Are you ready to learn French in NYC? Having private French Lessons is an excellent option for those who need professional assistance. However, you should also beware that in New york you will find a wide selection of French lessons.  How do you identify which tutor is right for you?. I have the following seven tips to help you in your quest:

Tip #1: Identify your goals

The first step in hiring a French tutor is to clearly identify your learning goals. What is the level you hope to achieve? How much time do you have? What is your budget? — Knowing this will allow you to set realistic expectations and communicate these goals to your tutor.

Tip #2 Avoid French Schools or Institutes in New york

Many French language schools in New york offer one-to-one private tutoring. In addition to their high tutoring fees, schools tend to outsource for French tutors and will often rotate their staff throughout the year. This means you might end up switching tutors more than once, or you might be unable to meet your tutor before the first lesson. Think of this as going on a ‘blind date’.

Tip #3 Stay clear of the ‘Jack of all trades, master of none Tutor’

While it’s very common for many French tutors to be well-versed in more than one language, this might not be the best option for beginners. This is because entry-level learners require plenty of assistance in learning the basic phonetics for good pronunciation. Multi-lingual tutors tend to fall behind in this area, and are less precise than language specialists.

Tip #4 Ask about their French teaching method

When interviewing your French tutor; be sure to ask about their teaching approach. While some tutors tend to be structured with a clear sense of direction, others are far more relaxed and casual. Ideally, your learning style should go in hand with their method. So, ask yourself, how would I prefer to learn?

Tip #5 References, References, and References

Grandma wasn’t wrong. Good references continue to be the best measure of success. Ask your potential tutor if he or she can present references of past students. If he or she declines, you may want to continue your search.

Tip #6 Fees and commitment

Tutors are always looking for stability in their schedule. Many will try to ‘commit’ students to a certain number of hours by asking for pre-paid French lessons/classes. Others, will ask for a minimum of lessons per week. Both of these options are difficult for students as life is often unpredictable and cancellations are common.

Try to minimize long-term commitment by looking for a ‘pay as you go’ tutor or any other who would be willing to negotiate this policy.

Tip #7 Don’t forget to have fun while learning French

Learning a French is not only about gaining new knowledge, but most importantly, experiencing the world of French culture, music and discovery. Above all, living in NYC gives you the possibility of learning French in one of the most diverse cities in the world, and hence opens up the opportunities of practicing your skills with other french speakers.