Private Lessons

Marc has taught French for 30 years, in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, first with highschool students and now adults primarily. He’s taught, translated, and interpreted for nearly 15 of those at the AFLCR, where he also served on the board of directors and is currently Education Director of the French School. He was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, speaking French with bilingual parents who were also career-long professors. He obtained his B.A. in French and English from the University of Vermont and later completed his M.A. in French language from Middlebury College. While Marc teaches mostly intermediate and advanced-level language courses, he also enjoys teaching history, literature, culture and beginner classes.

btvescargot@gmail.com

Born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Eric is a native French speaker, also fluent in English and several West African languages. He studied science and environmental studies at the University of Abidjan, then had a career as a journalist, reporting for Radio Nostalgie, the French Service of Voice of America, and CNN. He covered elections, African Union summits, and climate negotiations across 30+ countries. Now based in Vermont, he produces community-media programs and seeks to build bridges between African producers and New England businesses. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge of French language and Francophone cultures with individuals or groups.
 

eegnero@yahoo.com

Originally from the Southwest of France, Régine is a native French speaker as well as a near-native Spanish speaker. She earned her M.A. in English and Spanish, with a concentration in international business, at the University of Toulouse-Mirail, in France. For twenty years, she taught French and Spanish, from kindergarten to high school, through the Alliance Française network and at several universities in the eastern United States. At the AFLCR, she taught a popular literature class. While living in Burlington, she taught at Rice Memorial High School, where she added an AP class in French language and culture. Régine will be happy to share her language skills in a virtual setting (Zoom, GoogleMeet) with private students or groups.

regineananou@gmail.com

Marjorie graduated with a double major in French and economics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. She then worked in international finance covering the regions of French-speaking Africa and the Middle East. After several years in banking in New York City, she was accepted at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs. She completed her masters program in Paris at L’Institut d’études politiques (Sciences Po). She then lived in Paris working as a business consultant to the French telecom and energy sectors.
 

Her French husband’s work brought the couple back to the United States, to New Jersey, where they raised their bilingual children. Marjorie played an active role in establishing a French school there for elementary-age students. While raising her children, she worked as a private French tutor. Now semi-retired, Marjorie and her husband, Marc, live in Burlington. Her personal interests include oil painting, art history, and teaching yoga.

marjorie.blanchard@mac.com

Laurence is a native French speaker. She was born in France near Lyon and studied at the University of Bordeaux. After graduation, she traveled widely and taught French at elementary and middle-school levels in Scotland and in Sydney, Australia; she also taught continuing education classes in Cambridge, England. From 2008 to 2023, she was a French teacher in high schools in California and Vermont. She travels to France on a regular basis. At the AFLCR, Laurence is pleased to have the opportunity to share her passion for French language and culture with students of all levels and ages.

laurence.c.lawson@gmail.com

Bettina  grew up in Paris and in French-speaking Switzerland, so she is a native French speaker. She earned her international baccalaureate at the École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande in Lausanne. After a career in import-export, she taught French for 25 years in various schools and programs in Dobbs Ferry, New York. She served as a resource person for Berlitz’s cross-cultural program, helping people who were being transferred to France and/or Switzerland. She currently holds a twice-monthly French conversation class via Zoom and spends a month every year in Switzerland to stay in touch with friends and family. She is looking forward to sharing her rich cross-cultural experience with you in private lessons.

bbspeyer@gmail.com