Richard Zheng (Riot ESL)
He looks very experiecend and very proactive. He is also very oraganized in long-term course setting. I'm excited to see the potential growth I may have in future.
Strømmen Tutor Profile
Serge Yvan R Salut, ça roule ? Ciao! Hallo! ¡Hola! Avant-garde, cool native speaker trainer. Vetted learning strategies. Fun, modern, dynamic & engaging lessons guaranteed!
- San Diego, California •
- Online •
- Groups Enrolling
New Teacher
7 years experience
Teaches:
Basque, Catalan, Dialect Coaching, English Second Language, French, Galician, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Translation, Ukrainian
Specialties: European Portuguese, Castellano (Spain), Parisian French, French for Kids, German for Kids, Italian for Kids, Belgian French, Business Italian, Italian Literature, Italian Academic Writing, Business Spanish, Spanish for Travel, Spanish Dialect Coaching, Spanish Interpreting and Translating, Spanish for VIPs, Spanish for Kids, Québécois French - Canadian French, Meridional French, American Accent, Italian Dialect coach, French Dialect coach, German Dialect coach, Spanish Dialect coach, Italian Dialect Coaching for Actors
Specialties: European Portuguese, Castellano (Spain), Parisian French, French for Kids, German for Kids, Italian for Kids, Belgian French, Business Italian, Italian Literature, Italian Academic Writing, Business Spanish, Spanish for Travel, Spanish Dialect Coaching, Spanish Interpreting and Translating, Spanish for VIPs, Spanish for Kids, Québécois French - Canadian French, Meridional French, American Accent, Italian Dialect coach, French Dialect coach, German Dialect coach, Spanish Dialect coach, Italian Dialect Coaching for Actors
As low as $39.00/hr Online
Tutor Bio
I am a multilingual, cultural appreciation advocate. My ancestry and family history have strong intercultural roots (French, Spanish, Italian and Mexican). I remember my grandparents reading me different stories in three different languages and different places: French, Spanish and Italian. The first words I heard were in French, but my dad always insisted on teaching me both Spanish and Italian to somehow rival my mom culturally, so I did not lose track of my other backgrounds. When I was only 9 months old, my parents and I moved back to France. I grew up in a beautiful city, the capital of France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region: Lyon. My dad’s job involved moving throughout France, Spain, Belgium, and Italy.
Moving to northwestern Mexico (Chihuahua and Baja California) because my father inherited a ranch and a vineyard, did not represent a cultural shock but meeting instead with the other me, something I was never able to come across with while in Europe. I, thus, embrace cultural diversity, and would always love to bridge cultures through my job as a language tutor along with my mission as an internationalist whose flag is diversity, inclusion, and tolerance.
So far, I have three majors: International Relations, French Language and Culture and ELT English Language Teaching. Also, I am close to graduating with a BA in Italian Teaching from the largest and most prestigious university in Latin America: UNAM. I simultaneously studied two of them and started college at age 16. I got my master's dissertation approved with flying colours last year, I graduated with honours (Cum Laude). Now, I proudly hold a master’s degree in International Cooperation from the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) the oldest university in the Western hemisphere and one of the most prestigious in the world.
I began tutoring French, Italian, Spanish and ESL when I was 16 years old. I have taught all these languages for about seven years, and I do not feel like stopping ever in my life. Every time I teach them I become a cultural ambassador of so many countries around the world.
I love spending time hiking, occasionally trekking and a little surfing. I also enjoy cooking, listening to music and walking my beautiful dogs by the beach or by the forest and spending a rainy Saturday afternoon with friends at an art gallery or a music concert. I love Sushi, cheese and French pâtisserie.
I do not believe in a single teaching methodology. As a recent graduate of a BA in French language, I learned that combining teaching techniques and methodologies results in a more personalized teaching style, always aiming to tailor my teaching to the needs of my students. Notwithstanding, the communicative approach is a solid base of my practice.
I was a language learner, too. When I was learning English and German in Europe, I really appreciated having a teacher who made me speak. I will definitely make you speak the language to sound as much as a native speaker as possible. Even though grammar rules could be tedious, particularly when learning harder languages like German, honestly, sometimes I know those rules better than many native speaker teachers. I love and enjoy teaching all these 10 languages. I am the quintessence of language and cultural dissemination.
