About Me

Bonjour ! I’m Nathalie and I’m a French teacher

I have 30+ years’ expereince of teaching at all levels, and 20+ years’ experience of successfully, as a French teacher, supporting primary schools to deliver their French curriculum.  But I like to do things a little differently – with my own canny little ‘je ne sais quoi’!

You see, I love a good story.  (I mean, who doesn’t?) They have a great way of sticking in your mind.  That’s why I use stories to enhance language teaching and learning – and how I came to call myself the Geordie French Storyteller!

So, are you sitting comfortably?

Oui !

Good, I’ll begin…

Once upon a time, a young French girl, called Nathalie Paris (yes, that really is my real name!) headed to England in search of new teaching opportunities…

She was soon snapped up and lived her days teaching languages in secondary schools across England (for 19 years!).  Most of this time was spent in the north east of the country – where they had an endearing language of their own.  Nathalie fell in love with the ‘Geordie twang’ and came to see this friendly place as her ‘home’.  She even picked up some of the local lingo.

But as her Geordie love grew, another faded…

By 2014, she had grown tired of teaching the students to pass an exam, rather than teaching her beloved native language.  Her love for secondary teaching was getting weaker by the day.

However, for the past 10 years, she had been loaned out weekly to support language teaching in primary schools. And she loved it.  She loved how engaged the children were, how eager they were to learn and how easily their young ears picked up the language… especially when she taught them through stories.

As luck would have it, the powers that be decided that languages were due to become compulsory in primary schools throughout the land.

“It’s now or never!” exclaimed Nathalie.

And she took the leap to teaching languages in primary schools full-time!

She drafted email after email – and sent them to the head teachers of dozens of primary schools.

“Would you use me, Nathalie, as your specialist language teacher?” she asked.

And, of course, with her experience they said yes!  Not one but four three have her as their French teacher! And another would love her to be their Spanish teacher. “Magnifique!”, she thought.

Going self-employed

So, Nathalie, got all set up as self-employed (a sole trader) and began trading as Nattalingo! She prepared for her new adventure, starting in September 2014! She gathered stories and props… and then she went into those schools and delighted the children.   News of Nattalingo (the Geordie French Storyteller) spread and she began working with more and more schools.

However, she found herself surrounded by so many French books that she didn’t know what to do with them all!  She began to toy with the idea of opening a French library, so she could share them with others.  She even got as far as looking at potential venues!

Having kept this secret to herself, it suddenly came bursting out of her when she was chatting to her good friend Carol (The Fairy Godmother).   In her wisdom, she knew just what to do… “What you need is a mobile library bus!” she said.  And it was like a lightbulb had been lit in Nathalie’s head!

As if by magic…

As if by magic, “le bibliobook” was born.  An old library bus transformed into a mobile French library – storytelling on wheels! Nathalie had 5 joyous years visiting schools and public places, sharing stories, mostly in French (with a hint of Geordie), and teaching children all over the north of England.

Alas, in February 2020, “le bibliobook” was growing tired and eating up all Nathalie’s earnings.  It was time to say “au revoir” to her beloved bus. Its legacy lives on though, and Nathalie is still out there, inspiring children to love French.

So now, if you ever hear a strange Geordie French accent telling a story, you’ll know exactly who it is!  Be sure to say “Bonjour, pet!”, won’t you?

Being a French Teacher – The Nattalingo Way…

My aim, as a French Teacher, is to ensure that as many people as possible have a positive experience of learning another language – children and adults.

I believe that it helps us grow to be open-minded to the world around us – other languages but other cultures too, in our immediate surroundings and all over the planet!

I am passionate about working directly with my learners, adults and children alike; but I also love to work with school staff and parents, as they are the ones who work and live with the children and therefore influence their experience of language learning the most!

How can I help your school?

If you’re a primary school, then I’d love to support you and your staff to ensure your pupils get a quality French education.

• Perhaps you want to introduce French to your existing curriculum?
• Or you are looking to enhance your current language provision?

Whichever it is, I can support with the planning and the delivery of the French curriculum in your school – in a way that will excite and engage your pupils. Click here for more info.

Who else do I help?

Anyone who wants to learn French, or who teaches it!

• adults
• children
• parents / carers
• French speakers (natives or non-natives)
• non-French speakers

Yes, even if you do not know French, I can help you, your pupils and/or child(ren) develop a love for it!

Are you ready for Nattalingo?

If you have any questions or you’d like to work with me, I’d love to hear from you.

Click here to contact me so we can have a little natter about your needs and how I can help you.

Need more information first?

If you work in a school setting – click here.

If you live in or around Durham and want some in-person learning or practice, for you or your child(ren) – click here.

Giving a little back…

I’ve had a lot of support whilst building my business, so I love to give back.  I do so as a volunteer for the Association for Language Learning  and the Alliance Française de Newcastle upon Tyne ; for years I was also an active member of the MINT Business Club, to name but 3.

I feel it is so important to ask for help when you need it, and to give help when you can.