Barnston Tutors and Barnston Tuition

Personal Description:
A native speaker from France, I gained a master's degree in Business at a prestigious university in Paris after completing a one-year Erasmus exchange programme at the University of Birmingham. After graduating, I spent a year travelling around South America and then started my career as a project manager in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Living abroad and subsequently being exposed to other cultures and languages had a significant impact on my choice of career and that's the reason why I decided to move to London in 2005 to qualify as a secondary language teacher and share my passion for languages and travel with young people.

In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, cycling and going camping with my family. I am also an FA qualified football coach and run football training sessions for both children and adults on a weekly basis. I am passionate about French literature and international cinema, and I take part in chess tournaments whenever possible.

Teaching Experience:
I am currently the Head of Modern Foreign Languages at a prep school based in Hampstead. I also work as an examiner and deliver workshops at various teacher training events. Since I became a teacher, I have delivered over 500 hours of 1-1 French lessons for learners ranging from 5-year-olds to corporate executives. I particularly enjoy supporting students reach their full potential and excel in examinations such as the 11+ and 13+ school entrance papers, GCSEs, Pre-U, A Levels and IB.

Below a non-exhaustive list of the senior schools for which my students achieved Academic Scholarships over the past few years:
Aldenham School
City of London School
Eton College (2 King's Scholarships)
Haberdashers' School
Harrow School
Highgate School
Merchant Taylors' School
Mill Hill School
North London Collegiate School
St Albans School
St Columba's College
St Paul's School
St John's School
Westminster School (2 Queen's Scholarships)

Tutoring Approach:
I see myself as more of a mentor than a teacher, helping my students set reasonable goals while encouraging them to become lifelong language learners. I therefore endeavour to introduce culture into most of my lessons, whether through educational videos or magazines, French songs, or news stories from various French-speaking countries.

I find that experiencing culture is a key aspect of learning a foreign language as this can boost language receptive skills (listening and reading), which will, in turn, reinforce language productive skills (speaking and writing), all of which being needed to communicate well in the language.

I am extremely passionate about my subject and committed to understanding and engaging with each student's learning needs. I therefore tailor my teaching to ensure that all my students are able to stretch their comfort zone and move confidently towards their academic goal.

As an experienced teacher, I understand young people can feel nervous and find learning grammar and speaking another language a little daunting. However, I believe any child can learn to enjoy these given the right approach. For this reason, I have developed my own teaching method that I like to call 'Less is more' and which is based on a list of 100 high-frequency French words. It has proven to be a great tool for my students to understand how to write accurate and advanced paragraphs in the foreign language, and achieve better grades as a consequence.

During these unprecedented times of school closures and virtual learning from home, I believe young people need to build their independence and self-direction more than ever. This is why I strive to empower my students to be in charge of their own learning and become independent learners. For instance, I encourage them to create their own lists of key vocabulary on websites such as Quizlet or Memrise.

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Personal Description:
To fill in later

Teaching Experience:
I am currently working as a teaching assistant for a special needs secondary school in Bromley Borough, having worked in the field of Information Technology for over 11 years. Working for a special needs school in the UK has given me an insight into education in the public sector. The reason I would like to teach Maths and ICT is that they are my favourite subjects. I have undertaken some private tuition in GCSE maths a few years ago and my current work is in the ICT department of my school.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in one-to-one tuition because it gives the student an opportunity to ask questions about the subject matter, without being seen as stupid. Also, my experience in private tuition has given me an insight into the type of difficulty that students face. Since 2012 I have been working in schools, initially as a supply teacher and recently as a Maths Teacher mainly at GCSE level. I specialise in one-to-one and small group tuition (up to 4).

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Personal Description:
My name is Kay and I have 21 years' experience as a tutor in all of the following subjects and levels:

1) English at Primary level (Years 1 to 6), KS3 , GCSE (Language & Literature) and A level Literature.
2) Maths at Primary level (Years 1 to 6).
3) 7+, 11+ , 13+ entrance exams.
4) History at KS3 and GCSE level.
5) Piano - from Grades 1 to 5 , as well as learning for pleasure
6) Singing -from Grades 1 to 5., as well as learning for pleasure
7) Guitar- from Grades 1 to 3, as well as learning for pleasure.
8) Music Theory- from Grades 1 to 5.

I am now offering tuition on Zoom/Skype during the Lockdown.

