Services / Prestations

I do not work from a catalogue of predetermined courses and topics. You and I will work together to determine the content and presentation of your courses, and what topics we will cover. I will assess your current level using the European CEFR standards (ranging from A1 to C2). But that is only the beginning of what we do before deciding whether to work together.

Almost all instruction is by visio. When appropriate and with prior agreement, some instruction can occur on site anywhere in France. I am near Cluny with Gare TGV Mâcon Loché nearby. But as you already know, I have dogs. My years of carefree trotting around the world are behind me.

I routinely offer classes that are one-on-one, twosomes, and even larger groups. When I was a law professor, I worked with groups of over a hundred. How your courses are structured will depend on your desires and needs, coupled with my own assessment of the skill level of the various participants.

It is important that all participants in a group setting feel comfortable so they can contribute equally. A substantial disparity in abilities at the outset can become a problem. I will assess each participant and use this information in our discussions about the content and structure of the course work.

SamBen is always there to help, but the classes belong to you the student.

Some examples of the structure of the classes.

• Intensive seminar-style group work – Perhaps you want to learn the administrative process behind tariffs? How to conduct an actual jury trial? What if you are to be a witness? Or perhaps you are the plaintiff, or are you the defendant?

• Mock trials and debates – You are called upon to advocate for a client whose position is not exactly your own, at least not when you are à table en famille. And your colleague, or classmate, gets to argue against your position. This all happens in English. You know how to do it in French. Now you learn the process in English.

• Simulated news interviews – Will you be interviewed, or will you be doing the interview? Maybe both?

• Mock business presentations – Do you feel comfortable using PowerPoint with a crowd watching? What if that presentation is followed by members of that same crowd asking you questions and expecting answers? Still comfortable? I routinely do share-screens with students so they can rehearse their upcoming presentations.
• You may seek a traditional one-on-one methodical progression through English grammar and structure. I respect that we all need to start somewhere.

These, and many other, practical exercises are all designed around real-world professional situations.

With SamBen everything starts with discussing and determining what is best for you and any of your colleagues who may join us.

On the following page (Topics / Thèmes) you can see more detailed examples of some of the classes and topics I have presented in the past. I welcome new ideas and topics, so if you are not seeing what your heart desires, just let me know. I expect together we can make it happen.

I have a standard educated American accent. I can, but almost never will, emulate any regional American accent. Television and influencers can provide that kind of entertainment.

If you wish, SamBen can even associate any type of expert for specific needs. For example, do you believe a native British, Australian, Indian, or Scottish speaker might also help with your needs and education? SamBen can make that, and so much more, happen. I am the main SamBen agent, but not the only one.

The SamBen credo: All is possible; it just needs to be worked out. All we need to do is talk and define our terms.