Interview with Chantal Giroux, French Instructor

My name is Chantal Giroux, and I am a lecturer in French as a foreign language at the Business Language Training Centre at HEC Montréal. I hold a master’s degree in Language Didactics from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). I have been teaching in Montréal universities for over 25 years. My interests include French for specific purposes—such as Business French—and communicative grammar, with the goal of helping students integrate grammatical concepts learned in class into real communication.

From the very first class, connections naturally form among students from all around the world, each bringing their own cultures and languages. These exchanges open up unique perspectives and make the process of learning French dynamic and collaborative. And seeing students make progress right from the start is deeply rewarding—for them and for me!

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring Montréal’s rich cultural scene, discovering its culinary diversity, attending artistic events, and finding peace in the city’s many parks.

Interview

• According to you, what are the main advantages for a beginner in taking an intensive French course during the summer?

For beginners, an intensive summer course offers full immersion, which helps them quickly learn essential fundamentals. Being in a francophone environment—interacting with and listening to native speakers daily—also makes the experience more authentic and motivating.

• How does a four-week intensive format help accelerate French learning?

The frequency of classes allows for daily practice, reinforcing comprehension and pronunciation, and helping learners build confidence to communicate from the very first days.

• What types of progress do you generally observe among beginner students at the end of an intensive course?

By the end of a four-week intensive course, beginner-level students are able to introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions, and understand common expressions and vocabulary related to Québec businesses, technology, and the tourism industry. They have improved their pronunciation, expanded their basic vocabulary, and gained fluency in everyday interactions.

• How can an intensive summer course help boost motivation and confidence among beginners?

The fast and visible progress, combined with the regularity of classes, increases learners’ confidence in their abilities. In addition, summer offers countless opportunities to hear the language and experience real-life situations, giving meaningful context to classroom learning and making it more concrete.

• Do you think linguistic immersion and frequent classes have a lasting impact on French mastery?

Yes, absolutely. Regular exposure to the target language—in this case, French—helps consolidate learning and reduces forgetting. The more frequent the practice, the more automatic linguistic structures become, anchoring them in long-term memory.