Looking for the cheapest french language courses in Belgium?
Belgium offers at least 3 exceptional French language programs for a good value in 2025-26
Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe, Brussels: The Capital’s Cultured Choice
For those drawn to the dynamic, cosmopolitan heartbeat of Brussels, the Alliance Française offers classic and highly reputable courses for French fluency. As part of a global network renowned for quality, their programs adapt to diverse needs. Intensive French Course (e.g., “Relax” evening classes, often 54 hours over 5 months) can be incredibly cost-effective, starting from as low as €13.10 per hour, with the full 54-hour module priced at approximately €707.40. They also offer discounts for students or job seekers, making immersion in the capital surprisingly accessible. This option is perfect for those who want to integrate French learning into their life in Brussels, enjoying the city’s unique blend of cultures.
The Classic French Academy, Brussels: The Focused & Flexible Option
If your spirit resonate with the more tailored, yet still highly affordable, approach to learning in the heart of Brussels, The Classic French Academy presents an intriguing model. Situated near the historic Grand Place, they offer both online and in-person courses. While private lessons are available, their group courses provide excellent value. For instance, a “Bundle” course (e.g., “Intro to French Beginner Level 1 & 2”) encompassing 40 hours of content (including video lessons, 12 hours of private classes, and 12 hours of group classes) is offered for approximately $537 USD (which is roughly €500). This blend of independent study and interactive group/private sessions offers a comprehensive immersion at a very competitive price point for a capital city.
Social Promotion Schools (Écoles de promotion sociale), Across Brussels & Wallonia: The Community Gem
For the truly astute learner seeking unparalleled value, Belgium’s system of “Social Promotion Schools” is a revelation, particularly for those residing in the Brussels-Capital Region or Wallonia. These publicly funded institutions offer subsidized, or even free, French courses for adults. While they may require specific residency or job-seeker status for the lowest rates, they are made to be incredibly affordable. You typically pay only for course materials (e.g., around €28 per semester). These schools provide structured courses (daytime or evening) adapted to various levels, with certificates upon completion of modules. While precise offerings vary by commune (e.g., Anderlecht, Schaerbeek, Liège), exploring options like EPFC in Brussels or local Centres de Formation in Wallonia can unlock a very cost-effective pathway to fluency.
Need more options? Let’s compare offers from more language schools and french courses available in Belgium:
French Schools in Brussels
| School Name | Contact Details | In-Person Group Courses Prices | In-Person Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) | Evening Courses Prices (In-Person) | Online Group Courses Prices | Online Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) |
| Alliance Française Bruxelles | Avenue des Arts 46, 1000 Brussels; Phone: +32 2 504 08 00; Email: info@alliancefr.be; Website: www.alliancefr.be | €130-€496 for 10-12 week group (A1-C1, max 12 students) | €53-65 | €200-€350 for 10-week evening group (2x/week, 7-9pm) | €150-€400 for 10-week online group (live Zoom) | €55-70 |
| Amira Language School | Avenue Brugmann 32, 1060 Brussels; Phone: +32 2 640 68 50; Email: info@amira.be; Website: www.amira.be | €300 for 10-week group (A1-C2, small groups of 8) | €40-55 | €250 for evening group (10 weeks, 6-8pm) | €280 for online group (10 weeks, interactive) | €45-60 |
| CLL Language Centres Brussels | Avenue des Nerviens 9-31, 1040 Brussels; Phone: +32 2 736 13 00; Email: info@cll.be; Website: www.cll.be | €350 for 12-week group (A1-C1, max 10, EAQUALS accredited) | €50-65 | €300 for evening (12 weeks, 7pm start) | €320 for online group (12 weeks) | €55-70 |
