Harpenden English (Foreign Language) Tutors and Harpenden English (Foreign Language) Tuition

Personal Description:
I am married with two sons aged 22 and 21. I completed a Languages in Business Degree in 1991 (German and French). I enjoy travelling, cinema, gym and hiking and spending time with family and friends

Teaching Experience:
I am a professional tutor having been tutoring since 2013. I tutor both children and adults in German and French from beginners, GCSE and A level and beyond. I am also a TEFL qualified ESL teacher willing to teach Young Learners, General English and Business English.

Tutoring Approach:
I work on a 1;1 basis at my home with pupils and believe it essential to have a patient and calm attitude with the pupils. It is essential to make the lessons enjoyable and to engage the pupils fully. We cover grammar and all topics related to the syllabus and also practice listening/reading comprehensions, translations, describing photos and general conversation. However, currently I tutor via the Zoom platform and will be doing so for the foreseeable future until the Covid pandemic is over.

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Personal Description:
I am currently experienced in Science, English and History predominantly, and am fluent in 3 languages, with a basic knowledge of some European languages.

I have also been involved in setting up a Limited Company which aims to provide academic resources to students in Higher Education (at University level).

My work experience in the healthcare, higher education and training business sectors over the last 13 years has also given me the opportunity to develop a range of teaching / training styles that will suit most learners very well.

Teaching Experience:
Over 9 years experience, delivering 1-2-1 tuition to students aged predominantly 6-18.

Most common subjects taught - English / Maths / Science (up to GCSE). Also worked extensively with adults in the local community, training people in basic computing skills relevant to their specific needs.

For those interested in Business Studies, or how to set up your own business, I can offer lessons on these topics as well, including topics on where to go to get your funding, and how to market yourself effectively (including networking) etc.

Below is a more complete and comprehensive list of subjects which I am able to teach. All subjects can be taught from primary level, up to the level specified, and can also be taught as Adult Learning classes - unless otherwise stated.

Biology - GCSE
Business Related - All
Chemistry - GCSE
Citizenship - All
Combined Science - GCSE
Computer Studies/ICT - A Level
Craft and Design - 11-14
Drama - GCSE
Earth Science - GCSE
English - A Level
English (Foreign Language) - All
Entrance Exams - KS3
Film Studies - KS3
French - 11-14
Geography - GCSE
German - 11-14
History - A Level
Life Science - All
Maths - 11-14
Physics - GCSE
Politics - All
Psychology - GCSE
Reading and Writing Skills - All
Religious Studies - A Level
Sociology - GCSE
Urdu - 11-14

Tutoring Approach:
I follow the National Curriculum, with set lesson plans for each tutor session.

We will follow a learning plan that will run alongside school teaching. I do not help with school homework on a regular basis. Instead, I use the time I spend with each student, to improve their areas of weakness, so that they can do their homework and coursework / assignments with confidence themselves.

Lesson 1 is always a discussion of what the student / parents wish to achieve, along with an assessment of the students current capabilities. If you would like the first lesson to be more productive, I can send the assessment to be completed before the first class. The assessment will need to be returned at least 24hrs before the first planned lesson so I can look it over and plan my teaching approach for the student.

Teaching styles / tools:
- Each lesson will have a starter discussion about any areas of concern in school - I will make notes and plan to work on those areas in the next lesson.

- We will then work on a mini-project together, which will help the student to learn and develop a range of skills that he/she can then use in their own coursework / homework assignments.

- For subjects which involve reading, the student will be given homework to read a chapter / section for discussion at the next class.

- For Maths / Science, there will be worksheets which the student will need to complete on his/her own after lesson.

- If at any time there are any questions / concerns from the students or parents, I am more than happy to spend part of the lesson in discussion about these with you.

- All lessons are taught in an informal and positive / open-discussion style. But in order to make lessons successful and get the most out of your learning plan, please ensure that there is somewhere quiet to work, and that you have all of the required equipment / stationery beforehand (i.e. pens / pencils / eraser / ruler / calculator / notebook or note paper etc).

- It would also be useful to have internet / wifi set up, to use either with your own computer, or with mine to access online resources.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All student details are kept confidential and you can be assured that no personal information will be shared with anybody else. However, I may ask permission to use student's work as an example of how to achieve highly in assignments / homework, with other students. Again, all personal details would be removed.

