About Me - French Language Experience

Photo © Gilles Barthez

The Teacher

Learning a language is much more than learning words, it’s discovering a new way of seeing the world. My teaching is guided by this conviction: that language connects, opens, and transforms.

I’m Patricia, a French teacher with a passion for meaningful learning and authentic communication. For over 20 years, I’ve been helping students of all ages and backgrounds, from beginners to senior executives, to gain confidence, fluency and genuine pleasure in speaking French.

I co-founded La Petite École de Leeds, a thriving supplementary school for bilingual French-English children, which welcomed around 150 pupils and a team of 16 teachers and assistants. I was also co-director of Les Petits Linguistes, a network of clubs for English speakers aged 3 to 99 who wished to explore the joy of French.

Later, I began teaching French as a foreign language to professionals in major companies such as L’Oréal, Bloomberg, Unilever, HSBC, DS Smith Packaging, La Redoute, and Damart as well as to senior staff in British government departments including the Foreign Office, Home Office and Treasury.

Today, through French Language Experience, I continue to share my love of the language with learners from around the world, offering lessons that are personal, calm, and tailored to each individual’s rhythm and goals.

My teaching philosophy is simple: connection, clarity, and confidence with a touch of French elegance.

L'enseignante

Apprendre une langue, c’est bien plus qu’apprendre des mots, c’est découvrir une autre manière de voir le monde. Mon enseignement repose sur cette conviction : une langue relie, ouvre et transforme.

Je m’appelle Patricia. J’enseigne le français avec passion, en cherchant toujours à allier exigence et bienveillance. Depuis plus de vingt ans, j’accompagne des apprenants de tous horizons, débutants, bilingues, professionnels ou dirigeants à trouver confiance, fluidité et plaisir dans l’expression en français

J’ai co-créé La Petite École de Leeds, une école complémentaire pour enfants bilingues français-anglais, accueillant environ 150 élèves et une équipe de 16 enseignants et assistants. J’ai également co-dirigé Les Petits Linguistes, un ensemble de clubs destinés aux anglophones souhaitant découvrir le français, de 3 à 99 ans !

De l’animation d’ateliers en bibliothèques aux cours pour adultes, en passant par les classes de jeux, les clubs parents-tout-petits et les cours de conversation, j’ai toujours cherché à rendre l’apprentissage vivant et porteur de sens.

Par la suite, j’ai enseigné le français professionnel à des cadres et dirigeants d’entreprises internationales comme l’Oréal, Bloomberg, Unilever, HSBC, DS Smith Packaging, La Redoute, Damart, ainsi qu’à des hauts fonctionnaires de ministères britanniques tels que le Foreign Office, le Home Office et le Treasury.

Aujourd’hui, à travers French Language Experience, je partage ma passion avec des apprenants du monde entier, dans une atmosphère de calme, d’écoute et de confiance.

Ma philosophie : connexion, clarté et confiance avec une touche d’élégance française.

Testimonials

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   martin gargan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia is one of the friendliest & engaging tutors I have worked with. Her lessons are always super fun & engaging and she effortlessly makes you feel at ease whilst building your confidence in speaking & expressing yourself in French. Patricia quickly identified the areas were I needed the most support & provided lots of practical ways to help me improve my overall understanding of the language & confidence in speaking. I would highly recommend Patricia to anyone interested in learning or developing their French. Huge thanks for all your hard work and support Patricia and developing me from a reluctant French speaker to a confident and capable communicator. I look forward to our next lesson & continuing our French journey. Je te remercie pour tout ton soutien.   A Bientôt ! Martin
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rebecca Sumpton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I started over 2 years ago with Patricia as a complete beginner and achieved levels I never thought possible. This was due to Patricia who was incredibly patient, provided structured lessons combining all four disciplines. She tailored each lesson to suit what I required both professionally and personally. Patricia is incredibly warm and caring and an excellent teacher. I would highly recommend her to anyone wishing to learn French
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ruth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia is an excellent teacher. She's so patient and explains things really well. She's very calm and really tailored my lessons to things that interest me which was really fun. My french improved so much with Patricia and I'll really miss my lessons with her! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone! Thank you so much!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kath Ormerod 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia est une professeure fantastique et ses cours sont toujours intéressants et variés.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ciaran Slater 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been having one-to-one lessons with Patricia for about the last 18/20 months. We usually have roughly 90 minutes a week, when schedules allow. I started with some very basic French, not having studied it since the age of 16. Her teaching style has massively improved my language skills. She really pushes me to speak French and just try, balancing reading, listening, talking, with translation and grammar. She has also encouraged me to find ways outside of the lessons to improve - sending me links to French films or documentaries that are tied to my work (thus improving my business French), or suggesting daily podcasts that are geared to my level. She tailors the lessons to me, so, whilst we cover necessary French, I also learn grammar appropriate to what I use it for. I am so pleased I started learning French with Patricia, I cannot sing her praises highly enough, I enjoy the lessons, but they are also challenging. I know, having used my French in various French-speaking countries since our lessons, that her style has meant I have usable French too, not just classroom French. To anyone thinking of starting lessons with Patricia, just do it! You won't regret it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   H G 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. While online videos and courses can be helpful, having a skilled teacher like Patricia working with you one-to-one, either online or in person, is truly invaluable. Our weekly lessons have greatly accelerated my confidence and ability in both spoken and written French — and they’re thoroughly enjoyable! Patricia’s relaxed, encouraging style and her personalised programme, tailored to my goals and needs, make every session both effective and motivating. I can’t recommend her highly enough, so much so I've doubled my time with her each week!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jerry Kelly 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have found my sessions with Patricia to be hugely beneficial in my quest to improve my grasp of the French language. While I am far from fluent I am really happy with my progress to date. I was never an A student but Patricia makes you feel like you are😅
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gillian Dawson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia is a wonderful and patient French teacher. She is warm and personable and pitches the classes perfectly for the individual level. My husband and I have been attending Patricia for individual lessons for the last 2 years. It is possible to do the lessons face to face or online- both ways equally effective. I would highly recommend Patricia to those wanting to learn or improve their French- at any level.  Fantastic, encouraging, motivated teacher.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Erin Lei 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia is a wonderful teacher who is patient knowledgeable and loving. I have been having French lesson with Patricia for over 2 years, I enjoyed every one of them, and I actually always end up in a better mood after the 1 hour lesson! I started the lesson with simple expectation of practicing French, however Patricia has a very flexible way of teaching, she adjust the style based on each student. For me, I am eager to talk and discuss on daily topics hence Patricia and I talk free for 50% of time, where I learn all daily useful phrases, and we use the remaining 50% for reading / grammar. My French was not only improved, I also have more courage to speak as well. Definitely recommend Patricia to everyone who wants to learn French!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Debbie Barazetti 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patricia is a wonderfully patient and kind teacher. Her lessons are carefully tailored to demystify an aspect of grammar I have been struggling with and are highly enjoyable. I greatly appreciate Patricia’s thoughtful approach and highly recommend her classes.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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