Leighton Buzzard English (Foreign Language) Tutors and Leighton Buzzard English (Foreign Language) Tuition

Personal Description:
Recently returned to the UK to live near my family after teaching abroad for many years. I have 2 teenagers who no longer need my constant attention. I enjoy speaking other languages and love teaching, especially one to one teaching, where I can focus all my attention on the individual.

Teaching Experience:
1976-1987 EFL teaching in the UK and abroad. 6th form, secondary and adult. Also some ESL and home teaching.

1988- 2008. Primary teaching 3-12 year olds. I am trained in Early Years teaching. For 9 years I was the English Language Support coordinator in a large international school. My responsibilities included assessing children's needs, planning and teaching English as an additional language throughout the Infant and Junior school, improving reading skills and helping train other staff in the above. I have regularly tutored individuals and small groups of children after school.
I have recently completed a course in "Big Writing" with Ros Wilson of Andrell Education, focusing on improving writing skills from KS1 to KS3

2009- present. Nursery teacher and part time Modern languages/ Supply teacher in KS2

Tutoring Approach:
Each person's needs are different and my first job is to develop a trusting relationship so that I can quickly assess the priorities. Building confidence in prior knowledge comes next. It's important to pace the lesson so that there is just enough pressure but no stress. I like to work on all 4 skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) whatever the goal of the class, and to that end use a variety of resources; books, cards, games, music, computer. I am a very good listener and have unlimited patience. I constantly make students aware of the progress they are making which builds confidence and speeds up learning. I set very high but reachable standards.

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Personal Description:
My teaching style is relaxed and friendly, making learning fun but rewarding and with a serious commitment for students to succeed. Friendly, approachable, a good sense of humour, empathetic, patient, dedicated and enthusiastic about teaching, I do my utmost to ensure that my students feel that their learning experience is fulfilling and rewarding.

I do not drive so rely on public transport to get me to and from tutoring jobs, I have put a 10 mile limit on my details but am willing to consider longer distances, however this may incur further travel costs so must be negotiated at the time of booking.

Teaching Experience:
Over 20 years experience teaching 14 years to adults, teaching CV writing (and all areas of Employability), Basic and Soft Skills (including confidence building), Business Enterprise Levels 1, 2 & 3, NVQ Business Administration Levels 1 an 2 and ESOL pre-entry to Level 2.

Qualified to Cert Ed, City & Guilds, along with certified in Teaching Literacy and Numeracy to Adults (9380 series), D32/33 Assessors Award and V1 Internal Verifier Award. Currently sourcing a college to study for the Literacy Level 4 Specialism and also to gain ESOL qualifications.

Additionally, I have gained diplomas in Aroma Stress Therapy, Flower Essence Therapy, and in Crystal Healing; and can now offer any of the therapies themselves, or teach the basics of them.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is to get to know my students and identify their particular needs, then, working together, devising a programme best suited to them. I am flexible and adaptable according to the student's needs, learning style and learning barriers.

I am more than willing to adapt whatever programme of delivery decided on to best suit the needs of my student, for instance with regard to number of hours per week, number of weeks needed etc. I am also happy to take the ESOL teaching sessions 'outside' - ie go shopping, buy tickets etc for more practical learning (any additional expenses such as extra travel, lunch etc to be negotiated prior to session taking place).

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified teacher with Cambridge MA, PGCE & DELTA, with 30 years' experience of teaching in a variety of contexts including general secondary school English and Drama, GCSE, A Level, IB, and tuition at university and postgraduate level, including assistance with theses and similar.
I have considerable experience of TEFL/TOEFL and a successful record in teaching Cambridge FCE, CPE, etc as well as Business English classes for non-native professionals.
I recently returned to the UK from Spain for family reasons and I am new to the York area. I'm taking time out for a while to write that elusive million-seller or sitcom! Meanwhile I am a member of SfEP and work part time as a professional proofreader and copy editor. I am very happy to help groups or individuals with their academic needs.

