When you travel professionally, there are certain things people assume you’re good at.
Packing light. Finding cheap flights. Navigating foreign train stations.
Speaking foreign languages?
Not necessarily.
Despite learning French at school for 5 years and having travelling in France on numerous occasions, my French was still fairly basic.
I could order a coffee, buy a baguette and ask for directions, but actual conversations? Those were another story.
So when I started planning my 6 week road trip through France, I decided it was finally time to do something about it.
I didn’t want to spend another trip relying entirely on translation apps or smiling awkwardly while someone patiently repeated themselves in English.
Instead, I wanted to build genuine confidence speaking French.
That’s what led me to Preply.
And honestly, one lesson was enough to convince me I’d found exactly what I was looking for.
Related Posts
- Why I Recommend LeShuttle over the Ferry to France
- How to Visit the Castles of the Loire Valley Without a Tour!
- Why Toulouse is a Must Visit French City
Why I Wanted to Learn French Before Travelling
One of the biggest joys of travelling through France is getting beyond the obvious tourist hotspots.
The tiny village markets.
The family-run restaurants.
The local wine producers.
The conversations that happen naturally when you spend time in a place rather than simply ticking off attractions.
The problem is that those experiences become much richer when you can communicate, even at a basic level.
As our 6 week road trip would take us through smaller towns and rural areas, I knew a little more French would go a long way.
I wasn’t trying to become fluent overnight.
I simply wanted enough confidence to:
- Chat with market traders
- Order meals without panic
- Understand staff where we were staying
- Ask questions at vineyards
- Handle unexpected situations
- Connect more naturally with local people
Most importantly, I wanted to stop being afraid of speaking.
Why I Chose Preply Instead of a Self-Learning Language App
Like many people, I’ve tried language learning apps before.
They’re great for learning vocabulary.
They’re useful for practising phrases.
But I always found myself hitting the same wall.
I could complete lessons on my phone, but when faced with a real conversation, I froze.
That’s because language isn’t really about filling in blanks or matching words to pictures.
It’s about communication.
What attracted me to Preply was its focus on real progress through real conversations.
Rather than working through a standardised programme, learners are matched with expert tutors who create personalised lessons around individual goals and interests.
If you’re learning French for an upcoming holiday, your lessons can focus on travel scenarios.
If you’re relocating to France, lessons can be built around daily life.
If you’re preparing for an exam, your tutor can focus on that.
It’s a completely different approach from a one-size-fits-all app.
Preply currently connects learners with more than 100,000 tutors teaching over 90 languages, making it the world’s largest online language learning marketplace.
Finding the Right Tutor
One of the things I liked most about Preply was how easy it was to find a tutor.
You can browse profiles based on…
- Price
- Availability
- Reviews
- Teaching experience
- Native language
- Learning goals
Each tutor has a detailed profile, introduction video and student reviews, making it easy to find someone whose teaching style matches your personality.
After browsing several profiles, I booked a trial lesson with Morgane.
That decision turned out to be a very good one.
My First French Lesson with Morgane
I was genuinely nervous before my first lesson.
It’s one thing practising vocabulary in private.
It’s another speaking French out loud to a real person.
Thankfully, Morgane immediately put me at ease.
What struck me most was how useful and engaging the lesson felt.
There was no pressure.
No judgement.
No feeling of being tested.
Instead, it felt like talking to someone who genuinely wanted me to succeed, as we discussed my upcoming France road trip, my current level of French and what I hoped to achieve.
From there, Morgane started building lessons around my specific goals, as we launched straight into someone really useful stuff about how to frame questions correctly in various formal and informal situations.
And that’s really where Preply stands apart.
The tutor adapts to you.
Not the other way around.
The Power of Learning Through Conversation
One of Preply’s core beliefs is that real language progress comes through real communication.
After using the platform myself, I completely understand why.
From the very first lesson, I was speaking French.
Not perfectly.
Not fluently.
But speaking.
That immediate practice helped me build confidence far more quickly than years of self-study ever had.
Preply’s own research found that 97% of learners said practising with a real person was very important to their progress.
That statistic makes perfect sense to me.
Language is ultimately a social skill.
The more you use it with another person, the more natural it becomes.
And I loved how during each lesson Preply lets you know how much you as speaking vs the tutor – a stat that really spurs you on to talk more!
How Preply Creates Personalised Learning
Every learner arrives with different goals.
That’s why Preply focuses heavily on personalisation.
My lessons with Morgane are completely different from what someone preparing for a French exam or business meeting might receive.
Instead, we focused on situations I’m likely to encounter while travelling around France.
