Ashbourne French Tutors and Ashbourne French Tuition

Personal Description:
With nearly 15 years of online and in-person tutoring French Common Entrance/13+, Westminster Challenge, Winchester entrance, GCSE, IGCSE, A-level, Pre-U, and SAT, I`m a 50-year old graduate of the excellent University of Sussex languages course with a First Class Honours degree in French and Russian. I lived for four years in Paris where I mastered the language and the accent!

I have also acted in plays in French, taking on the role of Alphonse in a production of The School for Wives, and touring to schools abroad to perform in front of students learning French elsewhere in Europe.

I like to stay abreast of French culture and society, read Le Figaro everyday, and regularly watch French TV news and discussion shows.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored students at all levels, from 13+ entrance exams, including the Westminster Challenge, to most UK exam boards at GCSE, IGCSE and A-level, and I have also helped prepare students for their SAT in French and the DELF exam. I've taught adults who are complete beginners, or have some vague memories of what they learned at school, as well as helping several students gain entry to Westminster School via their Challenge exam

Since the switch to mostly online teaching, I have become an expert in making the most of the resources available, particularly the collaborative tools provided by Google, among others, which are particularly good for working on exercises and explaining grammar in a clear, helpful way.

Successes from the last (2019-20) academic year included: an two As at A-level, and two 9s at IGCSE, as well as entrance to Winchester College via their own exam.

For A-level students, I have already taught Camus's L'Etranger, Françoise Sagan's Bonjour Tristesse, Joseph Joffo's Un Sac de Billes, and Zola's Thérèse Raquin, and am very familiar with all the other set texts. Au Revoir Les Enfants, Intouchables, Entre Les Murs (The Class) and La Haine are the films I am best acquainted with from a teaching point of view.

Here are some comments from a few previous students - originals available on request.

'We could not have asked for a better result - A*s! He got full marks for the reading paper. Thanks so much for all your help, and patience.' - Margaret (parent of home-schooled GCSE student)

'Henry won a scholarship to Westminster. Exactly what he was aiming for." (Leslie, student's mother)

`Thank you so much for all your patient hard work - you taught her exactly the right stuff and there is no way she could have done it without you! I really didn`t think it was possible to teach the whole year 7 curriculum in a week but somehow you managed it. Tiffin Girls is one of the top state schools in the country and rather competitive. Chatting to the other parents outside the exam, most of the competitors went to good independents or had been tutored over a long period of time. You really knew not only what to teach but how to teach it, which shows you have exceptional skills.` - Anoushka (pupil`s mother)

`Just thought I should let you know I got an A! Thanks for all your help` - Helena (A-level student)

'I ended up with an "A"... thanks for all your help, both my spoken papers improved, over my previous efforts.' - Philip, mature student sitting AS and A2 French

Tutoring Approach:
It is important to tailor lessons specifically to a student's needs, but my general method is to engage him or her at a level just above their 'comfort zone'. Learning is about challenging yourself to do better, and it is crucial for a tutor to be supportive and encouraging, and also to keep the bar high.

Lessons can be conducted entirely in French, or in a mixture of English and French. I can work alongside a student's existing course (that is, from a textbook a student is already following), or we can use course books that I recommend.

Where the level allows, I like to draw upon material from contemporary sources such as French news magazines.

For "conversation classes", I find it is useful to base the discussion on an article or a book to help build vocabulary, and also think that incorporating grammar instruction (where appropriate) can be a good idea.

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Personal Description:
Hello!
My name is Catherine, I am a 21 years old French girl studying International Relations at London School of Economics (LSE)
I enjoy new challenges, I am really adaptable, open minded and easy going.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring students for the past three years and they ALL are at least on a high 2.1 at University.

I have been working in the Language Centre at Leeds Uni for the past two years.

I have also been tutoring a French Teacher from Leeds University on French Politics, Culture and Literature

In June 2009 I was a Matron in an English boarding school.

Tutoring Approach:
If you already have some interest for French, I will be the one who will help you make your way right to the top

Teaching is something I really love doing. I will be happy to help you improve your grammar, pronunciation, orthography, as well as teaching you about the very rich french culture and Politics. The cultural side is indeed the part I love to speak about (as a lesson or just randomly) because I believe learning a language is not only learning its grammar.

