About Us

Our Story

GTA's Finest French Class

Bienvenue to Francais4u, where learning is backed by science and research of second language acquisition. The science of second language acquisition views common errors of second language learners as tools to improve second language learning. Whatever your weakness is, we will point it and solve it. We approach weaknesses from a scientific perspective.

Choosing francais4u will guarantee that you will learn and improve your acquisition of French, regardless of your age and language background.

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A French Class, Backed by Science

Data suggests that early immersion achievement in French language skills have lagged below pre-pandemic years. Students in kindergarten to grade 4, have suffered the most from Covid-19 disruptions. This is due to the lack of exposure to French, while being in an English dominant environment.

We take a scientific approach to language retention to get your child back on track in their language studies.

Meet Our Founder

Alia Alatassi

Founder
University of Toronto Course Instructor (French)
MA, French Linguistics

Salut!. My name is Alia, and I am the founder of francais4u. Although I did not know that I wanted to be a French teacher until a later stage of my life, I have been passionate about learning all my life.

I fell in love with the French language when I was 6 years old. My mother enrolled in French classes with a private tutor who introduced me to the French language in a magical way. She exposed me to the French culture through songs, poems, and literature, while also teaching me about French grammar and conjugation. Although, I did not grow up in a francophone environment, I have always aced my French tests. I was the reference for the French language among my peers in school.

In 2005, I graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in French linguistics and Political science. In 2009, I moved to Quebec City where I pursued graduate studies at Université Laval. I taught political science in French at the graduate level for a period of three years.

In 2019, I completed my MA in French Linguistics at the University of Toronto. My research project examined the effect of age on child second language acquisition. I am currently doing my PhD in French linguistics while focusing on the effect of input and age on second language acquisition. I aim to compare children who acquire French in immersion schools versus those who acquire it in French schools. I have solid experience working with children from ages 6-12. I also teach French at the University of Toronto.

My inspiration for my research comes from my children who were extremely judged from their environment for mixing their three languages. As a linguist, I aim to challenge this stigma by approaching speakers from a descriptive perspective rather than prescriptive one. I try to balance between teaching French grammar, while respecting the individuality and identity of each speaker. Mistakes are celebrated and encouraged until you reach your potential. No learning comes with perfect performance.

When I am not teaching or collecting data, I enjoy outdoor activities, especially long distance running and cycling. If you spot me running, make sure you wave and shout “salut”’.

Our Philosophy

At francais4u, believe that language acquisition should be a fun and rewarding experience. It is an opportunity for people to exchange knowledge while challenging boundaries and comfort zones. Research has shown that second language acquisition improves cognitive abilities and verbal skills. We believe that second language acquisition is possible at any age, with sufficient language exposure and verbal practice. Whether you are a parent trying to encourage your children to improve their French skills or you are seeking to improve your French to increase your employability, francais4u is your place to go.

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