What do people say about our services?

1) Article in the regional paper, l'Indépendant du Midi, November 2007

 (Picture shows Dominic, local British businessman, who has attended one-to-one classes for several months, and more recently  classes as a couple with his fiancée Rachel. )

 2) Personal testimony from clients:

• Julien from Perpignan, October 2008 (French Business School Graduate, English conversation since September 2007)
  

Dans mon domaine de compétences : le MARKETING, la pratique de l’anglais est une obligation.

C’est au sortir de ma formation, et après ma première confrontation avec le marché de l’emploi que j’ai réellement pris conscience de cet état de fait.

A la recherche d’une prestation de qualité, à un tarif abordable et EFFICACE, mon essai m’a convaincu et j’ai donc décidé de prendre part, de façon assidue, aux conversations hebdomadaires.

Si au départ, prendre la parole n’était pas chose évidente, il s’avère que rapidement, mis dans de bonnes dispositions, j’ai pris confiance.

Aujourd’hui, je n’ai pas encore la prétention de maîtriser l’anglais mais désormais, je sais que je peux tenir une conversation, argumenter et même commercer dans la langue de Shakespeare.

• Hans-Jürgen from Darmstadt, Germany, Sept 2008 (German High-School language teacher, two intensive residential courses to prepare University French exams)

Hallo Carol,

Wie du weißt habe ich es geschafft: Die Prüfung für das Französsich Staatsexamen habe ich problemlos bestanden. Vielen Dank für deine Hilfe. Dein Unterricht bereichert meinen!!!

Vielen Dank auch für den Tennis Kurs, den du mir organisiert hast. Er hat meine literarischen Bemühungen den nötigen „drive“ gegeben.

Der Kurs war super, die Gegend ist super, das Essen war super. Mehr kann man eigentlich nicht sagen.

Ich bin sicher ich werde euch wiedersehen – Perpignan ist ja immer eine Reise wert.

Bis dann

Hans-Jürgen Bauer

I needed to prepare for my French Exam (University Master Course) and I came two times for two weeks on a one-to-one course: I passed the exam with flying colors.

I had given Carol the names of the books I needed to prepare for and she had prepared for those books thoroughly, got film adaptations of those books and „livened“ up the course with the kind of grammar and vocab exercises she realized I needed and were fun to do.

Total immersion also meant French cuisine of the original kind: wholesome and excellent without being too fancy. I miss it.

As I like to do sports she also organized Tennis lessons for me so that the dinners left few traces on my body line and my mind could take a respite from the studying.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it was probably one of the best „investments“ that I have ever made.

Hans-Jürgen

• Dominic and Rachel from Leucate Plage, Aug 2008 (British entrepreneur and his fiancée, made-to-measure individual/couple course over several months)

“Carol has been the greatest discovery I have made in France. Having tried
several different language schools. Frustrated, confused and overwhelmed I
then met Carol. After my first lesson with Carol learning French suddenly
became interesting, fun and a real possibility.
Carol is more than a teacher to Rachel and I, she is someone we trust and
with her vast knowledge of how things work in France has made our
integration so much easier. She will always be a part of our new life in
France as a friend and teacher.”
 

• Karen from Albany, NY, USA, Aug 2008 (American archivist and doctoral student, two month intensive residential course with internet follow-up)

Time spent with Mme. Howarth means one thing -- you will learn French! She is extremely organized and disciplined, integrates a student's personal interests within an individualized lesson plan, and applies a thoughtful strategy to a student's learning experience. Rather than Language Instructor, her title should be Language Coach...why? Because Mme. Howarth approaches her mission as an instructor with nothing less than athleticism! So if you want to increase your French language proficiency, then register with Mme. Howarth, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to learn!

•  John from Claira, Aug 2008 (British marketing executive who has retired to the region, individual lessons plus conversation)

I have been taking conversational French lessons with Carole Howarth, both one-to-one and in a group for a year now and have found them extremely beneficial.  At the same time the group sessions in particular have led to new friendships and some very enjoyable social gatherings.  All to be recommended.

• Mike from London, Aug 2008 (17-year-old British A-level student, intensive residential exam preparation)

"I did a 3 day intensive course in preparation for my A-level French speaking in April, which comprised of seemingly impossible translation texts which over some time I managed to conquer. I would say the experience was invaluable and I would urge everyone to do it."

 (N.B. We have since heard that Mike got an "A" in his oral.)

• Christine from Fitou, July 2008 - (German businesswoman who has set up a company in France, one-to-one classes plus conversation and workshops)

Chere Carole,

 mon temoignage:

 je voudrais remercier pour votre patience.
 Quand je'ai commencé mon cours de francais chez vous je ne parle pas une mot de votre langue.  Aprés une semaine je pris la base et pu commencer parler avec mes voisins.
 En autre, votre cours de conversation chaque semaine est une tres bon idée! Il y a une bonne possibilite faire des contacts et des amis.
 J' attends avec impatience de prochaine atelier!

 A bientôt
 Christine

•   Fiona from Perpignan, August 2008 - (British grandmother with second home in town, conversation classes)

 I spend approximately 6 months of the year in France, 2 months at a time.
 I also have a son and family who live in France and am the proud Granny of
 a little Franglaise! I was so delighted to find Carole's French
 conversation class last year - not only for the language skills she passes
 on but also to give me the confidence to find out about some aspects of
 French life that I did not know about (including exercise class!) and look
 forward to returning to class again in September. My husband has now
 taken to coming with me.
 

• Gill from St Cyprien July 2008 - (Local British resident, conversation class) 

"I have been attending the conversation group with Carole for about 9 months, the professional but friendly attitude Carole has shown has raised my confidence so that I now talk french as much as I can - whenever I have the opportunity.  This is exactly what I was hoping for and I am grateful to Carole for her patience and encouragement."

•  Barbara from Ceret, May 2008 (Local British resident, made-to-measure one-to-one course)

  "I have recently had the pleasure of completing a beginner's French course with Carole Howarth.

  Always professional, Carole clearly does not subscribe to the "one size fits all" approach to learning, and tailors the lesson, and the course in general, to the abilities and needs of the student.

  But the one thing that sets Carole apart is her patience, which has given me the confidence to continue with my French studies."

• Alan and Elizabeth from Fitou, May 2008 (Retired British couple, conversation)

Hello Carole,

This is a note to say how much we enjoyed our four months of conversation sessions with you.  It gave us a lot more confidence in speaking French and it helped to iron out many of the mistakes we were making on a regular basis.

The sessions were always good-humoured and the frequent discussions on current issues in French life always maintained our interest.

An added bonus was the facility to ask you questions about dealing with bureaucracy.  You always had an informed answer; and for any newcomer to France that is a very valuable service.

Best wishes,

Alan and Elizabeth