The minimum time per lesson is 1 hour per week for regular bookings.

Semi-Intensive courses can be booked at 2+ hours per week with prior agreement.

Intensive 2-4 week courses can be booked with daily lessons close to exam times. These have very limited spaces available and would include longer classes if need be, depending on how the student performs during our initial assessment.

Intensive courses are also very useful for students wanting to pass grammar school entrance examinations or prepare for other specific exams and assessments.

Lessons can also be taught online, via Skype or Google Hangouts. All prices are reduced for online tutoring - please contact me for further information.

Subjects

Personal Description:
- qualified ex-secondary MFL teacher (PGCE, QTS obtained), familiar with and taught Mandarin Chinese GCSE specifications (AQA and Edexcel), A Level Chinese specifications at UK secondary schools. My students have great exam results.
- Native Mandarin and Taiwanese speaker, Excellent communication skills
- Experienced Mandarin Tutor. I worked with pupils at different levels: pre-School/ KS1- 5/ FE/ HE/ adults/ retired/ business Chinese/ tourism Chinese, including those with SEN and from diverse cultural background using English as an additional language)
- Freelance translator (television programmes subtitles, between English and Mandarin Chinese)
- Freelance interpreter (legal/Immigration)
- Experienced in tailor-making and delivering one-to-one tutoring lessons
- Knowledge of traditional Chinese/Taiwanese culture, politics, history, geography, society and current pop culture. Also able to combine the above with Mandarin learning/teaching
- Patient, reliable and honest
- mentored PGCE student teachers, Early Career Teachers.
- conduct and co-lead research projects with IOE (Institute of Education, University College London), on Content and Language Integrated Learning, 2021 to date. Co-presented the research results at 2 international academic conferences in 2023.

Teaching Experience:
- Mandarin Teacher at University of Leeds (Sep 2008- May 2011), a private school in north Wales (Y7 and Y9, complete beginner group/individual and GCSE preparation, 2011), a grammar school on the Wirral (2015- 2020, Y7- Y13, including GCSE/A Level preparation), and a comprehensive state school in Liverpool (2020-2023).
- Author/proof-reader of online Mandarin course contents (targeting KS2, KS3, and GCSE learners); Online Mandarin Tutor (KS2 learners and GCSE candidates. One of my pupils was accepted by a Chinese undergraduate course as her first choice for Sep 2014 entry, because of my lessons); eLearning Specialist advising the management team regarding VLE/ LMS and providing training on online teaching for fellow teachers (all above under this bullet point: between Jun 2012- Jun 2014, employed by a private company in north Wales)
- freelance one-to-one Tutor of Mandarin, face-to-face and online
- University Lecturer in Audience Development in Taiwan
- University Lecturer in Arts Management in Taiwan
- University Lecturer in English in Taiwan
- Tutor of English (adult/primary/secondary level, face-to-face, individual and groups) in Taiwan

Tutoring Approach:
- Use real-Life scenario for examples and conversation practice
- Integrate Culture into language acquisition
- Offer Business/Leisure/Travel/Conversation Mandarin Lessons
- Offer Pin-Yin and Phonics; Simplified and Traditional Mandarin characters
- Lessons are tailor-made to suit different levels from beginners to advanced Mandarin speaker
- You can choose to get trained in Listening, Speaking, Writing or Reading skills, or a combination of these four
- Deliver lessons in English-only, Mandarin-only, or a combination of English and Mandarin
- Devise different learning methods/ activities/ content for each individual learner to suit their own confidence, Mandarin abilities and learning targets/ motives.
- Encourage students to participate in their own learning process actively by creating an interactive and friendly learning environment.

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Personal Description:
I am Argentinian from Buenos Aires and have been living in the UK for 16 years. I have a good level of experience teaching a range of age groups and in different settings, as well as a good command of both languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have a first certificate of in English qualification from the Cambridge Board as well as a secondary school diploma in education. I have taught Spanish at the Korean Institute for two years, with students ranging from 5 year olds up to adults. I spent three years teaching Graphic Design, Aesthetics and Art History to students aged 18 and older at the University of Buenos Aires, and also offered tutoring in English classes to adults, as well as English conversation classes.

