Learn French in London
London is a short train ride from Paris, Lille and Brussels, and in some neighbourhoods French is part of everyday life. This page looks at why Londoners learn French, which French helps most, and where to take official exams.
French in London
French has no official status in London, but it has deep roots in parts of the city. The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle has taught pupils in South Kensington since 1915, and the Institut français du Royaume-Uni runs language courses, a library and a cinema nearby. In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the council's analysis of 2021 Census data notes that French is the most spoken language after English, although the pattern differs across the borough. In schools, French has long been a mainstay of language teaching, but entries are shifting: in 2025 Spanish overtook French as the most popular language GCSE across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the first time, according to the Association for Language Learning's review of the results.
Why people in London learn French
Many Londoners learn French because their work crosses the Channel: jobs in law, finance, diplomacy, fashion and luxury retail often list it as an asset. Eurostar trains from St Pancras put Paris, Lille and Brussels within reach for a weekend, so travel is a common motive. Parents whose children attend French or bilingual schools learn so they can follow homework and talk with teachers. People applying for French nationality or a place at a French university usually need a TCF result, and anyone planning a move to Canada can sit TCF Canada without leaving the city.
The French you'll hear
Most Londoners use French for trips to France or for work with offices in Paris, so the standard French of France is the variety to aim for. It is what you hear at the Institut français, in Eurostar announcements and on French radio and television. If your job links you to Brussels or Geneva, add the Belgian and Swiss numbers septante and nonante once the standard forms are solid. Around South Kensington you will hear French from families across the francophone world, so expect a mix of accents and train your ear for all of them.
- Un aller-retour pour Paris, s'il vous plaît.A return ticket to Paris, please.
- Le train a combien de retard ?How late is the train?
- Je travaille avec notre bureau de Paris.I work with our Paris office.
- Pouvez-vous m'envoyer le compte rendu ?Could you send me the minutes?
- Mes enfants vont au lycée français.My children go to the French school.
French exams in London
The Institut français du Royaume-Uni in South Kensington is an accredited exam centre. Its certificates page lists DELF and DALF for adults, DELF Junior for teenagers and DELF Prim for children, plus TCF Tout Public for French universities, TCF IRN for French nationality applications, and TCF Canada and TCF Québec for immigration. DELF and DALF diplomas are valid for life, while TCF results have a limited validity, so check what your university or immigration file requires before booking a session.
Check dates and fees with the exam centre directly; they change every session.
Where to start in the course
French Ultimate is an online course, so you can follow it from London or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in London
Can I prepare for the DELF in London with an online course?
Yes. You sit the exam in person at an accredited centre such as the Institut français, but the preparation can happen anywhere. French Ultimate is an online course with no London premises, and it includes DELF and DALF mock exams, so you can practise each paper at home or on your commute before you book a session.
Is French or Spanish more useful for someone living in London?
It depends on your plans. Spanish recently overtook French at GCSE, but French is the language of the UK's nearest neighbour, a working language of many international organisations and an official language across much of Africa. If your work or travel points to France, Belgium, Switzerland or Canada, French is the better choice.
I travel to Paris for work. What level do I need for meetings?
For small talk, travel and logistics, A2 is enough. To follow a meeting and give your view clearly, aim for B1 to B2. Formal emails, meetings and business letters are covered in French Ultimate's B2 business unit, and the speaking practice lets you rehearse out loud before your next trip.
Learn French from London, at your own pace
Animated video lessons that stop for your answers, speaking practice, graded stories and DELF/DALF mock exams, from A1 to C2. Start with the free placement test to see where you are.
Take the placement test