Meet Our French Teacher: Florian Le Bris

In this fourth segment of L’Alliance New York’s running “Meet Our French Teachers” series, we’re highlighting a fantastic educator at L’Alliance’s Montclair campus, Florian Le Bris.

What’s your background with the French language and how did you arrive at teaching French?

I came to New York City from France almost 18 years ago as a painter. After some exhibitions, I looked for a job that could combine my passion for art and education. I found the ideal professional situation working with children, introducing them to French and art, while also supporting their first steps in school.

What French classes do you teach at L’Alliance New York’s Montclair campus?

I teach the junior class at L’Alliance Montclair, working with children who are two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years old.

What do you love about the town of Montclair? 

I love Montclair’s diversity, and the food scene is amazing. I particularly enjoy the farmers’ market, as well as the French boulangerie and pâtisserie on Church Street. We have both! There’s a lot to discover in Montclair, and the strong French community feels like family.

What’s your favorite thing about being a teacher at L’Alliance? 

I particularly enjoy seeing the little ones grow. Most of the time, they don’t speak much when they start the class, but you can see them becoming more and more confident. By the end of the year, we can have small conversations in French, and it’s incredibly gratifying.

What sets L’Alliance apart from other language schools?

The Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York provides a great environment for learning. We have a wonderful team of teachers, and we take pride in making French a fun and safe experience for the children.

What’s a favorite breakthrough moment you’ve witnessed from a student? 

A few weeks ago, a father came to drop off his child. The little boy is extremely shy and doesn’t speak much, and when he does, it’s in a very soft tone. The father was happy and surprised when, that night, the child spoke to him in French. It’s these simple moments that make this job great: seeing the kids grow and preparing them for the next step in their lives.

What’s your favorite French word or phrase, and why?

I particularly enjoy the French word panache. It sums up a certain approach to life and is especially meaningful in French culture.

What’s your favorite French-speaking location to visit, and why? It can be anywhere—Montclair, NYC, America, or abroad…

I love speaking French with my Haitian belle-famille. Their version of French is very classic, and I appreciate it more than the French spoken in Paris, which contains a lot of anglicisms.

Some rapid-fire French favorites… Food? Film? Book? Musician? Artist?

I’m a bit old school (or simply older now!), but I really love the songs and poetry of Jacques Brel and Léo Ferré. The Astérix and Obélix comics are all-time favorites for their humor, which is very difficult to translate. I enjoy the poetic films of Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, such as Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children. For books, I like the early works of Fred Vargas’ detective novels and the poetry of Anna Gavalda. As for food, I really enjoy traditional stews and soups, especially during the cold winter months.

Missed our prior teacher profiles? Allow us to introduce you to Deborah Steenhout and Isabelle West, Odin Lardin and Yasmine Hassani, and Judith Eya-Obame and Cédric Chaudré. Until our next installment of Meet Our French Teachers, you can learn more about our educators and browse our French classes.