Information About Michelle - Upper Hutt tutor

Personal Description:

I studied French in NZ high school, lived in France for a while and then came back to NZ to do a degree in French (BA). I have been an active member of the Alliance Francaise in Wellington for a long time and I enjoy practicing my French as much as I can. I read French books, listen to the weekly news from France in French (podcasts), I use it in emails and I always stop and talk to people when I hear them speaking French in the street.

Tutoring Experience:

I have tutored nieces and nephews and kids of friends in French as they pass through high school. The kids seem to enjoy it, and I certainly do. I also have 10 years experience as a Brownie leader (mini Girl Guides - from 7-10years old), 5 years of which I was running a pack of 25 girls on my own, with only teenagers to help out. Unlike our native tongues which we pick up by osmosis from our parents as babies, I am well familiar with the way French is taught as a second language in NZ, having gone through the system myself.

Tutoring Approach:

The first lesson with me is used to check the level needed, and to see if I suit you.
I like to ask questions and help my students come up with their own answers. I try to guide them to a solution without actually telling them what to do - this seems natural to me as it fits closely with my coaching business - Envogue Coaching Ltd. I also end up speaking French a fair bit during the lessons, as it comes so naturally to me. I believe this helps my students understand more vocabulary than they would normally get taught in school. Past students have said this has helped them understand spoken french much faster than their peers.