Neha Coureil

Instructor Spotlight

What is your relationship with the French language?

My “love affair” with French began in India when I was in 8th grade and we were given the option to choose between an Indian language and French. It was a time when the Indian economy was closed to any kind of foreign investment and we were also culturally quite isolated from foreign cultures. The idea of learning a foreign language offered a glimpse into a world that was fun, exciting, and exotic for a 13-year-old.

How did your interests transfer into your career path?

It turned out I was quite good at the language and continued to learn French in school and college for the next five years. While pursuing a degree in business and accounting, I studied at the Alliance Française in Mumbai and started becoming a fluent French speaker. I went on to complete my master’s degree in French with the idea of pursuing a career in teaching. I tremendously enjoyed teaching and simultaneously had the opportunity to work as an interpreter for assignments both locally and abroad.

How did you find your way to CCAE?

CCAE was a natural choice for me as I have taken classes here myself and it is also a local non-profit organization. I think that folks come to CCAE not just to learn but also to build connections and feel part of a community. They in turn inspire me by setting bold goals for themselves and showing that we can and must continue to learn at any age… That is also perhaps why I connect deeply with them, because I like to think of myself as a lifelong student of the French language and culture.

Can you share an anecdote that best embodies your experience at CCAE?

It is always rewarding to hear from students how much they enjoyed and benefited from my classes. This past spring, three students were finally able to travel to France. They took a photograph together in Paris and sent it to me with the caption: “See what a community you built!” That fills up my heart and is one of the nicest compliments I have ever received. I am grateful to CCAE for making it possible to build meaningful connections even in these incredibly hard times.

Read the entire story from Neha Coureil at ccae.org.