Rue St. Paul is now home to several high fashion boutiques, catering to a more fashion-conscious audience than the tourist traps of yore.

See the full article, “Old Montreal, Newly Hip”

Discover Montreal French schools

Last week, we interviewed Quebec City's School Director, Viviane Brassard. This week, we're meeting Nathalie Tremblay, the Director of Studies at our partner Quebec City French school. Here is what she had to say!

What is your background?
I am over 40 years old and the single parent of a 10-year old boy. I have 2 bachelor degrees as well as some post-grad courses in Teaching French as a Second Language. I obtained my CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) in 2001.

Do you travel abroad often?
Sadly, no!

Have you studied abroad?
Never had the chance.

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
French,English and what I call 'survival Spanish.'

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?
Through my work at our school! 

When did you start/join your organization?
From the very first days, back in November 2009.

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Director of Studies.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Most of all, to lend a hand to the teachers in preparing their lessons: It make me realize that all the good ideas I have for them are simply the product of all my experience and it is a nice feeling to be able to bring it all into play.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization.
On the very first day, facing an empty work desk and realizing we had to start from scratch, I mean from buying pen and paper and all. After that, my challenge was mostly using everything I learnt from over 15 years of combined experience in teaching French as a second language and as a teaching manager to built the best pedagogical foundation I could for the school, i.e. competency-geared curriculum, function-based lesson plan, pedagogical advising and support for the teachers and everything else necessary to the upholding of a warm friendly yet extremely professional working environment for staff, teachers and students.

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or traveling abroad.
English is my second language and I am not always as bilingual as I think I am… Let me explain: During my CELTA training, I taught a whole lesson on 'Giving Advice' saying advices (yes, plural, just like in French!) only to be asked by my instructor, during the feedback session, if I knew that advice was never used in a plural form in that context. “Well, it appears I did not,” was my answer! Mind you, I was the only trainee not speaking English as a first language and the only one with a 9-month old baby at home – but I graduated with an excellent grade.

Can you tell us about your school’s philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
We work hard at maintaining what I think is the most essential thing for a small new company: a great "esprit de corps". It is defined as a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group. And our cause is the French language, its teaching and its learning.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Develop, keep and maintain a good sense of humor about yourself and about all of the intricacies of life: it does make learning French, managing a language school and experiencing new places a lot easier! 

 Learn about AmeriSpan's partner Quebec City French school

Meet Viviane Brassard, Director at AmeriSpan's new Quebec City French school. Viviane is proof that AmeriSpan is committed to finding the best staff, as we switched our partner school to follow her!

 What is your background?
I'm 61 years old and live in center Quebec City. I have 2 daughters and 6 lovely grandchildren (yes.. 6!) aged from 2 months to 6 years old.
 

One experience I want to share with you: In 2008, Quebec City celebrated its 400th anniversary. One outside concert was organised on the Plaines d’Abrahams. Sir Paul MacCartney was the performer. He wanted to address himself to Quebec's people in French so, I, myself, was asked to be his teacher and the person who adapted his French lyrics. I'll never forget this wonderful experience.  

Do you travel abroad often?
At least once a year- for work, to visit friend in the France or the USA, or sometimes just to be a tourist!

Have you studied abroad?
Yes, I studied life.. I lived in Africa with my husband and daughters for three years during the 80's.

Which languages do you speak or have studied? 
French and English – and I understand a little Spanish and German

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market? 
Well, it really was a gift from life.  I studied Health Science, got married – stayed home with my children for 17 years, always loved the French language and suddenly had the opportunity to work at a French school. I have been in the business for over 20 years.

When did you start/join your organization?
I started 21 1/2 years ago.

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Director.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? 
Meeting people – different people from different countries – meeting people opened to learn a foreign language no matter the age their age.

Was a person, group of people or organization instrumental in your success?
Every person I have met during all theses years was instrumental in my success

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization.
Starting it was the biggest challenge of my life. Directing another school for 17 years helped a lot but all the provincial administrative part to start a business was huge work…. Yessssss, I did it!!!

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or traveling abroad.
Hmmmmm i have to think, because while I try not to make mistakes, I may have made some… maybe waiting too long before i started that new school 21/2 years ago…

How did you and amerispan begin working together?
While i was Director of another language school I worked with AmeriSpan enjoyed it, so i was eager to start working with AmeriSpan again..

