Canada: the land of endless lakes, sweet maple syrup, and gliding hockey pucks, and where one of our international instructors, Lucie Desjardins, calls home. Lucie grew up in a bilingual, but predominantly English-speaking part of Canada. As a native speaker of French, she has always been passionate about sharing her love for the language.
“I spent my first four years of post-secondary education studying French literature and linguistics because it has always been important for me to value and cherish the language and French-speaking cultures,” she says.
Drawn by both passion and purpose, Lucie decided after her degree to become a French instructor. Sharing her knowledge felt like the natural next step. At WorkPlace Languages, she teaches adults who want to bring French into their daily lives. For many, learning a language is a chance to challenge themselves in new and unfamiliar ways. The moment when a student first expresses themselves is, as Lucie describes, “an incredible feeling.”
She delights not only in guiding her students but also in learning about their professions. Their workplace stories become the backdrop for conversation, weaving language with lived experience.
“To know that my students can use what we learn in class during their day-to-day life with colleagues is also very rewarding,” she says.
Nevertheless, Lucie’s journey didn’t stop with teaching. Her experiences in the classroom awakened a deeper calling, leading her to pursue a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She realized that what she loved most was creating a safe, supportive space, whether for learning or for healing. As both instructor and psychotherapist, Lucie envisions herself fostering trust, empathy, and openness.
“I believe that students, whether children or adults, learn a language much more easily when they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes,” she explains.
Her philosophy carries seamlessly into her therapeutic practice: empathy first, adaptability always, curiosity present. Teaching calls her to guide and express, while therapy calls her to listen and hold space. Together, the two roles form a balance.
Whether in class or in a counseling session, Lucie meets everyone where they are. She adapts her methods, tailoring her approach to the unique needs of every student and client.
For those embarking on the adventure of learning a new language, she offers this encouragement: “The more we speak, the more we learn—even if that means making lots of errors.” Mistakes, she believes, are steppingstones.
Balancing her work and her master’s degree studies is not without challenges, yet Lucie emphasizes the importance of self-care, knowing one’s limits, and diversifying one’s daily rhythm to prevent burnout.
Looking ahead, Lucie is excited to combine professions, dedicating her days to students and clients alike. No matter the role, her goal remains constant: to show up, to listen, and to support. Her goals are to help others find their voice in every sense.
Lucie is a valued member of the Workplace Languages team, and we’re proud to have her as a teacher in our corporate language training programs.