I am specialised on tutoring people who already have some basis of French (From A Level to fluent).

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Personal Description:
My language learning journey started in the same way it does for most of us - at secondary school. I fell in love with the French language at an early age and went on to complete an honours degree in French Studies at the University of Birmingham. During my year abroad, I lived and studied in Montréal, where I took classes in French, Italian and Spanish at McGill University and also fell in love with the Spanish language and culture.

I am passionate languages and helping learners build their confidence and reach their language learning goals, whether it be for school, exam preparation, work or pleasure, and I aim to do so in a purposeful and structured yet fun way.

I firmly believe that anyone can learn a language and make progress, whatever their starting point might be.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten years` cumulative experience of teaching in secondary schools and I have taught French, Spanish, English Language and English Literature. As well as my work in schools, I have been working as a private tutor since 2012,

Over the past 20 years, I have also taught on many English as a foreign language courses to young learners in summer schools and also to adults for general and business purposes in Wiltshire and in North London. I delivered a course in English for business purposes at an Italian legal firm in central London.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe a positive working relationship between tutor and student is the cornerstone of a successful learning experience. I aim to make my students feel at ease and safe to take risks in order to build their confidence and experience success. I tailor lessons to each individual's learning needs and preferences so that the student is always at the centre of the learning process. I use a range of materials in my teaching including online resources, worksheets, games, speaking activities, and past exam papers where appropriate.

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Personal Description:
My background is in languages and performing arts. I began studying
English at age 8, French at 13, German at 15, and have been
self-taught in Spanish since age 10. I come from a family with a
long tradition in teaching and have always been encouraged to study
and learn, while at the same time inheriting and developing a strong
capacity to explain, train, and encourage.

Teaching Experience:
Since graduating from my Master's course in 2011 I have been working
as a self-employed language tutor in and around London and have
always received more than positive feedback from my clients. My
tutees' ages range from four to seventy-four and I constantly
endeavour to improve myself and adapt my teaching method to my
clients' needs.

Some client reviews:

David
21/03/2020
5/5 Rating

"I`ve been doing Romanian with Maria for a few months now,
initially face to face and now via Skype. I enjoy my lessons
a great. Maria has excellent teaching skills, prepares well for
the class, and provides me with good feedback. Aside from that,
the lessons are fun and I look forward to them. Would definitely
recommend."

Toni
20/09/2018
5/5 Rating

"Only had 3 lessons but I`m loving the way Maria breaks everything
down and explains it. She fills me with confidence by focusing on
the positive from the lessons. Thank you for everything so far :)"

John
14/05/2018
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor, already 2 lessons in and I am picking
up the basics quickly!"

Rebecca
01/04/2018
5/5 Rating

"Prompt, organised, professional and a great teacher!"

Arshad
22/02/2018
5/5 Rating

"Very professional tutor
Highly recommended"

Otis
26/12/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor. She is very knowledgeable and her
lessons are always well structured and enjoyable. She has a genuine
passion for languages which is evident in her thorough preparation
for each lesson. I would recommend Maria."

Polly
24/10/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria has been great so far!!!"

Tracey
22/05/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor. She is very punctual and happy to be
flexible with the times we can meet. She is very patience and her
explanations are concise and clear. I would have no hesitation in
reommending her."

Mihaela
14/11/2016
5/5 Rating

"Maria is a very punctual and organised tutor and my daughter is
making good progress. She is friendly and supportive and I would
definitely recommend her."

Phillip
31/03/2016
5/5 Rating

"Absolute great tutor, who was professional, personable and patient!
Highly recommended."

Evita
05/11/2015
5/5 Rating

"Maria is teaching German to me and my 7-year old daughter both had
no previous knowledge and I can suggest her as fast progressing
learning teacher. She is strict and well prepared. It`s been a
pleasure working with her."

Luke
23/08/2015
5/5 Rating

"Amazing tutor, highly professional and well qualified! worth her
weight in gold!"