Teaching Experience:
15 years in all key stages of secondary school education in England.
5 years Adult Education, TEFL and private tuition in the UK.
10 years teaching a British curriculum in an international secondary school in Spain at all key stages incl. GCSE, A Level and IB.
Group and individual EFL classes for children and adults, including Business English for professionals and TOEFL in an American-affiliated college.
I have an excellent record of success in preparing students for English and Drama exams - GCSE, A Level, International Baccalaureat and beyond - as well as for Cambridge First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency in English.
Amongst other notables, I was employed as personal tutor to the actress Rebecca Hall as a child and also to one of Tony Blair's sons!

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in a supportive approach and a friendly relationship, but without forgetting it's work: you're paying me because I can improve your (or your children's) future prospects.

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Personal Description:
I am a French native and have been living in England since 2006. I studied and obtained my French degree at University in France. I have also completed a course to teach French as a Foreign Language.

Teaching Experience:
I worked two years in Northampton School for Girls as a french Language Assistant. During and since this time, I have also provided French tuition through Language Schools and privately for students and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I focus on the speaking for the students to be able to use the language effectively, while integrating grammar, vocabulary, writing and reading. I use all sorts of documents (images, dialogues, flash-cards,...), either on printed sheets or interactively. When appropriate, I like to use sound materials as it is a good way to get familiar with the sounds and intonations of the language.

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Personal Description:
I'm 43 years old and live near Bordon, Hampshire. I have been speaking French and Italian for about 20 years. My degree and my Masters degree are in History with Italian and Museum Studies with History respectively and I am very passionate about all of these subjects.

Teaching Experience:
I used to teach English as a Foreign Language in Italy both to large classes and giving one to one tuition and have also reached A-Level and Degree level in both French and Italian. I also taught English in Spain. I have around ten years' experience of one to one tuition at my home in this country and can also travel to the student's home if they live locally.

I have prepared students for their exams in English as a Foreign Language, such as the Cambridge First Certificate in English and the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English and am also happy to assist both children and adults with either casual learning or preparation for GCSE/A-Level

I also assist in my local primary school and am a school governor and am familiar with the National Curriculum and can tutor in maths and literacy for Key Stage 1 and 2.

Tutoring Approach:
The above subjects are things which I am passionate about and hopefully that comes across in my teaching methods. I am very flexible and can respond to the needs of the particular student

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Personal Description:
My name is Ahmed and I enjoy teaching. This is why I've chosen this profession which allows me to deal with people from different background, understand their needs and take a challenge of helping them. The most important thing for me is seeing my student's satisfaction and I feel honoured when my students leave the session with some learning.
I'm patient (as this is one of the important tools in order to be a successful teacher), friendly, and make sure to keep a rapport among my students. I feel it is important as a teacher to make your student believe that you are his mentor as a tutor/teacher and you are there to help him/her to get the best out of his/her personality.
I'm pleased to mention that I've been chosen as one of the best teachers in my school during the 2011-12 academic year, which is definitely an achievement for me as a teacher.

Teaching Experience:
I've been teaching for 9 years. I completed degree from City University London in 2006 as a Software Engineer and then went on doing a few teacher training courses. I've experience of teaching KS3, KS4, KS5, university, and mature students. Currently I'm working for one of the renowned Grammar Schools, where I am in charge of the Computer Science Department.

I've completed my PGCE from UCL (Institute of Education)

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is based on students' needs, which gives me and my students' satisfaction as it helps them to learn better.

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Personal Description:
I am very passionate about films, theatre, the media industry. I am currently in my second year of a BA Hons in Film Studies at Edge Hill University, living away from home during the week but always available on weekends. I am hardworking, dedicated to my studies and after my undergraduate degree I am hoping to continue my studies with a Masters degree.

I also love to learn languages, currently able to speak 4 fluently (English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi) and also learning Spanish in my free time.

Teaching Experience:
I have a younger sister who is following my path into Film Studies, not knowing a thing before starting her A Level in it she is now predicted an A*. I have held short after school lessons for her and other family members in this particular field and the outcome has always been satisfying.

I have also started my TEFL course (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which helps me gain a qualification in teaching the English language.

