Ivybridge Tutors & Ivybridge Tuition

Personal Description:
I have taught around 100 non-English speakers since 2010 and enjoy seeing their progress at every level. Some of them are working in major businesses in Surrey and others are working as au pairs, or are the partners of people who are working here. I am also a journalist so have a love of English grammar and enjoy teaching people to speak, and write English. I am particularly adept at teaching for Cambridge exams and have lots of students who have passed the First Certificate and the CAE. Have recently helped an Eastern European teenager pass her English GCSE.

Teaching Experience:
General English and Business English: I have been teaching since 2010 providing general English, English for Cambridge exams and business English. I have a background in business and am a journalist. I have now worked with over 100 students from all over Europe, particularly Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland, but also Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. I have also taught students from Japan, China, Brazil, and many more places. I am happy to teach everything - grammar in particular, writing, speaking, listening skills, pronunciation. The people I have trained for Cambridge exams have had successful results in FCE and CAE. I teach business English as well as general and provide exactly what the student needs in their daily life.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to get the student to do most of the work, speaking and writing English, and thinking for themselves rather than all the prompting coming from me. I tailor the work to their needs.

Business: if it is a business client we look a the situations they encounter in their work and using role play we practise English in the workplace. If presentations or speaking in meetings is relevant I get the student to stand up in front of me as if I were the client or colleagues.

General: or if you're new to the UK I can help you with cultural differences and British ways of doing things. For example, you may need to make phone calls to get a plumber, or to take your car for a service. We can role play these calls.

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Personal Description:
I am a Master of Arts graduate of Choreography and a Bachelor of Arts graduate of French language and literature. My mother tongue is greek but I am also a native speaker in english because I was born in Australia. I live in London and don't mind travelling within London. I am friendly, communicative and very outgoing so feel free to contact me for any tuitions :)

Teaching Experience:
Teaching is one of my favourite activities because it is a way to share my knowledge with young people and also with adults. I have been teaching various subjects since 2006 which include dance, french language, greek language and english language. I always have my classes organised to achieve the goals that my students have in a specific amount of time, not time-wasters please:) I am currently a Visiting Lecturer in Universities.

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring for me must have a methodology and a structure. It always depends on the needs of the student, the goals and the time available. As long as you know your aim, we can work around it together.

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Personal Description:
I am a UK Law Graduate and TEFL certified tutor with more than 6 years experience teaching English to individuals of all language level proficiencies. I am also a freelance English-Swahili interpreter & translator as well as a proofreader of academic materials like dissertations, coursework, essays etc. Furthermore, I have higher basic level knowledge of French and Korean.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching on and off since 2004 then seriously took up part time teaching in 2007 and full time teaching after 2009. I have taught individuals of all proficiency levels and with different needs ranging from improving conversation skills or grammar skills to full on learning for absolute beginners.

Tutoring Approach:
First of all I like to determine the level of my students' proficiency by having a simple conversation with them and also having them read a short article/written piece so as to create my lessons to suit their individual needs and their particular level of proficiency. Consequently my approach and material changes to suit each individual student.

I usually create lesson plans according to the students' needs and their level of proficiency. I use different text books as well as online materials and come up with effective lessons. I also use lots of flash cards as they are a very effective way to remember new things. News articles, simple song lyrics etc are also ways I use to make lessons fun but very easy to remember at the same time. I use these especially for conversational purposes to get my students to learn new vocabulary and expressions as well as be more confident speaking/reading English.

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Personal Description:
Teacher of Maths (Science and Physics, Russian tutor).

Teaching Experience:
Russian - 10 years
Biology - 20 years
Maths - 5 years
Physics - 1 year

Tutoring Approach:
Enthusiastic and primed for success

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Personal Description:
Experienced academic and practising illustrator with more than thirty years experience in both fields. Clients include The Guardian , The Independent , The Observer, Times Educational Supplement , Radio Times , Virgin Records , Bodyshop , Royal Festival Hall , Scholastic Publishing , Heinemann Publishing , Dickins and Jones, Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine,

Teaching Experience:
23 years teaching at Falmouth University on it's highly regarded illustration course
.In total over Thirty years experience teaching within Higher and Further education and adult education within Art and Design.
Experience of one to one tutoring , teaching large and small groups

Tutoring Approach:
Encouraging , supportive and empathetic to the needs of the individual and group.
Able to work within the context of one to one and can also offer media workshops

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Personal Description:
Hello! I'm Sabine, a native German speaker and former university lecturer. With a Master's Degree in Translation from the University of Heidelberg and numerous teaching qualifications from the Goethe Institute, I'm here to guide you in learning German or Spanish.

