By Michelle Crean

To get a true sense of the authentic French language and culture then look no further than Hélène Olivier-Courtney who specialises in teaching her native language to all ages.

Hélène, who now lives in Killorglin, originally hails from Tours in the heart of the Loire Valley. She arrived in Ireland in September 1995 to work as a tutor in NUI Galway while studying for a Masters in English Literature.

She specialises in teaching French as a foreign language to primary, secondary, third level and adult learners since setting up French For All in 2006.

"I have worked in local secondary schools and therefore have a deep knowledge of the Irish school curriculum," Hélène told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I worked for 10 years for Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative (MLPSI) until 2012."

Last year she returned to working in local primary school with Languages Connect, Ireland's Strategy to increase increase the number of students sitting two languages at Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate by 25%.

The classes she'll offer all ages will take place in the Avenue Hotel in Killarney, the Old Carnegie Hall in Killorglin on Skype and via home tuition starting on September 26.

She's keen to stress that the classes give Fifth and Sixth Class primary school pupils a "taste of French language and culture" before entering secondary school.

Fifth and Sixth Year students will be prioritised for secondary classes, while adults will be able to enjoy social evenings in the Avenue Hotel, Plaza Hotel and Petit Delice.

"The key thing is my students enjoy the classes, learning French in a real atmosphere and this allows them to progress quickly."

To register head to the Killarney Avenue Hotel on September 7 next and the Old Carnegie Hall, Killorglin on September 14 from 6pm to 8pm.