Salut!! My name is Jackie and I have been passionate about foreign languages for as long as I can remember. I began learning French in high school, fairly late, so no I am not a native speaker. However, I know from experience both the joy and struggles of acquiring a second language. I discovered from my first day in French class that I had a knack and a passion for French, and they have never left me. After high school, I majored in French at Tulane University in New Orleans; lived in Paris during my Junior Year Abroad, and went on to complete a Masters degree in French at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
I also completed an MBA at the University of Wisconsin and worked in corporate finance for nine years. However, since leaving the corporate world to care for my children, I have returned to my roots and my passion - teaching and tutoring French. Over the years I've maintained my fluency in the language through every source imaginable; and it is fascinating to look back at how these sources have evolved with technology. I remember being thrilled whenever I came across a copy of Le Monde or Le Figaro or Paris Match on a newstand in the US. I now subscribe to them on my iPad. I download French music or podcasts on my iPod. Listen to Canadian stations in French on XM in the car.
I love showing students how a language opens a whole new world to them. Beyond language acquisition, the study of a language offers insights to other cultures and can change the nature of travel forever. Because I speak the language, when I travel to France, I'm able to go to the theater, a concert by a local artist, eaves drop on the conversation next to me at the cafe, attend yoga, dance, or any other class I may have an interest in. My goal in working with students is always to show them how proficiency in their chosen language can be fun, exciting and life-changing.
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