Tutoring Approach:
The lessons will be about the student, and not the teacher. Therefore everything will be tailored to areas you wish to improve (spoken communication, written skills, reading, accent, listening)

I have a calm and relaxed approach to tutoring, understanding the problems and weaknesses in people and using those to bring out the best in them. If I can see passion within the student then I will do my personal best to bring out the potential in my students.

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Personal Description:
ESL teacher with over 8 years experience in both classroom and private settings to a range of ages and backgrounds specialising in bringing creativity skills, social media expertise and innovation to the classroom. Professional, creative with proven analytical skills, crafting well thought out plans which, sometimes can be considered as daring, to exceed expectations.

Teaching Experience:
8+ years in UK, Italy, Morocco, Canada & Nigeria

Tutoring Approach:
Creative and relaxing. Always trying to make the subject as easy as possible to make comprehension possible. I am passionate about teaching so I use many types of approaches and materials to create a unique experience. Whatever you want out of language learning you will get...just ask!

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Personal Description:
I hold a BA on Classics and Modern Greek from the University of Athens and a Masters Degree in Modern Greek Studies (Language, History, Culture) from the University of Birmingham. I have a long-standing experience (12 years) in tutoring within a learning framework and teaching is my passion. I worked as a teacher of Modern Greek in Birmingham and as an examiner for Greek GCSE and Ellinomatheia. Currently I am working as an Educator for a Greek NGO, contributing to refugees' integration.
I am responsible for creating curricula, producing written guidance, and creating internal
processes. I have developed new training and technical assistance materials on teaching English
and Greek, on differentiated teaching and lesson plans (Bloom's taxonomy of measurable verbs). Following the descriptors of the CERF,
I have designed a detailed ESL curriculum for adult and youth migrants (A1-B2) and one for children
(A1-B2); I developed supporting lesson plans to establish clear learning outcomes, communicative functions, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and assessment criteria.

Teaching Experience:
Education officer at an NGO

GCSE examiner for Modern Greek

Teacher in Birmingham (2017-present)

Teacher at Social School of the Municipality of Athens (2013-2015)

Private tutor (2011-present): Give private lessons to students of primary [Greek as SL, History, English SL] and secondary school and to undergraduate students of the faculty of Philology. [Literature, History, Ancient Greek and Latin].

Tutoring Approach:
The learning objectives, which my lesson plans aim to, will be based on teaching methods, which accommodate different styles of learning. Differentiation according to the level of each students's abilities (high, medium, low) is the touchstone of the teaching process and one of my principals as a teacher. Energizing activities which engage pupils in the lesson, such as use of flashcards for learning new vocabulary, classroom quizzes, classroom display works and powerpoint presentations are just but a few of my teaching methods.

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Personal Description:
I am currently a science teacher at a secondary school.

Teaching Experience:
I have 10 years of private tutoring experience and 5 years of teaching experience at secondary school level.

Tutoring Approach:
Teach the way students want to learn - not how teachers prefer to teach.

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Personal Description:
I'm looking forward to taking on some new students!

I have a very strong grasp of English, as shown by my first class degree in English language and literature from Oxford University. I also work as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, often helping writers for whom English is a foreign language. Because of my background, I am particularly good at teaching English for academic purposes, and teaching writing skills, but I will be happy to focus on whatever you want to learn.

Teaching Experience:
In 2019, I graduated from a CELTA course (Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Since then I have also taken courses in Teaching English Online, and How to Teach IELTS. In summer 2019 I taught at International House and Oxford Intensive School of English (OISE). I also started teaching freelance 1:1 in that year. In 2020 and 2021, I was employed as an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, teaching an online pre-sessional course in English for Academic Purposes. I did a similar job in 2022 at Coventry University.

Tutoring Approach:
I will ask you about your learning needs so I can plan and prepare lessons to suit you.

I particularly enjoy communicative and task-based teaching, where you learn by speaking and listening, reading and writing about things that are important to you, and you practice for real-life activities using English. I can help you gain the vocabulary, grammar, and skills you need for all this.

I can take students from all around the world. While the pandemic continues I will be teaching online only. (Otherwise, I would also teach in person, in Bristol, UK).

I teach adults (age 18 and above).

