100
years of French teaching experience
French | Grinds & Courses
French tests four distinct skills, oral, aural, reading and writing, and strong results depend on progress across all four, not just written accuracy. Our expert teachers combine grammar-focused teaching with genuine oral and aural practice, helping students build real fluency and confidence for exam day.
10,000
French h1s supported
10
live French classes every week
2
ways to learn – in-person or online
Find a Class That Fits Your Schedule
With 10 live French classes a week at Leeson Street and online, you’ll always find one to suit your schedule.
Weekly Grinds — French
29-week course, September 2026 – May 2027. Classes are 60 minutes (3rd Year) or 75 minutes (5th–6th Year). French is not offered at 1st, 2nd or 4th Year.
3rd Year
| Day | Time | Level | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 | Common | Leeson Street | Enrol |
| Thursday | 17:30 | Common | Online | Enrol |
No classes match these filters for 3rd Year.
What To Expect
Oral & Aural vs Written
Leaving Cert French splits marks across speaking, listening and writing, and each element needs real practice, not just vocabulary revision.
Oral & Aural
The oral exam and the aural (listening) exam together make up a substantial share of the Higher Level grade, often more than either written paper element alone.
Because spoken and listening skills build up slowly, they reward regular practice throughout the year far more than last-minute cramming does.
Written Exam
The written paper covers reading comprehension and a range of writing tasks, letters, diary entries, opinion pieces and response pieces.
Strong written performance depends on accurate grammar and a wide enough range of vocabulary to handle whatever topic comes up, not memorised paragraphs.
Oral and aural marks add up to a lot, and are easy to under-practice. Regular speaking and listening practice throughout the year makes a bigger difference than concentrating revision on grammar alone.
What to focus on
- Regular spoken practice, not just before the oral exam
- Active listening practice with real exam-style audio
- A working range of grammar and tenses, not just present tense
- Practising a range of writing task types, not just one favourite format
At the Institute of Education, weekly French classes cover oral, aural, reading and writing throughout the year.
Need Some Help? Access Our Free French Resources
We have a collection of free resources to help with French, including:
- Oral Exam Tips
- Grammar Guides
- Writing Task Examples
- Vocabulary Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of French do you teach?
We teach Higher Level French at 5th and 6th Year. 3rd Year Junior Cycle French is taught to a common standard. We do not currently offer French at 1st, 2nd or 4th Year, or a dedicated Ordinary Level Leaving Cert French option.
Where can I attend French grinds?
French is currently available at our Leeson Street location and online. It isn’t currently offered at Killester, Swords, Westmanstown or Dalkey.
Can I attend some classes online and others in person?
Yes. You can mix and match online and onsite classes across different subjects. Once enrolled in a specific class, though, you can only attend that class, whether online or in person.
How much do French grinds cost?
Fees depend on year group and how many subjects you take. For one subject, prices range from €1,020 (3rd Year) up to €1,195 (6th Year) for the full 29-week course. Taking multiple subjects reduces the average cost per subject.
What’s included with French grinds?
Every student gets live teaching, free class recordings available to rewatch until the end of the State Exams, and exam-focused notes covering the oral, aural and written elements of the course.
Are French classes recorded if I miss one?
Yes. Every class, online or onsite, is recorded and available to rewatch through Moodle, right up until the end of the State Exams.
Can I change my subject or class time during the year?
Yes. We allow class changes up to Easter, subject to availability. Contact our office on 01 661 3511 to arrange a change.
On Our Courses Students Receive:
Have Questions? We’re here to help
If you’d like to learn more about this course or need help, we’d love to hear from you. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.