I have an MA in Art History from Birkbeck University and did several courses on painting and illustration. I've been a practising artist for 15 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a wide experience, having taught individuals and groups, provided structured lessons as well as less formal conversation classes and used these skills across a range of age groups.

I am an enthusiastic, hard-working person and passionate about the importance of learning different languages. I see this as the best way of extending people's worlds and ideas.

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Personal Description:
I am a highly motivated and creative person who has the ability to communicate and participate effectively into teamwork and working under pressure. I am a hardworking and responsible person with experience in different fields ranging from customer service to engineering.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching English language and math for more than 10 years as a private tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
I will do my best to assess the student's needs and establishing realistic targets for achievement.

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Personal Description:
I am a Professional Tutor with over 30 years of experience in teaching French, Russian, English as a Foreign Language (ESOL, IELTS) at Universities, Colleges, Schools and privately.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 30 years of experience in teaching French, Russian, English as a Foreign Language (ESOL, IELTS) at all levels: from the beginners up to the advanced. I am also preparing students for exams in academic IELTS.

Tutoring Approach:
I am teaching all the aspects of the language: speaking/listening, reading/writing. My teaching is grammar based as without the knowledge of grammar it is impossible to make up correct sentences. I am using authentic materials in all the languages I teach. There are a lot of activities resulting in improving speaking skills. My students always get higher results at the exams than they were initially hoping for. There is always a good rapport with the students. The students get all the help they need. My lessons are always well structured, lively and meet students' satisfaction.

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Personal Description:
I am a Brazilian Translator, teacher and Interpreter with a background in Law and Enviroment Managment (which can bring something extra to the classroom) with a passion for languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 12 years experience teaching to all levels and interests. To groups, one-to-one or via Skype.
Lecturer at Aberystwyth University - Portuguese studies

Tutoring Approach:
I believe learning languages should be fun. I am very motivated and like to make sure my students "get out of their comfort zone", learn and have a good time. I use videos, books, movies, etc.

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Personal Description:
I am 54 years old and I have been a self employed tutor for over five years. I live in Nelson and always travel to the homes of my students. I have taught students from 8 years of age to adults and all ages in between. I love tutoring my students, because it is teaching in its purest sense without all the pressures of teaching in school.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 1989. I have taught in local secondary schools, including more than 10 years in a school in Burnley. I have worked in primary schools on a supply basis. I have a great deal of experience in teaching pupils and students with educational issues, pupils with statements of SEN, both behavioural and educational. I have a proven record of boosting grades at both GCSE and Key Stage 2 SATS. More recently I have tutored and mentored pupils studying for their 11 plus exams particularly for Clitheroe Grammar School.

Tutoring Approach:
When tutoring my students, it is crucial to establish a relationship with not only the student but the rest of the family. This helps establish a relaxed, and workmanlike atmosphere quickly so that progress can be made quickly. I spend the first few lessons establishing specific areas that need attention within the subject/s I am teaching. I am very well resourced with both text books and worksheets specifically designed for each student. I am well prepared for the new GCSE Maths syllabus and provide text books for pupils taking the 11+. I set homework by negotiation, and try to mark it before the next lesson, distance and time constraints allowing. Where possible I try to liaise with my student's teachers in school, but this can prove difficult.

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Personal Description:
I am a proactive, dedicated teacher hailing from Montpellier, southern France, with a passion for teaching. Based in the UK, I have worked across 3 continents in a variety of education institutions and universities in the last few years, and have always enjoyed making a difference in the learning experience of my students and tutees.

I completed a PhD in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2018, and became an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE). I have gained relevant teaching skills, valuable insights and a solid experience in the UK and abroad both during and after my doctoral programme, and currently teach French language in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick.

I am involved in scholarship and have a huge academic interest in American and comparative literature. My research portfolio contains a dozen publications in peer-reviewed outlets, including Academia Letters, The European Journal of American Culture and The Literary Encyclopedia, and a research monograph about two writers from the Beat generation - Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg - published by Peter Lang in May 2022, which has been nominated this year for a BSA Book Award. I am currently working on a research project with Cambridge University Press on the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked in a variety of high schools and higher education institutions, both in the UK and abroad, since 2009.
I taught as French Instructor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, USA, for 6 months, and as a French Language Assistant at Dunraven School and at Greenford High School in London (1 year in each).
I went on the work as an Associate Lecturer in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths for 3 years, and as a Pre-Sessional Lecturer at the University of Southampton in the Academic Centre for International Students.
I also taught as an Assistant Professor in English at Istanbul Kültür University in Turkey for 18 months, and currently teach French in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick.

