My name is Marie-Lola, and Lola is French is where I bring together everything I love and everything I offer.

I grew up in a small village in the South of France, surrounded by apricot trees at the foothills of the Pyrenees. My love for books, language, stories, and poetry led me to study French literature at the University of Toulouse, where I earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. For my thesis, I explored the question of whether poetry can truly be translated, writing and translating my own poems and reflecting on how a translator must also become a poet.

My teaching journey began during a university project, giving French lessons to inmates in prison — an experience that showed me the transformative power of language and inspired me to become a teacher.

In 2018, I moved to New York City to work at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Soon after, I began teaching French privately and at several language schools, including the Alliance Française. Later, I joined the French American School of New York, where I taught Middle and High School, from beginners to native speakers. I specialized in the French B class for the International Baccalaureate, and I also prepared students for the DELF (as a certified examiner) and the AP exam.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many private students, tailoring my lessons to their needs and goals. Alongside teaching, I’ve worked as a freelance translator, proofreader, and content writer for organizations such as Harper’s Magazine, Albertine bookstore, and Hello French. With Cécilia Jourdan, I co-authored three eBooks: a beginner French course, its companion exercise book, and a pronunciation guide.

Outside of work, I spend much of my time raising my children, being in nature, cooking, reading, writing and listening to podcasts.