Our Teachers

Born and raised in Paris, Luma Aci has created educational performances in New York that link music, performing arts and French language (French Heritage day in Hunter College, United Nations’ day in Brooklyn Borough Hall, workshops in International Acting School) and can give valuable tips about pronunciation. She holds a Master’s degree II (DEA) in French language and modern literature from Paris IV – Sorbonne, has a solid knowledge of French culture – particularly music, theater, art and literature – and also works as a voice instructor and piano instructor.

N’Mah was born and raised in Paris, France. She obtained her Master’s degree in FLE from the University of Paris VIII in 2006. After working for different language schools in Paris and also in a French immersion school in Minnesota, she joined the Alliance Française of Paris in 2008, where she gained extensive experience teaching all levels of French to both general adult classes and private lessons. N’Mah also holds an ESL certification and taught English to adults in Paris. She moved to New York end of 2011 and joined L’Alliance in 2015.

Of Portuguese origin, Estela Baptista was born and raised in France. She also lived in Portugal where she studied Modern Languages and Literature (French and German studies), and taught kids, children with special needs, teenagers and adults. She also worked as the Head of an Adult Education Program for five years, and as the Coordinator of a School Library. She moved to the United States in September 2016, and joined L’Alliance in November 2017.

Pascale Baptiste-Midy is a native French speaker. She received a Master 1 in Economics with a major in International Economic and Development from La Sorbonne University Paris I. She worked as an economist under the supervision of the World Bank for about 10 years. She embraced the career of teaching French as a foreign language (FLE) when she arrived in the US in 2006. During all those years, she has taught students of all ages, backgrounds and levels. She also taught Business French in both group and private classes. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion of the French language and culture. She joined L’Alliance when she moved to New York City in August 2018. Along with her 11 years of teaching experience, she brought with her knowledge of the Alliance Française system from Houston, Texas and the set of teaching tools she had developed there. Her passion, patience, communication skills, and devotion have won her high praises and respect from L’Alliance students.

Aurélien Bayo was born and raised in Besançon, France. He received a Bachelor’s degree in literature and cinema from University of France-Comté. After his studies, he moved to the United States in 2015 and worked at the Cleveland International Film Festival for three seasons. During his time in Cleveland, Aurélien taught for Learnship, a foreign language training company. He gained extensive experience teaching all levels of French to students of all ages, both privately and in a group setting. He joined L’Alliance in 2018 after moving to New York. Alongside his passion for teaching, Aurélien loves art, cinema, soccer and traveling.

Originally from Strasbourg, France, Muriel Beer has taught all levels of French to people of all ages. Her experience includes teaching at Fordham University and implementing a French program for young children at a Montessori school in NYC. She holds a degree in English from University Marc Bloch, where she also studied French as a foreign language. In addition to her background in education, Muriel studied English at the British European Center in Oxford, as well as acting at Le Studio Dramatique.

Charlie Bellahsen was born in Paris and studied foreign languages at the Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne (UPEC) before obtaining a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the ESGCI (Ecole supérieure de gestion et commerce international). Charlie was an ESL instructor in the Caribbean before moving to New York City in 2015 where she has been teaching French since 2016. She completed a degree in French as a Foreign language and is currently completing her Master’s degree in French Didactique at the Sorbonne University in Paris through online courses. She began working at L’Alliance in April 2018 and teaches children, teenagers and adults.

Soumia Bendadache was born and raised in Oran, the second largest city in Algeria. She received her bachelor’s degree in didactics of French language and literature from Oran University. She also studied at the Sorbonne University – Paris 3. Before joining FIAF, Soumia spent 12 years teaching in a high school setting in both Oran and in Texas. She is happy to continue her passion of teaching French as a foreign language to all of FIAF’s motivated students.

