Clarbeston Road French Tutors and Clarbeston Road French Tuition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Recently made the decision to take voluntary redundancy from Volvo Truck and Bus where I had been employed both in accounts and as P A to the MD for 26 years. I wish to concentrate on teaching languages which I enjoy so much.

I have a 21 year-old daughter living at home with me while studying medicine at Glasgow University.

PLEASE NOTE
Due to recent confusion, I wish to clarify that the rates quoted per hour are for tuition in my home in Barrhead. Travel to a student's home and/or additional pupils will incur extra charges.

Teaching Experience:
I have a degree in French and German and have been tutoring both children and adults for many years, although my enthusiasm has never waned.
I attended a TEFL course two years ago and am still improving those skills through an on-line course. I find this very easy and enjoyable as I come from the generation who were thoroughly taught correct English grammar and spelling.

All my pupils who take exams achieve excellent grades and I can supply references to testify to this.
Languages are fun!

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in a thorough method of learning languages - not the 'phrase-book style' fashionable for some years. As much speaking practice as possible is essential.

Having so many years' experience, I have many practice papers and CD's for school exams and excellent courses for adults.

Any parents considering additional help in the lead-up to exams should try to start this as early as possible. I may be expert and dedicated but I don't have a magic wand to work miracles over the last couple of weeks before an exam!

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Personal Description:
IN PERSON and ONLINE Tutoring! Either way I always create a very good connection with my students.
I am a native of Italy who has lived in the UK for 35 years and has well adapted to the British system of education, still bringing in some of the flavour of her own mother country in connection with love and curiosity for languages, cultures, and contacts with people and their cultures through the activity of teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I have been in the field of teaching languages (Italian being my special subject) for 21 years and have taught for all these years at all levels: children, GCSE, Highers level, University level, and adult classes both vocational and leasure/tourist.
My qualifications include a ESOL-Celta (Univ. of Cambridge) in teaching English as a Foreign Language to children and adults; a degree in English language and literature, as well as French language and literature; a PhD in Italian Studies. I have had mostly experience of teaching at University level in both language and culture (literature and cinema) in the last 10 years where my teaching ranges from beginners through to advanced level of Italian Language; and all levels of culture tutoring; translation studies.

Tutoring Approach:
IN PERSON and ONLINE Tutoring! Either way I always create a very good connection with my students.
My teaching approach to tutoring varies from objective to objective. Languages should always be taught in a full immersion style, especially when it is targeting groups of people who are doing it for either vocational or personal reasons.
Tutoring of subjects such as languages with an objective such as GCSE or Highers or indeed University exams must take into account the syllabus that students must complete in order to reach their target: i.e. pass exams and, at the same time, learn in an effective though 'unforgettable' way. The majority of classes must be delivered in the target language, however in order to meet timing of syllabus coverage and exams some of the concept must be strengthened in the student's language.
In an ideal world, where no exams or timed targets exist, then tutoring of a language should happen 100% in the target language.

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Personal Description:
I have a passion for teaching and helping students to achieve their full potential. I am friendly, approachable, reliable and have a positive impact on students.

I am currently teaching at "A" Level Students in a School in London.

Teaching Experience:
I have 16 years experience teaching Economics, Business Studies and Accounting at "A" level standard, as well as Maths and French at GCSE standard.

Tutoring Approach:
Creativity, motivation and flexibility are the tenets of my teaching approach. I am able to help students of different abilities to achieve their target grades. My teaching style is always tailor-made to suit the needs of individual students.

The services I offer include: revision lessons, exam techniques, catchup lessons and homework support.

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Personal Description:
I have around 15 years of teaching experience ranging from French, English as a Foreign Language and both practical and theory of music. I teach from home for a relaxed and friendly lesson style.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored numerous pupils towards ABRSM, AQA and WJEC exams and teach both children and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I teach from home for a relaxed and friendly lesson style.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a very dedicated, patient and outgoing person. I am fluent in French, English and Hindi. I have good communication and organizational skills as I have been team leader for different projects both at university and at my place of work. What I have to offer is an approach to tutoring which will be fun, engaging and challenging on all individual levels, adjusted to their preferred progression pace. I am currently studying Psychology at Kingston University. I have an A-Level certificate bearing an A grade in French and I must say I have always loved the subject.

