What ages does The French Institute teach?

Kids Classes are for ages 6-12 and Teens Classes for 12+.

Are lessons online or in person?

Both. Lessons run one-to-one live on Google Meet, and families in Dubai can book private in-person lessons at the school's Dubai Marina business centre by WhatsApp appointment.

How much do lessons cost?

Fees aren't published on the website - ask the provider on WhatsApp. Once a plan is agreed, payment is by bank transfer.

Is there a trial lesson?

The website doesn't mention a trial. Every student starts with an oral and written entry assessment - ask the provider how it works and whether it is charged.

Who teaches the classes?

The school says its teachers are native Parisian French speakers.

Can my teenager prepare for DELF or AP French?

Yes. Teens Classes (12+) include AP French and DELF A1-C2 preparation, online or in person in Dubai Marina.

The French Institute — French classes for kids in Dubai Marina

LanguagesFrench

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Dubai Marina

The French Institute is a French language school founded in Dubai in 2021 by Selma (Salima), a native Parisian teacher with more than 14 years of teaching French in Dubai, including five years at The Children's Garden Al Barsha and seven at the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai. It teaches kids, teens and women. Kids Classes (6-12) are playful but structured, built around stories, games and real conversation, and can be matched to IB PYP, the French curriculum or general fluency. Teens Classes (12+) cover exam technique, essay writing and oral confidence, with AP French and DELF A1-C2 preparation. Lessons are one-to-one: live on Google Meet with a digital whiteboard, or in person at a business centre in Dubai Marina by WhatsApp appointment only. Every child starts with an oral and written entry assessment so lessons match their level. Fees and lesson times aren't published, so message on WhatsApp to agree a plan.

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The activity

French, explained

French lessons teach children to understand, speak, read and write the language. Younger learners usually work through conversation, stories, songs and games, while older children add more structured grammar, reading and writing. Progress is measured against the CEFR scale, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery), and children can sit the official DELF exams to certify their level. In Dubai, families often add French lessons to support a bilingual or French-curriculum school, to prepare for school French exams, or simply to give a child a third language. Steady weekly lessons matter more than intensity: vocabulary, listening and pronunciation build over months. Starting ages vary by provider, so check the age band before booking.

Who it's for

Children aged 6-12 (Kids Classes) and teens aged 12+ (Teens Classes), from complete beginners to advanced. Kids' lessons can be matched to IB PYP, the French curriculum or general fluency; teens can prepare for AP French and DELF A1-C2. The school also teaches women, and its French Café and WhatsApp community are for women only.

What to expect

The first step is a personal entry assessment, oral and written, so lessons are pitched at your child's level from the start. Children's lessons are one-to-one: live on Google Meet with a digital whiteboard, or in person at the Dubai Marina business centre by WhatsApp appointment. Lessons use certified material such as Édito, plus apps and games for practice between sessions, and each student gets a Notion learning space and a progress tracker aligned with the CEFR levels A1-C2. To book, you agree a plan on WhatsApp and pay by bank transfer; the spot is confirmed once payment arrives. Sessions can be rescheduled with 48 hours' notice. The site doesn't mention a free trial - ask the provider.

Highlights

Kids Classes for ages 6-12 and Teens Classes for 12+ (the-french-institute.com)
Founder Selma is a native Parisian teacher with 14+ years teaching French in Dubai (the-french-institute.com)
One-to-one lessons live on Google Meet, or in person in Dubai Marina by WhatsApp appointment (the-french-institute.com)
Teens can prepare for AP French and DELF A1-C2 (the-french-institute.com)
5.0 on Google from 16 reviews (Google listing)
Identifies as women-owned (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

The French Institute is rated 5.0 on Google from 16 reviews, and all 16 are five-star.

The facts

Ages: Kids Classes: 6-12
Teens Classes: 12+
(the-french-institute.com)
Prices: Ask the provider
Schedule: By appointment - lesson times agreed directly on WhatsApp (the-french-institute.com)
Trial: No trial mentioned; every student starts with an oral and written entry assessment (the-french-institute.com)
Languages: French
Where: Business centre, Marina Park (second floor), Dubai Marina - in-person lessons by appointment · Online, live on Google Meet
How to book: wa.me/33669020567 · [email protected]

Questions parents ask

Good to know

In-person lessons are at a business centre in Dubai Marina (Marina Park, second floor on Google) - by WhatsApp appointment only (the-french-institute.com)
Booking is agreed on WhatsApp and paid by bank transfer; the spot is confirmed once payment is received (the-french-institute.com)
48-hour cancellation policy: give 48 hours' notice and the session is credited back to your plan (the-french-institute.com)
The school's WhatsApp is a French (+33) number (the-french-institute.com)
Fees and lesson times aren't published - ask on WhatsApp