Knightsbridge French Tutors and Knightsbridge French Tuition

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Hello everyone!

I am Nicolas, a full-time professional and successful native French tutor/Cambridge Celta teacher delivering online French tuition. I have lived in different countries such as Ireland,Scotland,Jersey Channel Islands,Greece,Italy and in different parts of England.

Are you a French learner searching for ways to build your knowledge in French by speaking? I have proven experience working one to one with students to help them grow their confidence, increase their fluency and vocabulary , and implement powerful strategies that result in significant progress and long-term success.

Focused, flexible and effective.

Would like to achieve great results and be more confident in speaking French?

Contact me today!

I cannot wait to work with you and achieve your goals!

Merci!

A bientôt!!

Teaching Experience:
I have years of professional French tutoring experience behind me with exceptional success rates alongside fantastic references.

That being said, I have been tutoring for a long time in London and also abroad.

With me, you will make the progress needed to achieve your potential.

I send resources to prepare before the meeting then feedback, areas to work on alongside homework after the online tuition.

You will be speaking with an experienced native French tutor used to international clients.

Here what some students/parents have recently said about me:

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I passed! B2!
Thanks for your help!
"I recently passed the TEF at a B2 level. With the help of Nicolas I was able to get some extra practice just before the test that gave me a ton of confidence going into the test!"

Van,Sales executive
Primrose Hill,London
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To whom it may concern,

I am currently studying my French degree and needed some help for my 2nd year core language and oral exams in which I struggled very much. I did very badly (20%) in my core language and similarly in the oral exam. I had around 1-2 weeks of sessions with Nicolas and I could not have asked for more. We did a few past papers. And even though we did not know what was likely to come up in the exam, he was very good at helping me pinpoint the important information in a passage and how to respond to the questions. Similarly with the oral part, he kept me on my toes by always speaking to me in French at the beginning of the sessions and throughout which was very helpful and providing me with core info of which I needed to speak about in the oral. As a result I received 30-40% more in my retakes. He is a very friendly man with lots of energy and wants to make sure you can be the best you can be. Thank you Nicolas.

Sasha,University student,Kensington

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French (GCSE)

Nicolas,

Just to let you know that we will not need you now until September.

Zany got an A star for his speaking controlled assessment.

We are very pleased with your excellent teaching and Zany is looking forward to seeing you in September.

Have a great summer.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

..................................................

Nicolas is an excellent tutor. He helped my son with preparation to the Westminster challenge exam for 5 months. My son really enjoyed the lessons. Nicolas is a very responsible tutor who does his best to organize interesting lessons. My son got A at Westminster challenge exam.

Anna, London Hampstead

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Nicolas has been our son`s French tutor for the last 9 months.We were looking for a tutor who could focus on Common Entrance 13+ exam preparation, working on speaking, grammar and writing .
I strongly recommend him as a teacher.
He prepares his lessons, and teaches with great enthusiam.
My son, who attended Wetherby School in London,did not like and was not good at French at school and from the moment Nicolas started to teach him his view and understanding of French changed.
He is now on top of his class and loves french and this is all thanks to Nicolas.

Regards

Marta

London Mayfair
…………………………………………………………

"I highly recommend Nicolas as a tutor.He has tutored me now for around a year and I am very pleased with my progress.He is very organised and is always willing to provide extra help if needed.Furthermore,Nicolas has a variety of different resources which can be very helpful.I addition,he is very punctual and reliable.Throughout the year,Nicolas has helped me improve my speaking skills and grammar.One of his best qualities is that he is always willing to adapt to the needs of his students and that he is very flexible in his teaching style."