Tutoring Approach:
I view tutoring as a means to empower learners and facilitate knowledge acquisition. The student-centred approach with which I work is tailored to the specific needs of each individual learner - an approach I have used in my 1-2-1 private tuition for over 10 years, and in the different teaching appointments I have held so far as a French Language Assistant and as a university lecturer.
This personalised approach is forged with respect to the uniqueness of each individual profile and learning style, increasing the opportunity for success. My aim is not only to fulfil the learner's scholarly potential; it is also to foster his or her confidence in the language over the longer term by creating an awareness of its greater cultural significance.

I cater for all levels and needs, from A1 to C2 and from Y1 to Sixth Form and beyond, and have worked with children, teenagers, young adults and professionals. Over the years, I have achieved a good grasp of the educational challenges that students face in the UK at various stages of the curriculum. I have worked with various exam boards and am familiar with the current requirements of the GCSE, A-Level, I-GCSE, I-B as well as private school entrance exams.

Owing to my academic background, I am also very keen on developing an awareness of study skills and critical thinking in higher education.

The tuition is delivered either face-to-face, or via Zoom or any other online platform such as MS Teams or Skype. After listening to the learner's needs, which can be discussed through e-mail or on the phone, the tuition will start with an assessment of the learner's linguistic skills, which will enable me to identify a series of specific learning objectives and create an individualised road map towards the achievement of these objectives.

This road map will constitute our programme, and each tuition will cover a part of it. The sessions, based on dynamic exchange, will involve a series of engaging materials and resources carefully selected to meet the learning objectives. These materials, which include videoclips, podcasts, literary texts, translations, news articles, practice sheets or former exam papers, can also be edited or designed from scratch (such as homework or exercise sheets for example), in order to concentrate on a specific point, embed newly-won knowledge.

My private tuition in French covers all language skills, whether it is writing, listening, speaking through thematic conversation with a native speaker, building an ability to read texts in the target language with various degrees of complexity, or developing French cultural awareness - beyond the stereotypical.

A high level of service is maintained throughout the tuition delivery programme, and careful attention is given to the learning experience, which remains my top priority.

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Personal Description:
Privet,

My name is Maria and I am looking forward to share my knowledge and love for Russian language with my students.

Congratulations for choosing the most challenging and complicating language to learn! Good news: Russian is fascinating, by the end of the "journey", you will be confident enough to speak to a Russian in the street or even upgrade your page with information in Russian, to strike your friends with a few bespoken facts about Russia or probably invite your friends to join you for the mountain climbing in the Altai or kayaking in Baikal Lake. I should warn you may fall in love with Russian language and may even dare to start an advanced course after which you are very likely to wake up one morning with a strong desire to see Bolshoi Ballet or fall asleep with "War and Peace" in your hands.

Let me briefly describe you my past experience. I was born in Saint-Petersburg and graduated from Russain State University of Foreign Languages, I have a master's degree in teaching of modern languages. I have been working first at school, then privately for more than 15 years.

I started teaching Russian at Trent College in Derbyshire as an extra-curricular activity for a group of students in year 7-8 and 9, providing all the teaching materials and authentic programme. I covered all the main parts in terms of philology and diverse the lessons with curious facts about the country, traditions and customs. At the end of one term course, students had basic skills in reading and writing, they were able to introduce themselves and speak on common themes (hobbies, cuisine, travelling etc). Later I started to assist students in their preparations for GCSE and A levels in Russian. At the moment, I have positive reviews from my students who passed GCSE and A Levels on A and A*. I also conduct exams for a few private schools in the area.

After relocating to Cornwall, I prepared my own Russian course, which I delivered in Tree Language School in Truro. Having good communication skills, I was able to quickly maintain effective relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Students appreciated my ability to explain in a clear way with appropriate sample illustrations using a variety of media and soon after the first group of experienced learners finished the course, I recieved excellent references and we managed to form a new group. Adaptable teaching and learning styles individually modified to meet the needs of pupils and being innovative in challenging students to ensure the highest level of interest from them helped me to attain high reviews from my students.

