Today, we introduce you to Nikki Chambet, our new English teacher at GMH ! What about her ?
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I was born and grew up in Scotland in a small town called Peebles just outside Edinburgh. My grandfathers, my father and sister were lawyers but I have always loved languages and my parents being francophiles took us to France quite often so I discovered this beautiful language and decided to study French, Italian and Spanish instead of law!
Before starting my degree in Languages for Business in Oxford, I spent an IEP year in France in the Beaujolais where I went to school and sat the French baccalauréat and discovered the art of wine making living with a family on their vineyard. Then after four years in Oxford which led me to work in Sophia Antipolis and then in Rome in Italy, I decided to settle in the French Alps in Annecy in 1990.
Annecy being such a beautiful place, I am still here almost three decades on!
Why did you choose teaching ?
I started my 30 year teaching career in Annecy after obtaining the Teaching English as a Foreign Language diploma from Cambridge. I worked initially in language schools then took time out to interpret at the Winter Olympics then joined Vice Versa doing made to measure English courses, but also written translation and interpreting. I love teaching but this experience inspired me to apply to the Geneva Interpreting school to become an interpreter. Today my work is not only teaching children and adults, in academics and business, but interpreting at various conferences and also I am a Mum ! I think that all three require patience, thoughtfulness and reactivity which are the skills I try to master!
What keeps you motivated ?
Life and all the different experiences it has to offer and all the amazing opportunities we find along the way. My children grew up bilingual and that was a great source of motivation for me. You learn so much from such close observation in language learning. I am also a qualified Cambridge speaking examiner and do yearly training sessions and tests which keeps me on my toes. I have taught in French schools at all levels and even with the distance learning CNED for the high level skiers who select English as their specialization for the new baccalauréat which is constantly evolving.
From your experience, what are the challenges French people face when it comes to speaking English at work ?
Having experienced both British and French education systems and work environments I am very aware that for the French the pressure is on, not to make mistakes ! However in order to progress in learning a language we need to break down the language barrier and just go for it and not worry if it is not perfect ! It really doesn’t matter, it is often charming. As long as you can make yourself understood and show motivation and enthusiasm that is the real secret to communicating in English.
If you could give advice to French people who want to start improving their English on their own, what would you suggest?
There are more sounds in the English language than in French so singing songs in English is a great way to improve your accent ! Singing and acting allow us to perform and get the pronunciation spot on ! Listen and read as much English as you can. Watch films or series in English with English subtitles. Research in English when you look something up on Internet. If you have time to travel there is nothing better than being surrounded by English in an anglophone country but there are also a lot of anglophones here so join a club or get involved somehow in that community right there on your doorstep. When you are driving listen to podcasts in English but most importantly keep you English learning FUN !
Do you want to know more about our training ?
Click here to download our program
Contact us : contact@gmh-formations.com
0 commentaire