Francine has over 35 years experience of teaching languages, using cultural references to bring life and meaning to the learning process. As well as teaching at ICE, she has worked with the Council of Europe as a main contributor to the Language Behind Bars project, been involved in Language Teachers' Training in Cambridge and in experimental language workshops within Cambridge adult mental health services. Francine, was until 2008, the Director of the local world renowned non-profit organisation, the Alliance Française de Cambridge; consisting of over 30 language and cultural professionals reporting to a committee of trustees.
Francine's teaching approach is tailored to her students. For Advanced and Intermediate groups, the idea is to entertain as well as inform. She creates a balance between materials presented and the participants' contribution to the topic, constantly interacting with students to ensure that they are comfortable. All language skills are tackled and the linguistic elements are deeply embedded in the cultural background of the theme, supported by various texts, films and recordings.
For people with limited or nonexistent knowledge of the French language, the teaching method is based on an innovative approach enabling adult learners to rapidly communicate in a foreign language. Communication is entirely in French and aims at establishing oral comprehension using skills such as visual analogy, deduction, logic, body language interpretation, intonation and mimic. Upon this basic comprehension of the situation or material, rather than knowledge of mere words, language learning is soon established. This approach- totally different from other more 'bookish' methods- is less threatening and more entertaining, thus more conducive to accelerated language learning.
Overall, Francine has candidly and genuinely promoted throughout the past 35 years, a better mutual understanding between people of different nations. Her life’s work was recognised in the year 1998 by the French Government. Francine was awarded the coveted award of “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques” (counterpart of an MBE) in acknowledgment of her efforts to forge links between France and the United Kingdom.