I also have 26 written references from parents, for students of various abilities, across all these subjects and levels.
I have an English-related degree (in History- which included some English modules within the degree), and I have a Level 1 City & Guilds Teaching Certificate in English.

I also have a proven track record of improving student's grades, regularly improving them by 1 to 2 grades, often in less than 1 year's tuition. For example, in English, I recently tutored a student at GCSE level- he had been predicted C grades in both Language & Literature, but after just 8 months' tuition with me, he achieved an A in his GCSE English Language exam and an A* in his English Literature exam. This is typical of my success over the years as a tutor.

I use National Curriculum Resources for all tuitions. Furthermore, I have great experience tutoring all abilities from the gifted and talented to those with Learning Disabilities (I have regularly taught students with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Asberges).

I can either travel to the student's home or they can come to me. I am available to tutor on all evenings of the week, Monday to Friday, as well as in the daytime.I tutor through most of the School holidays, providing the opportunity for students to put in extra revision during these periods.

Teaching Experience:
As a full-time tutor, I have built up an extensive knowledge of the National Curriculum and the various exam boards.
I have also built up a wealth of National Curriculum Resources for English, Maths and History : my 3 main subjects.

For English, I have resources covering the following: Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar , Phonics, Vocabulary, Sentence structure, Comprehension and Creative Writing.

For Maths, I have resources from the very basics: Number Bonds and Counting up and down at KS1, to the 4 operations & main topics : for example Fractions , Decimals and Percentages at KS2 . Also, I have books for Gifted and Talented Maths students at the top of KS2 level.In addition, I have an extensive resource base of past exam papers in all subjects and levels.

For History, I have National Curriculum Resources for the various exam boards and plenty of past papers.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a firm believer in making students feel at ease in the lessons, and in offering plenty of encouragement during the tuitions to build the student's confidence in the subject I am teaching.

I generally teach a topic to a student , and then set practice questions for the student to attempt based on my teaching.I am open to setting homework for the students, but always liaise with the parents as to whether they want their child to have any and if so how much.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Penny and I'm glad you've stopped by!

I'm an encouraging, patient tutor helping unsure or low-confidence learners build skills at a steady pace. My lessons are collaborative, warm, supportive, and low-pressure - ideal if you want reassurance and extra encouragement to cheer you on, and if you value human rapport over fast-paced drills and strict targets.

GCSE:

With my experience as Head of Languages at a secondary school, I'm well-placed to help students with French and German GCSEs, focusing on the essential skills and success criteria - whether you want to grow in confidence or receive clear guidance on working towards higher grades, all without the pressure.

PRIMARY:

I bring learning to life with interactive, hands-on activities, using a fun and dynamic online platform that goes beyond the typical learning tools. With digital infographics, quizzes, games, puzzles, videos, storybooks, and role-play, students have an engaging and immersive learning experience.

ADULTS:

I help learners progress from absolute beginner to intermediate level (CEFR A1-B1). I focus on learners **up to B1**, to gently build confidence with the foundational essentials - whether handling chats in shops, restaurants or at work. B1 is a great milestone and you'll be able to handle most everyday interactions with ease.

I'm best suited to learners who are open to practical, thoughtful ways of learning, using simple strategies and small daily habits to build confidence and overcome anxiety - making language learning efficient and enjoyable for those who appreciate guidance and insight.

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I offer French, German and Italian lessons, with flexible pricing from £36 to £60 per hour, tailored to suit your needs. 30 and 45-minute lessons also available.

Having also lived in France, Germany and Italy, I bring a global perspective to tailor lessons to different learning styles and cultural contexts. Speaking four languages (French, German, Italian and English) while learning three more (Swedish, Polish and Arabic), I know how rewarding, but scary, language learning can feel. I therefore focus on helping learners feel comfortable and encouraged every step of the way, without the pressure.

With the right support and steady practice, you'll be surprised how quickly you can reach your goals.

Teaching Experience:
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

- Qualified Modern Languages Teacher & Head of Modern Languages (PGCE secondary French & German)
- 12 years' languages teacher and tutor experience
- GCSE exam preparation for AQA & Edexcel
- English native, bilingual German speaker (German mother)
- BA in European Languages (French, German & Italian)
- TEFL with Distinction
- Fully DBS checked
- Excellent track record - More information can be found on my website

Tutoring Approach:
OUR NEXT STEPS:

Recognising that each learner is unique, we begin with a setup session (20-60 minutes, £20) to discuss your needs. This is an opportunity to see if we're a good fit before moving forward with lessons.


