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

• Spain World Cup Celebration – Save $49/week: Some people experience Spring Fever but it is different for AmeriSpan. 
  We catch Spain
  Fever!
  Save $49/week when you register for AmeriSpan
  
  Spain programs in Alicante, Barcelona, Granada, Madrid,
  Marbella, Salamanca, Sevilla, Tenerife and Valencia.  You must register by
  August 15, 2010
  and use discount code “World Cup” when
  registering to receive the discount. The maximum discount on
  this offer is $350! Offer not valid for Teenager Summer
  programs.
• Jordan Special – Save $15: Save $150 when you register for a 4 week or longer program
  and start by the end of 2010 in Amman, Jordan  You must register by
  August 31, 2010
  and use discount code “Jordan Special” when registering
  to receive the discount.
  
  
• Volunteer &
  Internship Offer: Save $150 when you register for any AmeriSpan
  
  Volunteer or Internship
  program in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatuemala,
  Nicaragua or Honduras).  You must register by
  August 15, 2010
  and use discount code “Work in Central America” when
  registering to receive the discount.
• Free Week Classes in Quito (Value $165): Free week of group classes or $165 off any
  Quito language, Part-time
  Volunteer, Full-time Volunteer or Fun program and take at
  least 2 weeks or longer of group classes and complete your
  program in 2010.
  You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code “Quito
  Special” when registering to receive the discount.
• $250 off Quebec City French Program: Take $250 off when you register for a
  Quebec City program
  for 4 weeks or more during June, July or August.
  You must start your courses before end of August and use discount code “Quebec Offer” when
  registering to receive the discount.
  
  
• Save 15% in Panama City, Programs: Save 15% when you register for any
  Panama City language program 3 weeks or longer, and complete
  the program in 2010.
  You must register by August 15, 2010 and use discount code “Panama
  City Special” when registering to receive the discount.
• Guatemala Special – Save $150: Save
  $150 when you register for any
  Antigua program starting on any date AND for 3 weeks or longer.  You must register by
  August 15, 2010
  and use discount code “Antigua-150″ when
  registering to receive the discount.

To see AmeriSpan’s specials, contests, and discounts at any given time, check out our Facebook page or visit our Specials Page.

  Our extended specials are ending in exactly one week – and we mean it this time!  Check out last Tuesday's Specials post for a run down of all expiring specials, or have a look at our Specials and Discounts Page!

Yesterday afternoon, we received this update from our partner school in Antigua, Guatemala:

"We have been in close communication with our partners and Antigua is fine and
was not directly affected.

Unfortunately, the airport in
Guatemala City remains closed as of today, Wednesday, June 2nd.  We have
received a projection that the airport in Guatemala City is to remain closed
until at least Thursday (June 3rd) but more likely until Friday, June 4th. 
If your travel/programs plans have been affected by these events, please
contact us at your earliest convenience so we can assist you further with
program changes."

Our specials, which previously were extended to May 31st, have been extended a second time to June 15th.  Now is a better time than ever to register to select locations in Spain, Quebec, and Latin America.  Here's a recap of all extended current specials:

• Spain Fever – Save $59/week
• Internship Offer- Save $225
  
• Free Week Classes in Quito (Value $165)
• $250 off Quebec City French Program
• Save 15% in Panama City, Programs
• Guatemala Special – Save $150

For the current status of flights to Guatemala, please feel free to contact us.  For details about our discounts and specials, visit Discounts and Specials.