French Classes Testimonials

“For Simone Joseph and her students. For France, Europe and beyond. Thank you for your commitment. Regards. Emmanuel Macron.”

(Museum Visit – July 2022) Thanks so much Simone for today and for all that you have done for A. ! She truly enjoyed the experience today and the time she spent with you! Appreciate it all ! 🌺🌺

In any case, I am very admiring of Simone. What she does, I don’t know of any other French teachers who do. To give you such systematic appointments, to talk about such diverse subjects. You spend an hour with Simone and you have the equivalent of having spoken with 60 million French people: organized, pleasant, always with a smile, frankly, that’s why I always come back with great pleasure because really, the work that Simone does… in 37 years in the teaching profession, I don’t know anyone else (who does.) As they say “Simone is a gem.”  Véronique Courtois – French Teacher, Author of numerous Grammar, Vocabulary, Fiction Books.

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Véronique-F-Courtois/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AVéronique+F.+Courtois

Simone has a rocking French class. She presents various subjects of interest, explains vocabulary and grammar, has guests sometimes, and once a week steps back to ask the students to practice speaking to each other.  Her art and culture presentations have been terrific. M.

Veronique was excellent, and you make it even better by directing the conversation. V.

I learned so many things today! Thank you again Simone for this fabulous addition to my life. Rose Z.

Simone is a French prof par excellence.  She creates great presentations in French, translates the words we don’t know, recruits French journalists and other professionals for us to listen to live on the zoom, and sometimes even reminds us of the niceties of French grammar. Marian S. (lawyer)

“Simone’s classes are not only fun but very beneficial. Simone’s style of teaching is different from other tutors.”Audrey (18-year-old Student)

Maire de Rouen 25 janvier 2022 – Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol

I want to rave about our French tutor, Simone whom I found through Nextdoor. It has been a joy for my daughter to learn French: since she started working with Simone (and) since she makes it so much fun to learn this beautiful language. I admire the passion and the patience she has towards teaching in a period of a month, I have see progress that would have taken her a year to accomplish in a school year. I feel so lucky to have found her and wanted to highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in learning this beautiful language. Angella S.

En tous cas, je suis très admirative de Simone. Ce qu’elle fait je ne connais pas d’autres professeurs de français qui le font. Vous donner des rendez-vous aussi systématiques, de parler de sujets tellement divers. Vous passez une heure avec Simone et vous avez l’équivalent d’avoir parlé avec 60 millions de français : organisée, agréable, toujours avec le sourire, franchement, c’est pour cela que je reviens toujours avec grand plaisir parce que vraiment le travail que fait Simone… en 37 ans de profession, je ne connais personne d’autre (qui le fasse.) Comme on dit “Simone is a gem.” Véronique Courtois (Professeur de français et auteure de plusieurs livres sur Amazon)

“Simone’s PowerPoint presentations are informative, multifaceted, creative, entertaining and serve as an effective learning tool for anyone who wishes to improve French language skills. J. (Music Educator, Choral Director, Voice Teacher and Classical Performer)

Imaginative. Enthusiastic. Not just facts, figures, or data, but learning in its deepest sense. She is who you always wanted your teacher to be. E. (Writer and Executive Producer)

I’ve learned so much about the French language, culture and history from Simone’s Zoom conversation classes. She knows how to teach while making things fun. V. (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)

Extremely well-researched with fascinating images and information about France and French culture. She is able to take us on virtual tours of France, some locations off the beaten track but also to her favorite places to shop, eat and visit. When Simone covers current events, she gets up-to-the-second news from headlines across France. For anyone who’s absorbed by the wonder of French culture, Simone’s PowerPoints can’t be topped.” A.  (T.V. Writer/Story Editor)

Même après des décennies de français comme étudiante aussi bien que professeur j’apprends quelque chose de nouveau tous les jours. J’apprécie tellement les infos les plus récentes, y compris le vocabulaire pertinent. Each session is unique, jam packed with useful/interesting information and fun. Honestly, I learn something new in each session. M.  (Retired French Teacher)

Simone dazzles her students with intriguing content, a perfect stream of explanatory vocabulary and grammar notes, interesting guests who know France intimately, and a chance for her students to interact in French without feeling intimidated. Fantastic!  I think the sessions are terrific. M.  (Lawyer)