Spiros
07/08/2015
5/5 Rating

"I THE LIKE THE WAY MARIA GOES THROUGH THE LESSON, AND SHE EXPLAINS
EVERYTHING, ALSO SHE IS ALWAYS ON TIME AND FLEXIBLE WITH THE HOURS
SHE DOES.
VERY PLEASED, THANK YOU."

James
20/07/2015
5/5 Rating

"Maria is efficient, focused and hardworking. My 14 year old
daughter enjoys her lessons with Maria."

Teresa
10/02/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria tutors my daughter and me together in French. Maria is
extremely patient and we are enjoying her lessons. She is really
helping us."

Deborah
12/09/2016
5/5 Rating

"Very patient with lots of energy! Really good with my 6 and 7 year
old girls learning German."

Tutoring Approach:
Although I learned all my foreign languages through a rigorous method very much based on writing and grammar, I am happy to adapt my method to my pupil's needs. Personally, I believe that conversation is the key to becoming fluent in a language, but at the same time I do not neglect the importance of writing and reading comprehension. I therefore aim to split my lessons as evenly as possible between speaking, reading, listening comprehension, and writing assignments.

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Personal Description:
I can help with GCSE/GCE exams and Brighton College and Westminster School scholarship coaching are recent successes. I am also a former Advanced Skills Teacher with many years of experience working in a comprehensive school with all abilities from GCSE to A levels / Oxbridge entrance. My key priority is to provide a safe learning setting where the learner and my starting point is always to be where the learner is rather than a fixed programme in advance.


Clearly you will need to know if this will be the right arrangement for you, so the first lesson is free with no commitment to continue.

If your child has the potential, I can enable him or her to achieve their highest potential grades provided they commit to the project: knowing what the exam requires you to do will make a difference

Teaching Experience:
I have coached a pupil who gained a scholarship for Brighton College and another who was awarded the Queen's Scholarship to enter Westminster School, London. In both cases exams tested a whole range of traditional skills set at a relatively demanding level for this age group. Future candidates would be welcome to contact me.

Prior to this, I have taught pupils from 11 years upwards to Advanced Level pupils heading for Oxbridge. I have worked as an examiner for an exam board, set and marked papers at GCSE and taught adults in evening classes.

Tutoring Approach:
Tuition offered via Skype which offers greater flexibility of timings, lengths of lesson etc as well benefits for teaching using Google docs which record lesson progress, better use of resources etc.

On-line tasks can be set in between lessons to practise skills learnt.

Lively approach including games where appropriate.

Teaching linked to the exam board specification you are working towards including specific skills at GCSE / A level.

Grammar taught relevant to your needs: to include the new course requirements when published.

Feedback after each session to parents/ guardian or carer if requested to include likely grade potential at GCSE / A level or IB

A / AS / IB level students will work through short accessible texts to build up topic vocabulary but also support class tuition in your college or school.

Common Entrance Level candidates or specific entry exams for schools will receive very focused teaching to prepare for the exam.

Adult tuition for business or leisure.

I would be pleased to work with students in groups of 2 or 3 for a reduced fee per person all online.

Fees are a little higher than perhaps for other tutors, but you will be receiving a premium service with many more benefits than a session's tuition.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced and enthusiastic tutor with a passion for learning. I have over 10 years experience as a maths and science tutor. I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and subsequently completed an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science at the London School of Economics. I am fascinated by the natural world and by scientific enquiry. When I'm not teaching or learning I enjoy foreign cinema, playing squash and strumming the guitar.

Teaching Experience:
After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a full-time teacher at d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form College, Oxford. During this four-year period, I taught A-level Philosophy, Sociology and Religious Studies (all AQA examining board). More recently, I have worked as a teaching assistant at Canterbury High School, focussing on struggling students and helping them achieve their potential. Concurrently, I have also worked as a private tutor teaching GCSE and A-level Maths, GCSE Chemistry and Physics as well as providing 11+ Maths preparation.

Tutoring Approach:
Once I understand exactly what a tutee hopes to achieve (e.g. A* Maths GCSE, or simply understanding algebra) I have three main priorities as a tutor:

i) to identify a students strengths and weaknesses through short tests

ii) to provide a course of study and assessment that will focus on the weaknesses and monitor progress

iii) to give the student belief in themselves and their abilities and to instill a love of learning!