Teaching Experience:
I bring over 10 years of teaching experience from the School of Management and Languages at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the German Saturday School, and through private instruction in small groups and one-on-one settings. Recently, I have embraced online language teaching, completing additional training in online teaching software and collaborative tools and apps through the Goethe Institute, ensuring dynamic and interactive virtual learning experiences.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor each class to the unique needs of my students, adapting content, level, and teaching approach to suit individual learning style or group dynamics. My goal is to make learning enjoyable and enriching, ensuring you gain a deep understanding of the language along with cultural insights and practical skills.

My lessons provide an environment where students feel comfortable to actually speak the language and make mistakes - without pressure or judgement.

£35/hour or £50/1.5 hrs online - discount for 2 or more students of similar level.

(An additional £5 per hour is applicable for in-person lessons)

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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
- 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 hold a Masters Degree in Software Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire and a BSc in Computing from the University of Portsmouth with a Second Class Upper. My degrees focused on Software development, Data Science, Advanced Networks, Software Engineering, Database and Web development. I have been developing web applications professionally for over 10 years.

I have successfully built and deployed several web applications in the following industries both individually and in a team; Insurance Financial services, E-commerce , Construction, News & Media . I have experience in C#, HTML, CSS, SQL, Javascript, ASP.NET MVC & Web forms, PHP, Laravel, MySQL, MongoDB, GIT, Docker and Linux Shell scripting.

Helping others grow through education is a passion that has led me to UKTutors.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught Computer Science to Secondary Students and have also worked as an IT Teaching Assistant at a College so I have got the right mix of skills and experience to enable me efficiently transfer knowledge from myself to my prospective students.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe the best way to teach is to get the student involved from day 1 and using lots of real world examples to make some of the abstract concepts in programming and computer science more understandable to students. Importantly, I love teaching others because I believe a well-taught person is an empowered person.

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Personal Description:
Hello, I'm Leanne! I am a highly qualified English Lecturer and professional tutor with over 23 years of experience helping students unlock their full potential. Whether you are a parent looking to secure top grades for your child's GCSE English Language exams, or an international university student navigating the rigorous academic demands of UK higher education, I provide the targeted, expert support you need to succeed.

My teaching background spans across both native speakers and international learners from all over the globe. I specialise in bridging the gap between a student's current ability and their academic goals, combining a supportive mindset with proven exam and academic strategies.

As a native British speaker, I pride myself on providing a clear, engaging, and professional online learning environment where students feel confident to ask questions, make mistakes, and make rapid progress.

Teaching Experience:
For over two decades, I have worked as a permanent English Lecturer at a prominent Further Education college, consistently achieving Grade 1 (Outstanding) in teaching observations. This extensive classroom experience gives me a deep understanding of curriculum design, exam board criteria, and the specific hurdles students face.

My core expertise includes:

GCSE English Language Success: Deconstructing exam papers, mastering creative/persuasive writing, and teaching the precise analytical skills required by top exam boards to boost grade performance.

Academic English for Higher Education: Preparing international students for university-level study, including intensive IELTS preparation and mastering academic register.

Adult ESOL & EFL Tuition: Decades of experience guiding learners from Pre-Entry up to Level 2, ensuring clear pronunciation, strong grammatical foundations, and fluent communication.

Tutoring Approach:
Online learning should never be one-size-fits-all. Every student receives a bespoke, targeted learning plan during our first session together, allowing us to track clear, weekly progress against specific academic goals.

For GCSE Students: I focus heavily on exam technique, time management, and building the confidence needed to tackle unseen texts. I make the curriculum approachable and reduce the stress often associated with final exams.

For University Students: I offer a highly practical approach to academic fluency. In addition to language coaching, I provide specialized proofreading and structural guidance for university essays, reports, and assignments to ensure your written work meets strict UK university standards.

I hold a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), a Level 4 Subject Specialism in teaching ESOL, and a current clean DBS check, giving parents absolute peace of mind. Sessions are delivered seamlessly online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm half Finnish and half Irish and currently studying management at The University of Stirling. I love teaching English as a foreign language and can also teach Italian for beginners. I am doing this to earn some money alongside my studies as well as gain more experience.

Teaching Experience:
Last summer, I worked in a summer school where I was teaching English as a foreign language for six hours a day for six weeks to Italian, French, Spanish and Chinese students.

I have also done one-to-one tuition in Italy for three months.

I have never taught Italian before but willing to teach those who want to learn beginner Italian as I lived in Italy for 5 years so do know the language quite well!