Loïc Bertrand is a teacher, artist, and scholar from Paris. He holds a Ph.D. in Literature, Arts, Cinéma (Université Paris Cité) and published his first book in 2021. He has experience as a journalist and has worked for over five years as a French teacher for non-native speakers. He lived in Paris, Warsaw, and Berlin, before moving to New York at the beginning of 2022. Outside of teaching, Loïc enjoys art and cinema, hiking, and scuba diving.

Thierry Bidault de l’Isle studied international politics and economy at the Université des Sciences Politiques in Paris, as well as literature at the Sorbonne and international commercial law at Paris-Assas In 1994, he received a Certificate in English from Columbia University Teachers College. Thierry worked as an instructor from 1995 to 2007 in Washington D.C. for the Discovery Channel, the Federal Communication Commission, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. He also co-founded the DC Independent Film Festival in 1995. From 1998 to 2002, he was the VP of the Washington DC chapter of the Sciences-Po Alumni Association. Thierry joined L’Alliance in 2005 and has tutored top executives at BNP, Goldman Sachs, and Cartier, among others. He also works for NGOs like the United Nations. His students include high-ranking executives such as former US ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power and former US ambassador to France Jane Hartley. In addition to his comprehensive experience tutoring in the banking and business sectors, Thierry is the author of books on French grammar, history, international relations, and French wine.

Julie Bordeaux was born and raised in Les Herbiers, a small city close to Nantes, France. Julie has a business background and worked in retail food and insurance for 15 years. After spending many years abroad (Switzerland, Ireland and now the US), she decided to rethink her career, start teaching, and complete her DAEFLE training. She started by teaching French to adults of all levels and then put her learning into practice with young children by working in an International bilingual school. Julie joined L’Alliance in summer 2021. In addition to teaching, Julie enjoys spending time with her 2 children and her husband, travelling, running and doing yoga.

Veronique Buelens grew up in Brussels, Belgium and holds a degree in special education and social work. She has worked with children of all ages and backgrounds, as well as with adults in private lessons. She has vast experience with multilingualism both through her work and with her own children. Veronique has earned several awards for dictation and grammar by participating in inter-school competitions and is passionate about reading and writing. Seven years ago, Veronique moved to New York and worked as a teacher at Bonjour NY and La Petite Ecole. She taught children’s group classes and adult private lessons from 2013 to 2017. In addition to her professional experience, Veronique also brings new ideas, views and approaches to education to L’Alliance.

Peggy Cambier-Weinstein has been teaching at L’Alliance since 2004, specializing in private tutoring. Originally from Lille, Peggy received a degree in translation and interpretation from the Institut Supérieur d’Interprétation et Traduction and a degree in English literature from the Sorbonne. She worked as a translator and interpreter in Paris before moving to the U.S. A Parisian at heart, Peggy lives on the Upper West Side with her American husband and their three bilingual children. She has extensive experience teaching in the business, international affairs, luxury, and media sectors.

Isabelle Charbonnel was born, and she lived most of her life in Paris, France. She graduated with a Diploma of Aptitude for teaching French delivered by the Alliance Française (DAEFLE) and a master’s degree in teaching French. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Previously, she held different positions in the digital marketing field as a web content manager, writer, and proofreader. She is a passionate expert on the French language. She loves helping other learners to speak French in a real-world context, as well as keeping students motivated with interactive learning support.

Cédric Chaudre grew up in Northeast France. He graduated with a diploma in Education and taught in middle schools in France. He moved to Paris where he was employed as an Automatic Speech Recognition Software Analyst in an international team. This experience developed his interest in language acquisition and Cédric decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics, where he researched how mobile technologies can improve language acquisition. After a few years of teaching in language institutes in Paris, Cedric moved to New York in 2013 where he taught French in the after-school program of dual language schools and to adult students working for international companies (C. Louboutin, Natori). Cedric also taught business professionals in private classes. Now, Cédric works for L’Alliance New York where he enjoys teaching a variety of students who share a passion for the French language and culture.