I highly recommend using “Alter Ego” and “Tendances” for French, “Chiaro” and “Caffè Italia” for Italian, “Aula Internacional”, “Nuevo Español en Marcha”, and “Gramática de Uso del Español” for Spanish and "American English File" for English. Regarding German, I use Menschen and Tangram. For Portuguese; Falar Ler, Escrever and Olá! Como Está? I also have PDF books for Basque, Catalan and Galician, three languages I love because of family roots as well.
I've recently handpicked Ukrainian material by the way (PDF, flashcards), and my best friend in France got me new French, Spanish, German and Italian licensed digital flashcards. Regarding Ukrainian again, the Cyrillic Alphabet will take us a little while, as we need to learn how to read with a totally different code but we can handle it. I take language tutoring, translations and dialect coaching as seriously as my passion and advocacy for what I do is. I transmit emotions and feelings, not just ideas and thoughts.
I dream of studying this PhD "Doctoral Programme in Cultural Studies: Memories, Identities, Territories and Language"; it is a dual programme offered jointly by Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Northwestern Spain) and Université Haute Bretagne Rennes II in France. I need a PhD to teach at a prestigious university. Hopefully I can combine my job as a language tutor, dialect coach and translator at Strømmen with my future role as a university professor and as a seasonal international aid worker for migrations and "accoglienze".
Throughout the year, sometimes I live in Southwestern France (Biarritz), Northwestern Spain (Galicia) and Portugal (Porto) as well as in Ensenada, Baja California for two months or even longer during winter and Spring. I usually spend autumns in Europe but it depends. I always make sure to save enough time for my tutoring, regardless of where I am. I love being a Digital Nomad, it's the best kind of freedom I know. Thank you Strommen Inc !
Sign up for my language lessons, I will make sure you learn it & speak it quickly! <3
Degrees and Certificates
- Degrees: BA in International Relations, BA in French, BA in Italian Language Teaching, BA in English Language Teaching, Diploma Course in Spanish as a Foreign Language, Master in International Cooperation and Inclusive Education: New Professional Challenges
- Certications: BA in International Relations, BA in French, BA in Italian Language Teaching, BA in English Language Teaching, Diploma Course in Spanish as a Foreign Language, Master in International Cooperation and Inclusive Education: New Professional Challenges, Seminar on Professional Challenges in Reading, Translating and Editing in Digital Age (Litprax Erasmus European Union and University of Novi Sad, Serbia), Workshop on Translation and Literature, Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico), Seminar on Linguistics and Teaching Methodology "Prospettive per la Lingua Italiana e la Cultura Italiana negli Stati Uniti e nel Mondo" (Studio Arcobaleno Italy and IACE New York)
Personal Interests
Cooking, Creative writing, Drama, Listening to music, Video gaming, Hiking, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Dogs, Art Galleries
Learn more about Serge Yvan
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What is your favorite word in your language and why?
Épanouissement (français): This word encapsulates the idea of personal growth and reaching one's full potential, which resonates deeply with my values as a language teacher. Helping others achieve épanouissement in their language learning journey is incredibly fulfilling. Empatía (español): This word reflects understanding and sensitivity towards others' emotions and experiences, essential qualities for effective teaching and human connection. Semplicità (italiano): Italian culture values simplicity and elegance in expression, which reflects my approach to teaching languages. Embracing semplicità allows learners to grasp language concepts effectively and enjoyably.
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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?
It used to be Boeuf Bourguignon but now I am trying a slow vegetarian transition.
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Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?
I fluently speak and am able to teach 10 languages now: Basque, Catalan ESL, French (native), Galician, German, Italian (native) my last name comes from Arezzo in Toscana (Tuscany) indeed; Portuguese and Spanish (native). I'm already fluent in Ukrainian too and can teach it now! I might start learning Japanese soon if I ever have the time, especially because of Sushi & Anime, among other cultural reasons. A bit over a year ago, when traveling across Europe, my best friend in Paris introduced me to Johannes, a German-Ukrainian descent whose asylum seeker application was approved in France enabling him to temporarily work within the Schengen Space. He is probably one of my dearest friends. I was simultaneously teaching him French and learning Ukrainian from him. He thought I would learn the language quickly. He was not wrong. I did learn the language quite fast. I am an international aid worker aspirant, and a happy digital nomad, which somehow made it easier for me. I learnt Ukrainian driven by my own personal experience, hoping that the war may end soon. Being myself a digital nomad, I wish I could spend at least a couple of months in Ukraine to somewhat help rebuild the country doing my job. I want to teach Ukrainian people English, French, Spanish, German and Italian so they can have more job opportunities across Europe, which may as well contribute to their social insertion. I will be putting my heart on this because I believe in humanity and the power that languages have to break down cultural barriers, foster compassion and strengthen intercultural experiences <3
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What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?
