About Me
Bonjour, and welcome!
I'm François Trocha, a native French speaker from Clermont-Ferrand, a city in central France surrounded by the beautiful volcanic landscapes and forests of the Auvergne region.
I grew up in the nearby village of Beaumont, where my father was a teacher. In fact, we lived in the apartments provided for teachers right at the school! My connection to teaching began early: at age 16, I started tutoring children after school. I think I already knew then that teaching would become my career.
I also had the opportunity to grow up speaking several languages. In addition to French, I speak English and some German, and I have studied Polish. This experience of learning languages myself has given me a particular appreciation for the challenges — and the rewards — of becoming comfortable in another language.
My Journey
After completing my French baccalauréat, with a special focus in mathematics, I moved to Bourges, a beautiful medieval city in central France, where I studied theater and dramatic arts.
My academic and professional journey eventually brought me between France and the United States.
In 1991, I was selected as a Fulbright Scholar representing France and the European Union for studies in New York. I continued my studies in French theater at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle and later completed my master's degree in Clermont-Ferrand.
I then pursued my teaching career in France, including teaching in elementary schools near Versailles and working with students who needed additional academic or educational support.
After moving to the United States, I continued my career as a French educator. I have now been teaching French for more than 25 years.
Education & Professional Credentials
Master's Degree / D.E.A. (Master 2) / ABD in Western European Literatures, specializing in the 16th and 17th centuries
French teaching degree — Degree in French
Colorado Teaching License — French K–12
AP Curriculum Accreditation — College Board
AP Reader
IB French teacher and trained IB educator
STAMP-trained teacher & reader training
UCCS / CU accreditation — FR 2110–FR 2120
Fulbright Scholar
Fulbright Representative for France, European Fulbright Students Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 1990
Training in online language teaching, including teaching a pilot upper-level French course remotely, 2025-2026
Advanced French & Exam Preparation
Today, I specialize in advanced French instruction and French exam preparation.
I offer personalized online classes in:
Advanced French Conversation
Develop fluency, confidence, vocabulary, pronunciation, and the ability to express your ideas naturally in French.
Advanced General French
Strengthen your overall French through conversation, grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, pronunciation, and written expression.
I also prepare students for:
AP French Language & Culture
IB French
STAMP French
My experience as an AP Reader, IB teacher, and STAMP-trained educator allows me to combine language instruction with a strong understanding of the expectations and skills required for these assessments.
How I Teach
After more than 25 years in education, I know that every student is different.
My lessons are personalized, supportive, and engaging, while still providing the level of challenge needed to make meaningful progress.
For advanced students, I focus on helping you become more fluent, precise, confident, and natural in French.
For exam preparation, we work strategically on the specific skills you need — speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, cultural understanding, and assessment strategies.
A Little More About Me
French is not just the language I teach — it is an important part of my everyday life.
My family and I have been married for over 30 years and have three children. We speak French at home, cook French recipes, and enjoy watching movies in French. We also love keeping French traditions alive, from galette des rois at Epiphany to crêpes for La Chandeleur — and, of course, the occasional evening devoted to French cheese!
I have always loved languages and the connections they create between people and cultures. In addition to French, I speak English and German and have studied some Polish. And I'm still a language learner myself: I'm currently learning Italian! Being a student of a new language reminds me firsthand of the excitement, challenges, and rewards that come with learning to communicate in another language.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy staging performances, making films, singing Sinatra-style songs, and long-distance running. I've completed ten 100-mile races over the past 15 years.
I love France, its language, and its culture, and I enjoy sharing that passion with my students.
Sharing My Love of French
I love France, its language, and its culture, and I enjoy sharing that passion with my students.
I believe that learning another language is a gift you give yourself. It opens the door to new cultures, new perspectives, new connections, and a wider view of the world.
My goal is not simply to help you learn French. I want to help you reach the point where you feel confident enough to continue discovering the language and culture on your own.
Your French journey can begin here.
[ BOOK A CLASS ]
Have questions before getting started?
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Et maintenant, parlons français !