Charlie Bellahsen was born in Paris and studied foreign languages at the Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne (UPEC) before obtaining a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the ESGCI (Ecole supérieure de gestion et commerce international). Charlie was an ESL instructor in the Caribbean before moving to New York City in 2015 where she has been teaching French since 2016. She completed a degree in French as a Foreign language and is currently completing her Master’s degree in French Didactique at the Sorbonne University in Paris through online courses. She began working at L’Alliance in April 2018 and teaches children, teenagers and adults.

Selma Chibane was born in Algiers and grew up in a bilingual household. Before becoming a teacher, she studied math at the Lycée Hassiba Ben Bouali and received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Ecole Nationale Veterinaire in Algiers. She moved to New York in 1996 and began teaching at L’Alliance in 2002. She has taught French as a second language to both children and adults, and has been active in L’Alliance’s summer camp program for more than a decade.

Gila Daitz started her career in Education in the Public School System in Switzerland while completing her BA degree in Psychology. After being certified as a Montessori Educator in London and later obtaining her Masters in Multicultural Education from New York University, she continued teaching in New York City, mostly in French-English bilingual institutions. ​Gila is also a Certified Parent Educator through the Positive Discipline Association and is trained as a Professional Coach, facilitating workshops and seminars. Having lived in several countries with very diverse cultural and linguistic landscapes and being fluent in 3 languages, she highly values the socio-cultural subtleties that come along with the acquisition of a foreign language.

Venus Darius completed his high school and university studies in the French system in Port-au-Prince and Quebec. He holds a PhD in education sciences, a master’s degree in development sciences, a bachelor’s degree in communication and a university certificate in philosophy and French literature. He has taught French and French literature at the secondary level, and French culture courses in higher education institutions for over 20 years. During his doctoral studies at Laval University (Canada), he worked part-time at the Faculty of Education as a research and teaching assistant and co-taught at the Blue Mambo Latin and social dance school in Quebec City. After his PhD in 2016, Venus continues to work as a teacher, face-to-face and remotely, in several university institutions in the French-speaking world. He joined L’Alliance New York in the fall of 2021 with great motivation to put his knowledge and multicultural experiences at the service of Francophiles.

Christine Dawson was born and raised in Revel, a city in the Southwest of France. After studying Law in Toulouse, she moved to New York in 1997. She headed the French Department of a language school and taught in French banks (Société Générale, Calyon, Natixis, etc.) and in various French companies (AXA Equitable, l’Oréal, etc.) for over ten years. In 2007, she started teaching French to children. She joined L’Alliance in 2014. She currently teaches – in person and online – students of all ages and all levels. In addition, Christine loves spending time with her family, playing Scrabble, reading, practicing Hatha Yoga and meditation.

Born in Nice, on the French Riviera, Marc holds a master’s degree in journalism, a bachelor’s degree in literature and civilization, and a master’s degree in spread of knowledge. In France and in the US, he has taught group and private French lessons for teenagers and adults. Marc enjoys teaching to improve grammar, pronunciation and confidence.

Aurelie Doctrinal was born in Orleans, in central France. She studied psychology at Paris University and worked as a clinical psychologist for 20 years in France and in Singapore. She also worked in specialized institutions with adults or kids with special needs, most recently in a kindergarten class with autistic children. Aurelie moved to Jersey City in 2020, where she prepared the DAEFLE French teaching diploma and started to teach French in private lessons and in local schools with young children. She joined L’Alliance in January 2022.

Fatima Douiou has been a teacher at L’Alliance since 2002 and has more than two decades of teaching experience. She studied education and French at the Ecole Normale de l’Enseignement Supérieur. Before joining L’Alliance, she was a high school teacher and guidance counselor for international students at the New Immigrants Program of the New York YMC. In addition to teaching, she tutors students for the SAT and AP tests, and is an active jury member for the TEF and TefaQ exams.