La présentation de ce matin était excellente, amusante et éclairante ! A.S. 17 août 2021

Frédéric Chéreau – Maire de Douai – 2 juillet 2021 : …Passez une fois encore mon bonjour à tous vos élèves, dont j’admire le niveau de français et le niveau de connaissance de notre pays. Si l’un.e ou l’autre venait à passer à Douai, je serai sincèrement heureux de les saluer en personne. Mon seul regret et de ne pas pouvoir assez exercer mon anglais avec vous. Vos élèves sont d’un trop haut niveau en français pour cela. Merci encore d’être venu parmi nous. Mes étudiants adorent cet échange. www.frenchwithsimone.com

Patrick Taulere Art7Films.com (On Cannes Festival 2021) Merci Simone pour cette super conférence. Tes classes continuent à être très bien conçues, éducatives et intéressantes ! 

J’apprécie beaucoup ton énergie aussi bien que tes présentations toujours si bien préparées que tu as offertes tous ces jours où on était si confiné. Tu m’as aidée énormément avec mon français et je te remercie! G.S.

Superbe présentation (Le Moyen-Age) P.R.

I have been working with Simone for over a year now in her daily French group. The daily presentations are incredible.  Her model of speaking French for shorter periods of time (one hour) a few times a week rather than taking one class that lasts 2-3 hours has improved my French by leaps and bounds.  I am able to understand French when I hear it and can speak with native French speakers with confidence.  The repetition in small amounts on many days rather than one long class allows me to keep focused on learning and retain more information without getting too tired to learn.  I completely stopped taking classes at L’Alliance Francaise because I was getting more in the daily French group than the organized class.  I can’t thank her enough! N.P. Merci N.P. !

Your last week’s lecture on Renoir taught me to understand his different styles and periods. Your previous lectures which range from buying the best baguette in Paris to Stendahl’s Le Rouge et le Noir have been like a year of graduate study in French culture.  I even find your grammar segments fun. The weekly guest speakers from France are a bonus. Couldn’t have gotten through le confinement without you. Merci mille fois, Valerie Copelan, L.C.S.W.

J’ai apprécié ta présentation sur Renoir, très informative. M. C.

Merci Simone ! C’était génial ! Je n’arrive jamais à croire que je parle à quelqu’un en France et en plus il me comprend!  Quel gentil homme. C’est un homme avec un grand cœur. Et j’aime bien qu’il a dessiné un lien entre la la philanthropie, la baguette et le foot…c’est un homme avec une vision! M.Y. (sur Pascal Rigo)

I loved the session with Pascal Rigo.  That was a real treat for all of us.  Thank you so much for setting that up.  You are amazing!! Laurie D.

Vos cours me plaisent – j’ai déjà beaucoup appris ! Gary P.

Merci Simone pour tout ce que tu fais et tout ce que tu es. V.C.

Je te jure tu es vraiment la meilleure prof que je connaisse (et en 35 ans j’en ai vu un paquet)…… Véronique Courtois, Professeure de français, Auteure de livres Merci Véronique, je te renvoie le compliment 😉

Je ne préfère ni l’un plus que l’autre parce que tous ont leur valeur. J’aime bien vos présentations, les leçons de Rafaela, les invités et les conversations libres. Je crois que j’ai appris beaucoup et tous les jours depuis le début du virus ont été plus amusants à cause de vos efforts.  Aubrey S.

(Sur la Présentation Chambon-sur-Lignon) Très bien, très documenté votre dossier sur le Chambon…. / J’ai été ravie de participer à vos échanges. Les questions de votre groupe étaient très intéressantes. J’espère avoir été suffisamment claire et ne pas avoir utilisé trop de mots compliqués… Denise Vallat, Adjointe au Maire, Chambon-sur-Lignon

Merci pour une si belle présentation sur le village de Chambon on a l’impression que ça vient de ton coeur. Vous continuez dans la tradition du peuple de Chambon qui avait un cœur si merveilleux. Dr. R. Gordon “The Hollywood Artist” Founder & Director of The Hollywood Sculpture Garden

You have a great (ZOOM sessions) program. Marian S.

