Meet the Founder
Rachel Macfarlane
French Teacher · TPRS Specialist · TBI Survivor · Founder of CI French
I scored 3 out of 100 on my first French exam in seventh grade. I was diagnosed with a learning disability early in life. And in 2010, a traumatic brain injury put me in a coma for a month — after which I had to relearn basic functions, including my languages.
I tell you this not for sympathy, but because it made me the teacher I am. I know what it feels like when traditional methods fail you. I know what it feels like to sit in a classroom, lost, while everyone else seems to get it. And I know — from the deepest personal experience possible — that there is a better way to acquire a language.
That better way is Comprehensible Input. It's how I rebuilt my French after my brain injury. It's how I taught English to French students in Montpellier and Lyon. And it's the foundation of everything on this platform.
Leading French cultural events and building CI French
“I am determined to be among what I hope is the newest generation of foreign language teachers — a generation that understands Language Acquisition. If students can acquire a language in a way that is fun and memorable, success is attainable. TPRS does this.”
— Rachel Macfarlane, Honors Thesis, Colorado State University
Teaching Philosophy
Every Person Is a
World Citizen
Rachel believes that foreign language proficiency is essential for every person in the modern world. Her teaching is rooted in TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) — a method that uses compelling, comprehensible stories to help the brain naturally acquire language, the same way children acquire their first language.
Central to her approach is Personalized Question and Answer (PQA) — a technique where the teacher guides story direction based on student interests, building genuine relationships while facilitating language acquisition. Rachel believes that teacher-student rapport isn't just nice to have — it's essential for acquisition.
Her own experience with a learning disability and traumatic brain injury gives her a unique ability to understand learners who struggle. She designs every lesson, every story, and every piece of content on this platform with that empathy at its core.
“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”
— Albert Einstein (Rachel's guiding quote)
The Journey
From 3/100 on Her First French Exam
to Building the Future of French Teaching
Diagnosed Twice Exceptional
Identified early with a learning disability, Rachel understood from childhood what it means to struggle with traditional academic methods. She earned 3 out of 100 on her first French exam in seventh grade — but never gave up.
Survived a Traumatic Brain Injury
A devastating accident led to a month-long coma. Rachel had to relearn basic functions — including her languages. This experience fundamentally shaped her understanding of how the brain acquires language, and her empathy for every learner who struggles.
Discovered CI/TPRS at Colorado State University
In Dr. Frédérique Grim’s Methods and Assessment course, Rachel watched master teacher Bryce Hedstrom demonstrate TPRS and experienced a revelation: language acquisition doesn’t have to be painful. Stories work.
NTPRS Conference, Dallas TX
Attended the National TPRS conference, studying directly under Blaine Ray (the creator of TPRS), Bryce Hedstrom, and Judi Dubois. Completed extensive classroom observations of master teachers in Denver Public Schools.
Honors Thesis: TPRS and French
Completed her Senior Honors Thesis at Colorado State University — “Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling and French” — demonstrating how TPRS methodology applies specifically to French language instruction.
Two Years Teaching in France
Moved to France as an English Teaching Assistant — first in Lunel (near Montpellier), then in Lyon. Taught English at French lycées using TPRS methodology, proving the approach works across languages and cultures. Studied abroad in Strasbourg on two occasions.
Student Teaching at Loveland High School
Completed student teaching under mentor Arnaud Garcia, teaching French using CI/TPRS methods. Adapted to remote instruction during COVID-19, developing proficiency with digital teaching tools while maintaining her commitment to comprehensible input.
Colorado State Certification
Certified by the Colorado State Board of Education to teach K-12 French. Completed her Standards Portfolio aligned with Colorado’s Teacher Quality Standards, demonstrating proficiency across all four standards.
Founded CI French
Combined her decade of CI/TPRS expertise, personal experience with language reacquisition after TBI, and a vision for technology-enhanced teaching into CI French — the platform she wished had existed when she started.
Credentials & Experience
Education
- B.A. in French, Colorado State University
- Senior Honors Thesis: “TPRS and French”
- Study Abroad: Strasbourg, France (2 terms)
Certifications
- Colorado State Board of Education: K-12 French
- NTPRS Conference (Dallas, 2013)
- Standards Portfolio: All 4 Teacher Quality Standards
International Experience
- English Teaching Assistant, Lunel/Montpellier (2014–2015)
- English Teaching Assistant, Lyon (2015–2016)
- TPRS methodology taught across languages in French lycées
Teaching Experience
- Student Teaching: Loveland High School (Spring 2020)
- Mentor: Arnaud Garcia
- Remote instruction adaptation during COVID-19
Methodology Training
- Trained under Blaine Ray (TPRS creator)
- Studied with Bryce Hedstrom and Judi Dubois
- Classroom observations in Denver Public Schools
Unique Perspective
- TBI survivor — relearned languages through CI
- Twice exceptional (learning disability)
- Deep empathy for struggling learners
From Rachel
Why I Built CI French
When I was relearning French after my brain injury, I searched everywhere for content that matched how my brain actually processes language. Not grammar exercises. Not vocabulary lists. Stories. Comprehensible, engaging, level-appropriate stories.
They barely existed. The few CI/TPRS resources out there were scattered across Facebook groups, personal blogs, and Teachers Pay Teachers. There was no single place where a learner could find trusted, leveled content — and no place where a CI teacher could share their work, get peer feedback, and earn from it.
CI French is the platform I wished had existed. For learners, it's a library of stories at every level, a placement test that matches you perfectly, and events that bring French culture to life. For teachers, it's an AI tool that understands CI methodology, a community of peers, and a way to earn from your expertise.
I built it in Fort Collins, Colorado — my home — where I also host French wine nights, conversation hours, and cr\u00eape-making workshops. Because language isn't just something you study. It's something you live.
Ready to start your French journey?
Take the Free Placement Test