Stéphanie Durand was born in Paris. She received her Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language, and a Bachelor of Arts in English language, Literature, and Civilization from the Sorbonne University. She has been working with students of all ages for the last 18 years. She worked in both France and the US in luxury, financial, and public organizations. She has also created learning programs and led many to pass worldwide recognized tests and diplomas. In her spare time, she is a ceramist, photographer, and writer. A Parisian at heart, Stéphanie never misses an opportunity to convey her passion of French culture and give valuable insights about life in France.

Louise Egan has been teaching private English classes in New York for over 12 years. She specializes in all aspects of the language: conversation, grammar, pronunciation/accent modification, and writing (for business and general purposes). In addition, she can provide business interview and presentation coaching, as well as a cultural understanding about life in New York and the United States. Her classes are tailored to each student’s needs and interests and are truly dynamic and interactive. Her clients include: The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, Google, IBM, Air France, Johnson & Johnson, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Cultural Services of the French Embassy, AIG, La Durée, The Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations, L’Oreal, Macquarie, Credit Suisse, UBS, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Société Générale, Philip Morris, Chanel, and many private individuals.

Judith Eya has been teaching in New York since 2014 to kids, teens and adults. She obtained her DAEFLE diploma in teaching French as a foreign language in 2020. Before that, she worked in a preschool. Judith has always enjoyed teaching, mentoring, and tutoring students. Outside of teaching, Judith has a passion for literature. She is a “BookTubeuse” and runs a literary YouTube channel called “Parlons de livres”, where she interviews French writers. Judith joined L’Alliance in 2023, teaching classes to all ages.

Mehdya Fassi is a Moroccan teaching artist, storyteller, and director. Mehdya studied at HB Studio and holds a Theater Degree from l’Ecole du Jeu, Paris. She enjoyed every part of her 4 years of experience teaching French and Acting to kids and adults of every level. Mehdya loves developing a curriculum that matches the needs of each student she works with and loves to use art, pedagogy, and directing tools to teach. As an artist, credits include Le Cirque d’Hiver, La Bellevilloise, Le 104, The New Ohio Theater, The Brooklyn Museum, Manhattan Rep Theatre, The Italian Cultural Center, Dixon Place, Target Margin Theater.

Sophie Forst is a Paris native and lived in Switzerland and Algeria before moving to the United States. She has been teaching French since 1996. In addition to teaching, she works as a cross-cultural consultant and a translator specializing in art, law, and finance.

Philippe Foucher is from Tours, a city known for having the best spoken French in France. Philippe has a B.A. in English and a master’s in French as a foreign language from the University François in Tours. From 1982 to 1985, he was a teaching assistant at Harvard University. He also spent 10 years in London teaching at the University of North London and the Alliance Française. He joined L’Alliance in 1999. In addition to teaching, Philippe enjoys riding his bike, swing dancing, and sailing.

Klervi is from Rennes, France. She holds a Master’s degree to teach French as a Foreign Language. She was a French teaching assistant in a primary school and a high school for a few months in Australia. In France, she taught in a middle school for one year and gave private classes for five years before joining the Montclair Campus team in October 2018. She likes sports, dogs, travels, street photography, and drawing (which is always welcomed in the kids’ classes).

Aurélie was born and raised in Lyon, France. She graduated from Institut Supérieur d’Optique and worked as an optician for 10 years. In 2013, she moved to New York and decided to become a teacher, her childhood dream job. She obtained the DAEFLE (Diplôme d’Aptitude à l’Enseignement du Français Langue Etrangère) in 2014 and started at L’Alliance, working with toddlers, kids, and teens of all levels in group and private class formats. Outside of teaching, she loves composting, swing dancing, and spending time with her two children.