(J’ai) pris le temps cette nuit de me promener sur ton site. Suis médusé mais pas surpris.- Médusé par le sérieux et la diversité des sujets abordés depuis mars 2020 – Pas surpris, te connaissant.« De la belle ouvrage » aurait dit Montaigne. Chapeau !  Jean-Pierre Nagy Directeur des Etudes Françaises / Professeur Histoire Géographie/French American International School, San Francisco

Sur les présentations Zoom Las presentaciones son sensacionales ! Patricia R.

Bravo, chapeau, Simone—une  très bonne présentation sur Matisse. J’ai appris beaucoup.  Mort C. (ZOOM sur Matisse)

Très bien fait. Valérie (ZOOM sur Matisse)

ZOOM avec le Maire de Douai, Frédéric Chéreau (25 février)

Le maire de Douai, Monsieur Chéreau a beaucoup apprécié l’échange avec les étudiants.  

Un très bon meeting ! Il (ndlr Le Maire de Douai) est vraiment très sympa. L.R.

Bravo!!!!! Felicidades por una exitosa reunión. Aunque no pude participar, si pude escucharlos e incluso verlos a ratos. Gracias por planear tantas cosas diversas. Patricia R.

Félicitations Simone, on a passé un bon moment avec le maire. C’est une plume dans ton chapeau ! Et j’apprécie tout ton travail, trois quarts d’heure avec le maire mais des heures et des heures de préparation. M.Y.

Me ha gustado mucho la dinámica de esta actividad. .. Muy muy buena idea! Es como viajar sin salir de casa.  Ves gente en vivo sin máscara! Vraiment merveilleux ! Carmen Z.

Nous sommes … franchement épatées par votre “business model” – bravo! Ellen Kountz et Cheryl Pegues, Paris

You are an excellent teacher.  For now, I will continue to look for group classes but if I cannot find someone who is as good as an instructor as you, je reviendrai. Jeanne S.  

Sur le Zoom littérature : Corneille, Racine et Molière  étaient à l’honneur. Rafaela, nous a donné une analyse compréhensive, détaillée et  extrêmement intéressante .Merci à toutes les deux. Simone Lintilhac

On Zoom Presentation : Hier c’était génial.  On a beaucoup appris.  J’ai découvert des gens dont je ne connaissais absolument rien.  C’était une très bonne idée de partager les personnages parmi nous.  C’est bien quand tout le monde parle et en se préparant en avance on est un peu plus à l’aise.  Merci. Marcia

Très sympa… partager et participer dans les passions des autres…fantastique, Simone ! C.S.

Valérie (On ZOOM Free classes) You have brought fun – and French learning during this difficult time and I am deeply grateful. Especially enjoy the Thursdays with Maryline. 

Eugenie R. (On ZOOM Free classes) Félicitations.  In this period of uncertainty, it is wonderful to count on daily French Zoom meetings. Even though we shelter at home, Simone takes us to numerous different places and introduces us to fascinating people. She keeps us involved and growing. Encore, félicitations. 

JILL My professor Simone is a wonderful teacher who brings not only her knowledge but a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity to every class. I highly recommend her. 

MUFTI Love the class and many many thanks to you for the effort you put in. Your efforts are what makes the class worthwhile.

SETA ..J’ai commencé à penser à Simone qui est un professeur extraordinaire. Elle ne m’a pas aidée seulement à me souvenir de mon français que je n’avais pas parlé depuis 40 ans mais elle a créé une occasion de ..rencontrer un groupe de gens intelligents, chaleureux et gentils… Je suis reconnaissante à Simone qui nous tient au courant des actualités et enrichit notre vie quotidienne.  Simone merci infiniment !

Richard B. Thank you for providing my kids with a passion for French and for teaching  them so much more than just language. Their classes with you were full of education in so many different ways and you did a fantastic job of rewarding their curiosity.  They loved their time with you!

Kim You are an amazing teacher. I look forward to continuing your workshops with you.

Pamela I love the class and the other students. It’s fun and informative. I’m really grateful that I found you.

