12 of the best ways to learn French in Brussels
Type ‘where to learn French in Brussels’ into Google, and you’ll find more results than pralines in a local chocolate shop. It makes sense, given that Brussels is home to more expats than any other EU city, and many choose to learn the language.
But it makes deciding where to study un peu difficile — unless you have a trusty local expert to guide you.
Lucky for you, I’ve put together this guide to save you from spending hours searching, comparing and trialling different language schools when you could be studying instead.
So, here are some of the best ways to learn French in Brussels, based on your goals.
In-person French courses in Brussels
The city is full of language schools that offer in-person lessons with experienced local teachers.
These courses usually run according to a fixed schedule for a certain number of weeks, making them ideal for anyone based in Brussels full-time and can dedicate several hours per week to studying.
1. Alliance Francaise Belgium-Europe:
L’Alliance Francaise is a non-profit organisation that promotes French language and culture around the world. It has a great reputation for offering high-quality group and private French courses in the heart of Brussels. The only problem is a lot of their teachers are French, which might keep you from discovering Belgian French, les belgicismes and our culture. Note that the schedule is intense, with classes lasting over 2 hours twice per week, plus homework. Mon dieu!
EPFC is another excellent option for anyone looking for high-quality classes at a reasonable price. Again, the school is located in the centre of Brussels near Madou and offers a range of courses that suit people studying at pretty much any level.
This language training centre offers French courses for professionals, executives, and individuals in Brussels. The school provides immersive language programs that combine classroom instruction with interactive activities and practical exercises to prepare you for using French in the workplace.
These schools typically follow a traditional approach to teaching French, which means you’ll work through content at a set pace, determined by the group, the teacher and the syllabus.
If you can spend several hours per week on French and want to make studying a social affair, these schools could be perfect for you.
Or, if you're looking for more modern, interactive ways to learn, you may be better suited to taking…
Online Belgian French classes
Online French classes give you the chance to study with, well, anyone. But since this article is all about learning French in Brussels, on va rester en Belgique!
Let’s start with me—because, yep, online French courses are kinda my thing! I run live private courses for busy expats who want to enrich their lives in Belgium but don’t have time to follow a rigid in-person class schedule.
My courses are designed to work around you, so your French study doesn’t have to suffer even if your schedule changes every week. Pas d’excuses. ;)
Want to see what studying with me is like? My French Trial Package gives you a low-commitment peek at what it really means to study with an experienced teacher on your terms.
I Learn French.eu is run by Yasmine Lesire, a French teacher who grew up in Belgium and a language nerd like me! She runs online courses from her schools in Brussels and Paris, which she aims to make fun.
We recently chatted about our job as French teachers and, of course, Belgium on her podcast. Listen to our conversation here.
Wondering whether you can really learn French online? Take a look at this article I wrote about why it might even be a better way to learn.
Free ways to learn French in Belgium
If you’re not ready to invest in a French course yet, that’s totally okay. Here are a few fantastic free resources that will help you get started. No creepy green owls included!
BAPA BXL is a French language agency that provides free language, culture and integration courses to expats arriving in Brussels.
They teach French as a foreign language to newcomers of all levels, providing everyone who reaches a certain level a certificate that supports their Belgian nationality application. Ideal if you’re hoping to get Belgian citizenship.
To be eligible, you must be over 18, registered on the foreigner’s register (in the municipality of Brussels) and have a valid residence permit of more than 3 months.
Brulingua offers free online language training for all Brussels residents in the form of short, self-paced lessons.
You’ll need to create an account and complete a form to prove you live in Brussels. And then… voilà! You can start learning French for free.
Wallangues is another online platform created by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation that provides free beginner to advanced French language courses for anyone living in Wallonia.
The organisation also arranges free events around the region, where you can put what you’ve learnt into practice alongside other learners.
If you are actively looking for work in Brussels, you may be eligible for free language training through the city’s employment office. Actiris provides support for newcomers in finding a job, including those who don’t yet speak French (or Dutch!). All you need to do is register with them.
Ways to practise French in Belgium
Not looking for structured language programmes and just want to immerse yourself instead? Here are some resources you might like to try.
10. Language exchanges:
Known in Brussels as ‘conversation tables’, these are fun evening meet ups where you can practise speaking French with other residents and expats in the city.
These events welcome people of all levels, so you don’t need to be fluent. Take it from a local: it’s a great to make friends in Belgium.
Find out about upcoming Conversation Tables in this Facebook group. (No affiliation).
11. Podcasts:
Podcasts are perfect for anyone with big goals and no time. If you’re looking for a way to learn French for free around your busy schedule, I have just the thing!
My French-speaking podcast, Belgitudes, provides short, easy-to-follow audio lessons that cover all things Belgian life and culture.
12. YouTube:
I spent AGES trying to find a good Belgian French YouTube channel to give you both a taste of the language and the culture… but I couldn’t find anything (a sign I should try?).
Nonetheless, you’ll find plenty of French language teachers on the website, including Inner French and Oh La La, I Speak French!.
These free French learning resources are super for getting started. Just remember that with no one to keep you accountable, you’ll have to find ways to motivate yourself—especially if you’re studying alongside a full-time job.
Now we’ve looked at some of the best ways to learn French in Brussels, I want to answer some frequently asked questions.
Can you learn French in Brussels?
Absolutely! While it’s true that many people speak English in Brussels, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practise and improve your French outside of your regular classes.
Where is French spoken in Belgium?
French is the primary language spoken in Wallonia and Brussels, but many people here also speak Dutch.
Is Belgium a good place to learn French?
Yes! Belgium is a fantastic place to learn French. Belgians are typically very forgiving of mistakes, and we won’t even torture you with silly numbers like 98 = quatre-vingt-dix-huit.
We also don’t poke fun at people speaking French with different accents. After all, have you heard what the French say about ours!?
Because of this, many expats find it less intimidating to practise French in Belgium than in Paris, which, if you ask me, makes it one of the best places to learn.
Ready to learn French in Brussels?
Whether you’re learning at a school, online or independently, the fastest way to improve your French is to get outside and practise it. Try to use the language as much as possible in your everyday life, or, even better—make some local friends.
If you’re still not sure which type of French course you should take in Brussels, pas de problème.
Take the quiz I created to figure it out in just a few minutes.