During the last couple of years, I taught specially tailored Russian course for a group of Royal navy staff at Culdrose RNAS.

Among my other reliable customers are Atlantic Language Services (Plymouth UK) and Cultural Vistas (New York USA), with one of them I had a valuable experience of private tuition for advanced learner (upper intermediate level), including business language, completing CV and training for interviews in Moscow. My student successfully passed various assessments and interviews for internship with Alfa Group and later received a post in two different companies in Moscow.
Recently I had a contract with Middlesex University preparing a tuition for staff in department of European human rights advocacy.

For the last 5 years I am conducting Russian GCSE and A level in schools across Cornwall and Devon (Truro School, Truro High School for Girls, Richard Lander school to name a few). I also work as an examiner for the Pearson Edexcel board, which helps me to prepare my students for the exam in line with all the requirements of the Pearson.
Last year I took a few students assisting them with TORFL exams, which they passed successfully.

Please contact me to arrange a test lesson to explore your learning preferences, language level and to prepare plan of studies relevant to your target. Thank you for your interest!

Teaching Experience:
Teacher of English and German - since 2002
Teacher of Russian for the UK students - since 2014

Tutoring Approach:
I prepare tailored tuition to meet your individual interests and targets.

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Personal Description:
My name is Inez and I am a professional with more than 20 years of experience in teaching several age groups and managing schools and school personnel. I love to teach, learn with the process and help others achieve their goals and abilities in communicating with others using another language.

Teaching Experience:
During the time I lived in Brazil, where I am originally from, I taught in local Elementary and High Schools, prior to founding my own private language school.
I am extremely proud to say that most of my students have achieved high standards in their professions and careers and to some of them, I am still offering advice and support.
To continue my development and advance in my career, I moved to the USA where I also worked as a teacher and became a Headteacher/School Director.

Tutoring Approach:
I have been a teacher more than half of my life. It has been a way of living to teach and translate to all ages, to my family and friends and to those who don't speak much of the English or the Portuguese language and to become an instrument of facilitation for people in order to understand communication, living situations and experiences in their lives.
At this moment, I am prioritising by teaching through online classes only .
I focus on conversational Portuguese, unless you are taking a GCSE or another business/school like directive. Even if you have basic or no knowledge of Portuguese, within a few classes you will be starting to speak and be able to start to express yourself in the language.
Grammar is approached but only with the intent of you being able to construct your sentences and understand what takes it to fluently speak.
I can offer a free 30-minute lesson for those who would like to try my classes and discuss their expectations in relation to learning the language.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I am Matt from the Yorkshire Dales, near Skipton.

I am friendly, punctual and patient. I love to help people with English learning, I have been an ESL teacher for over 14 years. I have taught all ages and levels with people from many different cultures, nationalities and occupations. Feel free to talk about whatever you want.

After teaching in different countries for 10 years I am now living back in England. For the last 4 years I have been teaching, and also own and run a guesthouse where I often introduce foreign visitors to my hometown, tutor them and sometimes go hiking with them in the hills that surround my village.

In my free time I like to hike, swim, box, read, write, as well as keeping up with current affairs, politics and men's style. But most of all I love to travel.

Teaching Experience:
2006 - 2010:
Senior Foreign Teacher. YBM ECC ('06 - '08), DOCS Academy ('08 - '10), Nowon-Gu, Seoul, KOREA.
• Planned lessons, and taught children from 5-13 years old. Proof read new text books.
• Managed 5-6 foreign teachers; instructed them on what to do and dealt with any problems they had with housing or work.
• Had meetings with Korean managers, passed on relevant information between the managers and foreign staff.

2010 - 2011:
Language Tutor. Pagoda, Guro Digital Complex, Seoul, Korea.
• Planned and taught conversation classes.


2012 - July 2013:
Language Tutor. Pagoda, Gangnam, Seoul, Korea.
• Planned and taught conversation and business classes.

2013 - August 2014:
Lingua Academy, Songtan, Pyeongtaek-Si, Korea
• Foreign teacher manager.
• Started and planned a small adult 1-1 department.
• Planned and taught lessons to kids 8-16.

