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Meet Our Native French Tutors

​Bonjour je m’appelle Gaëlle, a French teacher and the Founder of Gaëlle & French Tutors

Born in Cameroon and raised in France, I carry with me the dual richness of a vibrant African heritage and a French education driven by excellence. Having graduated from the Sorbonne, I see the French language as a shared space for authentic connection. My passion for teaching is deeply rooted in this multicultural background, which lies at the heart of my pedagogy, enabling me to guide my students with a holistic and enriching approach.

Education has always been my calling, so after a career in Public Affairs and Communication, I devoted myself fully to teaching French to children, adolescents, and adults in London and around the world through online learning tools. Over the years, I have come to believe that learning a language should go far beyond grammar and vocabulary; it should open the door to a new way of thinking and experiencing the world.

I founded Gaëlle & French Tutors (GFT) with a clear vision: language education should be rigorous, but also deeply human. Our philosophy moves beyond traditional teaching methods. We believe that learning happens best in environments where students feel seen, encouraged, and inspired. Our lessons are living laboratories where learners do not simply study the language; they experience it.

Our approach is guided by three simple principles:

  • Learning is an adventure, not a constraint

  • Purpose drives progress, but joy makes knowledge last

  • Every learner deserves to feel valued, whether they are four or seventy-seven
     

Through this philosophy, we offer an approach to learning French that values curiosity, care, and meaningful connections. Beyond the classroom, I am first and foremost a mother of three. Motherhood has deepened my belief that education is the greatest gift we can offer. It requires patience, empathy, and academic rigour in equal measure. When I am not developing programmes or mentoring our wonderful team of tutors, you will usually find me cooking for my family, dancing, or singing sometimes slightly off-key, but always enthusiastically.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Marie !​

I am delighted to introduce Marie, one of the dedicated and experienced tutors at Gaëlle & French Tutors.

Marie has been teaching languages for over ten years. A native French speaker, she has taught in Spain, Fiji, and now French Polynesia, where she lives on the beautiful island of Huahine. Her international experience includes working at Alliance Française centres and international schools, supporting learners of all ages from young children to advanced adult students.

She holds a Master’s degree in Language Didactics from La Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris and is also certified to prepare and assess DELF examinations. In addition to language teaching, Marie has extensive experience supporting secondary school students in French literature, helping them develop both analytical skills and confidence in written expression.

Passionate about cultures and human connection, Marie brings a truly global perspective to her teaching. She shares our belief that learning French should be accessible, dynamic, and meaningful, and she helps students make confident and lasting progress through engaging, communicative lessons.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Lina !​

Allow me to introduce Lina, one of our exceptional tutors at Gaëlle & French Tutors.

Lina combines academic excellence with a dynamic and inspiring teaching style. She holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Pomona College in California, giving her a truly international and multidisciplinary perspective.

A native French speaker who graduated with distinction in the French Baccalaureate, Lina brings both intellectual depth and creativity to her lessons. Her diverse background including experience as a boxing instructor brings values of discipline, motivation, and personal goal-setting to her teaching.

Fully trained in our collaborative teaching method, Lina creates interactive and learner-centred lessons that help students build confidence and progress steadily toward fluency. Her warm and motivating approach ensures that every learner feels supported and encouraged to grow.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Mélanie !​

Meet Mélanie, a valued member of our teaching team whose background combines entrepreneurship, communication, and education.

After launching and leading her own startup, Mel’s Talk, for nearly three years, Mélanie gained first-hand experience in leadership, resilience, and storytelling. Her work focused on giving a voice to early-stage founders and sharing their journeys, an experience that strengthened her belief in the power of communication and human connection.

Having studied in both France and the United Kingdom, and currently pursuing a degree in journalism, Mélanie brings creativity, structure, and authenticity to her teaching. Her lessons are dynamic, supportive, and rooted in real-life communication, helping learners express themselves naturally and confidently.

Her ability to connect with students and create a welcoming environment reflects the spirit of Gaëlle & French Tutors: learning that is both inspiring and empowering.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Julie !​

I am delighted to introduce Julie, a passionate and dedicated teacher who brings warmth and creativity to our team.

Julie works with both children and adults, tailoring each lesson to the learner’s goals, pace, and interests. With younger students, she focuses on phonics, reading, writing, and oral expression through playful and interactive activities that build confidence and curiosity.

With adult learners, her lessons emphasise real-life communication, vocabulary development, and grammar mastery, helping students speak French naturally in both personal and professional contexts.

