Learn French with experienced language tutor Caroline. I have taught languages in the UK and overseas for many years. I've seen for myself how students can benefit from speaking a second language.

Find out more about Caroline

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

  My French schoolteacher was a true inspiration to me. She helped me build my confidence to speak the language from a young age and develop my passion for language learning. Over the years, this has provided me with many opportunities for personal growth and career development.

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

  Nothing says Paris like the Eiffel Tower - and the iron tower created by engineer Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 'Exposition Universelle' ('World's Fair') showcases French innovation.

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

  My favourite phrase is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité", which means liberty, equality, fraternity. It first appeared during the French Revolution and remains the national motto.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking French has broadened my horizons and helped me connect with people from all over the world. Fluency in another language means you can communicate with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in industries ranging from fashion to finance.

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

  Students often ask me why French nouns have a gender. I explain that this is because Latin had gender - and French is descended from Latin. I can share some handy tricks for memorizing the gender of a noun, such as learning the patterns of endings that fall into the masculine or feminine category.
  
  To improve your understanding of the language and culture, I recommend watching French TV shows and films with the subtitles in French. This will help you get used to different regional accents.

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

  In history we learnt how the Normans introduced a slew of French words to the English language. But don't get thrown off track by French words that sound like English words. These are known as 'faux amis' or 'false friends'. For example, 'une librairie' is a bookshop, not a library. 'Humeur' means 'mood' in French, so 'de bonne humeur' means 'in a good mood'. On the other hand, 'un bons sens de l'humour' is a good sense of humour!

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

  Living abroad has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the language in the workplace, while developing greater empathy and cultural awareness.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I am happy to offer tailored lessons to students of all ages, from the early years to adult beginners. I plan each lesson according to your specific needs and goals. I aim to build a good rapport with my students and encourage them to speak as much as possible. We use a variety of resources, including books and video clips. Patience inspires confidence in the learner - and practice makes perfect!