I'm very much attracted to cultural exploration. As an internationalist, linguist, translator, dialect coach and international aid worker I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures, whether through travel, literature, or cuisine, or by helping people with their social insertion in the country they immigrate to. Exploring cultural nuances enriches my understanding of languages and enhances my teaching approach and empathy. I also love history. Teaching history and diplomacy/international relations is something I will be ready to explore in the future, hopefully soon enough. In addition, I am very much into creative writing, because it allows me to express myself in multiple languages (I already published my first mini-novel on Amazon, by the way) which boosts both my teaching and personal growth. Art & landscaping photography, tennis, a bit of football (your "soccer"), hiking, rollerblading, a little surfing and occasional camping are also some of my interests.
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What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?
Lyon, France: This city has a significant place in my heart as it is where I was born and I spent a formative part of my upbringing. I cherish Lyon for its rich history, beautiful Roman and medieval architecture, and its vibrant culinary scene. The city's blend of tradition and modernity creates a unique atmosphere that fosters creativity and cultural appreciation. Arezzo, Italy: Arezzo (Toscana) is another hometown where I have fond memories and strong ties. This is where one of my family names comes from. Arezzo captivates me with its picturesque medieval streets, historic churches, and its deep-rooted artistic heritage. The town's tranquil ambiance and the warmth of its people make it a place I hold dear for its beauty and cultural significance. The City of Chihuahua, a modern town with a beautiful historic city centre plenty of colonial Baroque, Art-nouveau and some Gothic architecture. It's the capital city of the state of Chihuahua, the largest one in Mexico, just as large as California. I also spent there a transitional time in my life. Chihuahua has charm and a lively spirit. This city in North America is a blend of Northwestern Mexican/Southwestern US heritage and modern influences. Ensenada, Baja California (BC), in North America too, is another family town for me and my beloved ones. I love this city, which takes a 2 hour-long drive from San Diego. I have a special connection with Ensenada. Beautiful beaches, amazing surfing, friendly people, exquisite wines and superb restaurants in the nearby fancy & chic Valle de Guadalupe. ENSENADA will definitely always be in my mind. Thank you for every single thing you taught me <3 Other towns where I kinda feel like home at are Brussels, Belgium, Biarritz, France; San Sebastián; the whole region of Cantabria; A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, also spelled "Galiza" in Galego (Galician), the beautiful, lyrical and refined regional official language of this gorgeous region in Northwestern Spain. I also love the beautiful breathtaking city of Pontevedra, and the coastal small but super charming Galician town of A Guarda, with stunning views hiking trails around Punta de Santa Trega and Monte de Santa Trega, with its over 3,000-year old Castros (an ancient Celtic settlement) and its viewpoint on top of the summit bordering northern Portugal. I also love A Xesta, a little town in Northern Pontevedra (the Province, not the city) also in Galicia, rounding up with Porto in northern Portugal. Chihuahua also reminds me the possessions of the Spanish Empire in North America and its colonization by the brave, courageous and fearless Spanish explorers. For example, the "Camino Real de Tierra Adentro" known in English as the Santa Fe Trail, connected the former Spanish regions of today's Colorado and New Mexico (Santa Fe) all the way south to Mexico City. Also, California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southern Oregon, southern Idaho, southern Wyoming, part of Montana (Spanish word for mountain with ñ) southern Oklahoma, Texas and the Spanish Florida once belonged to the glorious Spanish Empire. I also feel admiration for the old Spanish and French Louisiana. I love history and diversity, I have read so much to be knowledgeable about the greatest empires in the past like Greek, Roman, Spanish, Portuguese, English and French. The vikings were also brave and courageous explorers I feel admiration for. If I had to choose to live in a different time in the past, except