As the mother of three sons, I know what a difference early familiarity makes with language learning. Although I sometimes teach children, I usually tutor adolescents and older students.

For eight years, I taught French at children's schools in the state of Washington, utilizing the Total Physical Response method. This method assumes that a child internalizes any second language through an internal system, one that mirrors his or her initial acquisition of speech.

This helped me learn more about how language is absorbed. It also led me to discover additional ways of involving art, music, film and, of course humor, in helping students of all ages with their French. When I structure intensive courses (especially for institutions such as the Alliance Française, or for companies), I always consider the basics of language acquisition.

In addition to teaching French 121, 122 and 123 credit classes, I also offer private tutoring. Some of my students simply wish to do better in grammar, others to polish their pronunciation or take the DELF/DALF. Others face a family move to France or to a Francophone country.

In each case, drawing on twenty years of experience, I customize my course plan and materials. I utilize all those aspects of communication that speaking and understanding French opens up for the young. However, I also focus on instilling the basics: correct grammar, pronunciation, and the rules of politeness. I help students learn to express themselves the way a native French speaker does.