Hippolyte Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Hippolyte! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. May we ask you to briefly introduce yourself?: A. Hello everyone!
I am Hippolyte. I am a 34 years old Frenchman who is currently Living in Tokyo. I am a student in Japanese. I grew up in Normandie but I have studied and worked in Paris. I studied fine arts at the university and media and governance in Japan. I could speak French, English, a bit of Japanese and I still have some leftover Spanish in the corner of my head! One of my grand-father was Italian but my mother did not teach me Italian so after Japanese, I would like to learn Italian !

My home town, with the picturesque ruined castle in the foreground
Q. Please tell us more about your hometown and the area where you currently reside.: A. It is a very small town of 600 souls, between Paris and Rouen, on the border of Normandy and Ile-de-France (the French Kantō!). There is an old dungeon built in the 11th century. Winters are melancholic but summers are delightful. I have pleasant memories of this area. I feel I am lucky to have grown up in the countryside, close to the Nature.

View from my childhood home trhough seasons
Q. What motivated you to become a tutor? Alternatively, what do you think is the attraction of this profession?: A. Languages are a wonderful tool that could change the life of anyone. I was lucky to communicate and do many things thanks to languages. I used to teach in coffee-shop but it took time, it was not so convenient. I appreciate the flexibility and ability to work remotely. This allows me to work from anywhere, create my own schedule, and personalize my lessons to meet the individual needs of each student. Also, I like to discover the various approaches of french and english by the students. I am curious about their interests and how my country and continent are seen from other parts of the world.

During the way to Compostella, in Aubrac
Q. What motivates you to pursue your career as a tutor?: A. I am motivated by the satisfaction of helping my students achieve their educational goals and seeing them succeed. It is incredibly rewarding to witness my students improve their language skills, gain confidence and develop a deeper appreciation for the language and culture.
I am also driven by the opportunity to constantly learn and grow as an educator. Teaching online requires innovation and adaptability and I am always exploring new techniques and approaches that can better serve my student's learning needs.

Exercice of shodō during New Year
Q. A lot of students are probably curious about the atmosphere in your lessons. What can a student imagine a lesson with you to be like? What’s your teaching style?: A. After an introduction of ourselves, I will find the focus point or a hobby of the student. Then, while we are talking about the subject, I add some suggestions. I correct the student if needed by writing on the keyboard. I use a variety of teaching tools, such as multimedia resources, roleplaying, and authentic materials such as articles, to help students engage with the language and develop their skills. I strive to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and making mistakes. During the lesson, students can expect an interactive, communicative and dynamic experience. I am trying to create a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere, I am adapting to all kinds of student's particularity. Also, I wish my students to not hesitate to tell me if they do not understand what I am saying, I could repeat or explain in a different way.

Getting ready for the practice of Iaidō
Q. Since you offer a variety of lessons, are there any lessons you can recommend in particular?: A. As mentioned previously, I would say that the lesson with the article is particularly effective for medium or advanced level students.The article provides an authentic context for learning the language, correcting pronunciation and providing a good opportunity to review conjugation and learn new words. Additionally, because articles often cover current events or cultural topics, they can be a great jumping-off point for engaging conversations and exchanging viewpoints.

With my team at the Ekiden of Paris
Q. What are you usually up to when you’re not teaching on Cafetalk? What are your hobbies and interests?: A. I am interested in all things but let's say : History, gastronomy, books, geopolitic, traveling, arts (painting, movie, music...), gardening, genealogy, and Asia, particularly, Japan! And of course, spend time with my friends!

I really appreciated the exhibition ⌈Love⌋ held at The National Art Center
Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for your current and future students?: A.To my current student, I would like to say thank you for all the road we did together. If you live abroad and you want a lesson with me, I could manage my schedule for you (even if it is very early or very late for me). If you want to help me, don't hesitate to write a review on my profile page ;-)
To my future student : when you finish reading this, feel free to directly choose a lesson with me. Why not start with a French introduction or an English introduction?
I am looking forward to working with you!