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Personal Description:
I am a French national who has lived in England for more than30 years. I am passionate about languages, how we learn them and the impact this learning has on our ability to study/think better. So many transferable skills!

My other interests are unsurprisingly travelling and reading. My second love is teaching Yoga, relaxation and meditation.

Learning is definitely a life long experience.

Teaching Experience:
PGCE qualified to teach French/TEFL-TESL with 25 years teaching experience mainly in Secondary Schools: KS3, KS4 and KS5 and one-to-one tutoring in French and Spanish.

Experienced in Adult Education tutoring both in Spanish and French and I have mentored new tutors for the Adult Education system.I have taught all ages from primary school children to older adults. It is never too late to enjoy practicing a foreign languange.!
I have also run my own primary school groups teaching French and worked as primary school liaison for teaching languages in primary schools.

Finally, I am an experienced EFL/ESL teacher, having taught "presessional" at the University of Chichester (Summer 2017) - Fully qualified.

Tutoring Approach:
Relaxed but organized and effective. Learning is fun especially when successful. Progress brings success. We all have different ways of learning, different "intelligence" once met there is no real limit to what we can achieve.

As a tutor, I will create and teach a program that is effective for you and your preferred learning style(s) and your requirement(s) whether learning for pleasure, business, exams etc or a mixture of all of these and more.

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Personal Description:
My journey to teaching was a natural progression from my passion for languages. For me, language teaching is synonymous with cultural exchange: by fostering an interest in language, I stimulate inter cultural awareness and empathy for others.
I am fascinated by the way in which children develop, as well as the challenges that arise when working alongside children and families. I am a qualified teacher. The PGCE Post-Compulsory Education and Training course I studied allowed me to gain work experience in secondary school and college. I have gained an understanding of the variety of ways in which adults work with children, such as placing more emphasis innovative curricular and raising achievement. In addition, I have an excellent understanding of the range of teaching and learning strategies.
The course also helped me to improve schemes of work, lesson plans and related resources. I have a good understanding of English and Mathematics. I have completed G.C.S.E.'s and "A" levels in Maths and English in Spain.
I believe that I have an open personality with other people. Moreover, I am easy to get along with. This helps me as a teacher to quickly develop a trusting relationship with people.
I am a gentle, loving and caring person and this helps me to be aware of children's and families' needs and be more responsive and empathetic towards them of faith and faith based in education. I am also multi-lingual. Spanish is my first language; I am fluent in English and I speak French.

Teaching Experience:
Spanish Teacher

In my role I had to make sure that I delivered my teaching to specific objectives, to deliver the best learning to the pupils. I identified clear teaching objectives and then set challenging, diverse expectations delivering individual teaching to the different levels of ability in the class, whether this being SEN pupils or very able pupils.
I used a variety of teaching methods to match appropriate content and information, using a different strategies and planned interventions, as well as first hand experience. At the end of each class I reviewed the content with the class to make sure that they had full understanding and the objectives of the lessons were met. This gives me the ability to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of each pupil so I can plan future lessons.

Spanish teacher

My role was involved in planning and delivering schemes of work and lessons that meet the requirements of the KS3, 4 and 5 in addition I was a sixth form tutor and I helped the students who want to apply to university or find an apprenticeship . At the same time, I showed care and concern for students by talking to one to one every week with tutor group.
I also set homework of a meaningful and appropriate nature, having regard to students' abilities. I assessed and monitored students' progress, maintained records and reported on the development, progress and attainment of students in accordance with school and curriculum area policy. While I took reasonable steps to maintain good order and discipline among students monitor their attendance and safeguard their health and safety, both when they are authorised to be on school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.

Tutoring Approach:
Approaches for early years and primary

Initiative: Children demonstrate initiative as they explore their world.
Planning: Children make plans and follow through on their intentions.
Engagement: Children focus on activities that interest them.
Problem solving: Children solve problems encountered in play.
Use of resources: Children gather information and formulate ideas about their world.
Reflection: Children reflect on their experiences.