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Personal Description:
Travelling, I have visited many countries around the world, I also love musical theatre ( both local and West End) attending gigs and live tribute acts, dance lessons, reading, and walking my dog along the beautiful Dorset coastline

Teaching Experience:
I have been working as a teacher for the past nine years after completing my PGCE at Roehampton University in 2011.
Even though my main experience is in Early Years, since January 2018 I have worked as a Supply Teacher and have taught every year group up to year 6. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked for four years as a Senior Teaching Assistant, spending two years in Nursery and two years in Reception. This school-based experience also inspired me to pursue a career in teaching, especially my passion for working in Early Years.
Due to my experience, I have a secure knowledge and understanding of the EYFS curriculum. I have taught 'jolly phonics'. which is the foundation for recognising and understanding each phoneme and is essential in children beginning to learn to read and write simple sentences and basic punctuation. I have taught maths which involved number recognition and introducing counting, shape, colour, weight, height, sorting, and considering 'more' and 'less' up to 20 I have also taught PE, IT, topic subjects, and guided reading. I have also worked as an EYFS teacher in a pre-school where I was also a key worker to 11 children of pre-school age, so I have up to date knowledge of teaching in a nursey setting. I have high expectations for my pupils and set clear objectives based on individual targets, so momentum and challenge are maintained. I am always mindful of differentiating my planning and teaching to cater for every child's ability, learning needs and styles of learning. This is because I have the experience of teaching children with a wide range of differing needs. I am also acutely aware of how Covid 19 has interrupted essential progress and delayed learners important development, and how this unwelcome change in their educational routine has impacted on a child's self esteem and ability to learn in a familiar and happy environment.
I consider one of my strengths to be the excellent relationships I have developed with my pupils, with whom I form positive and productive relationships, promoting a nurturing environment where Early Years children can feel safe and happy and therefore facilitate learning. I am also a strong believer that children learn when they are enjoying themselves so lots of singing and fun is essential. Young children engage with audio visual so these are included within the lesson to stimulate and maintain interest.
During lockdown I also gained my TEFL qualification so am able to give conversation classes to students who are looking to improve their English language skills

In conclusion, I believe every child matters and each child is entitled to the best so they can reach their full academic potential.

Tutoring Approach:
I am an experienced KS1 teacher, who specialises in Early Years. I recognise that fostering self-esteem in a nurturing,safe setting is fundamental in children becoming confident, happy, successful independent learners and young adults. My approach is to assess each individual to establish their specific learning requirements , which will inform future bespoke planning. Each child is unique and will therefore require their own personal learning journey. I am happy to work at a slower pace, to reinforce and consolidate learning or work in depth to push more able children. I have earned the trust and respect of parents and colleagues in all my roles by my empathetic, approachable and conscientious approach to all that I do.

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Personal Description:
Qualified, experienced, patient tutor
An outstanding practitioner, as evidenced in inspections and lesson observations.
I have had extensive training in supporting students with special educational needs. I am able to tailor approaches and resources to suit the individual needs of every pupil.

Teaching Experience:
27 years Headmistress Primary and Secondary School, retired.
15 years private tuition experience.
35 years teaching experience.

Tutoring Approach:
27 years' experience, including as Head Of Department and Headmistress.
Qualified teacher and subject specialist.
I am supportive, warm and encouraging in my approach.

Why choose me?
100% success rate in helping pupils get into their first choice schools, including Cheltenham Ladies' College, Haberdashers', St Paul's and Westminster College.
I provide expert private tuition for 11+, 13+, GCSE, A-level and International Baccalaureate examinations.
I am experienced at teaching pupils of all ages between 7 - 18.

Testimonials

Wendy was recommended to us by a colleague for her excellent quality of tuition. She has an extensive knowledge of the GCSE syllabus for literature and language and has considerable experience in the field. She is reliable and has a great work ethic. She has enabled my son to reach his potential and is able to focus on points of weakness, build confidence and motivate him into writing essays, which he did not enjoy or do prior to Wendy. Wendy has tailored her approach to teaching him in how to answer questions for the best possible outcome. His improvement in English has helped him progress in other subjects and is now looking at higher grades in History and RE due to a more articulate approach to answering questions. Less importantly my son has enjoyed his English lessons and always looked forward to them.

