Stéphanie’s French Class
About
Dear French student,
I am a freelance French tutor online who enjoys working with students from all walks of life across the world.
My approach is proactive and relaxed at the same time, focusing on conversations to keep you engaged with the language so that you can make your optimal progress starting from your current level in the most natural way.
In addition to being a language tutor, I am also a qualified translator between English and French. I hold a Master's degree in Translation studies and a Bachelor's degree in English studies specialising in foreign literature and civilisations. I have worked across several professional areas and I am always involved with international and cultural exchanges. Please see my website below for more information about my background.
It is very fulfilling to see only after a few sessions how the conversations do increase in fluidity and how students acquire some ease of speaking as they go along.
We will talk about topics which matter to you or which are relevant to you, whether you learn French as a past-time, for professional purposes, or are preparing for exams. This is a personalised class designed for you specifically and thus it is unique and based on your very needs and learning aims. Besides, your French learning will progress at the pace which is the most suitable for you.
I have worked with children and adults. I am also fluent in English, I speak a little bit of Spanish and some basic German, if you would like some occasional input or translation hints through any of these languages.
We will work via webcam so all you need is a good internet connexion.
Feel free to ask me any questions, and see more contact and information for me underneath
Please see the short introduction video at the following link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEXfg-loKQo
Looking forward to meeting you soon,
Stéphanie
W: stephanieculson-traduction.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-culson-45a73663/
Highlights
Specialties
Student age
Current speaking level
Speaking goals
Current reading level
Current writing level
Photos and videos
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
During the first class, we get to know each other and we discuss why the student wants to learn French and if there is any particular aspect that we should focus on.
Generally classes are held via Skype or Zoom and I will forward some reading notes to the student. Some students wish to receive some homework in which case I will forward some exercises for the next class so we can go through them and review the work, comment upon and or go further as necessary.
Mostly, we are here to enjoy speaking and build up on the available vocabulary for speaking in real-life situations. Also, we can work on grammar and written work if needed, but also pronounciation and understanding, anything the student needs at all.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Arts degree - Bachelor
MA in Translation Studies
Jury member of the French Rectorate's Language Competency exam results review committee
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Standard price is 30 USD per class.
How did you get started teaching?
I taught grinds about 20 years ago and throughout the years.
Upon completing my Master's degree in Translation Studies in 2013, I became a full time linguist shortly afterwards, translation becoming my main activity while teaching language classes part-time, and now I am working mostly teaching French classes while pursuing my translation and content writing activities on a part-time basis.
On a separate note, I have taught ballet classes privately and as part of a school, teaching also adult and children.
What types of students have you worked with?
Professionals and pensioners
Teenagers
Children
Students came to me to perfect their French, each at their own level, some were already perfectly fluent while others were beginners, or intermediate levels.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Students telling of their holiday time. This summer was special because people have enjoyed their time off and their time off and away. For me it hearing their stories and impressions was a mosaic of adventures that they would tell me in French with such enthusiasm, I could really tell how happy they were to share their holiday time in French, and that was delightful hearing these stories and travelling through them, while engaging in a number of original topics and providing some inspiring stock of new vocabulary. I also learned from my students some new vocabulary, for instance one of them took part a little bit in the grape harvest, and that was quite technical, so we adressed a totally new world and subculture for which we used a completely new terminology. My student observed that she had come a long way in French, which is also very fulfilling for her and for me to hear (and to be able to confirm!)
Another students gave some thanks after her French oral exam saying that she felt so much more confident on the day than she was with her French skills beforehand. Before going to the exam, she confessed that French was not her favourite topic at school, not that she did not enjoy the language, but rather that she lacked vocabulary and ease of speaking. To me, it was great that she was able to voice it and say it with such simplicity and honesty, but also it felt like she was then comfortable to say it because she had overcome her boundaries as she got more fluent over a few weeks of training. The next day, subsequent to her exam, she wrote to me to say that it had gone really well, and that she felt comfortable to talk and even to correct herself after a few hesitations or errors, keeping the oral exam flowing into her conversation with the examiner.
What I enjoy the most is that nevermind the level of the student, each will make some progress at their own pace, and they all do.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Just relax and give yourself some time for your ears to get used to the language. Ask your tutor questions, your tutor will be always happy to help.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Each student is different.
Maybe as a start, discuss the frequency of your class.
Are you aiming at a specific level? If so discuss it with your teacher.
Any specific terminology you may want to develop.
Which aspect(s) of the language do you want to stress?