I spent years studying English.
Even living in the United States wasn't enough to make me fluent.Frustrated and determined to feel at home in my new country, I made a conscious decision to bring English into every part of my daily life—not just study it.
I eventually became fluent at 45. That experience transformed the way I understood language learning—and the way I teach French today.
I've Been Where You Are.
My Story: From Studying English to Living in English
When I moved to the United States, I thought being surrounded by English would naturally help me become fluent. But more than two years later, I was still struggling to communicate beyond the most basic situations.
I'd spent years memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, only to forget much of what I'd learned. Even in an English-speaking country, I often felt lost in everyday conversations.
I was frustrated. I didn't want to remain on the sidelines, unable to fully participate in the world around me. I wanted to belong.
So I made a decision: English would no longer be something I occasionally studied. It would become the language I used to live my life.
I began replacing much of the French content I consumed with English. I read books, explored subjects that fascinated me, taught French to Americans, and eventually pursued university studies in English. I wasn't doing these things to practice vocabulary or grammar. I was doing them because they mattered to me—and English was how I did them.
The transformation wasn't immediate, but it was profound. Through regular, meaningful use, words and structures that once seemed impossible to retain gradually became second nature.
I discovered the difference between knowing a language and truly making it your own.
But I also learned that meaningful practice needs a solid foundation. Understanding a language's sounds, structures, and patterns gives you something to build on. Using that knowledge regularly helps turn it into skills you can rely on.
That's the balance I bring to my French lessons today: building understanding, developing skills through practice, and helping students make French part of their own lives.
A Little More About Me
After ten years in the United States, I'm now back in France, living just outside Paris.
Those years in America are still a big part of who I am. I miss some of the little things (Hobby Lobby, anyone?), but what I value most are the people, experiences, and friendships that made those years so meaningful.
Having lived between two cultures, I know how much language shapes our everyday experiences and our sense of belonging. And I love sharing that perspective with my students, whether they're planning a move to France, preparing for a trip, or simply enjoying the journey of learning French.
Beyond teaching, I'm someone who loves discovering new things, having meaningful conversations, and finding joy in life's little pleasures.
Ready to Make French Part of Your Life?
Have a question? Contact Me.