A Structured Approach to Confident and Real Progress to Fluency
We speak French. Constantly.
My lessons are designed around active speaking.
We work orally, in French, throughout the entire session.
Written materials are used for reading and comprehension practice, but we do not spend valuable lesson time writing together. This ensures maximum efficiency and keeps the focus where it matters most: communication.
From the very first sessions, I place strong emphasis on pronunciation, particularly when reading French aloud.
Developing accurate pronunciation early on builds solid foundations and allows you to progress independently with confidence over time.
A Written Recap After Every Lesson
At the end of each session, I provide a personalized summary document including:
New vocabulary
Grammar points
Pronunciation corrections
Conjugation structures
Key expressions used during the lesson
This allows you to stay fully focused during class — without worrying about taking notes.
Very few tutors offer this level of structured follow-up.
Over time, these documents become a personalized reference guide that tracks your progress and supports long-term retention.
Tailored French Tutoring Designed Around Your Goals
I offer a flexible schedule designed to fit your routine while maintaining a structured learning rhythm.
Standard lesson duration: 50 minutes.
This format ensures focus, intensity, and measurable progress.
If needed, sessions can be adapted to:
30 minutes (short, targeted practice)
1 hour 30 minutes
2 hours (deep immersion sessions)
For faster progress, increasing the number of sessions per week is often more effective than extending lesson length.
Lessons are held online, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your home or office.
Working hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:45 AM – 9:00 PM (Paris time), depending on availability.
Scheduling and Lesson Format
I specialize in practical French for real-life situations.
Whether you're preparing for a trip, learning French for personal enrichment, or planning to relocate to a French-speaking country, I help you build the language skills you truly need.
My lessons focus on communication, cultural understanding, and confidence — so you can navigate everyday situations naturally and independently.
Together, we define clear objectives and create a structured path to reach them efficiently.
Who am I ?
I'm Estelle Materne, French native I recently relocated from Birmingham, Michigan to Besançon, France. I'm a passionate foreign languages teacher, with 15 years + experience all around the world.
I received two Masters of Arts : one in French Teaching and one in English Literature in the prestigious Université of Lille, France, both with Highest Honors. I've taught in many countries, adjusting my style to my students needs, including France, China, Ireland, the UK and the United States !
As a multilingual person myself, I keep learning new languages and improve them : I'm fluent in English and French, can work my way in Mandarin, and am currently working on my Spanish and German languages.
I love to engage with my students and help them reach their language skills goals. I prioritize building self-confidence and ability to express one's very own ideas in French. I also pride myself in offering high-quality comprehensive lessons, always being supportive and positive about my students' progress.
Our Students Approve and Recommend
" I've loved my tutoring sessions with Estelle last year. We focused on holidays in France together, she helped my pass all my French exams for University ! "
Garima, India
French Tutoring
Small groups intermediate and advanced conversation
Join us every other Tuesday night, from 6 to 7.30 at The French Lady restaurant in Birmingham, Michigan
French Language Sessions
Improve Your French Language Skills : speaking, listening, reading and writing - beginners or improvement of conversational French
On-Site around Birmingham, MI
I come to your home, office or can meet at the Birmingham Baldwin Library - in Royal Oak - Livonia - Northville - Bloomfield Hills - Berkley - Troy - Detroit - Lake Orion - Traverse City - Michigan - Kalamazoo - Dearborn - Warren - Ann Harbor - Franklin - Farmington Hills - Grosse Pointe - Eastpointe - Novi -
I teach in Paris, London, Birmingham, UK, Berlin, Strasbourg, Lyon, Dijon, Brighton, Lancaster, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast, Cardiff, Barcelona, Madrid
Open to All Ages
Children (from 8yo), teenagers and adults welcome
Online sessions
Flexible Scheduling Options
Mon-Fri from 8:45 to 9pm, Paris time
Meet me online from wherever you are
Exams
Studying French at school ? I'm here to accompany you in the preparation of your exams or proficiency tests (AP French, TFI, TCF, DAEFLE, DELF, ...)
Proud to be a member of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce
