8 Years French teaching experience (FLE), DALF C1 certified Graduate from La Sorbonne University (Paris, France) with a passion for preparing students to meet their French learning needs!

Find out more about Jordan

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

  I started learning French in high school and loved it so much that I decided to minor in it during college. My passion for the language really blossomed thanks to all my incredible professors over the years, especially during my time studying at La Sorbonne! I've been fortunate enough to live in Paris for 2 years and French-speaking Switzerland for another year, which completely transformed my fluency. My boyfriend is French too, which gives me plenty of practice! The combination of great teachers who inspired me and these immersive experiences has helped me develop a deep connection with the language.

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

  It might sound a bit stereotypical, but I'd have to say Simone Veil truly embodies what I admire about French culture. She represents so many values I connect with in France-she was an incredibly strong woman with powerful feminist values who was deeply engaged in politics and social change. Her intelligence, resilience, and commitment to making a difference perfectly capture the intellectual tradition and social consciousness that make French culture so rich and meaningful to me.

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

  I absolutely love the phrase "se manquer" in French! Instead of simply saying you miss someone, it beautifully implies that the person is actually missing from you-like they're a part of you that's temporarily absent. It's such a lovely, profound way of expressing connection that just doesn't translate directly into English. These little linguistic gems are what make learning French so rewarding-you discover entirely new ways to understand and express human experiences!

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  French matters deeply to me because it creates and fosters genuine connections with others. It's tied to a culture that I've grown to love and deeply respect. Being able to speak French isn't just about communication-it's about accessing a whole world of perspectives, literature, films, and relationships that would otherwise remain partially closed to me. It's become an important part of who I am and how I relate to the world around me.

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

  The pronunciation in French can definitely be challenging at first! Those nasal sounds and subtle differences between vowels can feel overwhelming to newcomers. But I've discovered there are wonderful little tricks that make it much more logical and intuitive with practice. Once you understand certain patterns and rules, what seemed impossible becomes second nature. I love sharing these "aha!" pronunciation moments with my students-it's so rewarding to see that lightbulb moment when a sound finally clicks!

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

  Reading has absolutely been my best friend throughout my French journey! Seeing the differences between how words are written and pronounced initially confused me, but the more I read, the more natural it all became. I remember struggling with certain spelling patterns until I started reading French novels regularly. Suddenly, words I'd been mispronouncing for ages just made sense visually. Now I always encourage my students to read whatever interests them in French-whether it's news articles, comics, or classic literature-because it connects all the pieces of the language puzzle!

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

  Living abroad was absolutely transformative for me! Nothing compares to being fully immersed in a language environment where you're surrounded by French 24/7. During my time in Paris and Switzerland, I had to use French for everything from setting up a bank account to making friends to dealing with everyday challenges. Those experiences pushed me far beyond classroom French into real, living language use. Every awkward conversation and cultural misunderstanding taught me something valuable that no textbook could. I came back with not just better French, but a deeper understanding of the culture that gives the language its heart.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  What makes me different as a language teacher is my genuine investment in my students, their unique goals, and the learning process itself. Having spent many years becoming fluent myself, I understand exactly what challenges learners face at each stage. I have a deep understanding of French grammar and can explain those tricky concepts clearly, but I also know that learning needs to be enjoyable and relevant to stick! I tailor my approach to each student's learning style and always have recommendations ready for resources that will help them progress. My goal isn't just to teach French words and rules-it's to help you develop a meaningful relationship with this beautiful language!