Originally from France, Alexandra Girardo holds a bachelor’s degree in modern foreign Languages from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and a degree in French as a Foreign Language from the University Stendhal in Grenoble. Before joining L’Alliance NY, she taught at the Centre Culturel Français in Milan, IULM University of Languages and Communication, and the University of Milan. She has taught classes in business, translation, and general French, and was a certified examiner for the DELF/DALF exams. Additionally, she has given private lessons to employees at renowned companies in the luxury and fashion industries. Alongside her passion for teaching, Alexandra enjoys reading, swimming, and walking in nature.

Vaagn Gouchtchian holds a Master’s degree in Literature with a specialization in Literary Theory. He has studied at Liverpool Hope University (UK), Western University (Canada), and Université de Provence, Aix-en-Provence (France). Vaagn has taught various courses in Literature and Cultural Studies internationally. He joined L’Alliance New York in 2023. Previously, he held a full-time faculty position at the American University of Armenia, where he designed and taught French Culture and Literature courses for over eight years. Currently, Vaagn Gouchtchian teaches Language, Literature, and Civilization courses at L’Alliance, translates literature, and is pursuing research projects in Literature and AI applications.

Yasmine Hassani was born and raised in Bordeaux, France. Before joining L’Alliance in 2015, She worked for 5 years as an ESL and French literature teacher for the French Ministry of National Education. Yasmine attended Université Michel de Montaigne and IUFM in Bordeaux, later moving to Florence, Italy to pursue her career as a teacher and translator. In addition to tutoring for both children and adults, she has taught in public schools and given private lessons to clients at well-known fashion companies.

Soha is an educator with over 13 years of experience teaching French to middle and high school students. Her extensive background includes serving as principal of a French-bilingual school and pedagogical consultant for ten bilingual institutions.

Joining L’Alliance New York in 2012, Soha’s expertise is further enriched by a Master’s in Educational Sciences from the University of Nantes and a “Trainer of Trainers” certification from the University of Besançon. Recognized as a “Training and Development Specialist for Teachers and Pedagogical Leaders,” she is a dedicated advocate for French language education.

Her contributions to promoting French language have earned her the prestigious title of “Knight” in the order of Academic Palms, bestowed by the French Prime Minister and Minister of National Education.

Beyond her role at L’Alliance New York, Soha is a lecturer at the City College of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, University of Mount Saint Vincent, and the United Nations.

Cécile Kestenbaum grew up in the Paris area. She received her master’s degree in teaching Spanish from the University of Paris Ouest la Défense and completed the competitive test to become a certified teacher (C.A.P.E.S.) in France. She taught middle and high school students for about ten years, where she organized trips and exchanges in Madrid to foster language learning. She then lived in Seattle, WA for seven years where she started her French teaching journey at the Department of Defense and at the Alliance Française de Seattle, until her relocation to New York in 2020. She became a certified French teacher from the Alliance Française de Vichy and is working on her Masters of French as a Foreign Language from the University of Clermont-Ferrand. When she is not teaching French or Spanish, you can find Cécile on a yoga mat, playing with her two feline children, reading, or checking out independent movies.

Nasser Larkem was born in Villeneuve d’Ascq in the north of France. He received a degree in applied foreign languages from the University of Charles-de-Gaulle in Lille, as well as a master’s in history from New Mexico State University. Before coming to L’Alliance, he taught at the Centre Franco-Saoudien in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and served as an interpreter of French, Spanish, and English for the French national soccer team during the World Cup championships.

Lily Leff was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, a former French colony in West Africa. She has a Master’s in Business Administration from the IAE Perpignan and has received her DAEFLE certification (Diplôme d’aptitude à l’enseignement du Français Langue Etrangère). Before coming to L’Alliance, she worked at the International French School in Singapore, supervising kids as an extracurricular activities’ coordinator. While in Singapore, she was instrumental in promoting the French language through events such as “les célébrations de la francophonie” organized by the Alliance Française of Singapore. She moved to New York in July 2021, and joined L’Alliance in March 2022.