Vladimir (A level Student) ,London Victoria
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I would like to recommend Nicolas as a French tutor for your organisation or family.
Nicolas worked with us in London three days per week, as a French tutor. (We moved to the U.S. when the employment ended.) Nicolas took full responsibility for our two boys for three days per week.
His main focus was on tutoring and educating the boys in French. He spoke only French to them, allowing the boys to be fully immersed in the language. The activities allowed them to develop their French (both boys fully comprehend French conversation now and can speak), . Nicolas's energizing and interactive techniques were fun for the boys, and they engaged in the language quickly.
The boys loved their time with Nicolas . His tutoring techniques are excellent for young children..
Nicolas is dependable, caring, and trustworthy. I would fully recommend him as a French tutor for your children.
Marsha
London Kensington
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I have been fortunate enough to have Nicolas as my French tutor. Having only 2 months to learn French before moving to Paris, Nicolas planned the course really well and I came out of it feeling ready to face the real French people. Nicolas is organized and very pleasant to be around. He is so helpful even if it is something, which is not related to the lesson. Nicolas adapted the lesson to my needs and plans the lessons every time beforehand. The material he uses to teach is quality and his approach in teaching is very easy to understand. I would highly recommend Nicolas to tutor French at any level.

Kind regards,

Thom , University student, London Gloucester Road

Tutoring Approach:
I use the Direct Method or Communicative Method. It depends obviously on your level. I still provide explanations in English.

Very often ,many people's only previous experience of learning a language has been at school ,where a great deal of emphasis was placed with the purpose of passing an examination .However, teaching approaches to modern language training have changed enormously in recent years ,and as a result ,learning a language is now a lot more fun and a far more rewarding experience!

Languages are now widely taught using a method known as the Communicative Approach or Direct Method, whereby the teacher conducts the session almost entirely in the target language regardless of the student's level. I reckon it is the best way to immerse yourself into a new culture.

Of course, depending on your level, I will still give explanations and instructions in English for those wishing to do so.

While it may take getting used to initially, the method has proven to be highly effective and is adopted by language training organisation around the world.

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Personal Description:
I am married and have two children in their twenties, both in Higher Education. I am a qualified teacher, hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate and am up to date with current safeguarding training.
I love music, cinema and theatre and have spent part of my working life in professional theatre and television both as a performer and in production. I am widely travelled and well-read.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced teacher, having worked in Somerset as both a full-time KeyStage 2 class teacher (including 4 years of SATs experience) and as a Supply Teacher. I also taught pupils on the One to One Programme. My Level 5 (TQUK) Qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language is a useful skillset to draw upon when teaching English to SATs level pupils.

Tutoring Approach:
Often the barrier to learning is a lack of confidence and self-esteem. It's also important to be clear about what is being learned and why, what's expected of the pupil and how success can be achieved and celebrated. Above all it must be fun!
My tutoring is personalised to the individual. A positive approach, balancing the correct level of challenge with a clear set of achievable next steps should motivate a learner, create a sense of progress and should foster the desire to continue to want to learn. Be positive, Build confidence, Enjoy challenge, Celebrate Success.

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Personal Description:
Salut - Je m'appelle Solène ( pronounced so-len )

I was born and brought up in Paris, although much of my family roots lie in Brittany. I came to England initially to learn the language - but ended up meeting my future husband and starting a family here in Dorking, Surrey.

Teaching Experience:
Apart from the obvious fact that I am a native French speaker - I have been teaching French since 2009 in schools, including Duke Of Kent in Ewhurst and Petite Ecole in Reigate, but mainly privately to exam students or adults wishing to improve their skills. I have also been called upon to help with some translation and making phone calls to France to assist people with such issues as property.

Tutoring Approach:
Having initially gauged a student's abilities in the language - I will prepare each lesson to their specific needs & requirements - whether it be working on grammar or perhaps general conversational skills. My aim is to give people confidence and make learning enjoyable.

