Learn & speak French in North London

Method

'Though this be madness yet there's method in it'
(Hamlet - Scene 2 - Act 2)

The Communicative Approach is the current methodology used to learn and teach languages. It was developed in the 70's and 80's in the US and Britain and is the most effective and modern to date.
It is also known as the Functional-Notional Approach.

It is the method I follow and apply as taught for the TEFL and TFLA (Teaching Foreign Languages to Adult).
I have taught for 3 years I am TFLA certified from South Thames College.

I have successfully used the Communicative Approach method in France to teach English and in Britain to teach French. It is an immersion technique that uses the target to the maximum.
In this respect I teach French principally using French.

Be reassured, I follow the communicative approach not a dogmatic approach! I will use some English for instructions for instance. I enjoy teaching and believe it is a vocation not a religion.
The 100% Target Language rule will not be pushed on to you in order to comply to the methodology.

I will however mainly teach in French when you are advanced enough and simply need a very limited amout of English.

The Communicative Approach teaches the real and authentic language as it is spoken today.

to order a coffee,   which phrase would you use:

1 - 'Puis-je avoir un café, je vous prie?' (literally: 'May I have a coffee, pray?')

2 - 'Un café, s'il vous plait.' (one coffee, please!)

3 - 'Je veux un café!' (I want a coffee!)

Answer 3 is plain rude (in any language or culture).
Propositions 1 and 2 are correct.
You would however choose 2. Simple and to the point it uses the real language as it used in evyday life.

However pretty proposition 1 is, it simply doesn't reflect modern French!

Teaching is fun, learning is great

Using the appropriate methodology I will teach you the language as it is spoken today in real situations. Through role-play and many activities you will find yourselves talking to a sales assistant & purchasing goods or in a busy train station booking tickets.


Listening, reading, speaking and writing
The 4 skills to face any situation.

Why 4? Wouldn't speaking be enough? Speaking can be daunting (it always seems easy in the classroom). What if my accent isn't perfect? I can't remember the word for timetable. It is easy to find oneself lost for word. Solution: write it down! Be ready, be forearmed!

Communicate, express yourselves!

The communicative approach promotes communication over perfection.

Content is more important than form. Your ability to express yourself (however imperfectly) is more important than your perfect grammar.

Note: Grammar will not be ignored. It will first be treated as units of learning and the ability to create good sentences. Then, as you push forward, you will approach grammar and syntax with so much ease that you probably will quiz me on its most finer points and enjoy finding me speechless!

Following this method:

* You will be encouraged to talk. Speak first, mistakes will be dealt with later.

* There aren't such things as mistakes. There are only errors.

* You will not be stopped and corrected midway through a word or a sentence.
Your speech flow will not be interrupted.

* Correction/beginner - At the beginning, corrections will be made with your teacher, not by him.

* Correction/advanced - As you progress, you will gain greater knowledge and gain more confidence to correct yourself.

In all cases we will devise strategies to prevent similar or new errors occurring.

* Your progress will be monitored and evaluated regularly with quizzes and simple tests.

* You will be given home activities to practice and keep you ready and enthusiastic for the next session. Continuity will take place!

* You will not be given surprise tests. Content or topic of a forthcoming test will be fully explained and sufficient warning given to allow revision.

* You will not be scolded or given bad marks. You will be praised when getting it right and invited to reformulate if getting it wrong.

* There aren't bad students, there are people who don't try or teachers who lost the thread.

* You will learn and enjoy learning through various tasks and activities. You will be able to choose the type of activity* and even suggest new ones.

* Your tuition will be tailored made. It will be adapted to your requirements and respond to your needs and learning style.

* You are the student but you also are the customer. If at any point you find that the tuition is poor or are completely lost, please let me know.

* The quality of the teaching & learning experience is a joint process. It is a partnership between student(s) and teacher. The evaluation goes both ways.

* I will endeavour to provide a tuition covering the wide issues around the French language and culture globally not just 'Paris' French. I have Swiss ancestry!

* We will explore the French language with a wide array of tools. The learning process will not be limited to textbooks but also explore current issues.
Themes related to French culture & language (José Bové, la mal-bouffe, African Tales)
                                                            ... and beyond (smoking in public places).