the chosen program), you’ll get a full refund* for one of the two months. These plans are renewed monthly rather than every four weeks.

LingoCulture

LingoCulture has just one pricing struture: a flat-rate monthly subscription fee of $197. The monthly subscription provides access to unlimited one-on-one lessons.

LingoCulture offers a discounted introductory week for just $1. If you decide to continue after the trial week, your monthly subscription will automatically begin on your 8th day, and renew on the same day of each subsequent month. You can cancel your subscription at any time before your next billing cycle.

There are no other fees with LingoCulture. Since you pay a flat monthly rate, the effective cost per lesson depends on how frequently you utilize the platform. You can take advantage of the unlimited lessons and attend as many classes as you want. Even if you just take three one-hour classes per week, this breaks down to about $15 for each individualized lesson.

Essentially, the more you use LingoCulture, the more value you get for your money. Let’s do some math and see how much each one-hour lesson comes to if a student takes the same number of classes as the standard Lingoda subscriptions.

Conclusion: Lingoda vs LingoCulture

Deciding which platform is ideal for your French learning journey depends on your learning style, budget, and goals. While Lingoda and LingoCulture share some similarities, they both offer different options for different types of learners. So, let’s do a quick recap of our LingoCulture vs Lingoda review for you to have a clearer picture of the best option for your needs.

Lingoda offers a structured learning experience with their Flex option, with a selection of set courses that follow an overall curriculum. Students can choose between group classes, fostering interaction with fellow learners, or individual one-on-one lessons. Group classes are at set times, so students need to be flexible with the classes they opt for. Lingoda’s tiered pricing system brings down the per-lesson cost by subscribing for more lessons in a given billing cycle, although unused lesson credits are forfeited. Lingoda also offers their Sprint program: a two-month commitment with a full refund for perfect attendance, but with stricter scheduling limitations.

LingoCulture, on the other hand, focuses on providing a personalized learning experience, since all lessons are one-on-one, and students have complete scheduling flexibility. The pricing structure is a flat-rate monthly subscription, providing access to unlimited classes. Teachers are all on staff at LingoCulture, sharing notes on each student’s progress, so learners can schedule lessons any time that’s convenient for them while maintaining continuity in the curriculum. This flat fee may be pricier per lesson for students who take fewer classes, but it’s very competitive for motivated learners who want to maximize the time they learn a language online. LingoCulture also boasts a growing library of free French lessons on its blog, explaining essential aspects of the language to anyone who wants to learn French for free online.

Ultimately, the best way to learn French online depends on you. If you crave interaction with other students and a predictable structure to your class schedule, Lingoda may be a good match. If you prioritize personalized attention, scheduling freedom, and unlimited classes, LingoCulture might be a better fit. Both platforms offer one-week trials, so you can experiment and see which one best suits your needs for how to learn French online!