Learning a foreign language is a process that implies some mimicking, language awareness, practice on comprehension, expression and also creativity. Some studies claim that the way we store languages in our brains is similar to that of data storing in a computer, but, of course, much more human, organic and alive. Languages have different components that need to be acquired and "stored" so that we can start feeling confident and creative in using them.

On the other hand, languages are a set of sounds, words (vocabulary), rules (grammar), expressions and even non-verbal language that are acquired both consciously and unconsciously. Conscious learning is a process in which I am extremely interested because it feels as if we are actually helping our minds to store the data so they can be available for us to use. This can be called monitored learning or instruction and it is an important part of the teaching activity: basically providing the tools for the learner to feel comfortable, confident and free using them.

I love grammar and language diversity and I always try to convey that passion to my students, since all sounds, words and structures have an origin and a history, they are also alive and that is what makes languages such wonderful tools for communication among very different people.

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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:
I have over 10 years of tutoring experience and have tutored students of all ages. I have worked in education for many years and have an in-depth knowledge of requirements for all exam boards.
Personally, I have a passion for English Literature and foreign languages and work hard for my students to achieve the best possible results.
I enjoy learning and communicating in foreign languages as well as understanding other cultures. I have been learning Chinese for 6 years.
I have lived and taught in a variety of countries making me adaptable, resilient, creative and resourceful. This enables me to pass on important life skills to my students in addition to coaching through the demands of a GCSE or A Levels in their chosen subject.

Teaching Experience:
I am a fully qualified teacher who has spent the last 20 years in education including time as a full-time teacher, head of department, tutor and moderator. Additionally, I taught English as a foreign language for 3 years in Quebec, Spain and the Czech Republic. I have tutored students in English Language, English Literature, French, Spanish and German. I obtained my Secondary PGCE in 2009 and have taught in three outstanding schools (Ofsted rated).

Tutoring Approach:
I offer tuition to GCSE in English Language, English Literature. I tutor online through Skype, Zoom or Google Meets. My aim is to get my students to enjoy the subject as this is key to achieving academic success. My students describe me as a creative, motivational and enthusiastic tutor who focuses on progress before perfection.

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Personal Description:
I am a native German speaker. I have a BA (Honours) degree in French, German and English Linguistics and a Cert HE in Teaching and Learning Support. I can teach French up to KS3 and German up to A Level/Adult. I also offer English language lessons for speakers of other languages. I enjoy Yoga, being creative, listening to live music and travelling.

Teaching Experience:
I worked as a German language assistant for 8 years, preparing pupils for their GCSE and A Level exams. I ran speaking practice sessions, grammar workshops and supported learning in class. I have extensive experience working in Education, including SEN.
I have been a freelance private tutor since 2013

Tutoring Approach:
ONLINE & F2F lessons available!

Due to the current COVID situation, I encourage online lessons via Skype (or other online platforms on request).

My approach to tutoring is student-centred.

Depending on the age and requirements of the student, I can adapt my teaching approach to the individual's needs. I am happy to teach groups of up to 5 students. It would work out less expensive!

Primary level would be teaching through songs and games in a fun way. Lessons usually last 30 mins, which will cost £20 per pupil for a one-to-one session. I am happy to teach a small group of pupils and the cost can be shared between them to make the lessons less expensive (£10 per pupil for 4 pupils in one session).

GCSE and A Level would be focusing on exam preparation and speaking practice, supporting the student to become more confident. I would base my teaching on supporting the subject teacher.

Adult teaching would be tailored to the individual's needs. Some students just want to improve their speaking, therefore I would tailor the lessons to accommodate their need. Some may just want to learn some basic phrases for a holiday in Germany, I would plan lessons based on that need.

I can also run grammar, conversation and writing workshops in German.

I now offer English (as a foreign language).

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Personal Description:
My name is Maria and I come from Italy. I have always been passionate about foreign languages and I got a Diploma specialising in English, French, German and European Certificates (C1 Advanced level ) in English and French.
I have recently graduated at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama getting my MA in Advanced Theatre Practice, i also got a BA in Drama, Film and Media Studies in Italy.
I am a positive and friendly individual, professional and responsible. I chose becoming a tutor because I really care helping other people and I like sharing my knowledge.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Italian, French and English for 4 years assisting students of any nationality and age.

