Who am I?
My story
Am I Tressy or... Tracy? Actually, I like to spell my first name both ways... On my birth certificate, my first name is Tressy, but I sometimes like to spell my first name in English.
My passion for English goes back a long way! Even as a teenager, I loved listening to English songs and singing them! It was like a game to me, trying to reproduce all the sounds and intonations I heard. Above all, I wanted to understand the artists I was listening to. At school, I always had very good English teachers who helped me enrich my knowledge. So it was natural for me to study languages.
I graduated from the University of Boulogne sur Mer with a degree in English (LCE). The Opal Coast's proximity to the English coast is a great advantage, as it allows me to travel regularly to my second country: the UK! I went on to do a Master's degree in English teaching in 2012, and passed the CAPES teaching exam in the same year.
I then taught for 2 years in the Calais area, but I soon realized that this was not the environment I wanted to work in. Above all, I love teaching those who really want to learn. Motivation is the key to success! Motivation is a driving force!
That's how I started my Tracy's Lessons business on January 1, 2016. A fabulous adventure! I started giving lessons to middle school students at home, then to children, adults and high school students. In my early days, I also gave a few online lessons on skype. Then I joined the Calais language school, where I ran fun workshops for the general public, English immersions with elementary school, and numerous professional training courses.
A company needs to evolve. Today, I teach English via Skype. I also teach at universities, training centres and at home.
Teaching experience
- At the University
Conversation, TOEIC training
- At IUT
Several groups of 12 students, all language skills worked on
- Middle and high school
French National Education Program
- At the Calais School of Languages
Professional training for various companies: P&O ferries, Calais Opale Bus, Centrale Nucléaire de Gravelines, Airbus; internships; training courses specializing in tourism and IT. Workshops on various themes: Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Angry Birds, Christmas, Superheroes, Snow Queen; welcome to Calaisis elementary school and workshops on several themes; private training courses for adults on Mondays and Thursdays.
- At home in Calais
Tutoring and revision of basics for children and teenagers, conversation with adults
- Online throughout France
A wide range of profiles: children, schoolchildren, adults for work and leisure, sailors and competitive athletes, nurses, therapists, police officers, social workers, pensioners, salespeople, jobseekers, IT specialists, executives...
- By telephone anywhere in France
Methodology
When you start a course with me, I assess your level according to the criteria of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Throughout the course, we review your progress based on the CEFR grid and the objectives we set together on a regular basis.
My teaching approach is to encourage active participation from my students based on oral communication, but also to enable a more global progression (comprehension and written/oral expression).
I prefer to teach orally and playfully, and I establish a relationship of trust. For me, positive pedagogy is fundamental to establishing real progress.
With children aged 8-9 and over, whether face-to-face or online, English is learnt in a fun way. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are used to act out and play games that I have devised. The emphasis is on fun and, above all, practicality. You learn to use the language in everyday life.
With teenagers and adults, I work on all language skills and adapt to your needs. I use google doc and google slides for my course materials.
I prepare high school students for the Bac exam and develop their oral fluency by discussing subjects they are passionate about. I use google doc and google slides for my course materials.
When you take lessons with me, I'm available at any time during the week via skype instant messaging or on WhatsApp, which you can download to your phone or computer free of charge. If you wish, you can ask me questions or just chat about a topic of everyday life. Of course, all these exchanges take place in English!
Course content
Training for the Baccalaureate, TOEIC, entry into international section, entry into European section.
Comprehensive English refresher course (written and oral expression, reading and listening comprehension).
Help children learn English in a fun way. English tutoring.
Professional training, elementary school visits, creation and running of fun workshops and private sessions on various themes.
Availability
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Rates
My prices: €20 per hour if you live in Calais or the surrounding area. 17€ for a 30-minute lesson if you live elsewhere in France (online lessons). English days: 40€ per day. Online workshops: 5€/h. Workshops at home: 10€/h.