About Samantha

I was born and raised in the Cotswolds, near Oxford, England. As children we travelled a lot with our parents around europe, experiencing different cultures and languages. Then at university after studying English literature and Fine Art, and I did a Bachelor of Science in Design Engineering. After graduation I ran my own business and became a mother, to the first of four children in 2000. My husband and I decided to move to France in 2002.

Although we had learnt French at school, we soon realised that it was not enough to interact with native speakers. In today's education, language often leans heavily towards a theoretical and written approach. We are taught to memorise vocabulary and grammatical tables. This, unfortunately, overlooks the essential aspect of language as a tool for communication. Language, at its core, is a living, breathing entity meant to be spoken and shared. Without formal classes we learnt through participation in the local community, by directly interacting with native speakers.

The gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application slowly closed. Through our own process of immersion, I learnt how language was being mistreated. Even for those interested in learning would soon lack confidence and shy from interacting with a stranger for fear of looking inadequate. Emphasizing oral communication aligns more closely with the authentic purpose of language – to connect with others in the real world. Over the past 20 years I have taught students from 9 months to 94 years old, which has encouraged me to create my own methods and techniques. We should be able to communicate without barrier or inhibition.

English is fast becoming an international language. I work as a full time English teacher at a local college and have now put everything I have learnt into these courses to make the English language as accessible as it should be, for everyone. Learning a language should be fun, and I promise you it can be!!