Tutoring Approach:
I take either a vocabulary or grammar topic and combine it with two of the four language skills; speaking, listening, reading and writing. I mix things up but keep it fun and enjoyable.

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Personal Description:
I am a researcher interested in Classical Chinese literature and an enthusiastic Chinese language instructor (Mandarin and Cantonese). I exhibit extensive knowledge and understanding of traditional Chinese literature, Chinese civilization and history, Chinese language and culture.

Through my previous experience, I have developed confidence in teaching and generated my teaching methods to make teaching a fun experience for my students and me. I have rich experience teaching students from different countries and communicating confidently with them in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. I also promote Chinese civilisation, culture and history, art and music by incorporating those elements into my teaching lessons. My teaching experience in different countries has equipped me to interact and communicate effectively with people and students from diverse backgrounds with excellent feedback.

I have been becoming a Chinese-speaking test examiner (both GCSE and A Level, spoken Cantonese and Mandarin) for several years. The service will cost £75/hr (including travelling expenses). Should you or your school need this service, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience has been mainly at the International Secondary School and College level, while my academic background has been primarily in Chinese Literature, with an emphasis on Chinese Classical Literature and Linguistics.

Through my previous experience, I have developed confidence in teaching and generated my teaching methods to make teaching a fun experience for my students and me. I have rich experience teaching students from different countries and communicating confidently with them in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. I also promote Chinese civilisation, culture and history, art and music by incorporating those elements into my teaching lessons. My teaching experience in different countries has equipped me to interact and communicate effectively with people and students from diverse backgrounds with excellent feedback.

Currently, I am working as a Chinese teacher at an independent college.

Tutoring Approach:
As a Chinese educator, I have developed efficient teaching and organization skills in preparing and delivering lessons; and my teaching methods can be tailored to suit different students' progress and abilities. To engage students in the lectures, I like to teach a new concept or theory by using simple drawings and telling the story of how it happens with drawing assistance.

Furthermore, I also adopted mind mapping in each lesson to summarise the main points and present the connections between them or the relationships between different ideas. Encouraging students to make their mind mapping is very useful to foster their understanding of significant points in each chapter.

Last but not least, my strong enthusiasm for teaching and education will always motivate me to upgrade myself and be a role model for students.

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Personal Description:
I am a warm, engaging individual who loves working with a variety of people. I am currently a secondary school biology teacher, so am well used to working under pressure in a busy working environment. I have excellent creative and organisational skills; I currently plan and prepare lessons that meet every point on the specification from the exam board, whilst also tailoring it to my pupils' individual needs and attitudes.
I am self-motivated, enthusiastic, and self-aware - I deliver engaging lessons to my pupils, and help them find the world around them as interesting as I do.
I motivate and empower my pupils to achieve the very best they are capable of, adapting the lesson and resources to meet their individual needs. A key part of my role is providing quality and timely feedback to enable my pupils to progress in their learning, through a variety of methods. I am committed to continuing professional development, and regularly take part in CPD in my current role.

Teaching Experience:
Three years teaching science in both city and county schools.

• Teacher of science for ages 11-18, preparing and delivering content according to the national curriculum and/or the exam board specification, with a focus on pupils learning through questioning.
• My passion and skills lie in forming positive working relationships with my pupils.
• Managing behaviour through high expectations and following the school's behaviour policy consistently.
• Assessing learning throughout, with regular feedback during lessons, as well as tests and dedicated reflection lessons where pupils are encouraged to improve upon their work.
• IT use - creating and showing resources, IT lessons for research or revision, data entry. I am proficient at using Microsoft Office, SIMS, and Go4Schools, and am very capable of learning how to use any additional software/hardware required.
• Attending school meetings and acting on any new information given.
• Communicating with other members of staff, for example to share resources and to liaise regarding any additional needs that may arise for pupils.
• Communicating with parents through parents' evening, email, and over the phone to update them on positive behaviour or attainment, as well as when a pupil is struggling.
• Year 10 form tutor, working with head of year to deliver PSHCE content as well as cover any pastoral needs.

Tutoring Approach:
I love working with children, and this respect and appreciation is mutual within my lessons. Every pupil is an individual, and I respond to them as such. I often reflect on how I could approach a scenario differently in the future, or how to continue a positive relationship, and will approach other teachers for advice if I have not found the right approach for a certain child yet.
I expect every pupil under my care to achieve to their own full potential, and to take responsibility for getting themselves there.
I love trying new things and I am very willing to change my approach if a pupil is not understanding, or already has mastery of what I had planned. This flexibility was vital in my previous role as a supply teacher, and continues to be a key part of differentiating lessons for different abilities and enthusiasm levels.

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