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Personal Description:
My name is Laura and I am a native French teacher from Harrow, North London. I relished learning languages at school because I was taught by inspiring teachers and that is why I decided to make it my profession. I am very hard working, never afraid of a challenge and always happy to be teaching. Moreover I am organised, punctual and reliable and very enthusiastic with a fun and approachable manner. As a result, I feel that I have an ability to push my students to reach beyond their boundaries as studying no longer becomes a chore.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching French for over 25 years to all ages and all academic levels. Throughout my time as a teacher, I have worked and still do for several nurseries schools, set up my own business offering after school clubs, had a great deal of private lessons from primary school children to GCSE and A Level students and most recently have started conversation lessons for adults.

Tutoring Approach:
From my years of experience, I can see how general teaching in schools doesn't always work, as every child is different. This is why I offer a bespoke service to cater to the child's needs. This includes adapting what they enjoy to the learning process, which allows them a greater comprehension of the language. Students only learn if they are engaged in what they are doing. I have a positive attitude to teaching and give a great deal of encouragement.

I find it a real joy watching my students improve and eventually flourish in a subject they were struggling with at the beginning.

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Personal Description:
My name is Margo and I'm 44 years old. I am a high school French and Spanish teacher. I am also an avid cyclist and in 2011 fulfilled my lifelong dream of cycling round the world. My 27,000 km, New Zealand to Scotland trip took 2 years to complete and was the best experience of my life so far. As for other interests, I am a keen mountain biker and take part in the Scottish cross country championships every year.

Teaching Experience:
Before leaving the UK in 2009, I had been working as a French tutor for almost 7 years. Much of my work came from tuition agencies, with whom I taught students up to University level. I taught French to adult learners at the Glasgow College of Commerce in 2007 and pre 5's in several nursery schools around Glasgow from 2004 to 2009. I studied French and German at the University of Glasgow and finished my degree in 2001. I have lived in France for several years and worked as an English assistant in a French school. I also worked as a nanny in the French Alps for a year and ran a ski chalet, again in the French Alps.

In 2015, I returned to university to undertake the PGDE course, which would qualify me as a secondary school French teacher. I also studied a Spanish degree at the University of Strathclyde whilst working full time and finished this in 2019. I am qualified to teach Spanish but French is, by far, my main language.

For the last 8 years, I have had excellent Nat 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in classes for which I have had sole responsibility.

Tutoring Approach:
Whether you are a parent looking to give their child a head start in foreign language learning, a Nat 5, Higher or Advanced Higher student struggling with exam practice or just an adult looking to learn a new skill, I am here to help. I am a highly skilled teacher and have helped many pupils achieve SQA exam success.

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Personal Description:
Hi! I'm Nick, a 46 yr old graduate of Oxford University, where I studied French and German, and a postgraduate of the University of Manchester, where I obtained a Masters and Doctorate in English. I currently teach GCSE English in my institution, and also work in a university part-time.

At the moment I prefer online teaching, which I can do via Zoom, Skype or maybe other platforms.

Teaching Experience:
I always really enjoy teaching individual pupils at GCSE and A-level. I've had some great results in the recent exams - very proud of my pupils doing well, privately and at my school, and feel that I helped them achieve their best. I'm now looking to take on some more.

I have been teaching English in Higher Education since 2004. During this time I also taught an A-level student English on an individual basis, as extra preparation for Oxbridge entry - the student gained a place at Oxford. I've also taught two summer schools for visiting American students at the University of Manchester, and a first year university student privately last year.

I've been doing online teaching also over the last six months - there are real benefits!

I have experience with AQA syllabuses in French GCSE and English (Literature) GCSE and A-level (Gothic and Pastoral), and also OCR French.

I also worked for some years in the retail/hospitality sector, where I was an induction trainer, and had some involvement with NVQ assessment.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe the most important thing in teaching is to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where students are not afraid to ask any questions. I like to avoid overt formality, and make the teaching as enjoyable as possible. I'm very encouraging and positive, but within this will always offer constructive criticism when it's needed. I make sure sessions end with clear goals about what students need to do to improve - clear and achieveable goals, that I will check your progress with. I enjoy teaching a great deal, and will push you to achieve your very best.