Step 1 - Your Goal Setup Session (20-60 minutes, £20) - Required.


Step 2 - Lessons.

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For companies seeking staff language training, progress reports are available upon request.

Take the first step and get in touch. I'm excited to help you achieve your language goals :)

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Some wonderful words from my students and their parents:

"I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone thinking of booking sessions with Penny to do it and do it now! As a trained actor, I came to Penny with a very unique request. Having very little knowledge of speaking German…. within a week we had a monologue translated, memorised and ready to present to an audition panel. Not only did Penny help me reach my goals but she gave me the upmost confidence to get there. I'm certain I would not have got there if it was not for Penny's support and extra efforts to help me achieve them. Not only that, but her teaching has most definitely inspired me to continue with my language learning. I would 100% recommend working with Penny. Don't hesitate - she is one of the best!!" Adult learner.

"Penelope has been very professional, organised and engaging . My son enjoys his lessons and has started to develop interest in German within first few lessons". - Parent of a Year 11 student.

"Miss Penelope is a wonderful teacher. From the very first day she motivated my son to study French more. She is very punctual and professional. Just after one month my son's French has improved significantly. Exactly what I wanted." - Parent of a Year 11 student.

"Penny is an excellent communicator and teacher. She is very supportive and is always enthusiastic. We are very pleased how well she is able to explain aspects of the German language and is always engaging. We are very happy to recommend her." - Parent of a Year 11 student.

"Penelope is a professional German tutor; she tailors the teaching material so that it fits the student's needs. I had German lessons with her for over three months now and I feel my language skills have improved significantly. I also add that She has a nice personality and her classes are really enjoyable. I definitely recommend Penelope to people seeking to improve their language skills in a structured manner!" - Adult learner.

"Lovely tutor. She makes my daughter relax and actually enjoy learning German / French. I highly recommend her." - Parent of a Year 9 student.

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Personal Description:
I am a vibrant passionate Italian, French and English Teacher. I am strongly committed in delivering outstanding teaching, supporting learners and motivating them.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for 20 years, delivering:
- classes to pupils aged from 14 to 18 as a State teacher in Italy,
- individual tuition / group classes to pupils, students, professionals, adults
- individual tuition / group classes for certification purposes to pupils, students, professionals, adults in English (Cambridge ESOL certificates from A2 to C1 level), DELf-DALF (Alliance française certificates from A2 to C1 level), FIT and Start (Goethe Institut, FIT 1 and FIT 2, Start 1 and 2)
- individual / group classes for entrepreneurs (French and English)
- individual/group tuition for national competitions, job interviews,....
- degree thesis in English and French.

Tutoring Approach:
Being passionate of research, innovative methodology, communication I have developed my own methodology enabling students to speak and write from the very first lesson.
I have a true passion for pronounciation which enables learners to easily understand and produce well built answers.
I have develped my own methodology for listening activities and pronunciation skills from my experience as an interpreter (simultaneous, consecutive, chuchotage).

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Personal Description:
Teaching at a prestigious independent secondary school in Kent, I am a native speaker with excellent subject knowledge and language skills. Having over 8 years of Mandarin teaching experience, my students range from pre-school young learners to adult learners. I am a qualified teacher with postgraduate certificate in Education and I am specialised in tutoring GCSE and A-Level Chinese.

Teaching Experience:
3 years as primary school English teacher in Shanghai.
3 years as Mandarin teacher at Kent Adult Education.
5 years as Mandarin teacher in secondary school (11-18 ) in the UK.

Tutoring Approach:
I am able to make your learning fun and enjoyable by means of creative techniques. I instil a sense of confidence in my pupils enabling them to maximise their understanding of the language. Each student is treated with respect and understanding regardless of their age, gender or personal circumstances. All my students have achieved Grade 8 or 9 for Chinese GCSE.

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Personal Description:
I am a figurative oil painter and Children's Book Illustrator (author and illustrator of 'The Painting-In Book'). I teach largely through observational drawing and provide a wide range of media to experiment with.

Teaching Experience:
Tutor for The Royal Drawing School young Artist Clubs
Facilitating workshops for Art Galleries
Private tuition for children and adults
GCSE Art / A Level Art

Tutoring Approach:
Looking both to artists of the past and present as a springboard into lessons I believe every artist should find their own unique path. As a tutor I aim to help and support this individual process, building on natural strengths whilst providing fun and informative lessons.

