Head Teacher & DELF DALF National Coordinator
Education & Experience
Bachelor's of English Studies; Master's of Teaching French as a Foreign Language; ongoing Master's in Audiovisual Translation.
For the past 15 years, I had the opportunity to teach French in various countries and settings. In primary and secondary schools in the UK, in Victoria and at Canberra Grammar School. I also taught French to professionals, including: UN military personnel and medical staff in Asia as well as diplomats at DFAT. I am now teaching all ages, levels and objectives at Alliance Française de Canberra and managing the French DELF-DALF certification exams and examiners training in Australia with the support of the Embassy of France.
Interests
I enjoy spending time volunteering for my local community, going outdoors and discovering more about cultures and languages
Teacher
Education & Experience
I was born in the North of France. I passed my early teenage years in Ardèche which was a rebirth for me.
After undergraduate studies in ''philosophy and languages'' I started studying history and art history, firstly at
the université de Grenoble and then in Montpellier. In that energetic city I met many wonderful people, mainly the future father
of my daughter, with whom I left France.
I left at the age of 22 initially for Germany, then Italy, where I realised I loved teaching! After that we came to Australia where I
fell in love and I have been in Canberra for 20 years.
I have been an AF teacher since 2003 and this job is a love story for me. I love it because one never gets bored, there is so much to share and exchange, and my students have taught me as much as I have taught them!
Interests
I have always loved languages, our beautiful French culture, literature, poetry, philosophy and film as well as going out with friends,
drinking wine, music, dance, nature, hiking, which I can do so much of in Australia. I feel connected to this country.
It's been two years since I started dedicating time daily to Nietzsche and writing prose poetry. My work at the AF is important to me and I love sharing my interest for literature, philosophy, and French cinema with my advanced students.
Teacher
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in economics ; General university Diploma in Economic and Social Administration (DEUG AES) at Paris XII university.
My work experience includes being President of parental private childcare in Nogent-sur-Marne and running a company for 20 years in France while also being active in other continents. I have taught French to children and adults in villages I crossed in both Asia and Africa. Finally since 2017 I have been a professor at the AF de Canberra and have also been engaged in French Telopea School
Interests
My teaching interests include Grammar, Practical vocabulary for daily life, Art, History,
Literature, Theatre, Gastronomy, and I have been a Disciple d’Escoffier Australie since 2020 and a Cheese manager IGA Ainslie
during 2018-2020.
Teacher
Education & Experience
In 2006, after a long working life with the French Foreign Affairs, I very happily retired and came back to Canberra, which I had left for at least 16 years... I very fortunately met the then director of the Alliance, Bertrand, who proposed to me to come and work with them. Not being a teacher by trade, I didn't feel not quite alright and but he did insist and proposed to me few hours. In 2007, the teaching post to the Breakfast Club, a conversation class of quite very good level, was available and I was quite nervous to accept but I gave it a try and believe it or not, I am still with them.... getting older together but very graciously.
Interests
I have developed a passion for teaching my language and I do hope to be able to do so... for a
while longer!
Director
Education & Experience
Master's Degree of Education studies and Graduate certificate of educatin (University of Canberra)
My passion for the French language and culture has driven my professional life for over 25 years. I began teaching French in Algeria and, since 2009, have continued my work in Australia. Success in teaching roles at institutions such as the Australian National University, the Alliance Française de Canberra (where I first joined in 2010), and the Department of Foreign Affairs inspired me to establish my own language school in 2019, the Canberra French Language Institute.
I am thrilled to be back at the Alliance Française de Canberra as its director, a place I hold dear to my heart. The Alliance has always been a cornerstone of my career, and I am deeply committed to furthering its mission of promoting French language and culture in our vibrant community.
Interests
Besides my love of languages, I enjoy cooking traditional Algerian dishes for my family, friends, and colleagues.
Administration Officer
Education & Experience
Born and raised in New Caledonia, I studied and lived most of my childhood in Noumea as well as in the Northern part in a small town named Temala. I studied British Literature, Linguistics and Civilisation at the University of New Caledonia and graduated in 2016.
Soon after, I started working as a French as Foreign Language Teacher and French/English Interpret, in the Alliance Francaise de Suva, in the Fiji Islands where I stayed working for 5 years. After the pandemic, I decided to move to Australia and I stayed in Sydney for a year. After a visit to Canberra, I fell in love with the Bush Capital and chose to stay. I started working for the Alliance Francaise de Canberra in March 2023 as both an Administration Assistant and a Casual French Teacher and I am so glad to be working with such a dynamic team here.
Interests
I am a huge nature lover, I love bush adventures, I binge-watch TV series a lot and I have an obsession for puppy videos on the
internet.
Administration Officer
Education & Experience
Having worked as a journalist in France for almost 20 years, specializing in sports topics, I've had the opportunity to travel to various places around the world. My life journey has led me to New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Japan, where I had the chance to cover the last Olympic Games.
Now, I reside in Australia, where I am immersing myself in a new way of life and new experiences. For instance, I recently became a swim teacher before joining the Alliance Française of Canberra, where I handle administrative management alongside my awesome colleague, Yorick.
Interests
I spend my free time travelling, writing and taking photos. But my main passion is food, obviously from around the world.
Culture & Communication Manager
Education & Experience
Master's degree in Management, communication and culture + Magister degree
Double Bachelor's Degree in Literature and English
As Culture & Communication Manager, I am in charge of running all cultural events and communication and marketing campaigns at the Alliance.