For under 16s, I have a programme for teaching English, French, and German. This includes conversation, grammar, composition, and working with literature suited to the pupil's age range. It's flexible and pitched to any age and ability between 11 and 16.

I can offer teaching remotely - which I prefer at the moment.

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Personal Description:
I am a warm friendly, patient, understanding and highly motivated tutor. I have the ability to attend to all your learning needs. I am extremely resourceful and knowledgeable on the subjects I tutor in. I will work out the best way that you learn and teach to your learning strengths. Your success is my success!

Teaching Experience:
I have been a Primary School Teacher and a teacher of English as a Foreign Language for over twenty years. I have experience of teaching all levels of English from pre-school to Business Studies and University essay writing. I have also been a Primary School Teacher for fourteen years.

I have regularly coached students for the SATS tests, 11+, IELTS and some subject specific exams.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to get to know you the person a little first. I like to establish what specifically you want from the tutoring sessions. When I have established your requirements I can then start to build a profile of your learning; what methods best work for you. Your success is my success.

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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.

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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 many years of tutoring behind me and am currently studying for the Diploma in English Teaching to Adults.

I'm widely travelled and have spent many years living abroad. This has contributed to a high degree of fluency in Spanish and French. I acquire languages easily, being open to the cultures in which I find myself.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught exclusively in continental countries. One year in Finland, six years in Spain and two in Germany. In all cases the teaching took place in private schools or in company offices. Much of the teaching was 1 to 1, the rest being in small groups.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that language acquisition takes place when the learner is relaxed and so my approach may be considered informal. The choice of materials is a joint decision. Good classes can take place with or without them.

I also favour a communicative approach, which entails giving a needs analysis to all my learners.

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Personal Description:
I am 32 years old, I live in the East Midlands and I have a degree in French and a Masters in International Relations (before I got married, I used my maiden name, which is why my degrees are in that name). I have a wide range of interests, but language, specifically French, is my main passion. I started teaching 7 years ago and tutoring 8 years ago when I was a teaching assistant.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a French teacher for the past 7 years, teaching a range of year groups from Year 6 to Year 13. Whilst French is my main subject, I have taught a range of others, including Spanish, RE, Maths and Citizenship. I have taught in a range of schools in Leicestershire and the South East and taught pupils from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Tutoring Approach:
I started tutoring in 2010 and have tutored pupils from Year 5 to Year 13. I vary my style of tutoring as every child is different and I learn quickly what each child will respond well to and how far their ability can be stretched. I tend to focus on grammar, as this is the area where most pupils struggle. I have access to a wide range of materials pupils can use including current GCSE resources, online language-learning website and a variety of games to make learning fun.

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Personal Description:
I am a French native speaker with extensive experience as a French tutor. I am currently working as a researcher at the university of York investigating how to improve second language teaching methods. I have always loved helping people learning French as I am myself a passionate language learner. I can also help with German since I have been learning it for more than 10 years.
Given that I love learning languages myself, I am highly aware of the difficulties one can face in this journey. Moreover, I have a strong background in grammatical knowledge because I studied linguistics and literature in the past (and latin!).
Finally, I am a very friendly, enthusiastic and engaged tutor.

Teaching Experience:
I have a long experience in tutoring with students of various ages and various learning goals.
Below is a list of the positions I have had:
-French trainer, Educom GmBH, Vienna, Austria: I prepared and conducted weekly French lessons for a group of adults at beginner level (2 months).
-French tutor, Lernkurve institute, Vienna, Austria: I tutored various pupils in French (aged from 12 to 18-year old).
-private French tutor in Vienna, Austria and in the UK: I helped an 11 year old boy, a 13 year old girl and a 16 year old girl with their French homework once a week and helped them getting ready for exams during two years. I started to teach French from zero to two younger girls (6 and 8 years old). Finally, I designed personalised French lessons during 8 months for an adult student who wanted to start learning French.
-French conversation: I regularly met an adult student (advanced level) to have conversations in French.
-French corrections: I have helped university students of French writing essays in French.