Teaching Experience:
I gave private tuitions in French and Mathematics up to GCSEs for more than 3 years now, with a group of 8 students. Throughout my experience, I have developed excellent teaching skills and I am now confident in guiding students to the rightful path and help them achieve excellent grades.

Tutoring Approach:
I can easily put myself in the skin of my students and try to turn complicated things into simple terms. I try to maintain a friendly relationship with my students and at the same time be very professional at work. The most important thing to remember is that I was and still am a student, which helps me understand what is expected from a teacher. I also keep track of the student's progress and use different methods such as exam papers which I find very useful to achieve the desired grades to motivate them. Also, I always try to make the student do the same exercises more than once as practice makes perfect. I want to develop a career in teaching hence any experience will be valuable for me.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced and enthusiastic tutor with a passion for learning. I have over 8 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:
Julia is a supportive yet challenging tutor, bilingual in French and English. I was Director of studies for an international language school based in Oxford for 13 years and prior to that, spent 15 years living and working in Paris and Toulouse. I graduated from UWE in 1988.

Teaching Experience:
Julia has over 25 years in education management and language training. I am CELTA and DELTA qualified. DBS checked. I have extensive experience preparing students for IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE etc. I can support teachers undertaking the DELTA and CELTA qualifications. I teach Business French and English to adults.

Tutoring Approach:
Julia is a supportive yet challenging tutor able to motivate you to achieve your language goals. I am also a qualified Life Coach, able to help you overcome learning obstacles and increase your self-belief.

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Personal Description:
I am a primary school tutor from Yorkshire and a modern foreign languages graduate from the University of Edinburgh. I have spent time teaching EFL in France and Spain and primary subjects in the UK both in schools and as a private tutor. I am now offering primary tuition services online in York during this time when parents might need to be working from home and need extra support with their child's homework.

Teaching Experience:
I taught as a private tutor in Salamanca whilst studying for my degree and for one year in Barcelona following this in a nursery, primary and secondary school. I additionally taught in two primary schools in Paris. I have worked as both a teaching assistant in the UK and as an English as a foreign language tutor in a Languages College. I have a PGCE in primary education and now teach in schools in and around York.

Tutoring Approach:
I have had experience of teaching all age groups from early primary to adults, of planning lessons and carrying out assessments. I know how to encourage all students to achieve their full potential and believe that appropriate challenge and enjoyment of learning is the key towards achieving success. I have a positive outlook and aim to develop a good rapport with all pupils and create a cooperative and calm atmosphere. It is my aim to deliver exciting and engaging lessons using familiar, real life experiences, engaging and fun games and tailored resources using a variety of teaching methods best suited to each individual child. I am patient and flexible with my time and I am willing to persevere in order to ensure that all students have fun whilst succeeding in reaching their goals.

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Personal Description:
Ciao! I'm a native Italian speaker fluent in Italian, French and English, with a First-Class Honours degree in Humanities, specialising in History and English Literature. Since 2014, I've been helping learners of all levels develop confidence and fluency in English and Italian-from beginners taking their first steps to advanced learners refining their mastery.

I bring more than just expertise to my lessons-I bring a deep love for language and its structure. My teaching is tailored to each student's goals, pace and interests, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment. I believe that great teaching is a two-way exchange: both tutor and learner grow through the journey.

Whether you're preparing for exams, brushing up your conversational skills, or simply exploring a new language, I'd be delighted to support you!

Teaching Experience:
Ciao! I'm a passionate educator with over ten years' experience helping learners grow in confidence, language skills, and exam success. I hold a First-Class Honours degree in Humanities (English and History), a TEFL qualification, and I'm currently training towards a PGCE in Lifelong Learning-giving me the tools to support both young learners and adult students alike.

For GCSE students, I provide clear, structured support in English Language and Literature, helping learners approach exams with confidence and clarity. My sessions are tailored to your goals-whether it's mastering unseen poetry, tackling tricky grammar, or refining essay technique-with an emphasis on building skills that last beyond the classroom.

For Italian-speaking adults, I offer a warm, welcoming space to build your English or Italian skills at your own pace. Whether you're learning for work, travel, or pleasure, I bring patience, cultural insight, and a flexible approach to make language learning enjoyable and rewarding.

