Frederique Di Tullio talks about French school Lyon Bleu International

17 June 2015

Frederique Di Tullio, Owner and Director of Lyon Bleu

This month we meet Frederique Di Tullio, Director and Owner of French language school Lyon Bleu International. The school offers a wide range of French courses in Lyon year-round for all levels. French language programmes have been developed to suit a wide range of student profiles, and to meet their objectives and their budget.

Q. When did you join IALC and why?

Lyon Bleu proudly joined IALC in 2009. We wanted to be part of this fantastic network of language schools because we identify ourselves in the spirit of IALC schools (entrepreneurship, research of quality, human-sized schools). We also realized that it would help us in our development, not only from a marketing point of view but also from a point of view of the professional exigency and values necessary to build a good reputation.

Q. How did 2014 go for you?

2014 was a good year for Lyon Bleu. We have reaped the benefits of efforts made in 2012 and 2013 from a marketing perspective. Our team has evolved, adding new staff in 2014, benefiting from renewed energy. Lyon is becoming slowly but surely a safe bet as a destination in the French market.

Q. What developments do you expect in France in 2015? How will they impact the language travel industry?

It is difficult to predict things right now in France, the crisis seems to be fading but the executive lacks a bit of popularity, which does not help to pass laws ... wait and see!

Q. Anything new at Lyon Bleu this year?

2015 is a year of innovation and improvement for Lyon Bleu. The main reason is that we must prepare for renewal of Qualite Fle label for the end of the year. This also comes from the fact that Lyon Bleu is in an intense phase of internal and external development since last year. Here some few projects: development of a new management system, improved teacher recruitment procedures, a more structured quality approach, an expanded tutoring service (additional free French lessons), new cultural activities, a richer educational resource center with a server dedicated to teachers, expansion plans of the premises .... the list goes on!

Q. Where do the majority of your students come from?

Our students come from all continents. Since its creation, Lyon Bleu has a mix of nationalities that avoids classes invaded by a language or a student nationality. This is due to marketing in place over the years and also to the exceptional accessibility of Lyon, and its cost of living, lower than many other more touristic destinations, without losing quality, quite the contrary

Q. What are your most popular student activities?

Wine testing (full every week), guided visits of Lyon, meeting out in pubs and bars.

Q. 3 things that make your school special for your students?

The individual attention we pay to our students, our flexibility and the balance between friendliness and professionalism that exists in Lyon Bleu in all departments.

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About yourself:

Q. How did get started in the industry? How did you reach your current role?

As a teacher, I started in my early 20s, as a school owner, I started with Lyon Bleu in 1999.

Q. Languages you speak or would like to speak?

I'm bilingual French and Italian thanks to my parents, I speak (relatively good) English thanks to Lyon Bleu, I speak a bit of Spanish and a bit of German (7 years of high school German lessons shipwrecked somewhere in my brain!!!). I would like to be able to speak Japanese and Russian, these languages have stimulating linguistic systems and I like their musicality.

Q. Favourite travel destination?

Wherever there are good wines, history and things to learn.

Q. Favourite pastime?

Cooking, reading, sport

Q. Favourite meal?

Spaghetti aglio, olio e pepperoncino and/or homemade pasta and pizza

Q. Dream dinner guest(s)?

Quentin Tarantino

Frederique Di Tullio, Owner and Director of Lyon Bleu

Lyon Bleu International

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