Stephen B. You are far and away the best French grammar teacher,

M.M. (Professor of French) All your students for your French classes have told me that you are their absolute favorite teacher, and I can easily see why. You conduct your classes in a very spirited, joyous and enthusiastic way. And I love how you present the cultural elements when you introduce a singer and a song. Not to mention how you follow up after your class with the information and sites where we can get more information, music and songs. Your handouts are just great! As a fellow teacher I can tell that you spend time in preparing each lesson. You go all out for your students!

Amy R. H. I’ve enjoyed your class, as well as your enthusiasm for both the language and for teaching. Thank you for your time, help, instruction, and encouragement in this seemingly impossible quest.

Susan M. J’ai trouvé le bonheur dans ta classe.

David J’aime tellement vos cours les vendredis que je voulais simplement prendre le temps de vous le dire. Les étudiants sont tous de niveaux differents, pourtant vous arrivez à retenir l’attention de tout le monde. Vous avez l’énergie de 10 personnes, ayant les qualités d’une animatrice. En plus d’apprendre le francais, on rigole et on s’amuse beaucoup. Je sens avoir progressé depuis quelques mois avec votre aide et continue d’attendre vos cours avec impatience. Merci d’avoir été disponible pour nous offrir ce cours de français fascinant.

Phyllis I’m tremendously impressed by what an excellent teacher you are. You are enthusiastic, energetic, and eager to make the the class an sociable experience, too. You are very creative in keeping the class interesting, particularly in sharing French culture with us and providing new materials each week. You encourage us to speak (even us shy ones) and provide discrete notes on errors of grammar or vocabulary.

Nell I want to tell you how much I’ve been enjoying the conversation class at the library. You bring so much energy to the class and really get everyone involved. There are many ways you make it interesting, especially through the use of technology… finding pictures and other information on your ipad on whatever topic comes up, the Skype conversations you arrange with native French speakers, and your frequent communications by email. It is especially helpful that you correct email messages sent in French and that you write little notes correcting our spoken French in class (without interrupting the flow of one’s efforts in speaking). While you seem to have a general plan for each session, you have the ability to extemporize and go with the flow. Your energy is boundless and you take a personal interest every student. I’ve made so much progress since August 2015. When I went to Paris in April, I slipped right into French mode and had no trouble communicating and even chatting with the hotel staff and the staff at the cafe where we always went for petit dejeuner. At the end of the summer I’m going to Montreal and Quebec City and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in French once again.

G. As a former ESL teacher for many years myself, I know right away what an excellent teacher you are: You’re always well-prepared. You have different activities that tailor to different levels of students. Your class is engaging. Everyone can participate at their own comfort zone. The exercises are interesting and appropriate. You’re patient and encouraging. You make good use of technology, such as “Skype”, videos…And you show a genuine interest in your students. Thank you

Mark Merci, madame.   Et très bonne classe.  Bravo!

Cassandra Simone’s lively demeanor is captivating and keeps learning fun!

SETA “I loved your French cooking class. I immediately felt immersed in a Parisian cooking school with your recipes written in French. You made it so easy to follow the directions by having all the ingredients and cooking utensils on the countertop when we arrived. You were very helpful making sure we understood everything. All followed by a luncheon tasting our dishes at your lovely table. A great day. Merci mille fois.”

Valérie   “This was my first ever French Cooking Class and I must say I enjoyed it very much. The food was delicious. I loved watching and helping as a “sous” chef. I learnt a lot. Everything seemed to flow well. I now realize what a lot of preparation goes into getting everyone working together. Thanks for the opportunity to watch, learn and taste the final products. You are amazing!!!”

Mufti   “Super fun cooking class, great recipes, French music, wine… o la la!!!! I’ll be there every time!!!!  Thank you Simone for bringing Paris to our little corner of L.A.  We’ve been sharing Fridays for 4 years now… always interesting topics among now good friends. Merci!!!”  

Patricia   “Simone is a great cook and a great teacher.  She knows a huge amount about French cuisine and she talks about it with enthusiasm.  You’ll learn a lot and have a lot of fun.”  

Fred  “The food was exceptional I thought I was at a high end restaurant in Paris please let’s do it again.”

Frances “On a passé un bon moment dans la classe de cuisine française de Simone. Beaucoup de rires, travail d’équipe et un repas merveilleux après. J’ai appris des nouveaux mots français qui m’aideront avec d’autres recettes françaises. Merci Simone!”