Learning with me means engaging lessons, a supportive atmosphere, and progress you can feel. 📚✨

Tutoring Approach:
"I take great pride in helping learners-especially beginners-gain the confidence to understand, speak, and truly enjoy the Italian language. My lessons go beyond grammar and vocabulary, offering a gateway into the richness of Italian culture, history, and daily life. I aim to create a welcoming, engaging environment where curiosity leads the way and progress feels both natural and rewarding."
✨

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Personal Description:
My name is Toby, I am 19 and have just come back from a year abroad in France. I currently work as a lifeguard and musician and am heading to Reading University to study french and business in september. I am a fluent french speaker who is fresh from learning the language to fluency, so am very much in touch with the language-learning process from a student's point of view - I know exactly where the hudrles lie and how to overcome them.

Teaching Experience:
I studied french up to A Level and took a year out in France, working as an Au Pair to the Marquis de Biliotti family at the Château d'Anjou in Lyon. I was in the highest class level at my Lyon university (C1/C2 class) and learned the language fluently. I have experience teaching English to children in France, and have worked as a telephone translator and PA translator.

Tutoring Approach:
I am flexible with my sessions; I can work on specific topics with which the pupil struggles, grammar, pronunciation and phonetics, vocab etc as well as approaches to language learning; analysing areas for the pupil to work on and giving resources, apps, videos and advice to help further their independent learning.
I can also work through set syllabuses, workbooks or other related set-works with the pupil.
(I will build sessions around my current working hours.)

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Personal Description:
French lessons with French Native speaker.

Learn with a patient and experienced French tutor based in Reading. I am also a professional translator for French and German.

Passionate about teaching French and German, I have extensive experience teaching Foreign Languages.

I am easy-going and encouraging, but also believe in challenge according to your own confidence, requirements and ability.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching French and German in the last 10 years to children, teenagers, and mostly professionals and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is first and foremost student-centered. I believe that each student grows at their own pace. Therefore my methodology is based on patience, persistence and set on progress.

The material that we will use has a progressive approach and will focus on your needs and interests. Attention is placed on pronunciation, conversation, grammar as well as writing skills if required.

It is suitable for both everyday life or business.

The learning pace is your pace. Just contact me and let's talk French or German together!

Not fussy about timing. Length of the lesson depends on you. I am available mostly evenings and week-ends.

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Personal Description:
I am happy to offer you English, French, Spanish and Russian lessons tailored to your needs.

I am a qualified teacher with 13 years` experience in Moscow, Paris and London.
I graduated from Moscow Pedagogical State University and Pushkin Institute. I hold a Master of Education (distinction). Additionally, I passed the CELTA in Paris and acquired a further DELTA qualification.

I am bilingual in English and Russian and fluent in French and Spanish, so I have always been a part of improving children's cognitive development and helped navigate three different worlds as a majority of my students have been more or less exposed to two or three cultures simultaneously.

I am a well-organised strong classroom performer who is able to effectively communicate with students from diverse backgrounds, varying degrees of ability and ages. Teaching groups and one to one teaching is equally rewarding. However, this is the latter one that gives you an amazing possibility to tailor the session towards the needs, level and capability of a student.

By using my enthusiasm felt by learners and readiness to experiment, I can maintain a positive climate where students can reach their full potential.
As an inspirational teacher with high personal standards, I am committed to the learning and development of my students. I have high expectations of both myself and my students, and show an interest in every student as an individual.

I feel that my greatest strengths are my ability to inspire love of languages in students, to motivate them in developing a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.


I work with students of different levels (Beginner, Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced) and age groups (preschool children, schoolchildren, students, adults).

I also prepare students for Cambridge (Starters, Movers, Flyers, KET, PET, FCE, IELTS/TOEFL)
Oxford (SELT) exams,
TOEFL,
GESE (Trinity),
IELTS Academic, General training, Life skills
GCSE in French, Spanish and Russian,
TRKI in Russian.

