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.

PACKAGE DURATION
Must be used within six months of purchase. If you can't commit to 2-3 lessons per month, it's best to purchase individual lessons as needed.

French through Storytelling (click for description)

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.

PACKAGE DURATION
Must be used within six months of purchase. If you can't commit to 2-3 lessons per month, it's best to purchase individual lessons as needed.

English through Storytelling (click for description)

Are you looking for materials to supplement your learning and conversations with friends, family or tutors? Perhaps you prefer studying alone or you're finding it difficult to find content in Mauritian Creole adapted to learners? This course might be for you. Please note there is no video call included, it is a completely self-guided course. When you buy it, I will send you the storybook and audio with instructions on how to use them to acquire Creole naturally. Please note this is not a traditional textbook that is focused on explaining grammar or drills. It is primarily a storybook with carefully chosen vocabulary and essential grammar that is suitable for your level. A vocabulary list with translations to English is included for each chapter. There are a couple of notes on a grammar but they are brief.

The materials:
-A story about a trip to Mauritius. Level 1 includes 5 short stories (100-300 words each).
-There are 952 words total of pure story, not including the follow-up questions. 
-Accompanying audio file (MP3 format) with my recording of the stories, follow-up questions with pauses for you to practice answering in Creole, followed by my answers. Just under 14 minutes long.
-Total length of work including table of contents, titles, follow-up questions, vocabulary lists with English translation, and short notes on grammar (explained in English): 2780 words. 34 pages with spacing. PDF format.

How it works:
-Request a class for a time outside my availability 
-Confirm the class
-I will send you the PDF, audio and instructions as soon as the class is confirmed and payment transferred.
-Leave feedback within the next week if you want.

If you have questions, just send me a message. For now, only Level 1 (beginners with some knowledge of Creole from family, friends or tutors, other books, classes) available. I plan to have more levels available every few months. The stories here are not used in my classes where students get completely personalized ones instead.

Self-guided learning through stories and comprehensible input *OFFLINE COURSE*

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.

PACKAGE DURATION
Must be used within six months of purchase. If you can't commit to 2-3 lessons per month, it's best to purchase individual lessons as needed.

Mauritian Creole through Storytelling (click for description)

Do you like being in control of your own language acquisition plan? Don't want to follow a teacher's book or preferred method? Unsure how to use all the resources at your disposal? Have questions about the "best" way to learn? I can help.

Whether you want to improve your listening comprehension, speak more fluently and clearly in sepcific situations (travel, interviews, casual and formal settings), read more easily or write better, I can help you build your study plan.

Includes:
1 detailed break-down of my own approach to languages (not just generic tips such as "listen to music in the target language" or "watch movies")
2 resource recommendations specific to your target language and interests (the more you tell me about yourself and why you are learning this language, the better the recommendations)
3 my evaluation of apps/methods/books you are considering

Book at least a week before to give me time to prepare, especially if you want me to evaluate other resources.

If the lesson needs to be scheduled, it should be done at least 24 hours ahead of time. I will be present during the schedule lesson and will not reschedule if you no-show. If you arrive late, the lesson will stil end at the official end time.

1-time coaching

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.

PACKAGE DURATION
Must be used within six months of purchase. If you can't commit to 2-3 lessons per month, it's best to purchase individual lessons as needed.

Better Spanish: Intentional Practice + Corrections + Recommendations (see description)

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.

PACKAGE DURATION
Must be used within six months of purchase. If you can't commit to 2-3 lessons per month, it's best to purchase individual lessons as needed.

Spanish through Storytelling (click for description)

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.