These include..
Restaurants & Cafés
Learning how to order food confidently, ask questions about menus and understand responses.
Accommodation
Practising campsite check-ins, discussing bookings and understanding practical information.
Shopping And Markets
Building confidence speaking with local traders and asking questions about products.
Everyday Conversation
Learning the kind of natural language that helps transform a transaction into a genuine interaction.
Because the lessons are tailored around my trip, everything feels relevant and useful.
Human-Led, AI-Enabled Learning
Another aspect I found interesting is how Preply combines human tutoring with AI-powered learning tools.
Importantly, the technology doesn’t replace the tutor.
Instead, it supports your learning between lessons.
This human-led, AI-enabled approach is central to the platform.
Real tutors guide every learning journey, while AI helps reinforce progress behind the scenes.
Some of the features include…
Lesson Insights
After each lesson, I receive a personalised summary highlighting key vocabulary, corrections and areas for improvement.
Daily Exercises
Practice activities generated from topics covered during lessons, making revision feel much more relevant.
Scenario Practice
AI-powered simulations designed around real-world situations such as travel conversations, presentations or workplace interactions.
I particularly like the travel-focused scenarios because they mirror situations I’m likely to encounter during my road trip.
Why Preply Worked Better for Me than Self-Study
The biggest difference between Preply and self-study for me has been accountability.
When you’ve got a lesson booked, you’re far more likely to practise!
I’ve found myself really trying to listen to French podcasts, read French menus and leaflets, reviewing vocabulary and practising pronunciation.
Language learning stopped being something I occasionally thought about and became part of my weekly routine.
That’s where real progress happens.
What the Research Says
Of course, my experience is only one example, but helpfully Preply has also conducted research into language learning outcomes.
According to the company’s 2025 Learning Outcomes Study:
- Learners progressed three times faster than industry expectations
- 94% reported improved fluency
- 97% felt confident speaking after completing 24 or more lessons
Another study comparing Preply learners with users of a leading self-study language app found more than twice as many Preply learners reported achieving their learning goals after 12 weeks.
While everyone’s experience will differ, these findings reflect what I’ve personally found most valuable: speaking regularly with a real tutor accelerates confidence.
Is Preply Worth It for Travellers?
If your goal is simply memorising vocabulary, there are plenty of free resources available.
But if you want to actually use a language during your travels, I think speaking practice is essential.
That’s where Preply excels.
The combination of…
- Personalised tutoring
- Flexible scheduling
- Travel-focused learning
- Practical conversation practice
- Helpful AI learning tools
- Consistent accountability
creates an experience that feels genuinely designed around real-world communication.
For me, what started as preparation for our 6 week road trip has become something I plan to continue long after I return home.
Quick Comparison: Preply Vs Language Apps
| Feature | Preply | Typical Language App |
| Live tutor | Yes | No |
| Personalised lessons | Yes | Limited |
| Real conversation practice | Yes | Limited |
| Travel-focused learning | Yes | Limited |
| Human feedback | Yes | Automated |
| AI practice tools | Yes | Yes |
| Flexible scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Accountability | High | Low |
Preply FAQ
Is Preply good for learning French?
Yes.
Preply specialises in personalised one-to-one tutoring and is particularly effective for learners who want to improve speaking confidence through real conversations.
How much does Preply cost?
Prices vary by tutor.
Tutors set their own rates, allowing learners to choose options that fit their budget and goals.
Can beginners use Preply?
Absolutely.
Many tutors specialise in helping complete beginners build confidence from their very first lesson.
Is Preply better than language apps?
Preply offers personalised tutoring and live conversation practice, while most language apps focus on self-study.
Learners looking to improve speaking confidence often benefit from the human interaction a tutor provides.
How does Preply match learners with tutors?
Learners can filter tutors based on language, availability, teaching style, budget, reviews and learning goals.
Can I learn French before travelling to France?
Yes.
Many Preply learners use the platform specifically to prepare for holidays, relocations and long-term travel.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned isn’t actually about French.
It’s about how people learn languages.
For years, I assumed I needed more vocabulary.
What I actually needed was more conversation.
That’s why my lessons with Morgane have been so valuable.
Preply’s focus on speaking from day one, personalised tutoring and real human connection has helped me become far more confident using French in everyday situations.
Am I fluent?
Not yet.
Am I far more comfortable speaking French than I was a few months ago?
Absolutely.
And as I prepare for travelling around France, that’s already making a huge difference.
So when are you planning to start learning your next language?
Don’t put it off, check out Preply today!
This article was sponsored by Preply but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
