How I’m Learning French Pt. 2

Update: Unfortunately, Babbel isn’t offering live classes anymore.

I’m taking French classes again! I started posting them again on TikTok, so I’m currently receiving questions on how I’m learning the language, what platform I’m using, and most importantly, the cost. Since I’m no longer using Lingoda, I decided to make a separate post for Babbel Live. If you’re interested in reading my experience with Lingoda Sprint, click here.

Babbel vs Babbel Live

It’s important to note that Babbel is different from Babbel Live. I’ll share their key differences here, but I’ll be focusing more on Babbel Live after.

Babbel

It’s a language learning app similar to Duolingo. I haven’t used this because I’m more interested in actual classes with actual teachers, so I’m not sure how good it is. I also don’t know if they have a free version like Duolingo.

Babbel Live

This is what I’m curently signed up with. Babbel Live has a different subscription plan than Babbel. I almost signed up for Babbel thinking it was Babbel Live—their website is a bit confusing, so make sure to double check. This one is obviously more expensive because of the live classes, but you’d get the features of Babbel when you’re subscribed to Babbel Live.

I have a referral link where you’d get a free 3-month Babbel subscription. Click the link if you’d like to use it.

What languages are available?

With Babbel Live, you can learn French, German, Spanish and Italian.

How much?

It depends on the monthly subscription plan you choose. The longer the plan is, the cheaper it costs. There’s also an option for private or group classes—with private classes being more expensive. What I love about Babbel Live is I can take unlimited classes during the period I’m subscribed. *unliiiimiteeed 🎶* (sorry I just watched Wicked, iykyk 😂) I chose the 6-month group classes subscription on a 50% discount during their Black Friday Sale.

With the plan I chose, if I’m going to take 4 classes per week for example, each class would cost around CA$4.75 (US$3.40). That’s a very good deal. And if I’m going to keep up with the pace I’m currently in—6 classes per week—the cost of each class would go down to CA$2.90 (US$2)!

What’s a typical class like?

Classes are 50 mins to 1 hour in duration (depends on the teacher). You’ll be learning with a small group: six students max. I sometimes find six students to be a lot though—since we only have an hour with the teacher. I think three students per class is the most ideal for me. Also, the teachers speak French about 95% of the time during class, which is a good thing for immersing yourself with the language. It’s intimidating at first, but you’ll get used to it.

Lingoda vs Babbel Live

Having joined two Lingoda Super Sprints a few years ago, I noticed some stark differences between Lingoda and Babbel Live. Even if I’m just a few days in, I can already tell that I prefer the latter.

I like Babbel Live more because it’s more cost effective. As long as I’m taking classes regularly, I’d make the most out of what I paid for. As mentioned earlier, with Babbel Live, you can take unlimited classes, unlike Lingoda where you’d only get a specific number of class credits.

When I joinged the Lingoda Super Sprint, the strict rules to get the cashback is adding to the stress. I had to take classes every single day, and if I miss a day, bye-bye refund. With Babbel Live, it’s much more flexible. I can take classes whenever I want, I could skip weekends, even take two classes a day if I have the energy, plus I have at least 24 hours to cancel a class without being penalized—you can’t do any of this with Lingoda. With Lingoda, you have to cancel at least 7 days ahead to be qualified for the refund.

Another thing that makes Babbel Live more superior is I can take advantage of all the languages they offer. I can take classes from different languages simultaneously! While I’m not going to do this yet because I want to focus more on my French, I still love the idea that I have this option. With Lingoda, you’re stuck with the language you chose during sign up.

My experience with learning French so far

Just to start, my native language is Tagalog, and I speak decent English. When I was learning English in school, one of my favorite things to learn is grammar and how words are spelled. I still make mistakes up until now, but the fascination for learning the language is there. Learning the French language, I have the same experience. I simply enjoy it. It’s so interesting how sentences are formed and how words are being spelled. The spelling in some French words with all the silent letters will blow your mind, but I find it fun more than it being stressful.

I initially thought that after a few weeks of classes, I would eventually get discouraged because it will only get challenging as I progress. But as it turns out, the more challenging it gets, I noticed that I became more eager to learn. Whenever I get to practice my French outside of class, and the person I’m speaking to actually understands me, it’s one of the most surreal feelings I can think of.

I’ve been learning French on and off for about 2+ years now. Personally, the most effective way of learning is through live classes—I tried Duolingo and it’s not for me. There was a year where I didn’t take any classes at all because of work, and I noticed that my French is getting weaker and weaker. I really need to speak it regularly or else, I’ll lose it. That’s why I’m happy to be back and make progress again!

That’s it! I’ll add more in the future if there are updates. Thanks for reading and thank you for your kind and encouraging comments on my videos 🤍 À la prochaine !