One-on-one is not a “premium version” of a small-group class.
Its value is this: you arrive with a specific problem, and the teacher works only on that. It might be speaking stuck at B1, writing that is always three points short, or an exam in two months with no time for a step-by-step programme.
Who it suits
- Fixing a weak skill: your other three skills are fine, one is dragging your score down
- Irregular schedule: shift work, business travel, young children, so no fixed timetable is possible
- Unusual progress: you studied before but stopped for many years, and need to find your gaps quickly
- Single goal: take the TEF within two months, practising only for the exam
- Hard to join a group: speaking anxiety, need for a separate setting
Who it does not suit
- Complete beginners: they most need conversation with peers and a fixed rhythm; one-on-one is actually slower
- Anyone who just wants someone to chat with: a French conversation club is a better fit than paid one-on-one
- Anyone trying to save money: for the same hours, the small-group rate ($35 per hour) is about one third
Our advice: if you are starting from zero, begin with a small group at A1.1 to build the habit of speaking, then add one-on-one lessons for a specific weakness. This combination costs less than going fully one-on-one, and works better.
How it works
| Stage | What happens | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Free placement test, then clarifying your goal and deadline | 40 minutes |
| Plan | Written study plan: how many hours, what to practise each time, when you will be assessed | Delivered within 3 days of the test |
| Lessons | Following the plan, each lesson has a clear outcome | 60 minutes per lesson hour |
| Review | Every 8 hours, to check the stage goal has been met | 30 minutes |
The written plan is not optional. What is most easily wasted in one-on-one lessons is deciding on the spot, each time, what to cover.
Prices
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Single hour | $98 |
| 10-hour package | $910 ($91 per hour) |
| Business / interview focus (same price) | $98 per hour |
- Prices are in Canadian dollars, before tax: 13% HST is added at checkout
- Pay by credit card or Interac e-Transfer; no cash
- Textbook extra: $84 per level (if needed)
- The 10-hour package is valid for 6 months
- Book 48 hours ahead; cancelling within 24 hours counts as one lesson hour
Common combinations
| Combination | Who it is for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Small group + 1 one-on-one lesson per week | You are in a group but one skill is lagging | Best value, and the most common |
| Full one-on-one sprint | Exam within a month | Intense, needs a full-time commitment |
| One-on-one + mock exam | Close to B2 and want to confirm your level | You know right after the exam how far you have to go |
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my teacher? Yes, by specialty (exams, pronunciation, business, young learners). Once chosen, the teacher does not change during that period. To meet our teachers, see the Team page.
Can I buy just 3 lessons? Yes, at $98 per hour. But under 5 lessons it is hard to build a rhythm; we recommend at least 10.
Can unused hours be refunded? Refunds follow the policy set out in our terms and on the Prices page. The textbook fee is not refunded.
Is online the same price as in person? Yes. Same teacher, same materials.
