I created Funtastic French to help you find the confidence and motivation you need to express yourself in French. 🇫🇷
Believe it or not, I once dreaded French lessons at school. Grammar drills, endless verb conjugations, tests, exams—not to mention the homework. I barely scraped through my French O-Level at 15, and my teacher told me, “French is definitely not your thing”, and that I’d never speak a foreign language. Sadly, I believed her.
In 1985, I left England to work as a nanny near the French-Swiss border. I’ll never forget walking into the local post office, rehearsing my carefully memorised phrase: “Je voudrais deux timbres pour l’Angleterre, s’il vous plaît.” I was so proud—until the girl behind the counter stared at me blankly, proving once again that maybe French wasn’t my thing.
Fast-forward nearly 30 years, after living and working in a French environment: I’m now bilingual. When I returned to the UK in 2014, I left my corporate career behind to help others who feel like “French is not their thing” discover that it absolutely can be!
Unlock your natural ability to learn French. 🗝️
As your French Language Coach, my goal isn’t just to teach you vocabulary or grammar—it’s to help you overcome the barriers that are holding you back. I believe your brain is already wired to learn a new language; you just need the right guidance, tools, and mindset to let it happen naturally.
Many of us have been conditioned to think that learning French is hard or that we’re just “not good at languages.” But that’s simply not true! Together, we will :
- Break through limiting beliefs about learning.
- Build your confidence to speak without fear.
- Focus on practical, real-life communication instead of textbook perfection.
Learning French isn’t about memorising endless rules—it’s about trusting your brain to do what it was designed to do: absorb, adapt, and grow. I’ll coach you every step of the way, helping you stay motivated, feel supported, and see real progress.
Your language journey is unique, and I’m here to guide you toward success.
These sessions typically last an hour, though they may extend slightly based on your individual needs and the focus of our time together. They can be conducted either face-to-face or online via Zoom.
My sessions are currently priced at £30 per hour *.
* To ensure the continued quality of service and to reflect any changes in market rates, I reserve the right to review and adjust my pricing periodically. Should there be a price increase, I will provide advance notice to all clients.
Bring the fun back into French and turn it into an enjoyable journey, not an uphill struggle! ✨
Let’s talk about that Rabbit in Headlights feeling...
Picture this: You’re sitting confidently at a café in France, ready to order your morning croissant and coffee. You’ve practiced the phrase a hundred times:
“Je voudrais un croissant et un café au lait, s’il vous plaît.”
But then… the waiter arrives. Before you can even open your mouth, he launches into rapid-fire French. Your mind goes blank, your face turns red, and your well-practiced phrase vanishes. The waiter’s impatient look doesn’t help either. You’re caught in the dreaded
Rabbit in Headlights moment.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and I'm here to change that!
In my group classes we work as a team. I will help you build the confidence you need, identify the gaps that might be holding you back, and give you the tools to thrive on your next trip to France.
And here's the best part : You don’t have to be perfect in French to be understood! 🇫🇷✨
My group sessions are currently priced at
£130 per person for an 8 week course *.
* Please be aware that future courses may have adjusted pricing based on demand and availability. Early registration will always ensure you receive the best rates.
Exercise both your mind and body while breathing in the fresh air of the beautiful English countryside. 🌿
Research shows that learning while walking helps you retain foreign language vocabulary more effectively. Plus, the sounds of nature release serotonin—“the happy hormone”—helping you feel calm and refreshed.
If your week has been stressful and you’re craving a way to relax and recharge, why not join me for a guided walk through the stunning Cotswolds while practicing your French? 🇫🇷🌳
I’m planning several walks throughout 2025, so if this sounds like the perfect blend of nature and language learning, please contact me to register your interest.
01 Overcoming Barriers
"Learning a language should not be about perfection; it’s about progress. Whether you’re starting from scratch or picking up where you left off, every small step you take brings you closer to fluency. Let’s break down those barriers together and make French a language you love to speak."
02 The Joy of Connection
“Speaking another language is more than just words—it’s a gateway to new connections, cultures, and experiences. Imagine the joy of ordering confidently at a Parisian café, chatting with locals, or exploring hidden gems without a language barrier. French isn’t just something you learn; it’s something you live.”
03 Tailored to You
“No two learners are the same, and neither are my lessons. Whether you learn best through conversation, games, or practical exercises, I’ll adapt my teaching to suit you. Learning French should be as unique and exciting as the person learning it!”
04 It's Never Too Late
“Think it’s too late to learn French? Think again! Language learning is for everyone, at any stage of life. The key is finding the right approach—and I’m here to help you discover yours. Let’s show the world (and yourself) what you’re capable of!”
05 The Power of Small Wins
“Every journey begins with a single step, and every phrase you learn is a win worth celebrating. From your first bonjour to confidently navigating a conversation, I’ll help you recognize your progress and turn small wins into big achievements.”
06 Learning with Ease
“Who said learning French has to be difficult? I believe in making the process engaging, enjoyable, and stress-free. When you’re having fun, you learn faster—and retain more. Let’s make French learning feel less like work and more like an adventure.”
Testimonials
Lou is a skilful and enthusiastic French language teacher who creates a positive learning environment for her students. Lou’s experience in France, Switzerland and her patient teaching approach are really appreciated by adult learners in her classes. She makes the learning conversations creative, fun and builds a collaborative environment in which each of the students can develop their French language skill set.
TONY R
I always wanted to learn French and I assumed I didn’t have the brain for another language as nothing seemed to stick in long enough. Since working with Lou, we figured out what worked for me and now I’m confident enough with my language to have meetings with French colleagues and translate for the UK team.
MIKE B
French with Lou was a great experience. Each lesson was fun and engaging. Lots of speaking French and everyone took part. Plus additional resources to take home. I attended various language classes in the past and this one was one of the best.
AGNIESKA K
If you need help with your French conversation at any level, you could do no better than join Lou in her Funtastic French groups or one to ones. In no time she will help you to gain in confidence and improve your speaking and listening skills. I have no hesitation in recommending her.
FIONA F
In this situation, nobody could resist the urge to build a snowman! ;o)
If you haven't heard of the "Phone with no home", it's a phone that the radio have sent out into the public. Each morning, Mark Cummings calls the mobile phone and a different person in the county answers and has a chat with him. My brother had the phone yesterday and passed it on to me for this morning. Tonight I will be passing the phone on to one of my students.
If you fancy listening to the program, here is the link : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05m1290 I'm chatting with Mark at 2:50:36
Our new term started last week and it is so good to be back at work. It's uplifting to spend time with fun and interesting people sharing the 'art of learning French'. Not only do I feel that I am accomplishing something when I see the lightbulb go on in their eyes but I also feel that all of these people are participating in making my life an enjoyable journey!
A big Thank You to all of my students
http://www.lepetitpays.com/le-parc-des-epouvantails
For example, we all know the phrase "Répétez s'il vous plaît" which correctly pronounced means "Please repeat what you have just said". However... if you pronounce it wrong, you could be asking the person to "Fart again"!!! (oops)
The "E" in French is mainly pronounced"Euh". This is why it is very important to notice the accent above the first two "E"s in "Répétez" whichare pronounced "Eh" as in "Pet" - "R eh P eh T ay"
So, whether you need to know what the person is saying or want to be the life and soul of the party, it's up to you to pronounce it however it's needed ;o)
http://www.paris-a-dream.com