Cléo Maes was born in Belgium and moved to New York City at the age of 7. She is proficient in French (mother language), English, Dutch, and has a good knowledge of Spanish. She has been working with kids since the age of 13 at summer camps, after school programs and private lessons. She graduated high school with First Honors. Currently, she attends Hunter College where she plans on getting a double major in childhood education and French.

Cécile Markazi is from Paris, France, where she studied Corporate and Tax Law at the Université of Paris II Sorbonne Assas. She taught French for over 15 years in corporate settings, private classes, and group classes before joining L’Alliance, where she works with both kids and adults. Cécile organized and held a weekly informal French speaking gathering in New York for over 2 years. In addition to teaching, she is a Pilates instructor and a licensed real estate agent. She also has an interest in permaculture and veganism.

Nadia Mehenni was born in Nantes, France, where she studied French literature and philosophy. She has an Associate’s Degree in education, a B.A. in psychology and is graduating from Hunter College with a Master’s Degree in bilingual education. She has worked for more than fifteen years as a French teacher with students ranging from 5 to 18 years old in D.L.P. (Dual Language Program) schools. She is also a private tutor for students learning French at school and for both Anglophone and Francophone adults.

Sosthene Mikala is a bilingual interpreter and teacher with over 18 years of professional experience in legal and educational environments. He works with global leaders within the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, and The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in democracy and cultural pluralism from the New School University, as well as certificates in language proficiency and communication from New York University. Prior to coming to L’Alliance in 2009, Sosthene taught French and English at Barnard College for 3 years. He also taught French for 6 years at Prep for Prep, a school in Manhattan that develops ethical and effective leaders who reflect our diverse society for the enduring benefit of all.

Alexia Morand was born in French-speaking Switzerland. She first graduated in economics and later decided to become an elementary school teacher. She holds an elementary school teaching certification from the Ecole Normale of Fribourg, Switzerland. She also holds a Master’s degree in psychology and in education from Regina Mundi, Fribourg, Switzerland. She has been living in New York for 8 years and has worked as a marketing manager for a French American design company. She taught French to adults (for example workshops at Dyptique Perfume New York) and did counseling for schools and for private patients. She has a passion for ethology, particularly concerning Apes. She loves sewing, painting, and also acting. In winter 2015, she started with L’Alliance teaching the à petits pas program, part time, in Brooklyn.

Yuna Ngal was a French teacher at the Alliance Française de San Francisco for nearly 10 years before joining L’Alliance. In the Bay Area, Yuna also taught to a diverse audience from toddlers to adults and worked at Le Lycée Français de San Francisco and the French International School of San Francisco. Congolese born, Yuna Ngal grew up in Paris where she studied foreign languages (English and Spanish) from Paris IV La Sorbonne. In addition to her teaching career, Yuna is also a visual artist and studied communications design at Pratt Institute.

Born and raised in Paris, Hong Tam Nguyen André got her Master’s in Hospitality Management from ESCP. She began her career in communications and human resources in an iconic French palace by the Château de Versailles. Her multicultural journey has led her through three continents (Paris, New York, Hong Kong) and she has always been deeply involved in community initiatives and pedagogical projects. Hong Tam now dedicates her energy and passion to lift and inspire people along their journey whether by teaching or coaching. She currently teaches French to students aged 8 to 99. Outside of teaching, Hong Tam enjoys practicing the piano and the seven languages she speaks.

Aurélia Nolin is a Parisian actress who worked for Actor Center London and Atlantic Theater Company, NYC. She is also a French awarded Teacher (Unesco-2015). She is a mother of two boys, 9 and 11 years old and her children were born in Sarasota where she lived for a couple of years; she then moved to Manhattan and has worked for L’Alliance since 2017. She led many workshops for children (Arts and Craft, Sciences, Music and Songs, Creatives Movements) and adults. She also gave classes in the Art of Speaking in Public for corporates. She moved back to live in Sarasota in July 2019 and is giving online classes for L’Alliance.

