Helen Watts: Company Director at Alpine French School

Tell us a little bit about your business, how it started out and where you're based etc…

Alpine French School started out as Lost In Translation over 10 years ago. At first it was just 2 of us teaching French and English and doing translation work. Since then we have slowly grown into a language school with more than 10 teachers. We offer a wide variety of French courses to locals and International students plus English lessons to the local community including businesses and children.

How long have you been in your current role and how long have you been with the company?

I founded the company in 2003 and have been company director ever since. It’s an amazing feeling to have a job you love, that is helping people achieve something and to be able to do it in such a great place.

What makes Morzine a special place to be for someone in your profession?

With the large ex-pat community and the growing amount of anglophone tourists visiting the area, this has brought with it a need for people to improve their language skills and hence the need for our services! International students love being able to study in such an amazing place with so many activities to enjoy in their free-time.

What are the best bits about your job?

I love the variety, the fact that we are helping people improve their day-to-day life by improving their language skills, the team is amazing and we have so much fun while doing something worthwhile.

And the worst bits?

Working on a bluebird powder day but nothing really.

What's in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

We have recently changed our name to Alpine French School/Alpine English School and we are aiming to increase the number of International students we bring to Morzine, also we are working with Tell Me More/Rosetta Stone to offer e-learning solutions for language learning. And we will soon have a new premises! So a lot going on!

What are you personal and professional goals for the future?

I’m looking forward to being able to get my young children taking part in skiing, snowboarding and all the summer activities on offer. Professionally, I hope that our new projects will be successful both for our company, the team, the students and the resort.

Your favourite place for lunch or dinner?

I like La Chaudanne, L'Etale or Le Clin d'Oeil in Morzine, L’Amandier in Saint Jean d’Aulps and Le Petit Lindaret if I’m up the mountain.

Where will we find the best coffee or hot chocolate?

Beanies and Dotty’s do great coffee :) Or the restaurant in Plaine Dranse with 30+ flavours of hot chocolate!

Do you remember your first trip to this resort?

I was working in my uni holidays for a summer activity holiday company that no longer exists and Morzine was one of the resorts they offered. I remember loving the feel of the resort and that it was such a friendly, pretty, traditional Alpine village. It has grown and changed a lot since then, but I still love living here.

What do you do in the summer?

Hang out with my family at the pool/lake/friends’ houses, swimming, cycling, hiking with our dog, road biking…..

Which is your favourite shop in resort?

Rouge Chilli for clothes, La Courterie Corner toy shop for children’s gifts.

Skiing or snowboarding? What's your preference & why?

Depends on the day and who I’m with.

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Alpine French School offer a range of services, from language courses, translation & business services, to French language holidays. Get in touch with them to find out more.