Stanford Law School, Juris Doctorat, et membre du barreau de la Californie. J'excerce devant les tribunaux fédéraux aux USA. J’ai décidé il y a quelques années de m’installer en France.

En savoir plus sur Phillip

• Parlez-vous couramment cette langue en raison de vos origines ou parce qu’un professeur vous a donné envie de l’apprendre ?

  I speak English fluently; I am a native speaker. I was born and raised in the U.S. I attended Rice University. I received a Bachelor's with Honors, and then I attended Stanford Law School where I graduated with Honors in Trial Work. Initially I handled civil rights actions and I worked at the United Nations in New York City. J’ai trouvé mon bonheur practicing for decades as a trial and appellate lawyer in the United States Federal Courts (U.S. District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court). As an appellate lawyer in the federal courts I was constantly sharpening and deepening my skills in the written English language. As a trial lawyer I was called upon to listen to every nuance of each witness’s oral expression. In my closing arguments before juries, and my oral arguments before judges, my English was constantly put to the test. But I still make mistakes. We all do. I just strive to identify and minimize them. (yes, I used “minimize” because I am American.)

• Citez le personnage vivant, historique ou fictif qui est, selon vous, le représentant emblématique de la culture en question !

  This is quite a complex question. There are so many amazing individuals who meet this definition. Some of the first who come to mind: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, “Ike” Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Mark Twain, Cesar Chavez, Walter Cronkite and Audrey Hepburn. Do you know who Julia Child was? How she learned about and then brought French cuisine and culture to middle-class Americans while France was experiencing Les Trente Glorieuses? How she interacted with and became friends with Jacques Pépin, who was in the Élysée kitchens under Auriol, Coty, and de Gaulle? Our countries have so many links back and forth across the years.

• Y-a-t-il, dans celle-ci, un mot, une expression, une tradition ou un comportement typique qui vous amuse particulièrement ?

  In the U.S., it has to be the “Sure, I can do that” attitude. Frequently the American may end up proved wrong, but the positive energy is there at the outset. As Churchill said, “Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing - after they have tried everything else.” (grin!)
  
  But in France I don’t even know where to start, the possibilities are endless. I once watched a judge in Paris respond to a litigant’s endless (and ridiculous) explanation of the fifty (50) stolen and brand new TVs in his apartment that were found in his apartment. He explained to the judge that whenever he was not home, some how unknown people just kept dropping them off. So every time he came home there were just more and more new TVs in his apartment. As he told the ridiculous story, the judge just kept repeating: (possibly fifty times!) Et vous voilà planté!, Et vous voilà planté! Throughout this comedy, I sat in the courtroom and maintained an external poker face, but all I could think was: “J’adore la France, les Français et la litote française!"

• En quoi savoir parler cette langue est important, que ce soit scolairement, professionnellement ou d’un point de vue plus personnel ?

  It is a simple fact: English is currently the language of the global economy. But there are many types of English. American, British, Australian, and International to name just a few. I teach many French lawyers who have an international law practice. But I do also teach other French (and European) professionals. Through their concerns and questions, I am constantly reminded of just how important understanding, reading, and speaking English is for professionals in France and in Europe.

• Quelle est la difficulté principale de cette langue et ce qui peut favoriser son apprentissage ?

  Today there are so many people who speak incorrect and even unintelligible English. This reality is widespread, there is no way to avoid poorly spoken English. If you tune in to the social media, NetFlix and so on, you will be bombarded by misspellings, poor grammar, and still other mistakes. This is probably one of the main factors making it hard for people to truly improve. It may be fine to speak (and write) that way on social media; this is not true in a professional setting.
  
  I encourage you: take the time to identify and connect with good sources for proper English (of whatever variety: British, American, Australian, etc) and find ways to practice and to study that work for you.
  
  Be sure to educate yourself properly and invest the time. It will pay off. In more ways than you might ever imagine.

• Une anecdote en rapport avec votre métier ou votre scolarité à nous raconter ?

  This is too vast a question. I have spent endless hours in federal courtrooms listening to (and sometimes participating in) snippets of life that were extraordinarily funny. I imagine you have many stories to tell as well. If we work together, then we can start to exchange those stories. But be aware, even if you make me laugh with your humor (and I hope you will!), I will still provide grammar and pronunciation guidance! I try to ensure classes are enjoyable, but they must always remain helpful as well.

• Aidez-nous à vous connaître un peu mieux en évoquant vos différents voyages.

  I have traveled extensively all over the world. Today I am happily ensconced in the countryside, and I prefer to hear the stories my friends tell of their travels while I serve the wine!

• Qu’est-ce qui fait de vous un Superprof, en + de cette capacité à s’exprimer en plusieurs langues ?

  I have always enjoyed teaching. Over the years, I have learned that what motivates me is your interest, your devotion, and your commitment to learning. That is what inspires me to find ways to help you. Every student is different. Tell me what you are looking for, hoping to achieve, and then let’s figure out together how to make it happen.