This is an opportunity to meet, discuss your language goals and for me to evaluate your current level. We'll dive right into storytelling so that you get an idea of what lessons are like.

We learn languages through stories. When you book these lessons, I will send you a story that I write myself (transcript + recording). During the session we discuss your thoughts on the story, then practice further listening and commentary. The listening portion and questions are created carefully to enrich your vocabulary, improve your comprehension, and elicit the use of new grammatical structures. If your goals include understanding natural spoken French, speaking fluently, making the interaction a pleasure for all involved, and having meaningful conversations, these lessons are for you. The students who have enjoyed and gotten the most value from these lessons typically book a package: the better I know you as a student, the more tailored the stories are to your current level, interests and language goals. I've written travel stories, twists on Greek mythology, mysteries and fantastical tales, it all depends on what captures your interest.

This course includes:
-a story with a transcript, recording, discussion questions, vocabulary & notes on grammar sent before the lesson (the "exposure" to the language)
-a session that includes a listening activity (the 2nd part of the story) and focused questions intended to elicit rapid, accurate responses using the new words and structures presented.
-occasional assessment of current areas of weakness + mini tasks/exercises to address these

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING/LATE ARRIVALS/NO SHOWS
Cancelling and rescheduling require at least 24h notice, preferably more because I typically have materials ready 2 days before. I will be there during the scheduled session. I don't reschedule for no shows or stay longer than scheduled if you are late.

French through Storytelling (click for description) *15% off packages

We learn languages through stories. When you book these lessons, I will send you a story that I write myself (transcript + recording). During the session we discuss your thoughts on the story, then practice further listening and commentary. The listening portion and questions are created carefully to enrich your vocabulary, improve your comprehension, and elicit the use of new grammatical structures. If your goals include understanding natural spoken English, speaking fluently, making the interaction a pleasure for all involved, and having meaningful conversations, these lessons are for you. The students who have enjoyed and gotten the most value from these lessons typically book a package: the better I know you as a student, the more tailored the stories are to your current level, interests and language goals. I've written travel stories, twists on Greek mythology, mysteries and fantastical tales, it all depends on what captures your interest.

This course includes:
-a story with a transcript, recording, discussion questions, vocabulary & notes on grammar sent before the lesson (the "exposure" to the language)
-a session that includes a listening activity (the 2nd part of the story) and focused questions intended to elicit rapid, accurate responses using the new words and structures presented.
-occasional assessment of current areas of weakness + mini tasks/exercises to address these

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING/LATE ARRIVALS/NO SHOWS
Cancelling and rescheduling require at least 24h notice, preferably more because I typically have materials ready 2 days before. I will be there during the scheduled session. I don't reschedule for no shows or stay longer than scheduled if you are late.

English through Storytelling (click for description)  *15% off packages

We learn languages through stories. When you book these lessons, I will send you a story that I write myself (transcript + recording). During the session we discuss your thoughts on the story, then practice further listening and commentary. The listening portion and questions are created carefully to enrich your vocabulary, improve your comprehension, and elicit the use of new grammatical structures. If your goals include understanding natural spoken Mauritian Creole, speaking fluently, making the interaction a pleasure for all involved, and having meaningful conversations, these lessons are for you. The students who have enjoyed and gotten the most value from these lessons typically book a package: the better I know you as a student, the more tailored the stories are to your current level, interests and language goals. I've written travel stories, twists on Greek mythology, mysteries and fantastical tales, it all depends on what captures your interest.

This course includes:
-a story with a transcript, recording, discussion questions, vocabulary & notes on grammar sent before the lesson (the "exposure" to the language)
-a session that includes a listening activity (the 2nd part of the story) and focused questions intended to elicit rapid, accurate responses using the new words and structures presented.
-occasional assessment of current areas of weakness + mini tasks/exercises to address these

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING/LATE ARRIVALS/NO SHOWS
Cancelling and rescheduling require at least 24h notice, preferably more because I typically have materials ready 2 days before. I will be there during the scheduled session. I don't reschedule for no shows or stay longer than scheduled if you are late.

Mauritian Creole through Storytelling (click for description) *15% off packages

Do you prefer to learn alone? Don't want pressure to perform with a limited vocabulary of maybe a hundred words to a stranger? Is your primary motivation in learning a foreign language to be able to read more books, watch films without subtitles and understand another culture? Is speaking immediately less important to you than enjoying the language and culture? This might be the course for you. I design all materials based on your level (true beginner, elementary, lower intermediate, upper intermediate, advanced, proficient). Listening materials are included and are a mix of my own and other level-appropriate resources available online. We meet once (max 30 min) when you book the course and once at the end (max 30min) to address any questions you have and your experience. If you are satisfied, book this course as many times as you like to keep making progress. This methodology based on research principles in second language acquisition and my own experience as a language learner. I have found that with this approach, I can still enjoy novels in Spanish, political debates in Portuguese, Russian music and Italian poetry even at times when I am not using these languages in everyday life. A truly acquired language never leaves you. I have found that when I want to or have a need to speak the language, a few informal classes are all it takes to get me comfortable speaking and using what years of "input" has built. It's an effective, low-pressure, low-stress way to acquire a language and you can do it on your own time. Give it a try.