March 2015-Present:
• Self employed online English conversation tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
I am patient and always professional and punctual. Together we will high light the goals you want to achieve. Lesson topics can range from job interview questions and meetings, to discussions based on newspaper and magazine articles, general social conversation, pronunciation and grammar. Alternatively if you have anything you need checked or problems you may have (e.g. an email or presentation) this will be the lesson topic; your needs come first.

Warm Up: I will present the material to you, explain any words, phrases you don't know, and answer any questions that you have.

Main Body: Discussion session - the majority of which will be the student talking with me, your tutor giving grammar and pronunciation corrections.

Wrap Up: Review new vocabulary and grammar from the lesson. Introduce some material for the next lesson.

I have taught all levels and understand your difficulties and frustrations. My priority is for you to achieve your language targets. All lessons are tailored just for you.

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Personal Description:
Hi My name is Bob, I am married with 2 children. We also foster children. I am patient and enthusiastic to see people succeed.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring for many years in my previous occupation. I covered various subjects

Tutoring Approach:
Relaxed,patient and like to have fun whilst learning.

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Personal Description:
My name is Pierrette and I provide excellent French and Spanish tutoring for kids and adults based around London and Essex. I am A-Level and GCSE qualified with over 20 years of experience teaching French and Spanish. I create interesting lesson programmes and my material is based on your current skills. I

Teaching Experience:
Are you getting ready for that long deserved French vacation or Spanish holiday? Perhaps you are starting a business that requires a lot of travel and foreign language skills will make things so much smoother and easier? Or you just want to learn a new language so you can add an impressive skill to your resume but you think it might be too difficult to learn? Let me show you how easy it can be to learn French or Spanish.

Tutoring Approach:
will be more than glad to work with you to discover how beautiful French and Spanish languages are. I am very patient and friendly, and I will ensure to help you progress and become fluent in speaking French or Spanish. I can also easily help you with test preparation and essay writing, as well as, reading and homework. I enjoy teaching and I always strive to be the best teacher that I can be. Be more confident in speaking French and Spanish - give me a call now, and I'll make sure to teach you in a creative way and make your learning experience an enjoyable o

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic psycholinguist, currently completing her masters project on language acquisition. I enjoy exploring language in all levels in terms of learning, teaching and doing research. I am also interested in the evolution of natural languages. I also have simultaneous translation experience from Turkish to English and vice versa. I am quite friendly and understanding. For more information do not hesitate to reach me.

Teaching Experience:
I have been giving private English lessons to adults and worked as a nursery teacher by using psychological methods. I also moderated lessons & discussions about Cognitive Science.

Tutoring Approach:
You learn by living and experiencing. I will be your guide and my primary role is going to be proving you and/or your children that learning should not be necessarily boring.

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Personal Description:
Hi, Here you will find results and receive guidance to achieve your study goals. You will be supported to pace yourself and manage the learning process smoothly and efficiently. I am organised, patient, friendly, supportive, resourceful and flexible. I have experience with distance learning and a deep understanding of the requirements of teaching online with ease and efficiency. Prior to pursuing studies in Psychology (BSc and MSc), I completed an 'MA in Applied Linguistics and Translation' and a 'BA in English Language and Literature'. I am qualified and experienced in teaching English/Arabic as a foreign language (Postgraduate Diploma in TEFL and RSA C.O.T.E.). I am fluent in Arabic and English.

- There's still time to catch up!
= Discounts for block-bookings and a sliding scale available.

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience in teaching: taught languages (both English and Arabic as foreign languages) and translation at university level, school level and for occasional adult learners (both formally and privately). I have taught many age groups in the past ranging from Primary stage to University level and adult occasional learners. I have consistently received positive feedback on my tutoring skills and interpersonal communication skills. Previous to becoming freelance, I taught various subjects at the University of London and the University of Westminster; in addition to various freelance teaching and translation positions abroad during my years living abroad. I am a member of the British Psychological Society: MBPsS (Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society).

- "If at first you don't succeed, try again."

Tutoring Approach:
Learner centred: focused on the learner's expressed needs, expressed requirements and set of desired outcomes. A confidence building approach supports autonomous learning in the long term. I help students find a manageable structure to their studies and in setting realistically achievable goals. I help students to prepare well, expand their learning strategies and smoothly move forward towards success!