Born and raised in Paris, I first studied English literature at the Sorbonne University and then communication at CELSA. I also spent a semester as an exchange student at UNSW in Sydney.
I specialise in institutional and cultural communications, after 4 years as a marketing and communication officer at the Paris Opera and an experience in events management at the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac.
Interests
I love pop culture, video games, and musicals. I'm passionate about alternative rock, hard rock and grunge music, and have been playing
the guitar and ukulele for over 10 years.
Culture Assistant
Education & Experience
Master's degree in Management, Creative industries and Social Innovation
Double Bachelor’s degree in Law & English
After graduating from a Double Bachelor’s degree in Law & English, I decided to study Business Administration to get closer to my passion for creative industries, by specializing in the management of cultural businesses and institutions.
As I was always passionate about Cinema, I started my career by working in different branches of the film industry such as festivals, distribution and production.
I have joined the Alliance Française Canberra to help share French culture and expand my international horizons.
Interests
I am a Film buff, with a great interest in French and Japanese Cinema. I am also passionate about cooking, music, scuba diving, the great
outdoors, as well as the counter cultures of the American 60s and 70s.
Communication Assistant
Education & Experience
Master's Degree in International Communication, Management, and Marketing
Double Bachelor's Degree in Literature and Spanish
Passionate about stories of all kinds, I have always wanted to work to promote culture and art. I studied Literature and Languages at La Sorbonne and completed a Master's degree in Communication to learn how to enable as many people as possible to enjoy culture as much as I do.
After working as an Event Assistant at book fairs in Paris and then in a French bookstore in New York, I was eager to continue spreading French culture around the world.
Here I am at the Alliance Française de Canberra as the Communication Assistant!
Interests
I enjoy reading contemporary novels, thrillers, and graphic novels, as well as watching movies and TV series. I also love drawing, pottery,
and playing the piano.
As a great foodie, I enjoy testing and cooking new vegetarian recipes.
AFC COMMITTEE for 2022-24 (following the AGM on 25 May 2024)
Ambassador of France to Australia
Honorary President
President
Education & Experience:
Hugh was born in France and was a professional tour guide until his move to Australia in 1982.
For the last 30 years he worked as a Manager for a leading international airline in Sydney, Paris, Cairns, Adelaide, Christchurch and Canberra. He has been involved for many years at the Alliance Francaise of Adelaide and Canberra.
Some of his goals as President are to grow the reach of the Alliance Francaise de Canberra to new markets, to increase its visibility through existing and new events and promote our location as a place where Francophones and Francophiles meet.
Vice-President
Education & Experience:
BA(Hons) MA(Hons)
Gordon is an art historian and retired academic. He taught art history and theory in Australian universities for over thirty years,
principally at the School of Art and Design at Australian National University where for ten years he was Head of the Art Theory Workshop,
and for seven years the Head of School.
Gordon has been a member of the executive, and treasurer and membership secretary of the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand
(AAANZ), and a member of the executive, secretary and chair of the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS).
Gordon has been a student at the Alliance since 2013. He enjoys learning about all things French.
Vice-President
Education & Experience:
Judith has been part of the AF for several years taking part in lessons & all events.
For the past 5 years she has been on the board as she wanted to give back to the AF & their expertise & friendship has been very important.
She has been part of a work community which developed skills in administration, finance, risk, policy & research.
Her external activities has included dogs for most of her life & she is a judge, breeder & owner of lovely companions.
Member
Education & Experience:
BA LLB (ANU) MPA (Harv.) PhD (TCD)
Catherine has a keen interest in French culture and language which began when she attended the French pre-school at the Alliance Francaise de Canberra at 4 years of age.
Catherine has enjoyed diverse roles in Territory, State and Federal Governments, including as Deputy Privacy Commissioner for NSW, Member of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia, and Project Manager for a review of the legal sector in Vanuatu. She currently works in the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Secretary
Education & Experience:
BEc (Hons), MEc, PhD
Arthur has a keen interest in French culture, history and language — much of this stimulated and developed while living in Paris for several years and travelling across France. He also participates in cultural and language education activities at the Alliance Française.
Arthur pursued a career as an economic analyst and policy adviser. He was a senior executive in the Australian Department of Finance and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Arthur also worked for several years in a leading international organisation in Paris, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He previously worked as a Lecturer and Senior Tutor at the Australian National University while undertaking his Ph.D. research in economics.
Member
Education & Experience:
Leslie Barnes is Associate Professor of French Studies at the Australian National University, where she teaches all levels of courses in French language and culture. She is the author of Vietnam and the Colonial Condition of French Literature (Nebraska, 2014) and co-editor of The Cinema of Rithy Panh: Everything Has a Soul (Rutgers, 2021).
Her daughter is enrolled at Telopea Park School and regularly attends camps and classes at the Alliance.
Member
Education & Experience:
BE, MEM, MBA, PhD
Rim has been part of the Alliance Francaise de Canberra for more than 5 years. Having attended French schools overseas, she continues to have a keen interest in the French culture and language.
Rim’s professional background is in information technology. She has worked in various management and professional services roles across the higher education and private sectors in Australia and overseas.
She is currently a visiting fellow at the ANU. Her research interests include sustainable development and digital inclusion. Rim is also the AFRAN ACT hub leader.
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