Can you tell us about your school’s philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
At école québec monde we teach only french language. Our goal is the world recognition of the french language, the french culture and the french society in north america. The province of québec is the only province in canada where french is the official language. Quebec city is the most european and french speaking city in canada.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Perhaps some advice to potential participants, teachers, school owners or travelers to your country or city. Ecole Québec Monde is openned all year round – all seasons. No reasons for not coming to québec in winter time. Even if january temperature can do down to -30, you can ski down hill or cross country at less than 30 minutes from downtown. Same for dog sleigh. You can skate on the plaines d’abrahams or in the old city. It is magic!! Winter time is a wonderful experience: walking in the old historic city all covered with snow, going inside a café and drink a hot chocolate… hummmm life is beautiful even in winter time!

A bientô!

Find out more about Amerispan's Quebec City French school

Meet Maria Babiak, Director of AmeriSpan's Montreal French school

What is your background? 
I'm married with 2 young, adorable children.

Do you travel abroad often? 
Not so much as I’ve got a family with young kids.

Have you studied abroad? 
Never, because before I started working at the school, I never realized these cool programs existed!

Which languages do you speak or have studied? 
I speak English, Spanish and French.

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market? 
When I first moved to Toronto, I saw an ad in the paper for a position at a ‘school’.  I thought ‘sounds interestesting!’ so I applied, not knowing it was a language school.  I got the job to start in Marketing and loved it.  Little did I know I would still be with the company 16 years later, living in Montreal!!!

What is your job or function at the organization? 
I am the Director of the Montreal school, which means I am involved in all of our service areas, from academics, to accommodation to activities.  I even occasionally am a tour guide and furniture mover!   Fortunately, I have a wonderful staff…we make a great team!

What do you enjoy the most about your job? 
Where do I start?  I think my most favorite part of my job is talking and interacting with our students.  Each one has a something different to add to our school population.  I also love to see the progress they make in their language learning.  It’s a rewarding feeling when students come to the office on their last day to thank us for the most ‘amazing experience of their lives’. 

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization.
Our school is celebrating our 50^th anniversary in 2012, and I haven’t been around that long : ), but I guess my biggest recent challenge was when we were doing a complete renovation of our school last year.  And even though we started early in the spring, the renovations lasted into the summer, which is our peak season!  The staff and the students were so great and understanding during this time and it was really appreciated.  The school looks wonderful now, so I guess it was all worth it!

How did you and AmeriSpan begin working together? 
We have been working with AmeriSpan for many, many years now.  We’ve even had the pleasure of having their staff visit our school.  They hire great, friendly staff who care about their clients a lot.

Can you tell us about your school’s philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special? 
I think there are lots of things that make our school special – I often think of us as a somewhat large organization (we have 4 schools in Canada) with small-town service.  It isn’t the largest of the schools, but I think this is a strong point – our staff and teachers really get to know our clients by name and are able to spend the time getting to know them.   We offer services, counseling and support in different types of accommodation, activities and excursions.  

I think our academics program shines on its own – our French teachers are well-qualified, with specialization in teaching French as a Second Language.  Our curriculum is well-defined, with clear level objectives which are communicated to students.  Our levels are correlated to the European Framework, so students can continue their language learning even after they leave.  After almost 50 years of welcoming students to our cities, listening to their feedback and evolving with the times, we’ve been able to build our reputation as one of the best language schools in Canada.  Don’t take my word for it – come join us and find out for yourselves! : ) 

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Montreal French School

Watch a video blog from our guest blogger, Christina H., who is studying French in Quebec City, Canada. In this video, Christina takes us on a tour of beautiful Quebec City.

See French in Quebec City.

Watch a video blog from our guest blogger, Christina H., who is studying French in Quebec City, Canada. In this video, Christina interviews three of her fellow students and one of her teachers. (Note: Some interviewees chose not to appear on camera in order to protect their privacy.)

See French in Quebec City.

Watch a video blog from our latest guest blogger, Christina H., who is studying French in Quebec City, Canada. In this video, Christina takes us on a tour of her homestay and school.

See French in Quebec City.

We are offering a special deal: Participants can save $250 on a Quebec City program that takes place during June, July, or August and is four weeks or longer. Just register by May 15, 2010 and use the code "Quebec Offer" when registering.

See Quebec City French School

See all French Language Schools