An engineer by training and passionate about music and dance, Julie approaches teaching with the sensitivity of an artist, carefully attuned to each learner's unique rhythm and personality. By applying the principles of our GFT approach, she creates a learning environment that is as patient as it is stimulating, ensuring that every student feels motivated and inspired to progress.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Ibtissam !​

We are thrilled to welcome Ibtissam to the Gaëlle & French Tutors team. A truly remarkable educator, Ibtissam brings seventeen years of experience teaching across elite French preparatory classes, universities, and innovative student-support programs.

What sets Ibtissam apart is the rare depth of her expertise; she holds the prestigious French agrégation in Spanish, a PhD in Comparative Literature, and advanced degrees in both Arabic and French as a Foreign Language (FLE). An accomplished researcher and published author, she blends academic rigor with a compassionate, creative approach.

At the heart of her teaching is a gift for building meaningful relationships. Whether preparing students for exams or professional fluency, Ibtissam uses our signature method to ensure every lesson is dynamic, flexible, and perfectly tailored to each learner's goals. She doesn't just relay knowledge; she inspires the confidence and curiosity needed to truly master a language.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Aurélie !​

Let me introduce Aurélie, one of the inspiring tutors at Gaëlle & French Tutors.

Aurélie holds degrees in Human Resources Management and Communication from Belgium and brings valuable experience gained in recruitment and human resources. Driven by her passion for meaningful human connections, she discovered her true vocation in teaching.

For over five years, Aurélie has taught French to learners of all ages, from young children to adults. Her teaching style is dynamic, caring, and adaptable, creating a supportive environment where students develop strong language skills and growing confidence in reading, writing, and speaking.

Fully trained in our collaborative teaching method, Aurélie designs interactive and engaging lessons that make French both accessible and enjoyable. Her curiosity, enthusiasm, and love of culture inspire learners to approach language learning with confidence and joy.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Manon !​

I am very pleased to introduce Manon, a passionate French teacher who brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the Gaëlle & French Tutors team.

With four years of teaching experience in the UK, including two years as Head of French in a London academy, Manon has developed a deep understanding of how to help learners build confidence and progress effectively. She holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language, a PGCE, and a National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching.

Her teaching journey has taken her across France, Canada, and Latin America, where she has worked with international students, university learners, and adults beginning their lives in French-speaking environments. Fully trained in our collaborative GFT method, Manon designs lessons that are structured, motivating, and entirely personalized to fit each learner's specific goals. Her international background, combined with the empathy she developed through her own journey as a language learner, makes her an inspiring guide for students embarking on their French language and culture discovery

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Cassandra !​

Allow me to introduce Cassandra, one of our thoughtful and dedicated French tutors.

Cassandra holds a Master’s degree in French Language Didactics from La Sorbonne Nouvelle University. Her academic path began in law before she discovered her true passion: teaching French to international learners.

During her studies, she gained valuable classroom experience teaching in several secondary schools in Ireland, working with large groups of students and supporting learners with special educational needs. Her Master’s research explored the role of digital tools in language learning, particularly for inclusive education.

Imbued with the GFT philosophy, Cassandra’s teaching style is patient, attentive, and highly personalized. She excels at creating a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere where learners feel comfortable speaking and exploring the language through authentic materials, cultural insights, and real-life communication.

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Bonjour, Je m'appelle Estelle !​

I am delighted to introduce Estelle, a passionate teacher whose journey reflects a lifelong love of language and education.

Raised in a family where storytelling and teaching were part of daily life, Estelle grew up surrounded by the beauty of words and languages. Although she initially pursued a career in law and worked as a legal adviser in Paris, the desire to teach eventually brought her back to education.

Along the way, she trained in movement and relaxation techniques, taught at several universities, and became a certified life coach. Today, she brings together these diverse experiences to create lessons that combine academic rigour with creativity and confidence-building techniques.

Estelle’s classes are dynamic, supportive, and perfectly aligned with GFT standards. By blending academic rigor with active listening, she helps students approach even the most complex aspects of French grammar with clarity and enjoyment. Her approach ensures that every student gains confidence and fluency while feeling truly seen and encouraged in their learning journey.

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"The tutors have been flexible, fitting sessions in before I start work. The materials are testing but not too much so, and have been pitched at just the right level. The reports that Gaëlle prepares are professional, and helpful to understand where I need to focus my own learning time."
John 5.0
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