Teaching Experience:
Welcome Language School - Moscow
ENGLISH & FRENCH TEACHER 2008-2010

PRIVATE ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH & RUSSIAN TUTOR 2010 - present

Duties:
• Giving one-to-one tuition in English, French, Spanish and Russian and offering
personalised lessons, tailored to students' needs.
• Teaching Russian as a first and foreign language.
• Planning and teaching a high quality academic programme.
• Teaching different aspects of the language: vocabulary, phonetics,
grammar.
• Teaching students how to work with text as well as specifically reading,
writing, listening and speaking.
• Preparing handouts, presentations and other forms of material to help
students learn, remember and use vocabulary in speech correctly.
• Teaching grammar through conversation.
• Preparing students for examinations, such as GCSE in Russian, Spanish and French, TRKI in Russian, IELTS, TOEFL, GESE.

Lyceum "Arc-XXI" (private school) - Moscow
RUSSIAN & ENGLISH TEACHER 2010-2012
International English School (private school) - Moscow

ENGLISH & FRENCH TEACHER 2012-2016

Duties:
• Teaching Russian, English and French to mixed-level classes.
• Tailoring teaching methods to suit the needs of individual students.
• Teaching Listening, Writing, Speaking and Reading skills.
• Helping students to improve their conversational and vocabulary skills.
• Preparing and performing short plays during class-time.
• Preparing course material and creative handouts.
• Teaching with project-based learning.
• Marking students' work, giving appropriate feedback to students and
encouraging them to ask questions and express their difficulties.
• Arranging motivating homework for students.
• Devising and writing new curriculum materials.
• Taking schoolchildren on educational trips to London as a group leader.
• Organising school events for British Holidays.
• Jurying scientific conferences.
• Preparing students for examinations, such as SELT, Cambridge English:
Young Learners, KET,PET, FCE, IELTS, DELF/DALF, The Unified State
Exam (ЕГЭ, ОГЭ) and administrating examinations.
• Teaching students who have experienced difficulty with mainstream
education.

Frances King School of English - London
EFL TEACHER SUMMER TEENAGER PROGRAMME 2017, 2018

Regent London - London 2018

Speak Up London - London 2018 - present
EFL TEACHER

Duties:
• Planning and teaching a high quality academic programme.
• Providing students with an exciting and stimulating experience of
London, supervising students during activities in the afternoon.
• Teaching different age groups and making lessons as
alive and interesting as possible.

International House - London 2019 - present
RUSSIAN & FRENCH TEACHER

Duties:
• Teaching the languages to groups of adults.
• Arranging motivating and engaging activities for students.
• Teaching grammar through conversation.
• Teaching the languages through culture.
• Developing own syllabus.

Tutoring Approach:
I prefer teaching language through culture, teaching with project-based learning. The most important duties are those of
✓helping students to improve their conversational and vocabulary skills,
✓arranging interesting homework for students,
✓teaching grammar through conversation,
✓giving appropriate feedback
✓encouraging them to ask questions and to express their difficulties,
✓preparing students for external examinations,
✓keeping up to date with development in the world of teaching.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a French IT engineer with 20 years tutoring math and French at all levels from Year 6 to GCSE to A LEVEL or French Bac and University. I developed my own tutorials. I have a stock of 150 lessons growing every week covering pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary in French and most concepts in math
In French, I can tailor courses for professional with special needs: Business French or for adults wishing to travel or move to France.
In math, I can help you improve and get top marks at your exams.
With my method anybody wishing to learn quickly can improve in less than 10 lessons.

Teaching Experience:
In the last 30 years in France and in the UK, I have taught to tens of students. My favorite task is to take students struggling with French or Math and to bring them up to the 80%-100% range. It happened many times. I also help students with memory technics for remembering lessons and tips to pass tests successfully.

Tutoring Approach:
I have taught French as a foreign language to English students for the last 20 years. I have created audiovisual lessons taking in account similarities and differences between French and English to improve and speed up the learning. My method works as well for beginners with no French at all.
I have taught up to A-Level Mathematics to pupils who then went on to study Mathematics at top universities.
In math, I always start by assessing the student level. First, I propose a plan to fill the gaps while helping with the current difficulty. I usually encourage and teach my students to use spreadsheets (EXCEL) to help them formalize problem solving.

Always allow 80 minutes instead of 60 for the first meeting.

(In case you want me to travel to your place (up to 12 miles from my postcode please add £6 to the home/online prices))

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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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have been teaching French and German for the past 30 years.
I retired from classroom teaching in July 2022, in order to focus on offering private tuition.
The bulk of my private tuition is French and German GCSE. However, I am also delivering German IB (diploma) and A level, as well as English as a second language.
I also have some adult learners as well as children from age 6-10.

