Learn French in Mumbai
Mumbai's Alliance Française has taught French in the city since 1938 and says it is one of the largest in the world. French here is mostly a career and study language, chosen by students heading abroad and professionals working with France.
French in Mumbai
French has no official status in Mumbai, where Marathi is the state's official language and Hindi and English are widely used. It nonetheless has a long institutional history in the city. Alliance Française de Bombay was founded in 1938 and describes itself as the official French language institute and cultural centre in Mumbai; it says it is the eighth largest Alliance Française in the world, teaching over 5,000 students a year. France also has a Consulate General in Mumbai. Interest in French has grown with study abroad: in 2023 India and France set a goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030, and Campus France works with Indian students on applications.
Why people in Mumbai learn French
Students are a large group of learners in Mumbai. France has set a target of 30,000 Indian students by 2030, and while many programmes in France are taught in English, daily life, internships and part-time work are much easier in French. Others are preparing for Canada, where French-language results can add points to immigration applications. Professionals in finance, engineering, luxury retail, hospitality and the film industry work with French and Belgian partners. Parents whose children study French at school often start learning alongside them.
The French you'll hear
Mumbai has no local French variety. Learners here aim for standard French of France, which is what Alliance Française de Bombay teaches and the DELF tests. Hindi, Marathi and English speakers usually handle French consonants easily but need practice with the French u, the nasal vowels and silent final letters. If Canada is your goal, add Québec vocabulary and listening later, since accents and some everyday words differ, but the grammar and the written language are the same.
- Je voudrais faire un master en France.I would like to do a master's in France.
- J'ai un entretien avec Campus France.I have an interview with Campus France.
- Je viens de Bombay, en Inde.I come from Mumbai, in India.
- Je cherche un stage à Paris.I am looking for an internship in Paris.
- Quel est votre niveau de français ?What is your level of French?
French exams in Mumbai
Alliance Française de Bombay states that it is the only authorised institute in Mumbai to organise official French exams. It runs the DELF and DALF, which can also be taken at its Nashik centre, as well as the e-TEF, often used for Canadian immigration, and the DFP professional French diplomas. It organises several DELF and DALF sessions a year for the French Embassy in India. Check its site for current dates.
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 Mumbai or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in Mumbai
Do I need French to study in France from Mumbai?
Not always. Many master's programmes in France are taught in English. But French helps with housing, part-time jobs, internships and daily life, and French-taught degrees often ask for B2. French Ultimate is an online course you can follow from Mumbai before you leave. It has no centre, teachers or partners in India.
Which exam should I take for Canada: DELF or TEF?
For Canadian immigration, the accepted French tests are the TEF Canada and the TCF Canada, not the DELF. Alliance Française de Bombay offers the e-TEF. A DELF is useful for studies and jobs because it never expires. Check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for the current list of accepted tests.
Can I learn French online if I work long hours in Mumbai?
Yes, as long as you practise often. Short daily sessions of listening and speaking work better than one long weekend class. French Ultimate's lessons are self-paced, so commuters and people with shifting hours can study on the train or late in the evening, then take a mock exam when they feel ready.
Learn French from Mumbai, 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