There are no secrets to success. SUCCESS is the result of preparation, consistency, efficient study skills, and learning from failure. You can do this!

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Personal Description:
I studied French and Japanese as part of my degree in Applied Language and Translation Studies at Dublin City University and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. As part of my degree, I also studied linguistics, and how to learn languages most effectively, given how the brain retains language. I have also taken the Irish Leaving Cert Japanese exam (A-Level equivalent) and Japanese Language Proficiency tests, so I have plenty of resources geared towards exams if that is your goal. If you are a more casual learner I am happy to make the lessons more fun and conversational, based on your preferences :)

Teaching Experience:
This year, I have taught my younger brother a 2 year higher level Japanese syllabus in 6 months for his Leaving Certificate exams, as he only found out in January there was a foreign language requirement for the course he wants to take in university. This was achieved through clever resources and study plan. With only 6 months tuition (one quarter of the usual 2 year syllabus time), my brother passed higher level Japanese with a grade equalling between 50-60%.

Other language teaching experience:
While in Japan I taught Japanese students English as a Foreign Language, from ages 4 to 20; in Ireland I gave casual English lessons to a Lithuanian woman who already had conversational English, but wanted to better understand certain English grammatical points; I also have a TEFL 160 course to teach English as a Foreign Language.

Other teaching experience:
I teach beginners piano every week from home.

Tutoring Approach:
Using the concepts learned in my Linguistics degree for language learning (L+1, Optimised Intervals for Repetition and Content Exposure for Memorisation Incentive), we will put a study plan in place with clever resources to ensure language learning is both fun and effective! We want our lessons to be so effective that we spend less time studying, and more time learning :)

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Personal Description:
Hello! I´m Matt, a qualified Spanish teacher from Belfast. I hold a Master's degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages. Over the past decade, I have gained extensive teaching experience in both the UK and abroad, including five years in Spain. My experience spans teaching students from primary school through to adult learners, both in classroom settings and online environments. I have also collaborated with academic institutions such as Queen's University Belfast, leading workshops for PGCE students. In addition to my teaching qualifications, I have managed curriculum development, welfare, and safeguarding responsibilities for summer programmes, demonstrating strong leadership skills. I am currently focusing on providing high-quality tutoring services online, while also exploring ways to grow my educational business.

Teaching Experience:
I am a native English speaker and CELTA-qualified teacher with extensive experience teaching both English and Spanish. I hold a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and I recently completed a Master's in Teaching and Linguistics. Additionally, I am a degree holder in Spanish with a certificate from the Instituto Cervantes, showcasing my deep understanding of the language and its pedagogy.

Throughout my career, I have worked in various educational settings, including language academies in both Spain and the UK, as well as extensive online teaching experience. I have also served as a GCSE and A-Level examiner, which has given me invaluable insight into the examination process and what students need to succeed.

Beyond teaching, I have held roles as a Safeguarding Manager, where I ensured the safety and well-being of students in educational programmes. I have also developed learning resources, worked with academic institutions such as Queen's University Belfast, and led workshops for trainee teachers.

With my diverse background and dedication to language education, I offer a well-rounded, professional, and personalised approach to help students achieve their goals. Whether it's exam preparation, improving conversational skills, or mastering grammar, I am fully equipped to guide students every step of the way.

Tutoring Approach:
I have extensive experience teaching online, and it's been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Over the years, I've worked with students from all over the world, helping them achieve their language goals from the comfort of their own homes. My approach is highly interactive and engaging, ensuring that each lesson is tailored specifically to the student's needs, whether they're preparing for exams, improving their conversational skills, or building confidence in grammar and vocabulary.

What sets me apart is my ability to create a structured, yet flexible, learning environment that combines professional expertise with a personal touch. My students appreciate the in-depth feedback I provide after each session, the custom-made homework assignments that reinforce what we've covered, and the clear progress they can see after every class. With a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages, a Master's in Teaching and Linguistics, and years of online teaching experience, I know how to use technology to its fullest to make lessons as impactful as possible.

I'm not just delivering lessons - I'm crafting an immersive experience that makes learning a new language enjoyable and highly effective. Whether it's through screen sharing, interactive exercises, or real-time language practice, I ensure that every session leaves my students more confident and equipped to reach their goals.

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