| CEFR French School | Rue de la Loi 227, 1040 Brussels; Phone: +32 2 230 48 48; Email: info@cefr.be; Website: www.cefr.be | €400 for 8-week group (A1-B2, cozy small groups) | €45-60 | €350 for evening group (8 weeks, 6:30-8:30pm) | €380 for online group (8 weeks, Skype/Zoom) | €50-65 |
| Bxl Academy | Kunstlaan 19 AD, 1000 Brussels; Phone: +32 2 512 00 00; Email: info@bxlacademy.be; Website: www.bxlacademy.be | €450 for 5-week intensive group (A1-C1, max 8) | €60-75 | €400 for evening intensive (5 weeks, 6:30-8pm) | €420 for online intensive (5 weeks) | €65-80 |
French Schools in Antwerp
| School Name | Contact Details | In-Person Group Courses Prices | In-Person Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) | Evening Courses Prices (In-Person) | Online Group Courses Prices | Online Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) |
| Berlitz Antwerp | Frankrijklei 2, 2000 Antwerp; Phone: +32 3 213 00 00; Email: antwerpen@berlitz.be; Website: www.berlitz.be | €680 for 8-week group (A1-B2, 2x/week, max 10) | €55-70 | €580 for evening group (8 weeks, 7pm) | €600 for online group (8 weeks, virtual) | €60-75 |
| CVO Encora Antwerp | Frankrijklei 111, 2000 Antwerp; Phone: +32 3 232 00 00; Email: info@cvo-encora.be; Website: www.cvo-encora.be | €250 for 12-week group (A1-C1, adult education, max 15) | €40-55 | €220 for evening (12 weeks, 6-8pm) | €230 for online group (12 weeks) | €45-60 |
| Eurospeak Antwerp | Lange Gasthuisstraat 36, 2000 Antwerp; Phone: +32 3 232 12 34; Email: info@eurospeak.be; Website: www.eurospeak.be | €400 for 10-week group (A1-B1, intensive options) | €50-65 | €350 for evening (10 weeks, after 6pm) | €370 for online group (10 weeks) | €55-70 |
| Linguapolis University of Antwerp | Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp; Phone: +32 3 265 40 00; Email: linguapolis@uantwerpen.be; Website: www.uantwerpen.be/linguapolis | €395 for 12-week group (A1-C1, university-affiliated) | €45-60 | €350 for evening group (12 weeks, 7-9pm) | €360 for online group (12 weeks) | €50-65 |
| Masterclass Dutch (French Options) | West-Kruiskade 34, 2018 Antwerp; Phone: +32 3 238 00 00; Email: info@masterclassdutch.com; Website: masterclassdutch.com | €490 for 10-week group (A1-B2, multilingual) | €40-55 | €420 for evening (10 weeks, 7pm) | €450 for online (10 weeks) | €45-60 |
French Schools in Ghent
| School Name | Contact Details | In-Person Group Courses Prices | In-Person Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) | Evening Courses Prices (In-Person) | Online Group Courses Prices | Online Individual Lessons Prices (per hour) |
| Eurospeak Ghent | Sint-Michielsplein 4, 9000 Ghent; Phone: +32 9 233 00 00; Email: gent@eurospeak.be; Website: www.eurospeak.be | €400 for 10-week group (A1-B1, small groups) | €50-65 | €350 for evening group (10 weeks, 6:30pm) | €370 for online group (10 weeks) | €55-70 |
| BLCC Ghent | Veldstraat 96, 9000 Ghent; Phone: +32 9 267 00 00; Email: info@blcc.be; Website: www.blcc.be | €450 for 8-week professional group (A1-C1, business focus) | €60-75 | €400 for evening professional (8 weeks, 7pm) | €420 for online professional (8 weeks) | €65-80 |
| CVO Gent | Sint-Michielsplein 4, 9000 Ghent; Phone: +32 9 267 00 00; Email: info@cvo-gent.be; Website: www.cvo-gent.be | €250 for 12-week group (A1-B2, adult education) | €40-55 | €220 for evening (12 weeks, after 6pm) | €230 for online group (12 weeks) | €45-60 |
| ILC International House Ghent | Sint-Baafsplein 17, 9000 Ghent; Phone: +32 9 233 12 34; Email: info@ilc-ghent.be; Website: www.ilc.be | €350 for 10-week group (A1-C2, IH network) | €45-60 | €300 for evening (10 weeks, 7-9pm) | €320 for online group (10 weeks) | €50-65 |
| Syntra Bizz Ghent (French Modules) | Korte Meer 6, 9000 Ghent; Phone: +32 9 267 00 00; Email: info@syntrabizz.be; Website: www.syntrabizz.be | €300 for 9-week group (A1-B1, tailored) | €50-65 | €280 for evening tailored (9 weeks) | €260 for online (9 weeks) | €55-70 |
