Leaving Cert French
An intensive programme covering all aspects of the LC paper suited only to those willing to give us 100% commitment. With a max of 4 students in our oral based classes, attention to oral practice is second to none.
In EF over 35% of our students received a H1 in the exam. Nationwide, just under 6% of Leaving Cert students obtained a H1 in Higher Level French [increased to 14% in 2022]. We are so proud of the fact that our students have obtained the highest grades nationally in Leaving Cert French for the past 19 years. These results are proof that Essential French remains the leader in French Tuition.
We limit the number of students who we enrol in our Leaving Cert programme every year to guarantee that our material remains EXCLUSIVE to those attending EF. No other student in the country will have access to this material which WOWS examiners every year.
Weekly Classes: Face2Face and Online
- 35 week programme: 2.5 hours per week.
- All tutors are native French speakers to ensure authenticity in accent and pronunciation.
- Our Face2Face classes are held in our EF classrooms.
- There are. max 4 students in oral classes and max 12 students in grammar classes.
- Homework and short assessments given weekly.
- Exclusive and personal support: we are available daily to answer questions, guiding and supporting each student throughout this stressful year.
Some of our additional facilities :
- Throughout the year we share exclusive tips, tricks, advice and study techniques to ensure all students know how to WOW in their LC French oral and written exams.
- Free access to our exclusive Quizlet App.
- Additional worksheets are available on our Online Kit.
- Christmas exam in Term 1 and two pre-exams with personalised feedback.
- Regular emails sent to parents to keep them updated on everything happening in EF.
- We send out 2 Progress Reports with our teachers’ advice and feedback.
Please scroll down to read feedback from our past LC students. If you wish to speak to one of our team, please contact us for more information – fill in our inquiry form here
No French in School
At Essential French we offer a special programme designed for students who choose to study French exclusively with us as an extra subject outside of school. We only accept students on this programme if they are diligent, 100% committed to the course, and prepared to work closely with us throughout the year. There is an additional fee for this option. Contact us for more details.
Essential French Language College, is a leading provider of Leaving Cert French Grinds in Cork. We at Essential French Language College promise to maximise your potential regardless of your level.
I would highly recommend Essential French! They have been a great help since the start of the school year and are available around the clock to answer any questions you may have. The teachers are very helpful and knowledgeable. My language skills in French have improved greatly and I am much more confident going into the leaving cert French exam!
I would like to thank everybody from essential french for everything. I came in to essential French extremely unsure with French and now I am confident with French.
The entire French course was broken down and made easy to understand. If I ever wasn’t sure I was able to message on FB and get an explanation almost instantly.
Thank you
I wouldn’t be anywhere near to where I’m at now without essential french. They are always checking up on you to make sure you are on track and they are always ready to show support. The notes are unbeatable and the essential french programme saves so much of your valuable time.
I did French here as an extra subject and I highly recommend it. There was constant support and if ever I needed to know something, they would respond in less than an hour. All the French teachers are friendly and enthusiastic and the content is concise and helpful.
Essential French definitely gave me the support I needed for my LC exams. The teachers are very friendly & willing to give help/advice and have helped me jump THREE grades in French! Cannot recommend them enough
As a 2022 LC student I highly recommend EF. The tuition I received over the 2 years I attended was excellent. They have a brilliant system of running alternate classes concentrating on oral work one week and written work the next. In addition to this EF also provided extra online materials with additional videos and course materials. EF gave me the confidence to do well in my oral and also enhanced the learning that I did in school.I am delighted that I chose EF.
This was my third year at essential french and my opinion hasn’t changed- it’s amazing ! The way they approach the subject especially in exam years has you totally prepared and confident. There is also 24/7 help available if you have questions. I have actually began to enjoy french and want to do more in college! Soo worth every penny!
I can’t thank EF enough for all of the support they gave me this year. The attention they give to each student is superb, especially in the seamless switch to online learning in March. The online teaching was of such a high standard that it didn’t matter that we weren’t in a physical classroom during this time. My french has improved immensely during my time at EF. Thank you to Natasha and all of the team. I couldn’t recommend it more!
Just want to say a big thank you to all the EF team for their support and dedication to the programme over the past two years ! At the start of fifth year I was really struggling, but now French is one of my best subjects. Ye really have gone above and beyond in all of your efforts !!
