Feel Good French · With Déborah

French lessons for real life in France.
You may know the words, then freeze when the baker asks another question or a phone call begins. Here, adults practise the French they need for everyday life, through private online lessons, a small live group and retreats in France.

Signature online group · December 2026 cohort

Survive & Thrive
in France.
A four-week online group to build French foundations before the new year. Practise what to say when the conversation takes an unexpected turn, meet like-minded learners and build a learning rhythm you can keep on your own.
- Four practical modules
- Four weekly online calls
- Up to 10 learners
Module 1 opens 16 November. Live calls: 30 November, 7, 14 & 21 December at 19:30 Paris time.
See the December cohort & dates →
With Gwen in Penne d’Agenais
Meet your teacher

French that works outside the classroom.
I’m Déborah, a French teacher from the south of France. Having lived abroad myself, I know that learning a language touches far more than grammar.
We practise the French you want to use: a market exchange, a phone call, a neighbour’s invitation, or a story you want to tell. There is room to ask again, make mistakes and keep your curiosity.
Preparing a move, already living in France, or simply drawn to its language and culture? You’re welcome here.
Meet Déborah

With Abby at Château de Borie · Southwest France

Come live your French in 2027.
At Abby’s château, guided French meets markets, meals, village life and time together. Choose the winter week or the September immersion.

27 February – 5 March 2027 · Six nights
Fireside Living in French
A small winter retreat for beginners, especially A1–A2. Practise useful French with support, then try it in everyday encounters and return to the warmth of the château.
Explore the winter retreat →
4–11 September 2027 · Seven nights
Living in French
A week for beginner to intermediate learners: French sessions, village visits, markets and shared meals, with chances to use your French as the days unfold.
Explore the September retreat →One-to-one online French lessons
French lessons,
made for your life.
Your plans might take you to Nice, Périgueux, Amiens or Bordeaux. We shape the lessons around the conversations waiting for you there: ordering at a restaurant, asking at the bakery, talking with a neighbour or managing a phone call. We can rehearse those situations together on screen, then adapt the next lesson to what you need.
Explore one-to-one lessons →Online French lessons, built around you
YouTube interviews · Feel Good French
Say Bonjour to your new life.
Listen to real stories of moving to France: the decisions, the surprises and the everyday moments that make a place feel like home. Pick an interview to watch, or take the podcast with you.
Watch the interviews
Meet people building a life in different corners of France, in their own words.
Explore Feel Good French on YouTubeListen to the podcast
French listening for intermediate and advanced learners, with conversations and other episodes for the journey.
Discover the Feel Good French podcastInside the Friday letters
A little peek into your inbox.
Two glimpses from past issues: places, personal stories and useful French woven together.


Free written French level check
What can you already do in French?
Try short multiple-choice questions drawn from everyday situations, from the bakery to the market. It gives you a starting point for what to practise next; it does not measure your speaking or listening.
Try the free level check →Le boulanger continue : « Ce sera tout ? »
Je suis tout, merci.Oui, je suis bon, merci.Oui, c’est tout pour aujourd’hui, merci.What learners say about Feel Good French
Yes, absolutely. That hesitation is very common among adult learners, especially if you’ve moved to France and feel pressure to speak perfectly. In my classes, we focus on real conversations, pronunciation, and mindset tools to help you feel calm and confident. You’ll stop translating in your head and start expressing yourself naturally, step by step.
My French classes for adults are completely personalized. No more jumping from app to app without real results.
We focus on:
– Speaking from day one
– Topics that matter to your life in France
– Releasing the fear of making mistakes
You’ll learn practical French you can actually use at the market, at the doctor’s, or in a friendly chat with your neighbors.
Not at all. I work with many retirees and adults planning a new life in France, whether they’re still in the US, UK or Ireland, or already living in the Dordogne, Nice, or other beautiful regions. My French classes are designed to support your real-life goals: feeling at home, navigating daily tasks, and connecting with locals. I adapt to the way you learn, with custom materials, repetition when needed, and a kind, supportive approach. You’re not just learning a language… You’re building a life here, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Yes, and it goes beyond just speaking. Learning French helps you understand the culture, connect with locals, and feel at home. We also talk about cultural codes, expressions you’ll actually hear, and how to feel more confident in social situations. It’s not just about grammar—it’s about building your new life.
Yes.
I currently offer French lessons for two adults on the same screen, at the same price as a solo class. It’s a great option for couples or friends who are moving to France together or want to learn side by side. You’ll support each other, and we’ll work on situations that you both experience.
Yes, but it’s flexible and completely customized. I use a framework based on CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1…) so we have clear goals. But every lesson is adapted to your needs. If you need French for a specific situation—doctor appointments, social events, local activities—we’ll work on that right away. Your French will fit your life, not the other way around.
Yes.
My approach is not only linguistic but also emotional. I integrate mindset coaching, affirmations, and gentle encouragement so you can let go of perfectionism and trust yourself. You’ll learn to enjoy speaking, even if it’s not perfect, and feel proud of every step.
Yes.
I share podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and blog posts so you can stay connected to French between lessons. These materials reflect my teaching style—warm, practical, and encouraging. Many students also get custom MP3s or videos made just for them, so they can review what they’ve learned anytime.
Yes, absolutely. The 80/20 rule means that around 20% of the most useful French allows you to handle 80% of everyday situations in France. As an expat, you don’t need perfect French. You need the right French: the words, expressions, and structures you’ll actually use at the doctor, the mairie, the bakery, or with your neighbours.
At Feel Good French, lessons focus on high-impact, real-life French, so you make progress faster, feel more confident, and stop wasting energy on what doesn’t matter for your life in France.
Absolutely. In fact, it’s strongly encouraged to start learning French before moving to France.
Doing so helps reduce culture shock and allows you to arrive with a sense of familiarity instead of feeling lost. Even a basic level of French makes a huge difference in everyday situations: understanding simple conversations, managing administrative tasks, and building your first social connections.
Starting early also gives you time to develop good habits, confidence, and listening skills at your own pace. When you arrive in France, you’re no longer “starting from zero”, you’re simply continuing a journey you’ve already begun.









