In 2026, French courses in Montreal cost about $280 to $670 per week for intensive group classes, and one-on-one lessons run roughly $42 to $65 an hour. Expect registration and material fees on top. If you’re an eligible immigrant, Francization Québec courses are free, and full-time students can receive $230 a week in financial assistance.

How Much Do French Courses Cost in Montreal?

Here’s the short version, by course type. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Course type	Typical 2026 price	Who it suits
Francisation Québec	Free, with a possible $230/week allowance	Eligible immigrants
Intensive group class	280–670 per week	Learners who want a structured routine
Private lessons	42–65 per hour	Busy professionals, exam deadlines
TEF or TCF test prep	From about $195 per week, plus fees	Immigration and university applicants
Professional French (DFP)	About $560 per week, plus fees	People who need French for a specific job

The group-class range comes from two places. On languagecourse.net, a week of group French in Montreal (15 to 30 lessons) was listed at CA387toCA667 in October 2026, fees included, with a typical price near CA$512. At the low end, ALC-ComInternational charges $285 a week for its intensive group course.

Season matters more than most people expect. The same platform shows an average of about CA400aweekinhighseasonandCA316 in low season. Summer is the busy period for Montreal schools.

What Are Your Options for Learning French in Montreal?

Most options fall into five groups. They vary in cost and aren’t built for the same goal.

Free government courses (Francization Québec)

Start here if you’re an immigrant to Quebec. Francization Québec runs free French courses for eligible newcomers. Full-time students can receive $230 per week in financial assistance, and parents can get up to $25 per child per learning day for childcare (Québec.ca).

There are limits. Refugee claimants can’t receive the weekly allowance, and people already on employment insurance or social assistance can’t either. Places and start dates also depend on demand. People often pay for a private school because they need to start now, want smaller classes, or need test preparation that the government program doesn’t focus on.

Intensive group classes

This is the most common paid route: a small class, several days a week, moving up one level at a time. At ALC, a level usually takes 4 to 8 weeks of intensive study.

Private lessons

Every minute goes to your weak spots. You pay more per hour, but you skip everything you already know.

Test preparation

These courses are short and narrow. A TEF Canada or TCF course teaches the exam’s format, timing, and scoring, not general conversation.

Professional and written French

This group covers the Diplômes de français professionnel (DFP) for business, tourism, hospitality, or medicine. It also covers written French for exams such as the OQLF test that some professional orders require.

What Does a French Course Really Cost? Three Worked Examples

A weekly price on its own tells you very little. You need the total cost and the number of hours you’ll actually spend with a teacher.

Here are three common plans priced at ALC-ComInternational’s 2026 rates. Each includes the $150 non-refundable registration fee and $95 for learning materials.

One month of intensive group French. 4 weeks × $285, plus $245 in fees, comes to $1,385 for 60 class hours. That’s about $23 an hour.
20 hours of private lessons. 20 × $55, plus $245, comes to $1,345, or about $67 an hour once fees are included. Book 50 hours and the rate drops to $42.
Three weeks of TEF Canada preparation. 3 × $195, plus $245, comes to $830 for 27 hours. The official TEF Canada exam fee is paid separately.

Look at the first two. They cost almost the same, but one buys 60 hours, and the other buys 20. Neither is the “cheap” option. They’re different products.

Group vs. Private French Lessons: Which Is Better Value?

Group classes win on cost per hour, and they give you hours of speaking practice with people at your level. Private lessons win when you have limited time.

	Group classes	Private lessons
Cost per hour	Lower (about $23 at ALC)	Higher (42–65)
Pace	Set by the class	Set by you
Schedule	Fixed timetable	Flexible
Speaking partners	Classmates and teacher	Teacher only

Choose group classes if you’re building a base and can show up at fixed times. Choose private lessons if your TEF date is six weeks away and your listening score is the problem.

Many learners do both: a month or two in a group, then 10 private hours aimed at the exam.

Common Mistakes When Comparing French Course Prices

These are the mistakes that make a “cheap” course expensive:

Comparing weekly prices without checking hours. A $300 week with 10 teaching hours costs more per hour than a $400 week with 20.
Forgetting non-refundable fees. Registration and materials are often charged once per enrolment. On a short course, they add a large share. At ALC, they add about 42% to a three-week TEF course and about 21% to a one-month group course.
Booking one week when the course needs four. Some intensive courses have a minimum length. ALC’s group French course, for example, has a four-week minimum.
Paying for general French when you need a test score. If your Express Entry profile needs a TEF or TCF result, a general course may not cover the test format.
Skipping the placement test. Start one level too high,h and you’ll pay to repeat it.

Questions to Ask a French School Before You Pay

A good school will answer all of these quickly and in writing:

What’s the total price, including registration, materials, and any exam fees?
How many teaching hours do I get, and how many learners are in a class?
Is there a placement test, and does it cost anything?
Can I switch between in-person and online if my schedule changes?
Are you an official test center for the exam I need?
What happens if I miss classes or don’t reach my target level?

When Should You Start?

Work backward from your deadline. If you need a TEF Canada result for an immigration application, build in time for the course, the exam booking, and the results. A three-week prep course is usually the final step, not the first.

If you’re flexible, starting outside summer can lower the price at schools that charge seasonal rates.

Why Learn French in Montreal With ALC-ComInternational?

ALC-ComInternational is a language school at Place du Cercle, 3565 rue Berri, and an accredited official test center for TEF, TOEIC, CELPIP, BRIGHT, and the DFP diplomas. You can prepare and sit the exam at the same address.

Intensive group classes have 4 to 8 learners.
Classes run in person or online, with practice on ALC’s own learning platform. The 2026 price list is published, including the fees.
Courses cover general French, TEF and TCF prep, written French,h and DFP professional French.
We also offer English language courses if you need both languages for work or immigration.

How ALC Helps You Reach Your French Goal

Most people who contact ALC have a deadline: an immigration file, a job requirement,t or a program start date. Every course starts with a placement test. The team then recommends a course and gives you the total price before you enroll.

A typical immigration route includes a few months of group French, followed by TEF Canada preparation and the official test at ALC.

Next Steps

Find out your level first. Everything else, including how many weeks you need and what it will cost, depends on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to learn French in Montreal?

Intensive group French classes cost about $280 to $670 per week in 2026. Private lessons cost about $42 to $65 per hour at ALC. Add registration and material fees, which total $245 at ALC. Eligible immigrants can study for free through Francization Québec.

Are there free French classes in Montreal?

Yes. Francization Québec offers free French courses to eligible immigrants. Eligible full-time students may receive $230 per week in financial assistance. Check the eligibility rules on Québec.ca before you apply.

How long does it take to learn French in Montreal?

It depends on your starting level and your study hours. At ALC, moving up one level usually takes 4 to 8 weeks of intensive study. Practice outside class shortens that.

Are private French lessons worth the extra cost?

They’re worth it when you have a deadline or one specific weakness to fix. You pay more per hour, but none of that time goes to material you already know. Many learners add a few private hours before an exam.

Can I take French courses online in Quebec?

Yes. Many Montreal schools offer online or hybrid French courses. ALC offers in-person or online group and private courses, plus extra practice on the school’s learning platform.

Which French test do I need for Canadian immigration?

For federal programs such as Express Entry, IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada (IRCC). Quebec’s own programs can have different rules, so check the official program guide before you book.

Get Your French Course Price in Montreal

Take ALC’s placement test to get a course plan with one all-in price, including fees. Book your placement test with ALC-ComInternational.

How Much Do French Courses Cost in Montreal? A 2026 Price Guide