Hi Natasha I would like to thank your and everybody from essential for everything that you have done for me I came in to essential French extremely bad with French and now I could put together diary pieces option pieces and my biggest problem was I could never hear anything and over that past months I’ve been able to hear everything and I appreciate everything that you have done for me especially when I was in hospital and missed so much classes
Huge thank you to Natasha and all the EF team for the time and effort you dedicated to all of us, students, over the past few years and especially during lockdown which could not have been easy for ye. EF improved my French is immensely! I couldn’t recommend them enough.
I really appreciate all the hard work and guidance from Essential French. I have been doing Essential French since Third year and have really benefited from it . They have been a great support to us all this year.
The team at EF have been a huge part of my 6th year, they were always so supportive and willing to help as much as they could. I definitely noticed a huge improvement since the start of the year, I would 100% recommend!
Hi Natasha. Thanks a mil for all the work you’ve done this year, especially over the last number of weeks that we have been in lockdown. Your dedication and commitment to us was second to none, really showing why Essential French has the fantastic reputation it has. I really appreciate the hard work that went in, thanks a million!!
Natasha I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done I don’t think i’ve seen a person who cares so much about her students than you !! you really took the time to ensure we were getting amazing results and i cannot thank you enough you honestly played a blinder !!! Roll on the G&T’s now
After getting a D in the junior cert I honestly don’t think I would have been able to even stay in higher level never mind have a chance of getting at H3/H4 without you’re help. Thank you thank you thank you!
I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t decide to join essential french at the beginning of 6th year! Definitely the best choice I made regarding the leaving cert.
Even though the leaving cert is cancelled this year I know all the work that I did won’t go to waste as my teacher noticed my improvements all throughout the year, and that will hopefully be reflected in my predicted results.
I would really recommend joining Essential French to anyone who is looking to excel in French lc and get a top grade in all aspects of the exam!
As unfortunate as I was to be a Leaving Cert student in 2020, I was fortunate enough to be a student at essential French. Despite the restrictions made to cope with Covid19, Natasha and her team orchestrated perfectly , distance learning. Even from behind the screen each student received as much attention and material as if we were in a normal classroom, if not more. From 1 to 1 phone sessions to accessible material online, I was kept engaged and working consistently throughout the programme. I cannot thank everyone at EF enough for a unique and strategic learning experience.
Unlike any other grinds school, the attention students receive is amazing. Each student is carefully looked after, I had many daily updates from the EF team making sure I understood the work and pushed me to do more. I have no doubt that EF material will come in handy next year as I intend to study French in university. Merci beaucoup!
Unlike any other grinds school, the attention students receive is amazing. Each student is carefully looked after, I had many daily updates from the EF team making sure I understood the work and pushed me to do more. I have no doubt that EF material will come in handy next year as I intend to study French in university. Merci beaucoup
I’ve been doing Essential French since I was in TY and the difference it has made has been amazing. I always struggled with French in school but the material Natasha gave me was so accessible and made everything a lot easier. They are always there for you if you need help
Over the last 2 years at essential French I have noticed an incredible improvement in both my written and especially my oral french. Although the lc won’t be going ahead this year, I am still hoping for a high predicted grade from my school teacher, and with all of my ef work I think i will! Both of my siblings repeated the lc, and so attended ef for 3 years each, and both achieved excellent marks! The teachers are so caring and willing to help as much as possible- I couldn’t recommend it enough!!
Essential french saved me for my Leaving Cert! Although it’s now predicted grades my French wouldn’t be where it is now. Whenever I had an oral exam with my teacher I couldn’t answer a basic question but after Essential French I could answer each question with ease. The teachers are absolutely amazing and put effort into each class! It’s two years of learning condensed into bite sized pieces. I highly recommend it!
Essential French gives students all the tips and tricks needed to ace the leaving cert exam!! It is the only course that goes above and beyond to make sure every student gets the result they deserve. I was shocked at how suddenly and drastically my spoken and written French has improved. Definitely worth it for any eager élèves ready to tackle the LC like a beast!!!
Such an amazing place. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. The teachers are fantastic and my French improved so much throughout the year. There’s so much support from all the staff no matter what the issue.I would highly recommend Essential French couldn’t recommend it more !
