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Katryn Brooks, French Teacher

Katryn

French Teacher

How long have you been teaching for and how long for Cactus?

I have been teaching for 40 years – starting in Japan, then in the UK and Brazil; and I have been teaching for Cactus in London for 2 years.

How long have you been living in the UK?

I have been living in the UK for 37 years – with a 7-year gap when I lived in Brazil.

What is your degree and teaching experience?

My Masters Degree is in Japanese Language, Civilisation and Linguistics.

Have you ever worked in another field?

I have translated books and articles, but also worked in schools as a career adviser.

Where were you born and what is the city famous for?

I was born and grew up in Paris. I was very fortunate to live in the best districts, so I could enjoy what Paris had to offer in terms of culture, architecture, food and entertainment. Paris is not as big as London, so I used to walk to museums, cinemas, restaurants and cafés.

How many countries have you been to?

I have been to over 20 countries and lived in 6 countries. I learned 6 languages, but now I speak only 3 languages regularly.

What cultural custom is the country you were born in famous for?

France has a very lively culinary culture which means that most people learn to cook at home, and that children are introduced to a variety of foods very early . When I went to school, all meals had a starter (usually raw mixed salads), a main dish (usually a protein and a great variety of vegetables – no chips), and a dessert (usually a cake, or fruits). My children’s generation had an even better choice of food – with schools getting to compose menus by chefs.

I am looking forward to meeting you in my class!

Au revoir et à bientôt!

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Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

Our Course Outlines give an overview of the content and learning framework of Cactus courses. Includes themes, grammar and vocabulary you can typically expect to cover. These are intended as a guide only. Language teachers may at times adapt the course content to suit the specific level, aims and interests of the class.

How do I know what level I am?

Are you unsure where to start or progress to? Then take our level test and read our level descriptions for guidance.

Do I receive a qualification or certificate?

At the end of your course you receive a certificate of participation. You will be able to be download it from your MyCactus account. This confirms the language and level of course you have taken. Our course levels are based on two internationally recognised systems. You will have a universally accepted reference for your studies. (Important: Please note that you must complete the end of course questionnaire sent to you to be able to get your certificate! You will receive the course questionnaire by e-mail at the end of your course.)

Do I need a course book?

You will need a course book to attend your course. Course books are not included in the course fees. We recommend that you buy your own course book separately before your course starts. We will let you know which course book you will require and advise where you can purchase this. Please note that a course book often covers more than one level. So if you progress to the next course, you may not necessarily need to buy a new book. Again, we will advise you of this at the time. The course book is chosen by our teachers and academic team. This is based on which book is most suitable for the level of the class whilst offering the most communicative approach.

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