Becoming you in French

Who This Is For

This is for upper-beginner and intermediate learners who:
– Can communicate the basics, but struggle to express yourself the way you want to
– Struggle to assemble your thoughts naturally in real time
– Feel stuck at a plateau – and unsure what to focus on next
– Want real structure and accountability
– Are ready to commit for three months

My Approach

I don’t see language as neat A2 or B1 boxes.

Fluency isn’t about reaching a certain level on paper. It’s about feeling like yourself when you speak.

Most learners are stronger in some areas,
and blocked in others.

I’ve worked with hundreds of learners over the years, and I see this pattern constantly.

Maybe your comprehension is solid, but your sentence structure feels messy.

Or maybe you avoid certain tenses.
Maybe you know the rule, but can’t access it quickly enough when speaking.

We’ll identify exactly where your French feels uncertain, and build a personalized plan from there.

How We’ll Progress

Phase 1: Foundation

We’ll begin by identifying the specific weak points that are holding you back. Before our first session, you’ll complete a language assessment I’ve created to help pinpoint them more clearly.

From there, we’ll focus on stabilizing those areas, whether that’s sentence structure, word order, tenses, connectors or key vocabulary.

Phase 2: Expansion & Nuance

Once your foundation feels more stable, we’ll expand your range. We’ll work on using connectors more naturally, moving fluidly between tenses and reducing circumlocution.

In other words, finding le mot juste so you can say what you actually want to say, with more precision and less second-guessing while you speak.

Phase 3: Embodiment

Finally, we’ll shift into longer stretches of speaking and real-life simulations.

Instead of stumbling or translating from English, the goal is to get you thinking and expressing yourself more directly in French, so speaking starts to feel more natural and instinctive.

After each session, you’ll receive personalized homework based on what we worked on together. Each week builds on the last, so we can keep track of your progress and adjust as we go.

What We’ll Work On

Over three months, we will:

– Diagnose your specific weak points
– Strengthen sentence structure and flow
– Build layered, nuanced sentences that reflect how you actually think
– Practice real-life speaking and listening situations so conversations feel fluid, not rehearsed
– Reduce hesitation so your sentences flow without second-guessing
– Build speed and confidence

The goal is simple:

Longer, clearer sentences.
More ease in conversation.
Less second-guessing.

Becoming fully you in French.

How It Works

– Weekly 60-minute 1:1 online sessions via Zoom
– A personalized learning plan tailored to your level, goals and interests
– Direct access to me between sessions for questions and guidance
– Detailed feedback on written and spoken work
– Customized exercises based on your recurring patterns
– Voice note corrections between sessions to help you internalize rhythm and flow
– Ongoing accountability and structure
– 12 weeks of focused, private mentorship

What It’s Like to Work Together

Stephen is currently in his second 12-week block of Becoming you in French.