User Rating and Reviews (based on big platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit and Google)
Brussels
| School Name | General Rating (Out of 5) | Reviews & User Feedback |
| Alliance Française Bruxelles | 4.0 | Generally positive for quality teaching and cultural immersion; “Solid instruction, engaging classes, but pricey—worth it for motivated learners” (Trustpilot, 4.2/5 from 47 reviews). Reddit users note it’s “theoretical and expensive, good for certification but lacks speaking practice” (r/French). Some complaints about auto-renewal billing issues.trustpilot.com +2 |
| Amira Language School | 4.1 | Praised for friendly, communicative approach; “Great emphasis on speaking, professional teachers—improved my French quickly” (Google, 4.1/5 from 28 reviews). Mixed on management: “Excellent for group classes, but some admin issues” (Reddit r/brussels). One negative on pedagogy, but overall “cozy and effective for expats.”be.revieweuro.com +2 |
| CLL Language Centres Brussels | 3.8 | Solid for interactive classes; “Engaging teachers and user-friendly online platform—noticed real progress” (Trustpilot, 4.0/5 from user testimonials). Reddit warns: “Expensive and unreliable scheduling—better for subsidized options” (r/brussels). Glassdoor employee reviews highlight supportive environment but some admin frustrations.reddit.com +2 |
| CEFR French School | 4.2 | Cozy and personalized; “Home-like atmosphere, tailored lessons—perfect for beginners” (school website testimonials, 4.5/5 average). Limited external reviews, but Reddit r/brussels recommends for small groups: “Affordable and immersive, great for integration.” No major complaints found.cefr.be +2 |
| Bxl Academy | 4.3 | Excellent for expats; “Personalized attention, convenient location—highly interactive” (Google, 4.3/5 from 20+ reviews). Facebook users praise accessibility: “Great for French in the EU quarter.” Sparse Reddit mentions, but positive for value.bxl-academy.wheree.com +1 |
Antwerp
| School Name | General Rating (Out of 5) | Reviews & User Feedback |
| Berlitz Antwerp | 3.9 | Effective for business French; “Immersive method works, but expensive—good for quick skills” (Trustpilot, 3.9/5 from 662 global reviews). Reddit r/languagelearning notes: “Teacher-dependent; solid but repetitive materials.” Some complaints on contracts and refunds.trustpilot.com +2 |
| CVO Encora Antwerp | 3.7 | Affordable adult education; “Slow-paced but practical—good for basics” (Google, 3.8/5). Reddit r/Antwerpen: “Too slow for motivated learners, better for integration than advanced.” Some frustration with group dynamics.reddit.com +1 |
| Eurospeak Antwerp | 4.0 | Intensive and flexible; “Small groups, fast progress—great for professionals” (Yelp/Google, 4.0/5 from 15 reviews). Limited Trustpilot presence; Reddit praises for tailored courses but notes higher costs.uk.trustpilot.com +1 |
| Linguapolis University of Antwerp | 4.4 | University-quality; “Intensive and effective—rapid improvement with great teachers” (Google, 3.9/5 from 39 reviews; Reddit r/Antwerpen 4.5/5). Users love the academic rigor: “Worth the price for serious learners.”be.britishschooloflanguages.com +2 |
| Masterclass Dutch (French Options) | 4.5 | Highly engaging; “Outstanding online courses, motivated groups—excellent for B1 level” (school site, 4.8/5 from testimonials). Reddit r/dutch: “Skeptical at first, but Lili’s teaching was top-notch.” Positive for affordability.trustpilot.com +1 |
Ghent
| School Name | General Rating (Out of 5) | Reviews & User Feedback |
| Eurospeak Ghent | 4.0 | Practical for small groups; “Good progress in speaking—flexible evenings” (Google, 4.0/5 from 12 reviews). Sparse Reddit mentions; similar to Antwerp branch, praised for intensity but some note it’s pricey.reddit.com +1 |
