Staff profile

I studied English at La Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris) and continued my studies in the UK where I graduated with a BA (Hons) in French and German and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (Sunderland University). I then completed an MA Education (Advanced Professional Practice - Secondary) at Sunderland University and am now working towards further qualifications in teaching French as a foreign language accredited by CIEP (Centre International d’Études Pédagogiques). 

From 2000 till 2013 I taught French and German in a number of local secondary schools (mainly in Sunderland and Durham). 

Since 2013 I have been an Assistant Teaching Fellow in French in the CFLS (Centre for Foreign Language Study) at Durham University. I have taught various credit-bearing modules (from A1 to B1 level) and for the last two years I have been the module co-ordinator for intermediate learners (A2 level).

I am particularly interested in helping learners of French to develop effective language-learning techniques. Since 2016, my scholarship focuses on the introduction of phonetics-based activities in my modules. This led in 2017 to a collaborative project with a colleague in German (CFLS) which was recognised and supported by an ESLE award in 2018 (Enhancing the Student Learning Experience award).

Grants and Awards

• 2018 Enhancing the Student Learning Experience award

Professional Memberships and Qualifications

• PgCert in Academic Practice (Durham University)
• DELF-DALF examiner since 2017
• PROFLE+: Professionnalisation en FLE (Module 2- Construire une unité didactique) (CIEP)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Durham University)
• MA Education (Advanced Professional Practice- Secondary) (Sunderland University)
• QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) in Modern Foreign Languages (Sunderland University)
• PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (Sunderland University)

Scholarship Interests

• Introducing pronunciation to consolidate speaking, reading and listening skills
• Using oral and written feedback
• Using blogs to develop students' writing skills
• Independent learning

Selected Publications

Conference paper

• 2019 "An initiative to introduce French Pronunciation in the elective module French stage 2" presented during the Durham University Learning and Teaching conference at Durham University, UK.
• 2019 "Teaching cultural content via oral skills" presented during the UK Lingua 2019 conference at Durham University, UK.
• 2017 "From seeing French to speaking French" presented during the UK Lingua 2017 conference at Durham University, UK.
• 2016 "Using blogs in the teaching of French grammar" presented during the UK Lingua 2016 conference at Durham University, UK.

Teaching Areas

Current

• CFLS1F11 French stage 1
• CFLS1F31 French stage 3

Previous

• CFLS1F21 French stage 2