for the committed atrocities, I think I would opt for the cultural goodness of those glorious times full of adventure, spirit, challenge and determination to disseminate knowledge and culture into so many different regions of the world, so far away like the Philippines, another former Spanish colony. The Philippines is another country I admire along with Equatorial Guinea (a former Spanish colony in the central western African coast, neighbouring Cameroon), Algeria and Tunisia and the former French and Spanish protectorates of Morocco. I wish I could also visit Cape Verde (former Portuguese) as well as the Viking lands of Northern Europe. I would like to discover so many places in the world. For example, I would want to visit the small cities of Córdova and Valdez in southern Alaska, founded by the Spaniards in 1790. The expeditions of the Spanish Empire went all that way up north in the American continent; "The Americas". In addition to all that, I am very much interested in the beautiful Chilean deep south and the Argentinian Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego regions including their mostly unexplored Antarctic regions. <3
Tutor Testimonials
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Michelle Dominguez (Riot Portuguese)Teacher Serge Reazza, has been great, he has been really accomodating, solving questions and focusing into what would be best for me to better learn Portuguese , I enjoy his classes so far we have had around 20-25 hours and I am already able to maintain a casual conversation in Portuguese with my Brazilian peers. Obrigada pelas aulas!
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Shenise GilyardSerge has been tremendously effective in bringing my French from beginner to conversational. The lessons are fun, engaging and topical. I was even able to converse entirely in French with a friend's relative who only speaks French! If you come please ask for him!
Hourly Rates
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Online tutoring
Pay as you go: $59.00/hr
10 hour package: $49.00/hr — Package Price: $490.00
20 hour package: $39.00/hr — Package Price: $780.00
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In-person at tutor's location in San Diego
Pay as you go: --
10 hour package: --
20 hour package: --
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In-person at your home or office
Pay as you go: --
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| Pay as you go | 10 hour package | 20 hour package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tutoring | $59.00/hr | $49.00/hr — Package Price: $490.00 | $39.00/hr — Package Price: $780.00 |
| In-person at tutor’s location in San Diego | -- | -- | -- |
| In-person at your home or office | -- | -- | -- |
Tutor Schedule
Serge Yvan's Group Classes
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EUROPEAN SPANISH (Castilian). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Monday, Starting Aug 4th 07:00pm - 08:00pm
Discover this elegant and classical language. Learn refined words but still today's modern, cool, fresh, young expressions. We will learn & practice accents, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking by...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires July 22, 2025
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SPANISH FROM THE OUTSET: Boosted learning practice: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Tuesday, Starting Aug 19th 04:00pm - 05:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Review and reinforce with me your basic knowledge plus this: more nouns, verbs, adverbs, listening and more speaking engagement. Tell me...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 6, 2025
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INTRO TO PARISIAN FRENCH AND PARISIAN LIFESTYLE ! Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Wednesday, Starting Aug 20th 01:00pm - 02:00pm
#trulyfrenchnative #funlessons #getfluent #empathy LE GLAMOUR PARISIEN ! Oh-là-là...c'est trop chic ! Par ici, suivez-moi ! No more boring language classes please! French fom scratch + casual Parisian French + slang +...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 6, 2025
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LA's LAIDBACK SPANISH: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Wednesday, Starting Aug 20th 04:00pm - 05:00pm
#funlessons #getfluent #empathy Talk to other Spanish-speaking Californians or Latinos in LA. No more boring textbooks please! Get understood in a fresh localized way. Spanish from scratch + local Spanglish....
