Jean-Christophe Graffe

Jean-Christophe Graffe joins the Language Centre at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, bringing his rich expertise in teaching French across all levels. With a career in higher education that began in 2005, he has cultivated a diverse teaching portfolio through roles in France, China, and Malaysia, engaging with students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and advancing their proficiency from beginner to advanced levels. Jean-Christophe is committed to the dynamic field of language education, incorporating innovative methodologies such as blended learning, project-based learning, and flipped classrooms to enhance the learning experience.

Jean-Christophe holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Language Sciences and an M.A. in Linguistics and Didactics of French as a Foreign Language from the University of Rennes 2, France. His teaching journey includes experience at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Rennes, one of France’s leading engineering “grandes écoles” (elite engineering schools), and as a lecturer at both the Alliance Française and the University of Wuhan in China. Prior to his current role, he served as Director of the Language Centre at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. During his tenure in Malaysia, he played a pivotal role in developing curricula, offering cultural workshops, and preparing hundreds of students for the national French examination, while also establishing a DELF exam centre to broaden access to French language certification in the region.

In addition to teaching, Jean-Christophe’s research interest focuses on French Phonetics and Foreign Language acquisition: materials development and French language pedagogy. He designed and implemented hybrid French courses using flipped classroom and Project-Based Learning. He is a TV5Monde accredited teacher and principal examiner-scorer for the DELF (official diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify candidates' proficiency in French).

Beyond teaching, Jean-Christophe is passionate about sharing his culinary skills as a trained pastry cook, often integrating his love for French culture and food into his cultural workshops. He is an avid language learner, fluent in French and English, and currently continuing to learn Mandarin. In addition, he has studied Spanish, basic Malay, and sign language, which enriches his appreciation for diverse cultures and communication styles.

Jean-Christophe’s dedication to language education, cultural exchange, and continuous learning continues to inspire his students and peers alike, making a lasting impact on the University of Nottingham Ningbo China community.