French native speaker offering French lessons in London - Marketing and Tourism Degree

Find out more about Anaïs

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

  I speak French fluently because of my origins. I was born and raised in France.

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

  Coco Chanel of course, the essence of french style! This amazing icon french fashion designer had a big impact on the role of women in society: she gave women a place in the community as they were no longer seen as pretty little things that could do nothing, but were now accepted in the working society. She made fashion more accessible to women (while remaining chic and elegant), which gave them more opportunities. By offering women sailor shirts and wide-legged trousers, she created a new style that freed them from the uncomfortable corset. Women were then able to ride freely without having to sit on the side and worry about falling off!
  Let's also mention that Coco Chanel was born into a difficult time, she started from nothing and became a very successful businesswoman. If there is something you can learn from her, is that your past doesn't determine your future and that everything is possible! For me, she is one of the most inspiring French people!

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

  A typical French behavior that I particularly like: the lifestyle! Especially in the South of France, where I come from, which can be called "l'art de vivre". We really like to take our time, enjoy life and live in the moment, which is something I really appreciate and miss a lot, especially since I live in London. It's a much slower pace, and it's really nice. For example, when it comes to eating or enjoying a glass of wine, we sit down and take our time. And at lunch, if elsewhere you eat a sandwich in front of your screen, in France, the break is sacred. Life is not all about work and money all the time. It's more about sharing and enjoying the simple best moments in life.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  First and foremost, learning French is the pleasure of learning a beautiful, rich, melodious language that is often called the language of love. But obviously, that's not all! Speaking French will create a huge number of new business opportunities throughout the francophone world as they speak french in every continent! Learning French is also useful for travel purposes. You don't want to be just a tourist. When you're in France, you want the authentic French experience and you can only get that if you speak French. It will not only help you to communicate if you go to small towns or villages where not everyone speaks French but it will also help you to avoid tourist traps, discover new opportunities, save money and make friends in France :) Speak like a local and feel like a local! French is also a language for higher education! Speaking French definitely opens up opportunities to study at renowned French universities and business schools, ranked among the top higher education institutions in Europe and the world. In today's words, learning one language is not enough. Students who speak several languages will increase their chances of finding a job, whether at home or abroad. Learning another language enriches the mind and opens up new horizons, both personal and professional!

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

  One of the most difficult parts of learning French for my students is speaking and listening comprehension rather than reading and writing comprehension. This is actually a very common problem, as French learning (especially in schools) is textbook driven and the listening and speaking aspects are often neglected. You may have a good grasp of French vocabulary and grammar, but when it comes to holding a conversation, you feel like you don't understand much, which can be extremely frustrating. The solution to this problem is to get used to listening to and speaking French rather than learning it in an overly academic way. This can be done by listening to songs or podcasts, watching French films or TV shows, and of course, working with a French teacher, preferably a native speaker, one-on-one... We can help you correct yourself when you make mistakes and give you confidence when you speak! To become good at speaking, you need to really speak, get out of your comfort zone, and not be afraid to make mistakes.... everyone does!

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

  To be completely honest, most of my french teachers were quite strict when I was at school. I guess they didn't expect children to have "fun" at school. It's a shame because it can really put you off learning. Going to class was not at all a pleasure but a source of stress and anxiety. This is one of the reasons why I've decided to get into teaching but with my own method which is, much more fun and enjoyable!

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  As my experience in learning English at school was not so impressive, I've decided to adopt a different approach from the one I had at school by focusing on creating an enjoyable way of learning French through dynamic, fun, engaging, and rewarding lessons. I had always believed that my enthusiasm will benefit my student's learning as I'm really a friendly, sociable, and non-judgmental teacher. For me, teaching French is more than just a job; it is a passion. I see it as a mission and this is why I am completely dedicated to my student's learning journey. I am always enthusiastic, and I like to push my students to exceed their expectations. I am a positive person, and I believe that everything is doable with a bit of work, support, and goals to achieve along the way. I think that languages can be taught more effectively with exciting and fun lessons; in my opinion, learning french should never be boring!