Sonia T.

🌍 From Finance to French: A Journey of Purpose and Passion


For over 15 years, I thrived in the fast-paced world of international banking 💼—navigating global markets across Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. It was intellectually stimulating, but something was missing: a deeper, human connection.

I realized that beyond numbers and risk models, what truly drives me is communication—the art of sharing knowledge and inspiring others. So, I made a bold shift.
I began mentoring high school students at FrenchChain Dubai, helping them strengthen their French academic and communication skills. Seeing their progress reignited my passion for education and mentorship.

This journey led me to pursue the DAEFLE (Diplôme d’Aptitude à l’Enseignement du Français Langue Étrangère) with Alliance Française, where I am completing my certification. 🎓🌟

I am also a graduate of a leading French engineering school and hold a Master’s degree (Master 2) in Finance

• I have an experience in teaching all levels: initiation to reading and writing, primary school, middle school, high school, DELF, TEF or TCF.
• Since 2023, I have been providing private French tutoring in Dubai to high school students, focusing on:
• improving written and oral expression
• building confidence in communication
• preparing and presenting projects in French
• In addition, my experience as an equestrian instructor for children (ages 10–13) has strengthened my ability to:
• motivate young learners
• create a positive and supportive environment
• encourage discipline, focus, and self-confidence
• I believe that effective teaching combines expertise, empathy, and motivation.

• My teaching is based on the Action-Oriented Approach (used by the Alliance Française and the DAEFLE program).
• 👉 What does this mean?
• It means students don’t just learn French—they use it.
• They become active participants (“social actors”) who use the language in real-life situations. It is not just gammar and vocabulary. My classes include speaking, reading and writing activities though which students learn vocabular and grammar in a motivating context : completing concrete tasks inspired by real-life situations.
• For example, my teenagers students might:
• prepare a short video 🎥
• role-play everyday conversations 🗣️
• present a school project in French 📚
• or plan a virtual trip to Paris 🇫🇷
• 🎯 How this works in practice :
• Personalized Learning
• Each student follows a tailored learning plan based on their age, level, goals, and interests. Regular assessment (and self-assessment) ensures steady and motivating progress.
• Interactive & Communicative Lessons
• I use games, role-plays, and creative activities to make learning enjoyable and dynamic. Lessons are designed around authentic situations are adapted to students’ interests.
• Task-Based Learning
• Each lesson is part of a meaningful project (writing a postcard, describing a favorite movie, creating a dialogue, etc.), helping students learn with purpose.
• Structured Skill Development
• I work on all key language skills:
• • speaking & pronunciation
• • listening comprehension
• • reading & writing
• • vocabulary & grammar
• Using a mix of recognized textbooks, exercises, audio, and video materials.
• Cultural Immersion
• Students discover French culture through music, cinema, art, and everyday expressions—making learning more alive and memorable.
• 📚 Course Structure
• 👧 Young Learners (10–13)
• Building solid listening, speaking, and reading skills through play, storytelling, and interactive activities inspired by real-life situations.
• 🧑‍🎓 Teen Learners (14–18)
• Developing fluency, vocabulary, and confidence through discussions, creative writing, and cultural discovery.
• Each lesson balances structure and creativity, helping students develop linguistic precision and genuine communicative ability.