Tutoring Approach:
I like keeping French tutoring sessions as interactive as possible. That is really the only way of learning languages!
Depending on the students' language level and desires, I can teach French from scratch, help with homework, have conversations or prepare intense exam revision sessions if the student tells me in advance what he/she has problems with.

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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.

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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:
I am a French native speaker. I am DBS checked.
I am successful as a tutor of all ages as I am very enthusiastic, calm and encouraging. I also have high expectations of my students.

Teaching Experience:
KS3 AND KS4
I started teaching in Birmingham as a French Assistant in 1990 and completed my PGCE in 1995.
I have taught in 4 different schools and was Head of a Modern Languages Department for 7 years.
As a teacher in mainstream schools, I have come across a very wide range of abilities, and have always adapted to the needs of my classes. I know what is required at GCSE and the progression needed from KS3 to KS4.
TUTORING ADULTS
Tutoring is something I greatly enjoy.
I had given private lessons to adults in the past and also to secondary school students, but in January 2019 I decided to create my own tutoring business.
In this last year, I have had the joy of seeing adults with very little knowledge of French blossom into confident learners.

Tutoring Approach:
For me, learning grammar and especially tenses is crucial if you want to become successful language learners.
I also have my own method for teaching pronunciation and this produces great improvements.
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I have recently suscribed to an online teaching platform which enables me to use video conferencing, upload resources, listening tasks, PowerPoints to make my lessons truly interactive. This platform makes the lessons accessible on tablets, computers and even mobile phones.

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Personal Description:
I moved to the UK in 1989 and have stayed ever since. I spent 2 years as a French Assistant in High Schools in Leeds and Harrogate and then completed a one year HND in International Business at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Following three years as 'Conference Organiser' for businesses in Dewsbury i decided i wanted to teach and returned to Leeds Metropolitan University to complete a degree in Secondary Education.

Since then i have worked as a French Teacher in Secondary and Primary schools in Yorkshire and Merseyside. Whilst bringing up my family i took the opportunity to offer private French Tuition and have been doing so ever since.

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience in private French Tuition 'one to one' or in small groups and have tutored students from 5 years of age to 60+ either in French conversation; school support; or preparation for GCSE; A Level and Undergraduate Degrees in French.

I am very proud of my French heritage and culture and I am keen to share my love of the French language and all things French with others.

Tutoring Approach:
I recognise all students learn in different ways and have different levels of confidence and i make sure that i always personalise the learning to meet the specific needs and ambitions of each and every student. I also want students to enjoy their learning and have some fun with the language and i endeavour to make my lessons a fun and interactive experience.

I am pleased to be able to say that every student who has taken up the opportunity to have private French Tuition with me has made significant progress. I have included a sample of testimonials below ...


Testimonials:

"Sabine was invaluable during my French studies, and I absolutely loved our lessons together. Sabine is a patient teacher who helped me to speak French naturally and fluently and to master difficult grammar structures. With Sabine's help, I was able to achieve an A* at French A Level, with full marks for my final year speaking and writing papers."
Emma

"Sabine has tutored both of my children for GCSE French, and she has been fantastic. Sabine worked wonders with my son and daughter: her support really boosted their confidence and they both made rapid progress. Sabine has an excellent knowledge of the exam requirements and enabled my children to revise in a more effective manner. I would not hesitate to recommend Sabine to anyone looking for a French tutor."
Louise (Parent)

I would definitely recommend Sabine for tutoring, I have had the most wonderful 4 years with her, always making me feel confident with my work and pushing me to achieve my full potential. Thanks to Sabine, I was inspired to do A-Level French which she taught with such enthusiasm and made it a fun yet challenging experience. I am more than grateful to have her, and you can always rely on the fact that she will go through every method until you fully understand, no matter how long it takes!
Maeve

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