Learn to Thrive in France — Online French Tutoring & Coaching for American Expats and Future Expats to Go from Studying to Fluency.
Master daily life in France—and finally feel like you belong here.
Moving to France or preparing for your move is exciting — but many American expats quickly realize that daily life can feel stressful and frustrating without speaking French. From opening a bank account to visiting the doctor, language can feel like a wall.
Working with a dedicated native coach through personalized online French tutoring and expat coaching can turn those daily hurdles — like chatting with neighbors, handling appointments, or navigating French paperwork — into confident moments that make France start to feel like home.
(Available as private tutoring or expat coaching — choose what fits you best)
500+ 5-star reviews & 10+ years of experience
She equipped my daughter with such a solid language foundation that my daughter is now a thriving au pair in France.
— Janelle Johnson (New Hartford, NY)What once felt intimidating has become natural. I can handle conversations with my landlord, order easily in restaurants, and connect with French friends.
— Lucas (American in Paris)I went from knowing almost no French to intermediate in 6 months. Chrystèle laid a strong foundation for me to keep progressing.
— Veronica (Normandy)Why So Many Expats Struggle With French in France
Here are 6 of the most common struggles I hear from my students:
Even after years of study, many Americans arrive in France and still hear “Pardon ?” every time they speak. It’s not because they’re bad at languages — it’s because everyday life in France uses a version of French they were never taught, in situations that feel high-stakes and overwhelming.
Most Americans arrive knowing classroom French — slow, clear, and formal. But daily French is fast, full of slang, and packed with liaisons that blend words together (“il est allé” → “ilé-talé”), which makes the words almost unrecognizable. They may know the vocabulary on paper, but can’t follow real conversations, which quickly erodes their confidence.
1. Real French Sounds Like One Long Word
Phone calls, doctor visits, bank appointments, or meetings at the Sécurité Sociale (social security office) all demand precise language. There’s no body language to help, and people speak fast. A single misunderstood word can mean missed appointments, delays in health coverage, or even billing mistakes — which makes every interaction feel stressful and exhausting.
2. High-Stakes Situations Leave No Room for Error
In cafés, markets, or with neighbors, everyday small talk in France follows invisible rules — when to say bonjour, how to sound warm yet polite, when to use tu vs. vous.
Without knowing these unwritten codes, many Americans feel awkward or distant, like they’re doing something wrong without knowing why — and end up isolated instead of connected.
3. Small Talk Feels Like a Secret Code
Opening a bank account, signing a lease, or replying to health insurance emails can feel like decoding a foreign language — even for simple tasks.
Forms are packed with legal terms, and emails are written in stiff, formal French that feels cold and intimidating. Many expats end up feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or dependent on others to translate their own lives.
4. Bureaucracy Feels Like Another Language
Even when they know the words, many Americans stay quiet — terrified of sounding silly or being judged for their accent.
They understand more than they can say, but the fear of embarrassment freezes them in place. Over time, they stop trying to speak at all, which stalls their progress and chips away at their confidence.
5. Fear of Mistakes Silences Them
As busy adults, they don’t know how to go from “learning” French to thinking in French. Apps, vocabulary lists, or occasional lessons may help a little — but they don’t make French stick when you need it fast in real life. Without a clear plan or support, they stay stuck at beginner or intermediate level for years.
6. They Don’t Have a Clear Path to Fluency
All of these struggles are normal — they happen when real life in France collides with the French we learned through methods made to pass tests, not to make the language stick in everyday life.
Here’s how I help you overcome these struggles — step by step, until French finally sticks and life in France starts feeling like home.
How to Finally Make French Stick — and Feel at Home in France
You don’t need more grammar or vocabulary drills — you need a method that makes French become part of your real life, step by step, until it stays.
What You’ll Get in My Lessons
Right now, everyday French can sound like a blur — words melting together, too fast to follow.
Once you learn how French really sounds, everything sharpens: you start catching what natives say, and your own words come out clearer so they understand you right away.
🗣 Hear French Clearly, Speak It Confidently
✍️ Make French Stick Through Daily Use
Most people try to memorize words and rules, hoping they’ll stick — but they quickly fade (and it’s normal!).
Instead, you’ll use new grammar, vocabulary, and conjugations in meaningful daily activities, so your brain absorbs them naturally and they become part of your real French.
Life in France runs on unspoken rules — not just in how people talk, but in how everything works.
From bank systems to shop hours to everyday etiquette, I’ll help you make sense of the little things that confuse most expats, so daily life starts feeling familiar instead of overwhelming..
💬 Decode the Cultural Code of Daily Life
🗂 Handle French Admin With Calm and Clarity
When you first settle in France, even simple administrative tasks can feel overwhelming — bank forms, housing contracts, insurance emails, school or tax documents.
I’ll help you understand the language and even support you in writing your administrative emails or letters so that you can handle these essentials with confidence.
Moving to a new country is exciting — and full of hidden challenges.
I’ll be your insider and coach, guiding you through daily life, helping you move past what holds you back, and making French — and life in France — feel natural, familiar, and like home.
💛 You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Alone
You don’t have to figure it all out alone — let’s take the first step together.
Questions before you book?
Do I need to know French already to work with you?
Not at all! I often teach beginners learning French from scratch. I’ll meet you where you are and help you start speaking with confidence.
How do your lessons help me in real life as an expat?
We focus on the French you actually need—neighbors, cafés, admin, paperwork—plus pronunciation and cultural tips so you can use French in real situations right away.
What makes your coaching different from apps or group classes?
Apps and groups often teach rules for tests, not fluency. With me, you get personalized French tutoring with a native coach, focused on moving from learning to acquisition so French sticks when you need it. We also work on pronunciation, daily tasks, and culture to build real-life fluency step by step.
How soon will I feel more confident?
I don’t promise instant fluency. I promise early wins and steady progress. With consistency—ideally 2 to 4 lessons per week—you’ll notice results quickly and feel more at home in France.