This year you were maybe set on travelling to France. This next trip would have been Paris. Or rural France. But the pandemic changed your plans... as it has changed mine. You had to put a cross on this year's trip to France.
With inevitable consequences:
Adieu baguettes, croissants and macarons.
Au revoir museums, art galleries and visits to ancient monuments and quaint historic centres.
Tant pis for the walks in the countryside, the discovery of lavender fields or the spotting of white storks.
But, beyond this, you know you won't have the opportunity to practice your French as you intended to during your trip.
And that's what frustrates you the most: no interaction with French people this year...
Lockdown hasn't been easy for some of us.
Restriction of social activities... and now no possibility to travel to France?
It's like a dream evaporating after spending hours of planning your trips... and I know the feeling.
BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS LOST!
Yes, you had to put a cross on this year's trip to France.
But if you want interaction with a French individual... well look no further!
Because, well, as it happens I am French... and also a French teacher!
I can be there for you, to help you practise your French and use any chosen topic you like as a theme.
WHY TRUST ME?
As a French national, you’d think I would definitely be an asset in providing online French classes.
But a great dose of teaching practice is just as important. Just because someone is French it doesn't make them a French teacher.
I have been teaching French since 2002 in London at the renowned Institut Français and then Paris with Inlingua.
Between 2006 and 2014 I ran a boutique French language school in Sydney, Australia with an average of 100 students per term.
In 2012 we organised a memorable 2 week-French intensive course in Alsace with 20 adult students from Australia, the UK and the US.
Since then my family has been back in Europe from where I've been working on expanding the blog founded in 2008.
With over 100,000 monthly visitors on my blog, it has become a much appreciated source of information.
In these special times when the pandemic restricts our social interactions and travels, I am offering a new online French teaching service to our faithful French Moments community.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This online French session is designed especially for those who want to maintain their French skills.
They are conversational sessions: a minimum level of French is required (as this is not a beginners course)
Use this time to improve your French, to discuss an upcoming trip that needs fine-tuning, talk about French current affairs, or whatever France-related topic you fancy. Your choice!
This can be a face-to-face session OR you can invite your friends to join the class too (as we will be using Zoom!).
What this service is not about:
This is not a beginners course.
There is no written component. Just some preparation on the theme.
Apart from that, I'm quite flexible with ideas and suggestions about how you'd like the course to focus on! :-)
What PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME
The organisation of the 2 weeks intensive course in Alsace was superb, truly professional and wonderful attention to detail. Your standards are second to none, the nice little touches with our 'surprise packages', professional booklets and materials, the excursions etc. Superb!
Helen
Sydney, Australia
Imagine a fairytale village set in beautiful vineyards, nice companions, a course well-organised in every detail - small classes, experienced teachers, many opportunities to engage with French people – and a varied program of excellent excursions … I had fun, learned a lot and made good progress.
Marion
London, UK
Joining your course was the best decision I could make. It made me realize what I need to do if I am ever to progress in French. Your course was my first true conversational experience!
Thanks, Pierre!
Marci
Georgia, USA
how DO YOU ORGANISE YOUR FRENCH SESSION?
STEP 1 - QUESTIONNAIRE
Complete a the pre-call questionnaire, which will help me understand what you’re all about and get insight on how I can help you. This is where you'll mention whether the session is just for you or if you'd like other participants you know to join.
STEP 2 - RESPONSE
I will get back to you within 2 working days
STEP 3 - BOOKING AND PAYMENT
We'll agree on a session time and you'll be invited to submit your payment (via Paypal or Bank Transfer).
STEP 4 - ZOOM SESSION
We’ll talk on Zoom for a 30 minute session. Video call or just audio, that’s up to you.
The Finer Details:
► I accept a limited number of clients each week so don't leave it too late to organise!
► If you don't speak French but want to talk about future travel plans and France (in English) that is fine too!
► Just bear in mind I am based in England... I won't be available for sessions at 3am ?
The ONLINE CONVERSATION SESSIONS I offer allow you to:
Talk and interact in French with a French national (you bet I'm the real thing!)
Benefit from my expertise in teaching French, which includes being kind, patient and friendly! I'm really here to help you feel at ease with the language.
Follow a conversation in French on any subject you'd like to. And if you don't have any ideas, I'll suggest a few topics to you!
It will ask you about your level of French, contact details and preferred times.
I will then be in touch with you to organise the final details.
Who will I be talking in French to?
I will personally run your French conversation session and speak to you via Zoom.
My name is Pierre and I'm a French teacher who ran a boutique French language school in Sydney, Australia (2006-2014). Since then our family has relocated to Europe (Paris, the French Alps and now South-East England) where I continue the journey with the French Moments blog.
What kind of French teaching do you offer?
I am currently offering French conversation sessions only* (intermediate level and above). The idea is to talk in French based on a given topic(s) which could be a mix of:
- a language question (vocabulary, grammar, conjugaison),
- current affairs,
- travel advice (places to see and visit).
In fact, whatever France-related topic you fancy. Your choice!
* If you don't speak French but want to talk about France or some travel plans I'm happy to do the sessions in English with you.
Are the sessions for one or several participants?
Both!
You can be the only participant to the class and book a private session (£30 for 40 minutes)
You can also invite other friends to the class (max 4), ie people you know. This has to be organised prior to the session... because the price will be lower per person!
You'll have the opportunity to let me know when completing the questionnaire.
Which software/programme do I need on my computer?
The online sessions are run with Zoom. The solution allows us to better interact, to share documents (photos, texts, etc) and even to invite other people to the class.
Prior to the class you'll be sent a link to ask you to connect to Zoom. It's really easy.
What is great about Zoom is that you don't need to login to anything... just click on the link and follow the (easy) instructions!
Do I need to prepare anything before my class?
The idea is that we want to converse in French in a spontaneous way.
So preparation is not essential but you can of course do a little preparation about the topic we'll be talking about.
For example, if we have planned to talk about the best boulangeries in France, you can do a little research about the topic, get some vocabulary sorted, make a few notes.
You may also have a few questions about French vocabulary or grammar.
You don't need to prepare anything at all but it might help you get more out of the session(s).
How do we book the session time?
You will be asked in the questionnaire about your preferred times.
I will contact you to set up suitable times and do my best to work in with your schedule.
However as I am living in England and don't anticipate working through the night (!) I'll suggest some times that work for both time zones, if they are different.
How do I pay for your services?
You can pay via PayPal. We also accept payments through TransferWise into a local currency account in USD, AUD, EUR, GBP.
All payments must be made in advance.
How much does a French session cost?
I charge £30 per session of 40 minutes.
(to give you an idea, in July 2020, £30 was roughly equivalent to USD 39 or AUD 55)
If there are 2-4 participants, the price will be lower - I'll let you know after receiving your completed questionnaire.
How many sessions should I book?
When filling in the questionnaire, you will be asked about the frequency of the sessions.
You can opt for a one-off session and book them week to week.
Or you can book a series of several lessons in advance.
However, be aware that it is "premier arrivé, premier servi" (on a first come, first served basis). A booking time you had on a given week may not be available later.
What is the refund policy?
Unexpected circumstances can happen to everyone... and even to me!
When a session can't run as planned, there are two solutions:
- reschedule the session(s) time.
- refund the session(s).
Please note that no refund will be issued when sessions are canceled less than 24 hours before the starting time of the French course. However we can reschedule it!
(I want to make things as easy as possible but would ask that lessons are only rescheduled when absolutely necessary and not on a regular basis. ?)
