About French Reading Essentials
About Karine — Founder & French Reading Specialist
French Reading Essentials was created by Karine to help children—especially beginners and struggling readers—build strong French reading skills through a clear, structured, step-by-step method that works for every learner.
Meet Madame Karine
I am Madame Karine. With over 25 years of teaching experience — including 12 years in grade one classrooms — I’ve developed a proven step-by-step method that helps children master decoding skills and become confident French readers. Today, I share this approach through my foundational video course, occassional live Zoom classes, and one-to-one tutoring.
My Mission & Vision
of French Reading Essentails
My mission is to empower students in mastering the fundamentals of French reading.
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My vision is to create confident, resourceful and persistent French readers, especially for non-native French speakers.
Mastering the basics for lifelong learning
Madame Karine's Story
Early Life & Education
Teaching and French have always come naturally to me.
Born in France and raised in Calgary, I attended French Immersion schools, which led me to earn an Education degree with a minor in French.
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First Teaching Experiences
After graduating, I began my career abroad, teaching kindergarten at a private international school in Budapest. Having my own classroom confirmed that this was the perfect career for me — I was learning as much from my students as they were from me.
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Building Expertise in Calgary
When I returned to Canada, I taught first grade with the Calgary Board of Education at my old elementary school. Over the next ten years, I developed a deep expertise in teaching French literacy skills.
Tutoring & Family Life
Once I started my family, I wanted to stay home with my two children. Missing teaching inspired me to start a private tutoring practice, where for over eight years I supported students at all elementary levels with French reading, writing, math, and homework.
Over the years, I’ve seen how simple routines help children thrive and feel more confident in their learning — something I also share in my article on creating daily routines for students.
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Continued Teaching & Global Experience
I later returned to the classroom, teaching third grade and French science, while also substituting with both the Calgary Board of Education and the Francophone board. During a family trip around the world, we discovered Costa Rica — and decided to make it our part time home. Here, I continue to tutor online and teach part time at a private French school where my children used to attend.
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My Passion & Philosophy
Teaching children how to read is my passion. I love seeing the spark when a child learns to put sounds together to form words — it feels like magic. I believe that mastering the basics is the key to success. My focus is on teaching step-by-step skills that help students become resourceful, persistent, and confident readers. This passion inspired me to create French Reading Essentials.
How We Can Help at French Reading Essentials
What Parents Are Saying
Discover how French Reading Essentials is helping children gain confidence and joy in reading — straight from the families themselves!
​Karine quickly identified the gaps when our son fell behind in Grade 1 French reading and helped him regain confidence. Her warm, encouraging teaching style also inspired our daughter—both kids made visible progress and now look forward to every lesson.
Evgenia Rothberg, Calgary
Credentials & Teaching Approach
My teaching approach combines proven literacy techniques with compassion and structure — helping every child learn to read with confidence and joy.
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​Phonics-based instruction
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Focus on blended sounds and decoding
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Structured, consistent routines
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Individual progress tracking
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Gentle, child-centered learning environment
