Native French Speaker teaching French at all levels in North London and online

Find out more about Nadia

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak French because it is my mother tongue, both my parents spoke it to me growing up.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Marcel, in Marcel Pagnol’s My Father’s Glory.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  C’est la vie!

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  It’s the foundation of my identity, a huge part of who I am, how I relate and conceive of the world.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  The grammar, conjugation in particular. What can help is a skilled teacher or tutor who makes learning fun and accessible. Watching TV shows and films in French too! And of course, being passionate about it - that will take you the furthest.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  While French is my mother tongue, I grew up in many different countries and I was schooled in English for most of primary school. When I finally entered the French system at ten years of age, I spoke French but didn’t really know how to write it. My first year, I used to get minus grades in dictation - we were scored out of 20 and I remember once scoring minus 30 points! The day I scored 8/20, I was ecstatic! I ran to the school’s pay phone to call my mom and tell her the good news. I do marvel at how far I’ve come, that today I have such an in-depth understanding of French grammar and can teach it confidently.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Being married to someone who is bilingual like me but who, unlike me, was born and bred in France has definitely helped make my French even Frencher, especially thanks to trips to visit his family.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I’ve been teaching it for over 10 years, to students aged 5 to 65. Clients sitting exams have had great results.