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 7, 2025
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ITALIANO BASICO IN 4 ORE: Figo!!!! Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Wednesday, Starting Aug 20th 07:00pm - 08:00pm
#italianodivertente #italianodioggi #cistiamo Ciao carissime e carissimi ! 4 weeks are enough to start speaking Italian with friends, relatives or when traveling. From greetings, common nouns & adjectives, simple present & simple...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 7, 2025
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FRANÇAIS POUR DÉBUTANT (amélioré par IA): French for beginners (improved by AI). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Wednesday, Starting Aug 20th 08:00pm - 09:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #trulyfrenchnative #getfluent #funlessons #empathy We will be learning French basics, and yet promoting speaking as much as possible. This language journey is fully...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 7, 2025
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SPANISH FROM THE OUTSET: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Thursday, Starting Aug 21st 03:00pm - 04:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Alphabet, numbers, articles, pronouns, nouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, listening and a lot of speaking engagement. Tell me what you need Spanish...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 7, 2025
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GERMAN FROM SCRATCH: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Thursday, Starting Aug 21st 07:00pm - 08:00pm
#funlessons #getfluent #empathy You will literally learn German from scratch, no textbook, just tailored lessons, TikToks introducing grammar, vocabulary and promoting speaking. This is a condensed personalized course crafted from...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 8, 2025
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FRENCH FROM THE OUTSET: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Thursday, Starting Aug 21st 08:00pm - 09:00pm
#trulyfrenchnative #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Alphabet, numbers, articles, pronouns, nouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, listening and a lot of speaking engagement. Tell me what you need French for and I will help you...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 8, 2025
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FRANÇAIS POUR DÉBUTANT (French for beginners). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Friday, Starting Aug 22nd 06:00pm - 07:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #trulyfrenchnative #getfluent #funlessons #empathy We will be learning standard French basics, and yet promoting speaking as much as possible. This is a communicative approach-based...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 9, 2025
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TEEN'S FRENCH CLUB (français pour ados). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 23rd 02:00pm - 03:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! #trulyfrenchnative #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Get the most out of your teens summer. We will be learning French from scratches, yet promoting speaking as much...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 9, 2025
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Ciao Italia! Livello 1: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 23rd 02:00pm - 03:00pm
Ciao a tutte e tutti! Throughout this 100% interactive, dynamic course based on real-life situations you will learn the Italian language basics with intuitive and implicit grammar and fun listening,...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 9, 2025
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BUSINESS FRENCH (français des affaires). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 23rd 03:00pm - 04:00pm
#trulyfrenchnative #françaisamusant #françaisdesaffaires #speakingconfidence Bonjour à tous ! Fun, engaging tasks. Great reviews and so many happy students along the way endorse my words ! Elevate your French to a business...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 9, 2025
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BASIC GERMAN FOR BUSINESS. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 23rd 04:00pm - 05:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #getfluent #funlessons #empathy We will be learning German from scratch, yet promoting business speaking as much as possible. Tailored to your learning styles and...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 10, 2025
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DEUTSCH FÜR JUGENDLICHE (German for teens). Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 30th 05:00pm - 06:00pm
Get the most out of your summer. Fun learning and practice just for you. No more boring language classes please. Tailored to your teen learning styles and needs. I make...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 11, 2025
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CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Monday, Starting Aug 25th 07:00pm - 08:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Let's practice Spanish while having fun. Wide variety of discussion topics. Enhance your vocabulary, speaking and listening skills. Elevate your Spanish...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 12, 2025
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Español para Principiantes: Beginners' Spanish. Boosted learning experience: AI-human propelled. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Wednesday, Starting Aug 27th 08:00pm - 09:00pm
¡¡Holi!! / ¡VIVA Los Ángeles! / We will be introducing Spanish basics, and yet promoting speaking as much as possible. This is a communicative approach-based learning experience. Tailored to your...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 14, 2025
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FRANÇAIS POUR DÉBUTANT II : French for beginners 2. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 30th 01:00pm - 02:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #trulyfrenchnative #getfluent #funlessons #empathy Do you know some French basics and would like to deepen your knowledge? We will be reviewing French basics, and...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 16, 2025
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SPANISH FOR TRAVELERS. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Saturday, Starting Aug 30th 05:00pm - 06:00pm
No more boring language classes please !!!! (; #getfluent #funlessons #empathy You will be provided with all the necessary skills so you can effectively communicate with locals when traveling. Appreciation for...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 17, 2025
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INTRO TO ADVANCED FRENCH. Unleash your talent!
with Serge Yvan
Sunday, Starting Aug 31st 04:00pm - 05:00pm
#trulyfrenchnative #advancedfrench #speakingconfidence Bienvenue aux niveaux B2 et C1. Amener votre français au niveau supérieur est ma mission. Affinez votre accent et votre prononciation avec un expert. Nous examinerons tout ce...
Show MoreDiscounted Early Bird rate expires August 18, 2025