S, Chesham, Bucks

Wendy has been such a blessing for my daughter, completely turning around her expectations with regards to her academic ability and hugely affecting not only her English results but all her other subjects. Now, thanks to Wendy, she has the right tools to construct an essay. Her marks have improved by two grades across the board. Wendy is a wonderful and inspiring teacher and I just cannot recommend her highly enough.

Rachel, Amersham, Bucks

Lovely Wendy is the most amazing and caring tutor I could ever wish for. She deserves a medal for her work and her students are so motivated in these crazy times it is wonderful to know my son is being so looked after. He enjoys every lesson.

Lucy, South Heath, Bucks.

I highly recommend Wendy. Her long experience, personal approach and carefully planned English lessons have been incredible for over two years now. She also provides excellent feedback following each session and takes time to stay close to parents to gauge how and where she can add most value. I am happy to email or speak to other parents about how she has helped us!

Sarah, Great Missenden, Bucks.

I am so delighted we found Wendy to help with my son's preparation for his GCSE in English Literature and French to A level. I thoroughly recommend her tutoring services. She is consummate and professional and well prepared for each session with a myriad of printed materials to support the lesson. She is knowledgeable about her subject and importantly about what the examiners are looking for in assessing examination answers. She is also friendly, approachable and has a rare gift for imparting her understanding and enthusiasm for literature. My son positively looked forward to both English and French studies with her - something sadly he never felt at school. He now looks forward to University with every confidence

Tokeer, High Wycombe, Bucks.

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Personal Description:
I was born and raised in Greece where I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Greek Language & Literature at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens.I recently moved to the UK (2020) to earn my Master's Degree in Language Sciences with specialization in Neuroscience of Language(University of Reading).

I am fluent in both Greek and English. I also speak Spanish and French (proficiency level).

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching the Greek Language (Modern & Ancient Greek ) since 2012, preparing high school students for the country-wide university entrance exams. In parellel, I was delivering in-home classes to assist students of various age groups with their curricular activities in humanitarian subjects such as History, Modern Greek Language & Literature, Ancient Greek, Philosophy & Religious Studies.I have also worked as a volunteer for the non-profit organization ''METAdrasi'', where I taught young refugees Greek as a second or foreign language.In 2020, I started working for the Greek School of Oxford, preparing students for their GCSE exams in Modern Greek and teaching Year 5 and Year 7 the Greek Language as a Second/Foreign Language.

Tutoring Approach:
Basically I use constructivist teaching approaches and strategies to help my students. I encourage them to actively participate in the learning process and help them develop critical thinking and communication skills in the target language. The material I share with my students is accumulated through all the years of my teaching work and there is a variety of types of exercises I offer to them. I also use a lot of interactive online material like live worksheets, language games such as Wordwall etc. and different kind of resources; newspapers articles, songs, poems, movie dialogues, inscriptions, texts published on social media ,recorded day-to-day conversations between native speakers etc.This helps them not only reinforce their academic knowledge (grammar and syntax) but it also broadens their experience on the cultural and contextual aspects of the language.

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Personal Description:
Hello, my name is Luisa. I'm a 20-year-old medical student who speaks English, German, Hungarian, and French. Subjects such as business and economics interest me outside of Medicine, and I'm based in Scotland. As a native German, Hungarian, and English speaker (having learned all three at the same time while growing up), I offer a natural teaching approach that matches the way one would learn as a native speaker.

Teaching Experience:
Thus far I have only tutored in German, but I have assisted others informally in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and getting into Medicine.
[As a Medical student my CRB check has also been done.]

Tutoring Approach:
I love past papers! These for me were key when I was revising for my Highers, Advanced Highers, and even for the Medical School entrance exams such as the BMAT, UCAT, and TMS (Germany). I believe they offer key information on what exactly it is you need to know, and to what standard/ depth one must answer questions. At the beginning I like to get a feel for what level of knowledge students have, and together we set goals for what we wish to achieve (e.g. time remaining until the exam, what grade they wish to achieve, if there is any particular section they are struggling with, etc..). Preferably, I like to communicate with my students before the lesson, so we can decide what learning outcomes to focus on during our session, so we can both prepare beforehand.

