Speak Fluench

When culture is stronger than the language :

The woman I’m talking with shares her life with a French partner, and is raising a bilingual child.

She’s very aware of French culture, so much that she even knows what a « bobo » is !

Learning French is not just about the language. You can have a lower intermediate level and still know a lot about the country and its culture.

Let me share 2 personal examples :

Language > culture : I speak Spanish at a high level, my partner is half-Spanish, I live in Spain, i have Spanish speaking friends, I have no communication issues whatsoever BUT culturally I’m still very ignorant because my life here started very recently. I don’t connect yet with Spanish culture.

Culture > language : I speak Bulgarian at a lower level, somewhere between A2 and B1, but culturally, I’m totally connected after having lived there for more than 5 years I know all the dishes, traditions, local produces, sayings and politeness rules. I identify with Bulgarian culture even though my language level is not so high.

Does that resonate with you ? What is your situation with French ?

💡 If you want to discuss stereotypes on different cultures, 3 spots are left for the next conversation session I’ll be hosting on June 12th. The level is B1 minimum, you can book your spot on my profile !

⬇️ Other teachers : what would you have done ?? I’d love to open a conversation about this topic.

🔗 tu veux parler francais avec moi ? 6 places sont disponibles.

I love my job so much for letting me connect with women all over the world and giving them the support they need for their new life in France !

« They were nice but they did not listen »

This is what most of the women that come to me tell me about their previous French teacher.

Learning a new structure, acquiring a new skill means you use it right away.

Even more important, by using it right away, you’ll understand how this new piece of language can help you connect and communicate with your closed ones, especially if they speak only French.

Learning French allows you to bond with people, to make yourself heard in this new place that you now call home. ❤️‍🩹

This is the kind of niche conversations I love having with students. With E., we’ve covered every possible topic over the last 4 years (yes!!!). I’ve seen her grow from a young teenager to now a young adult entering the world and finally moving to France !
After so long, we can talk about anything.
Have you had a teacher in your life whom you still remember today ?

On a first class, connecting is key !

With my new student who enrolled 10 days ago, I felt it made sense to get to know each other but in French of course !

She has been studying on her own for a while now and has impeccable pronunciation as you can hear !

Food is usually a good way to engage with someone, it’s such a wide and common topic. Plus, you always end up learning something! Did you know that French toast (le pain perdu) in Hong-Kong comes with peanut butter ?

When we finished the class, she told me it was the most French she had ever spoken in her whole life. This is why I love what I do. Giving space to someone’s voice in French is just so rewarding.