Chantal Oldenburg holds a master’s degree in modern literature from the Université de Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle. She has taught French as a second language for more than 15 years, and has also given courses in business French and French literature. In addition to her courses at L’Alliance, Chantal teaches at the New York University School of Continuing Education and the New School.

Svetlana Pezier was born and raised in Normandie, France. She holds a Master’s degree in Art and Cultural Project Management from the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris and another Master’s degree in cultural and social history of architecture and urban forms from the School of Architecture of Versailles. The latter program included a two-year research project about the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (NYC) that led Svetlana to NYC in 2014 to write her essay that has now been published. She has been living in Brooklyn since 2014 and has taught group and private French lessons ever since. Once Svetlana completed her degree, she became a licensed NYC sightseeing guide to share her love for architecture and the city and started to teach at a Brooklyn private school. In addition, she’s a proud member of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and GANYC (the Guides Association of New York City). Svetlana started teaching adults at L’Alliance in 2018 and has been teaching ever since. She offers a range of workshops about art and architecture, and some idiomatic expression workshops.

Ginette Reich was born in a village in Dordogne and was raised in Paris. She lived much of her life between Paris and Tel Aviv and obtained her bachelor’s degree in French literature at the Tel Aviv University. She taught French for 5 years to kids, adolescents, and adults at the French institute in Tel Aviv. Ginette moved to New York with her husband and got her master’s degree in teaching French as a Second Language at NYU. She joined L’Alliance in 1981, teaching all levels and leading the advanced literature classes. Alongside her love for opera and literature, Ginette has a passion for languages; she is fluent in Hebrew and Italian.

Marie Rousseau was born and raised in Paris, France. Marie has an MA in both History and Political Science from University of Paris-La Sorbonne. After graduation, she moved to New York City to work at NYU’s Institute of French Studies and for the magazine France-Amérique. She then worked for an Interior Design Office while writing news articles for French Newspapers, and currently writes a weekly newsletter “Le Kiosque de New York”. In 2019, she got her NYC sightseeing Guide License to share her passion for the city and its history. She’s been teaching all levels of French to adults both privately and in a group setting since 2018 and joined L’Alliance in the summer of 2021.

Manon Sancho is an Art Teacher with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the National School of Fine Arts of Montpellier, France. She has more than 10 years of experience supervising kids as an Assistant Art Teacher in France and the U.S. She has a passion for vintage objects, exploring nature, baking, and children’s book illustrations. She believes in creating a positive, happy environment for children, one in which they feel protected and can thrive. Manon joined the Montclair Campus team in September 2020 as Assistant and Art Teacher in our à petits pas Excellence program.

Sophie Sayaque, a native of Paris, is a former lawyer in French and Belgian law. She used to be a private tutor in law, and taught French to children in England. She lived in several countries including, Luxembourg, Belgium, and England, before coming to the US and following the Cavilam program to teach French as a foreign language. Sophie can speak English, French, German, and some Hebrew. Outside of teaching, she is also a jazz singer. Her eclectic experiences in many countries grant her an open-minded spirit valuable for a teacher. Sophie enjoys teaching as an opportunity to share and promote her love of France and French culture.

Laetitia Sebaaly is Lebanese and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Translation and a master’s degree in Interpretation. Before moving to NYC and joining FIAF in September 2023, she worked as a freelance translator and interpreter in the private sector. She loves playing tennis, skiing, and going to the beach.

Sangeeta Sengupta Ghosh was born in Calcutta, India and raised near the French settlement of Chandannagar. She obtained her DALF C2 French certification in Bengal. Sangeeta holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and commerce, but took up her passion of teaching French in 2008. She has taught all sorts of students (from ages 8 to 65), and enjoys imparting her interest in learning the French language onto others. A dedicated polyglot, Sangeeta is fluent in English, French, Bengali, and Hindi, and is also learning Spanish and Japanese. Outside of teaching, her passions are the violin, photography, and travel.