Teaching Experience:
I have many years of teaching French and German at all levels but mainly secondary school.
I have worked for 27 years in two London comprehensives.
My results have always been excellent.
I have outstanding subject knowledge and am familiar with the main exam boards.
I also have access to all relevant materials.
I am currently working part time in a local secondary school teaching French and German A level.
My current tuition timetable includes:
French GCSE (AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE)
German GCSE (AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge IGCSE)
German A level (AQA and Edexcel)
German adult learners - beginners.
English as a second language - IGCSE, IELTS
Beginner's German to adult learners as well as children aged 6-11

I have students attending UK top grammar and independent schools, as well as state comprehensives. I have experience in stretching and challenging the most able as well as helping students gain an acceptable pass in what is sometimes their weakest subject.
In the last two years, those of my tutees taking higher GCSE, have all gained grades 7-9 and those taking foundation, a grade 5.
All of this information can be verified on request.
I also have a number of adult learners for beginner's German. This has been very successful. Current students can provide testimonials if required.

Tutoring Approach:
I have done a lot of private tutoring, mainly GCSE but also some A level and adult learners.
I am a calm and patient teacher and know how to get the best out of my students.
Each lesson is tailor made to suit the needs of the individual.
I pride myself on being flexible and as a parent myself, understand that unforeseen circumstances can crop up. Therefore, I do not charge for late cancellations.

Recent, verifiable testimonials (updated August 2023, following GCSE results)

Alison was a great tutor. She is very easy to understand and made french as a subject a lot more simple for my son to understand. My son was originally getting 3s and 2s in his mocks, but she was able to assist him in getting a good result in the GCSE. I can't thank her enough for the help. She's a great tutor.
I would like to recommend her to everyone.

Allison has tutored my son for the past 2 years and I was delighted that he got a 9 for his GCSE German exam this year. My son took his GCSE exam early at the end of year 9 and his grade is a true reflection of what an exceptional tutor Allison is. Allison has been a truly amazing tutor and my son has thoroughly enjoyed his lessons with her. He will continue his tutoring with Allison as he has now opted to take A/S Level German next year. I highly recommend Allison if your child needs tuition for German.


Allison has been tutoring our daughter in French for the last few weeks, to help her prepare for GCSE's.
I cannot recommend Allison highly enough. She is easy to contact and on time to every lesson. My daughter was initially sceptical about having a tutor, but from the first lesson she soon saw the benefits. Allison is very personable and gave me feedback on what our daughter should be focusing on and how she has improved. Allison has great knowledge of the school syllabus and gave my daughter key areas to focus on outside of the lessons. I would like to thank Allison for giving our daughter more confidence in what used to be one of her weaker subjects

Allison provided tutoring for our daughter ahead of her GCSE in German. She knows the syllabus extremely well and identified the main areas on which to focus. She was very flexible on when she could come to our house and helped our daughter get the most out of each hour of tutoring. The overall impact was very positive with our daughter getting a 9 in her GCSE. I can thoroughly recommend Allison to anyone looking for help in either German or French.

We had Allison for about a year, and my son continues enjoying the lessons. Allison is very reliable, personable and flexible. She understands the help and support that is required for my son and applies her skills and knowledge to help. Her calm manner and being very accommodating are helpful add-ons to the help we get from her.

I was so busy to let you know how impressed my boys are of both of you. Because of you and his German teacher now, D. studies German with pleasure.

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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:
¡Hola! Bonjour! I'm Carla, a passionate language teacher who loves helping students gain confidence and joy in speaking Spanish and French. With 30 years of teaching experience, I focus on making lessons engaging, practical, and tailored to each learner's needs-whether you're preparing for exams, traveling abroad, or just exploring a new language for fun.

I believe language learning should feel natural and enjoyable, so we'll mix conversation, culture, and a bit of humor along the way. My goal is to create a friendly space where mistakes are part of the journey and every step forward is worth celebrating.

Let's unlock your potential together-à bientôt and ¡hasta pronto!

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience teaching Spanish up to A Level and French up to GCSE in the UK, supporting students in achieving strong exam results while building real-world communication skills.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons balance solid grammar foundations with interactive speaking and listening practice, helping learners feel confident and prepared.

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