About a year ago this writer was surprised to find that if one would like to “parlez-vous francais” they have that option right here in the Spanish Village by the Sea; taught by Marion Sokhi, a transplant from Strasbourg, France. 

Marion’s journey from Strasbourg to Southern California began after she finished her BA in Applied Language, focusing on English and Dutch languages at the University of Strasbourg. Upon graduating at age 22, she headed to Paris to pursue a master’s degree in journalism in English and French at the University of Paris. A very busy young woman in those two years, not only was she engaged in a rigorous graduate program of study but she was also holding down five different jobs. She barely slept and states, “those years were challenging.”  

Sokhi’s jobs included working as a secretary for a professor, tutoring English, a job at the Gap and participation in an internship for a tourism website. As if that weren’t enough, upon discovering an exchange program at the University of California Santa Barbara she immediately applied. Ten students applied for that one position. She was chosen by her professors due to her impressive work ethic and enthusiastic nature. 

In the summer of 2015 she flew across the pond from France to Santa Barbara, a coastal city known as the American Riviera with its captivating coastline, Mediterranean weather, gorgeous hotels, restaurants, fabulous wine and a residential neighborhood called, “the Riviera.” Not only was Marion thrilled to land in such a stunning location with her nine-month work visa, she soon fell in love - not just with the city and university - but with her future husband, Harman whom she met on a dating app while residing there. 

After her position with UCSB ended and her visa expired she returned to France. She taught English in Strasbourg, and Harman joined her. For the next nine months, together they worked towards a plan for Marion to relocate to California. Upon getting engaged they began the process of working on an immigration fiancée visa; living separately for six long months until the visa came through. Reunited in November 2107 and married in January 2018; they were given only 90 days to get married. Arriving in California, they moved in with her husband’s relatives in Trabuco Canyon temporarily, and finding themselves spending all their free time in San Clemente, soon looked for a place to rent in town. 

Once her work authorization paperwork came through Sokhi began working at l’Heritage Francais, an immersion School in La Habra. She taught kindergarten and first grade. Then for one and a half years she taught fourth Grade at a French Immersion School in Orange. When COVID hit closing schools she taught French to two of her colleague’s daughters on Skype. Taking a maternity leave when her daughter was born, she taught three young children who became her steady clients. Next, she advertised on FaceBook as a French teacher available for tutoring and gained even more clients via technology and word of mouth. 

After having her second child, Marion started a French Storytime at J’Adore on Del Mar. The story time program included songs, books, ABC’s, numbers, games and phrases for the youngsters. She offered a four-class package, or parents could opt for a drop-in rate. She began adding more private clients - moms, other adults and children - using her teaching experience to engage both young and old students. French story time is currently on pause but will be offered again in late 2025 or early 2026. 

This writer first met Marion in the fall of 2023 when she began hosting an ongoing French Speaking Club at Barnoa Wine Bar from 5-6pm on Tuesdays. Offering a four-class package or one class drop-in rate, students of all levels are welcome. Every week the group practices words, counting and short conversations with different partners. At the same time she continues expanding her private lessons with clients in their homes or at a one-on-one meeting at Zebra House Coffee.  

Sokhi works with private clients who want to learn to French for different reasons, perhaps they have French relatives, or they are planning to visit France or simply would like to learn a new language for brain health. This quote on her website is inspiring to those learning a new language, “to have another language, is to possess a second soul” … Charlemagne. 

To prepare for an October trip to Paris I decided to take some one-one classes with Marion as I wanted to feel more comfortable with understanding the language while visiting the City of Lights. Working with Marion was lots of fun. She was extremely patient, working on correct pronunciation while practicing different phrases that would be useful with hotel reception, reading menus, communicating in boutiques and visiting sites. 

She recommends repeating and memorizing the French words and phrases for about 30 minutes a day to build confidence. She has a fun Instagram presence with lots of French speaking tips, offers a free E-book which includes easy phrases and numbers, and for $4.99 students can purchase the audio with short succinct lessons. I found this most helpful as preparation for my trip. Sokhi is very generous with her time with each of her private clients, giving lots of encouragement as the lessons progress. 

Marion and her husband have two young children, a four-year old girl and a two-year old boy and one more baby due soon. When not teaching or taking care of her young family, she likes cooking from scratch, appreciates fashion, art and architectures, esthetically pretty things and is a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. She also enjoys daily walks in our beautiful town.