Laetitia Sève was born and raised in a small city in the French Alps. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from the University of Lyon, her DAEFLE from the Alliance Française de Lyon, and her Masters degree in teaching French as a Foreign Language from the University of Grenoble. She has extensive experience teaching all levels and all ages, with an expertise on adult pedagogy. She has been working in many countries, including France, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland. She aims to build a proper relationship based on trust and understanding with her students, thus promoting their learning of the French language as well as giving them an active role in their training. Laetitia is also a certified DELF/DALF examiner.

Deborah is from Mons, Belgium. She holds a Master’s degree in Translation and certification in teaching French as a second language. In Belgium, she was a French Instructor on a NATO base for the US contingent based in her hometown. She was also the French instructor for newly arrived children in the local Belgian school. In the US, she worked in several French afterschool programs around NYC as well as in a daycare setting, teaching little ones French through songs and visual arts. Later on, she became the primary FSL teacher in a bilingual French – English school in New Jersey and coordinated the DELF sessions for students from 8 to 14 years old. Deborah likes reading, traveling and hiking.

Laura Stigter has a dual University degree in Languages, Translation, Interpretation, and in Conservation Biology. She worked for several United Nations organizations and Universities, and graduated with a Master’s degree from Columbia University. Her hobbies are culture, travel, viticulture, oenology, gastronomy, and vegetable gardening. She is also fluent in Italian, and speaks conversational Dutch.

Loïc Thommeret studied literature and French as a foreign language at the Sorbonne, and received his Ph.D. at the University of California Davis. He has nearly three decades of teaching experience at the collegiate level. His research in early modern French literature and civilization has been widely published in academic journals, and he has translated numerous books and articles on subjects ranging from French colonization to fascism. He joined L’Alliance in 2012.

Corinne Torres was brought up tri-lingual, granting her the opportunity to speak French, Spanish, and English in school and at home. She completed formal schooling in the US and spent the summers visiting her family in the quaint and quiet town of Toul, France. Shortly after receiving her Bachelors in French and English and her masters in TESOL, she spent some time teaching in France. Corinne has been teaching French since 2010 and has mastered the art through her work with children as young as 6 months through adulthood. When she is not teaching, she is traveling, seeing a show off-Broadway, or taking a hot yoga class.

Julie Vincent is a Montrealer by birth and by heart. She moved to New York City at the beginning of the pandemic and began working for L’Alliance in January 2021. Since her arrival, she has taught teens and adults of all levels in private and group settings. She has an M.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Montreal, during which she focused on women’s literature. Since 2016, she has been teaching literature and French as a second language to U of M internationally recruited teachers. When not working, Julie plays water polo or accumulates laps at the pool.

Prior to joining the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York, Isabelle West worked for 11 years in a French immersion school in New Jersey, primarily in pre-school but also tutoring children between the ages of 6 and 16. Nurse by trade, Isabelle also worked as a pediatric nurse in France and in Switzerland before coming to America where she has worked as a registered nurse and then as a teacher. Her interests include art, travel, cooking, and baking. Her passion is to integrate these activities into the classroom as a vehicle to encourage student creativity and spark a joy of learning. Isabelle was born, raised, and educated in the North of France and has lived in Manhattan and Northern New Jersey, where she raised one child with her husband.

Adam Zivkovic has been teaching private French lessons since 2016. Growing up bilingual at the Lycée Français de New York, Adam has an expert grasp of both languages. Remembering his initial struggles with the finer points of the French language as a child, he understands what can make French so difficult to English-speaking learners, and has enjoyed considerable success in making the more difficult concepts understandable to his students. Adam’s approach varies depending on the needs of the individual student, but his teaching style remains constant between students – patient and encouraging. Whether you are looking to dive into French literature and culture, work on your conversational skills, or just need to get ready for a Parisian vacation, Adam will gladly guide you through your goals in a professional and friendly manner.