I would 100% recommend EF to any student studying french as I went from bearly passing the language to top of my class! Their dedicated and enthusiastic staff quickly figured out where I needed help most on a personal level and prepared me for every aspect of the French exam. I couldn’t be more confident going into my exam in June!
Couldn’t recommend more if u struggle with French or just want to get a H1/2 . Their style of teaching makes it so much easier to learn and the environment is so welcoming. My level of French has shot up since I came and I’m so happy with how I’m doing . Would 100% recommend
Best grinds ever! I love that they give you exactly what you need to learn and how to learn it. Also, things like quizlet for learning vocab and all of the extra classes have helped me massively this year. No better place to go for french grinds.
The best grinds school I have ever gone to! All of the teachers are just fantastic and always willing to help out! 🙂
Essential French made the previously daunting French exam so much more approachable. Extensive, personalized material prepare you for every aspect of the exam- would definitely recommend!
Would highly recommend. Everyone who works there is so nice and so helpful. Get the help and tips you wouldn’t get in school
Would highly recommend Essential French! Having attended the course for both 5th and 6th year, it is clear that the dedicated work of Natasha and the EF gang is guaranteed to improve your marks for the LC. Thanks to EF, I feel 100% prepared for my exams in June and enjoy studying the language.
Essential French is such a welcoming place and has helped me so much through the year! It has made me love the French language!!
Essential French is a great way to really improve your marks in French no matter what level you are. I started in fifth year and never thought I would see my level of French improve so much.
Essential French bumped up my grade to from the 40/50 percentile range to 70<. It was so worth it and they are the most helpful and nice people out there. You won’t regret signing up.
I chose to study French outside of school with essential french and I’m so glad I did, Natasha is so supportive and available 24/7 to answer any questions you have and the grinds themselves are so helpful! I would recommend it to anyone.
Would highly recommend essential french! All the teacher are so good and nice! They really put in so much effort to get you a good result
Would 100% recommend essential french!
As someone who had a bad teacher in school and only started EF at the beginning of sixth year, my teachers at essential french have made me love the language and a lot less stressed doing my french exam for the LC.
Natasha and her staff really go the extra mile to make sure each student is happy and that shows in students results
Look after u so well. They send lovely birthday cards and get u the grade you want !
After spending 2 years with essential french i could not recommend them anymore. Their staff are friendly and very helpful and natasha is always willing to help through texts or in class. I enjoyed my time there and my grade has improved significantly thanks to the brilliant material and teachers
Really could not recommend Essential French more! The course is brilliant and covers literally every aspect of leaving cert french. I was really struggling to make any progress in school with French before coming to EF in September. I felt so comfortable walking into the oral and the exam in June knowing I had all their material and techniques to use! I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to do well in French!
I found Essential French very useful! Their teaching methods are very effective and the staff are always willing to help. They really went the extra mile to help us!
I would 110% recommend Essential French to everybody. Their fool proof approach to the French exam, commitment and care for every student is simply second to none. I, like everybody in Essential French was spoilt that we could text Natasha at any time of day for help, whether that be how to pronounce a french word or essay work, she was always just a text away. All my teachers in essential French went above and beyond the call of duty. I went from completely panicking about my French oral at the start of the year to going into my leaving cert oral exam calm and confident, knowing that I had the best material there is. I can’t thank Essential French enough.
After 2 years with them, I couldn’t recommend Essential French enough! Not only do they prepare you for the French exam but tips and tricks that you pick up that benefit you in all your other subjects are so motivating. The teachers and the constant support provided by the EF team is nothing like anywhere else, they are there to help 24/7. I never felt the need to ‘cram’ French or to spend hours studying as we were all so well equipped for every exam paper and oral. Not only was I prepared for the exam itself but also for all the pressure that comes with it!
Such a welcoming place!! Wonderful teachers who are always willing to help! My grade improved so much this year all thanks to essential french! Loved it!!
Choosing French as an extra subject outside of school was the best decision I’ve made for my leaving cert and I can’t imagine studying it anywhere other than in Essential French. Their material and teaching is second to none and their round the clock support helps enormously with any queries or worries you have. I couldn’t recommend it more!