Tutor Profile

Bonjour et bienvenue!

My name is Nathalie. I am a French native. I was born and raised in one of the most beautiful cities of France, Lyon, recognized as the European capital of gastronomy. When I was a teenager, I used to go every week with my grandmother to the large outdoor farmers market to buy vegetables and fresh produce along the beautiful banks of the Saône River, and every Wednesday, we would cook delicious specialités lyonnaises.  Lyon is also one of the oldest cities in France with gorgeous architecture, and a rich culture.   The ancient and medieval sections of the town triggered at a very young age my deep interest in history and in the civilizations that came before us.

I majored in History and Ethnography, and traveled extensively, especially in the United States.  After a couple of years of ethno-historical research, I wrote a dissertation on the relationship between Native Americans and French pioneers and Jesuits who settled along the Mississippi River during the era of French Louisiana.  Since then, my fascination with Native American cultures has only grown and deepened. My travels took me to Southern California, where I lived and worked on ethnographic projects every summer, and spent several years on an Indian reservation learning from Native American elders, extraordinary human beings who taught me the value of their language and fading culture.  I realized how deeply culture and language are intertwined and inextricably linked. For several years I shared my time between United States and France. After I obtained another degree allowing me to teach FFL (French as Foreign Language), I spent many years in France teaching French to students from all over the world, both at the university and at the Alliance Française, and at various associations and schools.

When I met my Native American future husband in California, I moved permanently to the United States.

These intercultural experiences have given me a humanistic approach to teaching French. They have taught me respect, humility, and patience. Good teaching involves constantly questioning one’s own work. To me, listening to the students and respecting their pace, needs, and goals are essential and form the core of my lesson planning.  Teaching is a mutual exchange. And to me, this approach seems very similar to ethnographic work.

I love teaching my beautiful native language and culture, especially when students are thriving because they are enjoying the learning process. The most beautiful and rewarding aspect of teaching is to witness the progress of a student, to see their ability to communicate with confidence and independence.

I hope my students will always have the same passion to learn than I have to teach!

Beside my passion for teaching my native language and culture, I also enjoy collecting Native American artefacts, and beading Native-inspired necklaces with natural stones.  Most of all, I have an infinite love for animals and nature, which brings me serenity and peace of mind.

Finally, I am a good cook!  I have to go now!  Je dois retourner à mes fourneaux pour cuir mon pain maison !

A bientôt !

Nathalie