The Silent Path: 4-week self-study course (language for life) *all levels* *read for details*

To get better at a language, we not only have to spend a lot of time observing native speakers using it, listening to and reading content in the language, but also engage in mindful practice and honest, direct feedback from a teacher. If your goals include speaking well, going beyond the most basic communication, making the interaction a pleasure for all involved, and having meaningful conversations, you need focused, intentional practice in the areas that are the most difficult and uncomfortable for you right now. Repeatedly having the same conversations about familiar topics and making the same mistakes without trying to pause, reflect, and  correct yourself will not lead to any measurable progress even if you have invested hours and money into the project of foreign language learning. If you want to improve and use your time and money wisely, book this course.

During these lessons, I will:
-assess your areas of weakness, the ones most in need of attention.
-provide you with exercises/tasks that isolate this area (listening comprehension, pronunciation, a particular aspect of the grammar) so that you get focused practice.
-give you immediate feedback on whether you have understood the concept and whether you are improving.
-explain to you how to correct an error / help you improve your pronunciation or listening on the spot.
-provide recommendations for listening and reading in the form of podcasts, videos, songs, articles and other material to supplement lessons.

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING/LATE ARRIVALS/NO SHOWS
Cancelling and rescheduling require at least 24h notice, preferably more because I typically have materials ready 2 days before. I will be there during the scheduled session. I don't reschedule for no shows or stay longer than scheduled if you are late.

Better Spanish: Intentional Practice + Corrections + Recommendations (see description)  *15% off packages

We learn languages through stories. When you book these lessons, I will send you a story that I write myself (transcript + recording). During the session we discuss your thoughts on the story, then practice further listening and commentary. The listening portion and questions are created carefully to enrich your vocabulary, improve your comprehension, and elicit the use of new grammatical structures. If your goals include understanding natural spoken Spanish, speaking fluently, making the interaction a pleasure for all involved, and having meaningful conversations, these lessons are for you. The students who have enjoyed and gotten the most value from these lessons typically book a package: the better I know you as a student, the more tailored the stories are to your current level, interests and language goals. I've written travel stories, twists on Greek mythology, mysteries and fantastical tales, it all depends on what captures your interest.

This course includes:
-a story with a transcript, recording, discussion questions, vocabulary & notes on grammar sent before the lesson (the "exposure" to the language)
-a session that includes a listening activity (the 2nd part of the story) and focused questions intended to elicit rapid, accurate responses using the new words and structures presented.
-occasional assessment of current areas of weakness + mini tasks/exercises to address these

CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING/LATE ARRIVALS/NO SHOWS
Cancelling and rescheduling require at least 24h notice, preferably more because I typically have materials ready 2 days before. I will be there during the scheduled session. I don't reschedule for no shows or stay longer than scheduled if you are late.

Spanish through Storytelling (click for description)  *15% off packages

Served as the independent instructor for one French class (beginner & intermediate) each semester, including summer term. In charge of creating all lesson plans, teaching all sessions, writing quizzes and exams, grading, giving feedback on writing & speaking, and holding weekly office hours

120 Hour Professional Teaching English as a Foreign Language Program

My specialization is French and I also completed an interdisciplinary specialization in Second Language Acquisiton (SLA), as well as college teacher training & apprenticeships. Please note EDUTL 5620 (Summer 2012), French 8301 (Spring 2013), and French 8302 (Spring 2014) as my SLA courses.  French 801 (Autumn 2011) is teacher training, and 2 French 8303 apprenticeships are noted in Autumn 2013 &2014. You can see the titles of the courses on the transcript as well as the grades.

Master's degree awarded as part of combined M.A. + PhD program that is still ongoing. I have attached my degree from the university but also included my transcript attached to the "doctorate" section which shows the degree program I've been in since 2011, because this not listed on the certificate.

Participated in biennial invitation-only 2-month workshop for 25 professors and advanced doctoral students in French studies. Attended meetings & lectures on the theme of "La politique et le politique" as well as pedagogy workshops. Created syllabus on voyeurism and voyage in 18th- and 19th-century literature. Fully sponsored by my home department.

I have been teaching as an instructor in the Department of French and Italian since I began my graduate studies at Ohio State University in 2011. I have been the sole, independent instructor of basic language classes as well as intermediate cultural classes in literature, cinema, and culture. I have taught all levels of the introductory French sequence for beginners and I have taught accelerated summer classes for four years, a competitive position, contingent on excellent student evaluations.

writing

travel

reading

music

animals

Taught beginner and intermediate French classes to hundreds of students. All materials and tests prepared by me. All evaluations done by me.

Taught over 3000 lessons to over 300 students. Average of 11 lessons per student. My students improved their ability to communicate in French through a story-based approach.