An angel by another name…….
Over the centuries there have always been female role models in France to suit every taste.
Joan of Arc, Eva Curie, the Veuve Clicquot, Marie Antoinette, (albeit born in Vienna) Catherine Deneuve, Edith Piaf, Carla Bruni, Coco Chanel for example.
To those names you can add Mme Isabelle Pigot.
Who is this Isabelle Pigot, (pronounced pee-go) do I hear you ask?
She has an agile brain that constantly performs gymnastique mentale; an ear that hears all; an unflappable disposition and the patience of a saint.
Isabelle is my French language tutor.
She has been teaching me for two hours, once a week, for 5 years. Due to my clumsy efforts, during this time I have probably aged her 25 years!
We recently discussed the challenges she faces teaching French as a second language. I thought her biggest challenge may have been to correct the bad habits we have picked up along the way.
For example I have a habit of commencing statements with the english ‘its’ instead of C’est. When using French for ‘next to’ I get the ‘a coté’ but always forget to add the ‘de’.
If Isabelle has corrected me once, she has corrected me 1000 times. How frustrating for her.
But from her prespective, Isabelle says the ongoing challenge is to encourage her students to think for themselves, to help them develop their proficiency through their everyday lives.
Yes, her role is to provide all the mechanics of the language, the grammar, vocab, pronunciation etc, but the results are enhanced if she can create the desire of her students to take responsibility to lift their own lingual skill level.
Isabelle is my third French tutor - I keep getting expelled! - All three share a passion and pride not only for their mother language, but also the culture and traditions of France. 
It is knowledge that they willingly impart to us students which assists us greatly to assimilate into the French way of life.
In my book, it is a fallacy that by living in France, you will soon pick up the language. Like any skill you have to work at it, and practice, practice, practice - right Isabelle?!
A Bientot, Bruce.