Bonjour! I am a recovering francophile. :) My obsession with French language and culture is now just down to a healthy appreciation. :) Seriously, though: I come across French people on a regular basis in DC, and they often can't tell from my accent that I'm American. The reasons are many:
--I grew up speaking some French because my father used to be a French teacher.
--I went to a French international school from 6-7 years of age.
--When I began to formally study French in eighth grade, the accent and grammar came easily to me.
--I subsequently studied it all through high school and took AP French the last two years. I got a 5 (highest score) on the AP test and passed out of all university language requirements.
--At U of M, I made French Literature one of my majors and studied a variety of subjects, from medieval French Lit to modern North African literature.
--At age 19, I spent a summer working in Geneva, Switzerland.
--A year after I graduated from U of M, I spent the 2000-2001 academic year as an English teaching assistant in a French high school in Toulon (near Marseille).
--Between 2000-2005, I independently tutored several people in French, first in Michigan, and later in DC. Some had no previous knowledge of French, others had some.
--Between 2005-2008, I worked for an NGO based in France. Part of that time was spent in Montreal and France. But even in the US, I used my French for work sometimes.
Throughout all of the past years, I've had many francophone friends that I've been speaking with or writing to, including people here in DC.
As for my teaching style, I adapt to each student in terms of prior French experience and goals. Whether you want to focus on accent or grammar or conversation--I'm flexible. And I like to have variety within each lesson--not just focusing on one book but having a bit of fun each time with a quiz or game or listening comprehension. If you're up for it, I would be happy to include "field trips" and take advantage of whatever cultural events or exhibits DC has to offer.
Merci, thanks for reading, and hope to see you soon!
Michelle