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Personal Description:
I am a Business English Tutor, with a Bachelor's degree in Economics for Business and Marketing. I have spent over 20 years in Corporate, especially in the banking area, where I have gained a lot of experience.
I have 15 years of teaching General English as well as different Business subjects, I am also a CELTA Cambridge teacher.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught over 1500 lessons, helping my students gain skills and confidence. I know the corporate environment very well, and I would be happy to share my knowledge with you. Thanks to my travels, I can adapt to any culture and adjust my lessons accordingly. I love talking to people and cannot wait to learn more about you. I teach General English, English for Business, Economics for Business, Accounting, Marketing, Principles of Management and Skills for Business.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style is primarily student centred, and I adapt my teaching style in order to cater for everyone and make the material as interesting as possible.
I like to use different books, exercises, colorful PowerPoint slides and even videos where possible to demonstrate my learning points. I believe this is something which increases student interest significantly, and from my experience, leads to a better learning experience overall.
I am highly effective at behavioural management, and focus on the three R's of RESPECT, RESPONSE and the RIGHT way to learn. These have served me well over time.
Finally, I have an approachable, inclusive style of teaching that is sufficiently flexible enough to cater for a diverse range of learning styles, needs and requirements.

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Personal Description:
British with 3 children (daughters) with mixed nationalities (British, French, Canadian).

I am an experienced teacher, trainer and coach who designs, develops and delivers holistic group and individual courses and prgrammes for individuals, professional organisations and Universities

Throughout my career I have been passionate about delivering dynamic, effective and student-focused courses, training sessions and workshops. All my lessons and courses are well researched, planned and delivered as I am acutely aware of the skills that students need and the expectations they have. I am focused on their wishes to achieve their goals as swiftly and successfully as possible while stimulating their curiosity and having fun during the learning process.

Teaching Experience:
40 years teaching and living in a variety of countries including: Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Egypt, Finland Sweden, Japan, China, New Zealand , Vietnam.

Teaching and examining English (TEFL), teaching EAP (English for Academic Purposes to post-graduates and PhD students), ESP (English for special purposes) courses.

Teaching business personnel in Japan and the EU soft skills (presentations, meetings and negotiations) and business issues (e.g. business plans, manufacturing, logistics, marketing practices, etc.),

Lecturing at universities in Hanoi and Kuwait on International business and e-commerce/e-business.

Teaching GSCE and A level English literature, Sociology and History

Tutoring Approach:
I use Kolbs learning cycle as a benchmark for my training/teaching. It is focused on learning through; observation, abstraction & reflection, experimentation (do & feel) and recycling (concepts, ideas, etc.). It is very practical and puts the learner at the heart of the learning experience. It also involves the motivation, interest and the curiosity of the learner, who may need stimulation, encouragement and to find leaning is fun and fascinating.

My lessons are both guided by the specific requirements of each course and personalized to meet the needs of each individual student. These two factors are fundamental to ensuring individual students utilize resources, build general, academic and practical competence to fulfil their requirements and exam grades. I believe having a clear 'road map', ensures students can reach their goals.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Emanuel. I'm originally from Romania and speak Romanian, Hungarian, and English. I've lived in several countries, including the UK, and I understand the challenges of learning a new language. I enjoy reading about psychology, self-improvement, and watching tennis.

Teaching Experience:
Since 2018, I've helped learners improve their English for work, travel, and everyday life. My lessons are practical and flexible, designed to meet your individual needs and goals. I focus on creating a supportive environment that builds your confidence and expands your vocabulary through meaningful conversation.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring approach centers on three key elements: Conversation - Confidence - Vocabulary.

I encourage students to speak for up to 80% of the class, ensuring they actively practice and build their conversation skills. To make our sessions super efficient and meaningful, I ask students to prepare vocabulary on topics that matter to them before class. This preparation boosts their confidence and helps them use relevant vocabulary naturally during our conversations.

This creates a positive cycle: the more they speak, the more confident they become, which motivates them to expand their vocabulary and engage in even more conversations.

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