Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda Gardette.
Hi Wanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from France, and my love for languages and travel led me to live in several countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. After moving to Santa Barbara, I became a certified French teacher and I decided to start my own business: Excuse My French Class. What started with private lessons has grown into group classes, semi-private lessons, and more recently: French immersion in France.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but Santa Barbara has been a great place to build my business. When I first arrived from France, I had no experience working in the United States and didn’t have any local contacts, so I had to start from scratch and make a name for myself.
Interestingly, I found my very first students while working at a French bakery in Montecito. I had a little sign saying that I was a French teacher, and it actually worked! That’s how I started building my first connections and getting students. From there, I created a website and gradually developed my business.
Today, some of my students come through word of mouth, which I’m very grateful for. There are so many Francophiles in Santa Barbara who are interested not only in learning French, but also in French culture, and that has definitely been an advantage for my business.
The local community has also been incredibly supportive, and that support has played a big part in helping me grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Excuse My French Class offers private, semi-private, and group French lessons for adults and children, with a strong focus on conversation and real-life French.
I also offer French immersion experiences in France where students spend a week learning French while experiencing the culture, food, history, and lifestyle of some regions in France.
The immersion is designed to be much more than a language course, it’s an opportunity to live French with French people for a week. Students have daily classes in small groups, enjoy homemade meals, explore local towns, and take part in cultural experiences and excursions. Because I personally organize and teach the program, I’m able to create a very personal experience and adapt it to the students.
What sets me apart is the personal and relaxed approach I bring to my classes. I want students to feel comfortable speaking French, making mistakes, and having fun while learning! I’m especially proud of creating a small, welcoming community around the language, not just teaching French, but sharing French culture and making it accessible and enjoyable.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve found that there are many excellent resources and communities online, which have been very helpful. I also think networking with other teachers can be a great way to exchange ideas, get advice, and build connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.excusemyfrenchclass.com/
- Instagram: https://excusemyfrenchimmersion.com/
