Garrett S
I took a sample class with Erin G and it was excellent. Erin G was clear, patient, and engaging throughout. Perfect teacher for a first lesson—book with confidence.
Strømmen Tutor Profile
Erin G
★★★★★
French and English teacher with University level teaching Experience - Top Rated Instructor
- Los Angeles, California •
- In-Person, Online
824 Classes Taught
Teaches:
English, English Second Language, French
Specialties: Parisian French, Business English
Specialties: Parisian French, Business English
Tutor Bio
My teaching is about helping you and your specific needs, finely tuned and tailored to your learning style, personality, and goals.
As an English, French, and writing teacher, my goal is to give you the space to trust yourself and thus express yourself in another language: I quite literally help you find your words.
I’ve dedicated my career to helping students achieve their language goals, whether in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French. My teaching journey has taken me across the globe — from Panama, where I taught English and art while contributing to an eco-tourism journal, to Marseille, France, where I lived and taught for over eight years.
In France, I worked with a wide range of learners, from children and university students to professionals seeking to improve their French or English for business. This experience gave me a deep understanding of both languages and cultures, allowing me to teach not only grammar and vocabulary but also the cultural nuances that make communication authentic.
Over the years, I’ve taught in public and private schools, colleges, universities, and community centers, as well as in one-on-one settings and online. I specialize in tailoring lessons to each student’s needs—whether it’s conversational French, exam prep, Business English, or workplace communication. My ESL students benefit from structured, practical lessons designed to improve fluency, while my French students gain the confidence to speak naturally, whether for travel, career advancement, or cultural exploration.
My approach is interactive and engaging. I believe language learning should feel alive—through role-play, conversation, real-world examples, and cultural immersion. I love helping students move past the intimidation of textbooks and discover the joy of expressing themselves in a new language.
Above all, I want my students to feel empowered as communicators. Whether you’re aiming to improve your English for professional success or finally tackle French fluency, I’ll create a supportive environment where you can grow with confidence.
Here are a few fun facts about what I’ve done and where I’ve been as an English and French teacher (and as an artist/ writer who loves the art of translation, etymology, and obviously language).
Since graduating from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and then from Les Beaux Arts of Marseille (Art School), France I’ve worked as an Independent French, English and Art Teacher/ Coach for over 15 years. In those 15 years of teaching to groups both big and small, as well as to individuals, some highlights include working for The LA Galaxy as a language coach, mediator/translator, and teacher; for Riot Games as an English/French Instructor and Intercultural Coach; as a English as a Foreign Language Trainer at the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles; as an Education Assistant at both Daumier High School and Thiers Prep School in Marseille, France; taught English Essay Writing and Art Portfolio Preparation for both Cap Consulting and LA Arts Center in Los Angeles; held the position of Fashion and Textile Visual Arts Teacher for B.E.A.R summer intensive program, taught ‘The Symbolism Within and Beyond 17th Century Still Life Painting,’ at The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, CA; was invited artist-professor at The Iceland Academy of the Arts, Reykjavik and Hanover College, Indiana; and worked with Romanian college students in Marseille as a cultural Mentor. Beyond teaching, I’ve also written numerous articles about art and design for Dunce Magazine, ArchiExpo E-magazine and Partus Press and held a dream role as a video creator/site researcher for a tourism campaign with Bouches-du-Rhone Tourism, Marseille, France.
Degrees and Certificates
- Degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts and Research
Personal Interests
Foreign language learning
Learn more about Erin
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What is your favorite word in your language and why?
Bricolage or Bricoler. Bricolage translates to DIY and bricoler translates to tinker, which I think ties the greater sense of the word together; DIY refers to the activity of handcrafting something by yourself, and refers to a method of thinking and acting based on the use of existing resources (“making do with what you have”) rather than on a rigid theoretical design. Unlike engineers, DIY - enthusiasts, ‘Bricoleurs’, adapt to the world around them, valuing care, repair, repurposing objects, and resourcefulness (bricole) in the face of constraints. (According to Levi Strauss.) What I love about the heart of the word bricolage is that it’s not about making something perfectly, or with the perfect designs and materials, it’s not serious, it’s in the ballpark or relatively made until you need something more exact. As an experimental quilter who makes with what I find, I just love this word. In English, cahoots. This word is hilarious and is also interesting to me because you can’t be cahoots and something isn’t cahoots, one has to be IN cahoots with someone else. I just love the special complexity of it.
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What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?
Deep dish- Dués is the one that has my heart In Marseille* Chickpea frites/fries, "La Panisse"- I used to love eating these at a Corsican restaurant on the strip 'Cours Julien,' but recently I ordered some by a street vender near Malmousque and they were delicious!
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Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?
Conversational, Spanish, some Czech. I’m always trying to learn or pick up on phrases from other languages- I once spent 3 weeks on a boat with Ukrainian sailors and learned a bunch of casual phrases, or when working in an after school program with Korean-Americans I learned a few phrases here and there from listening to the kids. Teach me your favorite phrases!
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What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?
ART! As a visual artist myself I spend a lot of time in the studio- mainly working with textiles and drawings. I also write a lot, writing is an important and soothing part of my week. Beyond creating, I spend my time between LA and Yucca Valley. When I’m in the desert I’m really focused on being in nature and soaking up the beauty around me so I go on walks a lot, ride my bike around the area, or just try to work on a project outside.
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What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?
I love this question because it implies that one’s hometown isn’t necessarily where you were born, but where you relate to home. This really means a lot to me because although I wasn’t born in Marseille, I was sort of reborn there (not religiously*). It’s where I became who I am today and where my life took a huge turn. Marseille is magical and a little crazy so it can really shake up your spirit. I love Marseille because in one day you can ride your bike to the sea, jump in, climb around the rocks on the seaside then get back on your bike and be back in the city center in 15 minutes where you can wander around winding, tiny streets in the panier or noailles while grab some fresh fruits at the market there or a slice of huge cheesy pizza, then meet up with friends for an apero, then go to an art opening and see tons of friends because the city is small enough where you’re sure to run into familiar faces. However, Chicago will always be my hometown. I find myself very proud of and deeply understanding of the show The Bear, I’m weirdly defensive when people dis how cold Chicago is (live a little!;) or claim its deep dish pizza isn’t « real pizza » (I have things to say!), and you don’t know how sweet summer can be until you spend a Summer weekend in Chicago<3
Tutor Testimonials
Hourly Rates
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Online tutoring
Pay as you go: $90.00/hr
10 hour package: $80.00/hr — Package Price: $800.00
20 hour package: $70.00/hr — Package Price: $1,400.00
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In-person at tutor's location in Los Angeles
Pay as you go: $90.00/hr
10 hour package: $80.00/hr — Package Price: $800.00
20 hour package: $70.00/hr — Package Price: $1,400.00
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In-person at your home or office
Pay as you go: $120.00/hr
10 hour package: $110.00/hr — Package Price: $1,100.00
20 hour package: $100.00/hr — Package Price: $2,000.00
| Pay as you go | 10 hour package | 20 hour package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tutoring | $90.00/hr | $80.00/hr — Package Price: $800.00 | $70.00/hr — Package Price: $1,400.00 |
| In-person at tutor’s location in Los Angeles | $90.00/hr | $80.00/hr — Package Price: $800.00 | $70.00/hr — Package Price: $1,400.00 |
| In-person at your home or office | $120.00/hr | $110.00/hr — Package Price: $1,100.00 | $100.00/hr — Package Price: $2,000.00 |