Yannick

France
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
discovering new countries
horse riding
playing ukelele
rambling
boating
My next destination:
Portugal - from Apr 2024 until May 2024
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Description
HI there,

My name is Yannick, I am French, although totally bi-lingual French-English. I lived in France until I was 25, then lived in UK for 25 years. I studied English and Spanish at Universities in France, then I moved to UK to teach French, Spanish and German where I met my wife (through horses and horse riding). I taught languages for 25 years at several secondary schools and was Head of Modern Languages for many years. We have 2 daughters aged 33 and 31, one living in France and one living in UK. In the UK we kept horses and competed successfully in Show Jumping and Eventing. I also qualified as riding Instructor.

In 2006 we decided to uproot from UK to France where we have run a very successful riding school, and the breeding of lusitanino horses for the last 17 years. We have had over the last 9 years many workawayers (over 100 in total) helping us and sharing our way of life (horses, languages and different cultures). All info on this can be found on "Helping outdoors in a splendid setting among animals and horses in Poitou-Charentes, France" or directly on the link:
https://www.workaway.info/en/host/541487775497.
Please read the feedback about us as hosts.

I have always loved travelling and discovering new cultures, or new to me. I am very open-minded, and love children, animals and the countryside. After having so many workawayers visiting us I now feel it is my turn to go and visit and share my interests (or expertise in some areas), or just give a helping hand, with any host that will have me as a guest.
I have recently started to volunteer as Pet and House sitter as well. Here is what my hosts wrote about me: "By Patrick G., on 06/21/2022
Yannick a été pour nos deux compagnons un ami attentionné et bienveillant .
Discret et courtois.
Il sera le bienvenu le cas échéant pour un nouveau séjour ou simplement pour une soirée étape ......."

I still enjoy teaching as much as ever, horse-riding or languages, but now that I am down- sizing the business side of things, I would love to take the opportunity to travel part of the year to discover some of the countries I have always dreamt of, and I am always keen to discover other cultures and languages. Luckily Marion, my wife, is happy to stay and look after all our animals.

As a person it is probably best to read what other workawayers have written about me, but I would say I am flexible, apparently discreet and courteous, with a sense of humour - I hope !

Our latest workawayers say: "Yannick is an open-minded person, who is always open for some jokes or ukulele session. He makes very good quiche (salty cakes) and he is happy to help and teach where ever he can. 😉 ah and he speaks many languages" and "Yannick is definitely really patient and friendly without a doubt".

I am a beginner at Ukelele, I like to sing and play the Ukelele (started 4 years ago); I like to read and walk through the countryside. I like to ride, cycle, paddle-board, canoe, swim, ski..., so any outdoor activities. I like to read and watch films or series too.

Another workawayer wrote: " For the first two months, Yannick was doing workaway himself in Morocco... for the last three weeks of my stay, Yannick was there as well. He is such a funny person and always in a good mood"
Interests
Beach
Music
Mountain
Pets
Water sports
Winter sports
Sailing / Boating
Movies & TV
Outdoor activities
Languages
Nature
LGBTQ
Hiking
DIY & crafts
Events & social
Farming
Cycling
Dancing
Charity work
Culture

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
More details about my language interests
I can teach any of the languages I speak and I am always interested in learning a new one, particularly of the country I am visiting
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
More details about your skills
I am a qualified languages teacher with 25 years experience and a qualified riding instructor with 25 years experience. i can also play the Ukelele, and have farming and DiY experience
Age
66
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Cheese
- Special dietary requirements
  Cannot eat cheese

Feedback

2 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer (Yannick) for host (Experience the Berber ...)

I spent more than 2 weeks with Hamza, friend of Mohamed. He is an amazing host, always cheerful, and always offering to help you. He likes to share his culture and his language with you and loves to improve his English too. He is very well organised and constantly looks after the place and prepares fantastic meals. He is a good chef, but can also… read more

(Excellent )

5 Mar 2023

Left by host (Experience berber life in a ...) for Workawayer (Yannick)

Thanks Yannick for your great review. You are exactly the type of tourists we like to have: positive and flexible. Yannick is a very cheerful, kind man who loves life and likes to make the best of it. He is a helpful, kind, nice man. Good for conversations and to have a good time with. Thanks for your help, positivity and good times. We had a… read more

(Excellent )

1 Mar 2023

Left by Workawayer (Yannick) for host (Experience berber life in a ...)

The experience with and at Hassan’s is something you should not miss. You will be met by a friendly and very warm and welcoming family: Hassan, Hamza, Ayoub and Nordin. They are amazing people who always make sure your needs are met. Hassan, Hamza, or Ayoub are always happy to take you to Tagounite if you need anything. I spent nearly 3 weeks… read more

(Excellent )

2 Mar 2023

Left by Workawayer (Yannick) for host (Real experience while helping ...)

J’ai passé plus d’un mois à Attaouia. C’est une ville tranquille, tout près des montagnes qui se dessinent à l’horizon. Les personnes y sont très accueillantes, et on a l’impression que tout le monde se connaît; pour sûr près du centre de Langues (English School). Abdel est très accueillant et s’inquiète toujours de ton bien être. Luke et Riley,… read more ses bras droits pendant mon séjour, ont été d’une grande aide pour les petits détails quotidiens. J’ai beaucoup aimé les cours avec mes étudiants, les cours de conversation avec les petits (petit niveau ou débutants) et aussi les adultes ou ados d’un niveau très avancé. J’ai vraiment été très surpris par la motivation et l’enthousiasme de ces étudiants. Il règne dans toute la ville une envie de vous parler en français ou en anglais que je n’ai jamais vue auparavant. Je remercie les professeurs (Oumayma et Meryam) de m’avoir intégré dans leurs cours et de m’avoir permis d’expérimenter des choses nouvelles (chansons, vidéo sur Paris etc.). J’ai aussi appris d’elles (jeu de la bombe, enseignement dans la langue cible de la grammaire, etc.). Je garde un très bon souvenir de mon séjour, et de mon expérience d’enseignement, même en tant que professeur invétéré. Merci à tous! Je ne devrai pas oublier notre professeur de Darija, et secrétaire très bien organisé, sur lequel vous pouvez toujours compter, Ahmed. Merci pour tous tes conseils, ton aide, tes traductions Ahmed. Shukran bezef!
Inshallah we meet again!

I spent over a month in Attaouia. It is a quiet town, close to the mountains on the horizon. The people are very friendly, and you feel like everyone knows each other; for sure near the English School. Abdel is very welcoming and always concerned about your well being. Luke and Riley, his right-hand men during my stay, were very helpful with the small everyday details. I really enjoyed the classes with my students, the conversation classes with the little ones (low level or beginners) and also the adults or teenagers of a very advanced level. I was really surprised by the motivation and enthusiasm of these students. There is a desire to speak to you in French or English that I have never seen before. I would like to thank the teachers (Oumayma and Meryam) for including me in their classes and allowing me to experiment with new things (songs, video on Paris etc.). I also learnt from them (the bomb game, teaching grammar in the target language, etc.). I have very good memories of my stay, and of my teaching experience, even as an inveterate teacher. Thank you all! I should not forget our Darija teacher, and very well organised secretary, who you can always count on, Ahmed. Thank you for all your advice, your help, your translations Ahmed. Shukran bezef!
Inshallah we meet again!

(Very good )

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