French lessons for intermediate & advanced learners (B1 >> C2) – Full immersion - DELF & DALF preparation

Find out more about Marie

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  As a native French speaker, I have always been passionate about the literature and culture of my country. I decided to become a French teacher because I was a really shy teenager in high school. When I spoke another language it was difficult and stressful, so I wanted to help people to improve their French and to gain self-confidence.
  
  There are so many things to discover in France and I think the best way to discover them is by talking to the French people. Who can know French culture better than a native speaker? So I choose to give private lessons online because I love to share my experience, my culture and my language with people around the world. I found it's magic to learn another language in the living room.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  For this question, Coluche immediately comes to my mind. Coluche is the stage name of the actor and comedian Michel Colucci. He was a man of many talents who became very famous in France for his sketches that criticized the French government. Coluche was deeply concerned by social issues and even proposed himself as a candidate in the 1981 presidential election to promote his ideas to the government. He eventually withdrew his candidacy after facing pressure and threats. In 1985, he founded the association "Les Restos du Cœur," which is still working today to ensure that everyone gets a daily meal. He died in a motorcycle accident in 1985 but remains in the French popular memory.
  
  As for me, this is a good representation of French culture. French culture means being able to laugh and criticize at the same time. It is having the right to discuss deep and serious topics while being generous with everyone.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I am deeply in love with the French "terrace culture". This behavior often surprises my students when they hang out with the French people.
  
  Indeed, in France, it is very common to have a drink on a terrace after work and spend several hours chatting while sipping wine. The most important thing is not the drinking itself but, above all, enjoying a simple moment at the table, discussing, and sometimes even gossiping. Foreigners are often surprised by the number of hours the French can spend sitting and chatting on a terrace, but it's a bit like a tradition, especially in Paris.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  French is used by 321 million speakers, making it the 5th most spoken language in the world. As for me, you would definitely come across the French language one day. Whether it's through music, films, series, books, at work, or during travels.
  
  That's why I like using various authentic materials in my individual online classes. To offer my students the opportunity to learn French as it is spoken, and not just the beautiful language of the last century.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  I noticed my students often have difficulties with French grammar and conjugation. Depending on your first language, phonetics can also scare these people who learn French. So how do you improve your language learning ? I think that practicing is the best way to improve. I encourage my students to consume the French language daily with books, BD, films, series, documentary, podcasts, etc.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  One day during one of my French classes, a Chinese student shared a story about a French dish he had prepared for his mother-in-law. He explained in French that he had bought "poison" and other ingredients on his own and was proud of himself (as when he first arrived in France, he was too stressed to speak French to strangers). Some students began to look at him strangely until a classmate said, "Tu as donné du poison à ta belle-mère? Tu la détestais vraiment !" ("Did you poison your mother-in-law? You hated her !") That's extreme!'
  
  In French, the words "poison" and "poisson" (fish) have very similar pronunciations but vastly different meanings, which can lead to funny situations. We had a good laugh at this small pronunciation mistake that could have been costly for the mother-in-law!"

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I lived in Montreal during my studies and I noticed how the French language in Quebec and in France are really different. With my Parisian French I discovered new words and expressions in Quebecian French.
  
  The first difference I noticed was in saying 'Hi.' In France, we use the word 'Salut' to greet a friend, or family. In Quebec, people say 'Allô!' to greet everyone. In France, 'Allô?' is used only to start a telephone conversation. It was very challenging for me to change the intonation of this word that I had always used as a question.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  Before I was a shy and stressed language student. Now, I am a teacher who listens to the linguistic as well as psychological needs of my students. To learn a language, one must practice it, but it can be challenging to overcome the fear of speaking a foreign language alone. That's why I offer individual lessons. I believe personalized guidance always helps learners build confidence before speaking to strangers on the street, fellow students at university, or in a group class. This technique greatly assisted me in learning English, and I would like to help you become fluent in French without fear!