Native French speaker. High-school graduated in France. Currently living in Dublin. All levels students. Leaving Cert pro!

Find out more about Camille

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

  French is my mother tongue. However, linguistics has always been a strong interest of
  mine, especially since I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from all around the
  world. Living and travelling abroad has made me even more curious about languages,
  how they evolve, and how they connect people from different cultures.

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

  There are so many I could choose from! French culture is incredibly diverse, and the
  language itself reflects that through its slang, regional expressions, accents, and local
  traditions. If I had to choose one person, I might say Sophie Marceau. She is an iconic
  French actress who has played a wide range of dramatic and emotional roles, and she
  has a very recognisable, soft Parisian accent. I think she represents a certain elegance
  and expressiveness that people often associate with French culture.

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

  I love all the little sounds and expressions that French speakers naturally use in
  conversation — things like “hein”, “euh”, and “bah”. They may seem insignificant, but I
  think they give the language so much character. They add emotion, hesitation, humour,
  or emphasis to a conversation, and they are a great example of how a language is much
  more than just vocabulary and grammar.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  French is my mother tongue, and France is my home country. I’ve lived in several
  different countries, but France always seems to call me back in some way. I’m very
  passionate about my culture and the linguistic heritage French shares with other
  languages and cultures. I find languages fascinating because they constantly evolve and
  influence one another. Teaching French has also made me appreciate my own language
  in a completely different way. I’m constantly discovering new connections, expressions,
  and nuances, and I love sharing that curiosity with my students.

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

  It really depends on the student’s background, goals, and learning style. Generally
  speaking, I would say that grammar can be one of the biggest challenges when learning
  French. When a student struggles with grammar, I first try to identify exactly what is
  causing the difficulty. From there, I adapt the activities to their needs and interests,
  using subjects, media, and exercises that they actually enjoy. I believe learning becomes
  much more effective when the student feels personally engaged with what they are
  learning.

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

  One of the things that made me truly appreciate French was a teacher I had in middle
  school. He introduced me to literature and poetry in a way that made them feel alive and
  pushed me to write – something that ultimately led me to Ireland, where I’ve continued
  to explore my love of language and culture.
  
  What I love about French is how it connects everything: history, geography, culture,
  literature and linguistics. It can be incredibly beautiful and poetic, but also precise,
  effective and wonderfully sassy. I remember reading authors like Rimbaud and La
  Comtesse de Ségur and falling in love with the way the words flowed in my head. There
  was something almost musical about them. Studying Cyrano de Bergerac and
  performing scenes from it also showed me just how expressive French can be. That’s
  what I love most about the language: it’s not just about communicating - it can create
  emotion, humour, imagery and atmosphere

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

  I’ve been teaching French since moving to Ireland, and it has actually deepened my
  understanding and appreciation of my own language. Students often ask questions that
  make me research, reflect, and sometimes even question things I thought I already
  understood. After five years in Ireland, teaching has also become a way of staying
  connected to France and my culture. Being away has given me a different perspective
  and made me appreciate my language and cultural heritage even more.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I’ve lived in France, the US, Ireland and Thailand, and I’ve also travelled independently
  through countries including Spain, Italy, South Korea, the UK and Cambodia. I’ve also
  learned a lot of English independently, as well as Thai while I was living there and some
  Italian, so I’ve experienced different learning processes from the student’s perspective
  too.
  
  I think that has made me much more aware that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to
  learning a language. I try to adapt my lessons as much as possible to each student’s
  needs, personality and goals.
  
  If a student mainly wants to improve their conversation skills, we might have a genuine
  chat for an hour, while implementing slang and everyday language. If they’re preparing
  for the Leaving Certificate, we might work through exam papers, do close readings, or
  study plays and practise pronunciation. With a very young student who has a French
  parent, we might read stories, watch short cartoons, play games and talk about French
  culture or pop culture. Or, for an adult who has been out of school for a long time, I
  might introduce some more academic work gradually, while keeping it engaging and
  building their confidence.
  
  For me, the key words are confidence and willingness to learn. Once a student feels
  comfortable making mistakes and curious about the language, learning becomes much
  easier; and, most importantly, it should be fun!