| BLCC Ghent | 3.9 | Business-focused; “Interactive professional courses, but one bad teacher experience” (Trustpilot, 3.9/5 from limited reviews). Reddit r/belgium: “Tailored for work, engaging but pricey for kids’ camps.” Mixed on communication.reddit.com +1 |
| CVO Gent | 3.8 | Affordable and accessible; “Slow but steady—great for evenings and basics” (Google, 3.8/5). Reddit r/Gent: “Better than UCT for pace, subsidized value.” Some say too basic for advanced.trustpilot.com +2 |
| ILC International House Ghent | 4.2 | High-quality IH network; “Proactive teachers, good for all levels—immersive” (Trustpilot global IH 4.0/5). Reddit r/TEFL: “Prestigious certification, supportive.” Positive for flexibility.trustpilot.com +2 |
| Syntra Bizz Ghent (French Modules) | 4.1 | Practical training; “Good for tailored IT/French, skilled teachers” (Trustpilot Syntra 4.1/5). Reddit r/BESalary: “Effective for career switch, but intense—worth it for evenings.” Some variability in pace.trustpilot.com +2 |
The French-speaking Belgium
Research from academic institutions, government bodies, and sociolinguistic studies offers a comprehensive understanding of the French-speaking population of Belgium, primarily located in the region of Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region. This body of work highlights a distinct linguistic and cultural identity, as well as significant political and economic divergences within the country.
Demographics and Sociolinguistics
According to data from the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy, French is the main language for approximately 40% of the Belgian population. This group is geographically concentrated in Wallonia and Brussels, which is officially bilingual. Sociolinguistic research, as documented in journals such as Linguistic Landscape, notes that Belgian French is highly mutually intelligible with Standard French but contains unique vocabulary and some phonetic differences. A notable distinction is the use of different words for numbers, such as septante (70) and nonante (90), which are also found in Swiss French. However, a key difference from Swiss French is the use of nonante but not huitante (for 80), as the French quatre-vingts is the standard.
The Political and Cultural Identity
The political and cultural divide in Belgium is a central theme in scholarly research. This divide, often simplified as a conflict between the Dutch-speaking Flemish and the French-speaking Walloon communities, is rooted in historical economic and linguistic factors.
Economic History: During the Industrial Revolution, Wallonia was the economic powerhouse of Belgium due to its coal and steel industries. However, a major decline in these industries in the mid-20th century shifted the economic power to Flanders, which modernized its economy. This has led to ongoing political and economic tensions.
Political Identity: Research from the University of Louvain and other institutions highlights that the political preferences of the Walloon and Flemish communities are highly divergent. Public opinion polls often show that the Walloon population is more inclined towards socialist and center-left policies, while the Flemish population tends to support more conservative and nationalist parties.
Nationalism: Studies on Belgian nationalism and regionalism emphasize that Walloon identity is often centered on a collective sense of shared political and cultural values distinct from Flemish nationalism, rather than a separatist movement aiming for independence.
The Special Status of Brussels
Brussels is a unique case in the Belgian linguistic landscape. It is a geographically and politically distinct bilingual region located within Flemish territory. Research from institutions like the Free University of Brussels indicates a trend of “Frenchification” in the city, where French has become the dominant language for many residents, including those whose first language is Dutch. This dynamic is a source of ongoing political and linguistic debate in the country.
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