Tutoring Approach:
My classes are friendly and tailored, I try to make my students feel comfortable, enjoying my classes and feeling that they can always have a person to count on.

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Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

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Personal Description:
I am an extremely well qualified and experienced teacher of modern languages. I worked in many schools in the UK and for the most part as head of MFL. I also worked in China and Germany teaching English. Since retiring from full time teaching I have been teaching private lessons. I have extensive knowledge of the GCSE and A level courses and I have been very successful with my students. On average their grades have improved by at least two from their mock exams.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching after leaving university when I went to China and worked for a United Nations Development Project. I then worked for a private language school in Germany. I became a qualified teacher and worked in several schools in Essex. I quickly worked my way up the ranks and became Head of Modern Languages. My last full time position was as Head of MFL at Medina College on the Isle of Wight. Since then I have been successfully teaching private lessons to students aged 5 to adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I use a variety of techniques adapted to my student's needs. I like to make my lessons fun and interactive. I follow the syllabus closely in the case of exam students and make sure that students are confident in all four skills. I elicit information from the students rather than just teach them how something works. By using this method students are more likely to retain the knowledge. I am happy to teach students individually or in pairs or groups.

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Personal Description:
My name is Nadine. I am a french altruistic and caring woman.
I travelled and lived in several countries. I love travelling and meet people, discovering cultures.
I am a native french speaker and I speak english fluently.

Teaching Experience:
I gave french classes in Pau (France) in 2020 (6 months) with the French Red cross to new immigrants. It was a really nice opportunity for me to meet people from other countries and help them to improve their french.
I also give french support classes to my 3 kids (8 to 12 years old) .

Tutoring Approach:
The most important thing for me is to understand the goals of the person and to achieve them through an enjoyable time.
As I grew up in France, I received an excellent and strong éducation at school. It's a great pleasure to share these knowledges with others.

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Personal Description:
A native french speaker and focused professional within the product design sector, who's comfortable on fast moving projects, within cross functional teams and a desire to constantly improve skills and pass down knowledge on new technologies.

Passionate to Research, design, film and modernise future generation of digital products. Over 13 years of hands-on experience with various design and filming methods such as user journey mapping, wire framing, visual design, prototyping, video editing, colouring, compositing, Photo-editing and Retouching

Teaching Experience:
- 4 months tutoring product design at Love circular
- Mentoring Junior Designers daily at my professional work
- Grew up Teaching french to my native english little brothers and sisters, for their GCSE's

Tutoring Approach:
A friendly approach to teaching, focusing more on real life practical example rather than theories, through assignments and workshops.

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Personal Description:
Bonjour! I am sarah, French native and a graduate student, specialised in the teaching of French as a second language.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching French for 3 years. My courses are for beginners, intermediate and advanced.My goal is to help you speaking French, be fluent and reduce your accent. I like to create tailor-made courses for my students with current authentic documents (newspaper articles, song lyrics, TV and radio reports, film extracts . . . ) in order to lead them to success while learning in a fun way

Tutoring Approach:
I like to create tailor-made courses for my students with current authentic documents (newspaper articles, song lyrics, TV and radio reports, film extracts . . . ) in order to lead them to success while learning in a fun way

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Personal Description:
I offer personalised French and Italian lessons for learners of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to advanced students preparing for GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, university exams, travel, or professional use.
My Tutoring Style
My lessons are supportive, engaging, and tailored to each student's goals and learning style. I aim to build confidence while developing strong skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, and translation.
I use a communicative approach combined with clear grammatical explanations, helping students use the language actively and naturally from the beginning.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced French and Italian tutor with over 16 years of teaching experience working with students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced learners. I provide personalised lessons for children, teenagers, and adults, including preparation for GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, university exams, travel, and professional purposes.

Tutoring Approach:
My Approach
Structured lessons adapted to individual needs
Focus on real communication and fluency
Step-by-step grammar explanations
Vocabulary building through themes and context
Exam-focused preparation for GCSE/IGCSE/A-Level
Regular revision and retrieval practice
Interactive activities, role plays, and conversation practice
Supportive correction and constructive feedback
Cultural elements integrated into lessons

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