From California to ELC: Meet Lily

My name is Lily, and I’m joining you from Northern California, in the Bay Area just north of San Francisco. To give you a sense of scale, my hometown is to San Francisco what Aix-en-Provence is to Marseille—close enough to feel the rhythm of the city, but far enough away to enjoy the rolling hills in the countryside.

At ELC, I’m stepping into the role of building and guiding an intensive program designed to help students prepare for major English exams—TOEIC, IELTS, and the various concours d’anglais required in university programs and for future career stepping stones. Beyond the exams themselves, what really drives me is creating a space where learning feels both purposeful and engaging, where every session has a clear connection to students’ academic and professional goals.

Teaching has always been a natural thread in my life. With a background deeply rooted in the arts—I’ve spent years immersed in dance, visual arts, and photography—I began sharing that passion early on, teaching movement and dance to children as I advanced into higher levels of my own studies. Those experiences taught me to value creativity, patience, and the power of expression, and they continue to influence how I approach the classroom. I see learning as a creative process, a space where students can explore, refine, and discover new ways of seeing the world while expressing themselves in a new language.

My own journey with languages began when I first learned French in high school. That experience not only introduced me to the beauty of the language but also sparked a deep interest in French culture that ultimately inspired me to move to France. It was a transformative opportunity that reshaped the course of my life, and it’s the kind of meaningful experience I want to help create for my students—an education that extends beyond exams and opens new doors for the future.

My teaching style is often described as calm and steady—think of it as a “zen” classroom approach. I believe progress happens best when there’s a balance: structure to keep us moving forward, and flexibility to adapt lessons to what feels relevant and meaningful. I like to bring in materials that resonate with real life, from current events to cultural topics, so students not only prepare for exams but also feel more connected to the language as they’ll actually use it.

I’m very excited to be part of this team, to share ideas, and to contribute to the vibrant learning community here at ELC! I look forward to building something impactful together, while making the journey to success an experience that’s as motivating as the destination itself. See you in class!