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Personal Description:
I am very hard working and diligent. Apart from being good at studies, I have excellent communication and presentation skills. I have the ability to present my knowledge base in words such that the students can grasp faster and retain longer.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced maths teacher having taught at the UK's best value-added selective girl's
grammar school in Reading.I have been guided and trained by the school's best and most experienced maths teachers. I have received very good feedback from my students, and they have shown tremendous improvement in their aptitude and performance. Maths have always been my favorite subject. I have been tutoring maths for over 5 years now.

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy tutoring students of different levels and abilities. I have a very adaptive way of teaching. I cater to the needs of the student. I have the ability to explain complex topics in a way that my students can understand. I can assure my lessons are enjoyable and productive such that the students actually enjoy learning the subject rather than feel obligated.

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Personal Description:
I have always been fascinated with numbers and mathematics was one of my favourite subjects at school. I had the privilege of having a private mathematics tutor and I am eager to give others the support that I received.

Teaching Experience:
During the last five years I have become highly experienced in tutoring at the primary, KS3 and GCSE levels. I also have a strong overall knowledge of the current A level syllabus and I am now looking to gain experience in tutoring at this level also if given the opportunity.

Tutoring Approach:
I would first ask the students if they want to look at any particular topics. If the answer is yes, then I would prepare the necessary material (unless they already have their own material). If the answer is no, then we would follow a more general pattern of study. When I show them a question, I would first allow them to choose if they wish to attempt to answer it, or if they wish for me to help them. If it is the latter, then I would show them a method and then give them a similar question to attempt in order to ensure they understand it.

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Personal Description:
I am a former City analyst with 20+ years experience and moved into teaching in higher education nearly 7 years ago.

Teaching Experience:
Over 7 years teaching experience in higher education and have been tutoring online since Jan 2022.

Tutoring Approach:
I am currently a lecturer in Finance at the University of Stirling and have two Masters degrees in Finance and Economics and have commenced a PhD in Economics and Business Administration at LUT (Finland). I have experience of tutoring Maths and Economics (A level and Scottish Highers) online and enjoy teach both of these subjects outside my teaching hours in the evening and weekends (Saturday only). I am a patient teacher and like to identify topics where candidates need help.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I am Daren, a University of Cambridge graduate with a Masters in Engineering. I am currently a full-time software engineer during weekdays and a math & science tutor in the evenings and weekend. I enjoy tutoring and sharing the knowledge, tips & tricks that I have gained over the years to make understanding difficult topics easier.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience in tutoring high school math & science in the past. I have also tutored briefly at University level.

Fun fact: I also volunteered to tutor music (guitar) at my local church during high school.

Tutoring Approach:
Based on my past experience, I put a lot of emphasis on understanding my student first. Each students have their strengths, weaknesses and style of learning. With this, I will tailor my teaching methods accordingly to ensure my student learn effectively.

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Personal Description:
I am a TCSOL qualified Chinese teacher with 15 years of experience teaching Mandarin to students of all ages. I am also HSK Examiner and GCSE speaking Examiner. Through my extensive practical experience, I have developed many effective teaching strategies that work well for learners with diverse learning styles. My ultimate objective is to assist my students in reaching their full potential and achieving fluency in Mandarin.

Teaching Experience:
As a proven language teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience, I have successfully helped numerous students achieve the highest possible grades in Mandarin. Students enjoy my lessons because I have a patient and enthusiastic personality, and my personalised and engaging teaching style is tailored to your individual needs and interests, ensuring an optimal learning experience.

Tutoring Approach:
With my personalised GCSE Chinese course, you will receive one-to-one instruction and a customised curriculum designed to meet your unique needs and learning style, whether you are a beginner, struggling with Chinese lessons in school, or preparing for exams. I will work with you every step of the way.

The procedures for lessons with me include:
- During the lesson: I will tailor the lesson to your individual needs, ensuring optimal progress and achievement.
- After each lesson: You will receive valuable feedback, including a vocabulary list, grammar notes, and other relevant materials, to help you review and reinforce what you have learned.
- Homework: To ensure steady progress, you will be assigned homework to complete after each lesson.

By the end of the course, you will feel confident and well-prepared for your GCSE Chinese exam.

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