Stranraer French Tutors and Stranraer French Tuition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
I am fluent in and specialise in French tutoring. I have been speaking French since I was very young, and like to pass on my knowledge and enthusiasm to others. I am an expert in tutoring to GCSE/A level and have been teaching to this exam for over 20 years with 100% pass rate, and with most students achieving grades 7 to 9 in GCSE and A*, A or B at A level. I upgrade my knowledge of the courses as soon as they update or change (which they do fairly frequently). I am also extemely knowledge about France, its current affairs and culture as I have and do spend time in the country.

I tutor both in person and online.Each lesson can be tailored to the student's individual needs.

Other subjects taught::
- beginner to GCSE Italian
-English language (primary to year 11,)

I have dbs certification, a degree in French language and literature, and teaching certificate.

Teaching Experience:
Teacher, private tutor, small group tutor

Tutoring Approach:
I offer a learning experience tailored to your requirements. Lessons can be casual or or exam focused.

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Personal Description:
When I was a boy I was taught by people who were larger-than-life characters who dominated the classroom. They made clear to us boys what was expected of us and that if we didn't make the effort we would simply not achieve the rewards.

As a teacher, I share the same ethos. I expect pupils to follow my lead and work to the best of their ability.

I spend a lot of time reading and thinking.

I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said that 2% of people think, 3% think they think and 95% would rather die than do any thinking at all!

Sadly, I think that over the last thirty years dumbing down and inflated grades have shown how accurate Shaw's assessment was.

I see my role as one of reversing the tide of apathy and mediocrity and encouraging pupils to value themselves as individuals each with unique potential.

I finally achieved my educational potential because I came to see intellectual growth as the only sure path to happiness and fulfilment.

Helping pupils reach the same understanding about their full intellectual potential is my vocation and the foundation on which I build all my one-to-one tuition relationships.

Teaching Experience:
After teaching in the UK Primary and Secondary sectors as well as managing English and History departments in three international schools overseas, I now devote my time exclusively to private tuition.

My experience includes 12 years teaching English and History to GCSE and A level in the UK secondary system and eight years teaching the same subjects to the same levels in international schools in Italy, Egypt and Kenya.

During this time I have always had a number of students on my books for home tuition to provide extra help in Primary, Secondary and University level subjects.

My English GCSE students last year all achieved A-C grades and my A level History student achieved an A (predicted C after Year 12) and is now at university. In previous years, my A level History students have never achieved less than a C and in 2014, I had a student who reached A* and is now studying the subject at Exeter University.

Tutoring Approach:
My experience has led me to believe that one-to-one tuition is the best way to educate pupils. It brings them to the realisation that the whole point of education really is to set us free. It's not easy for a student to discover this when confined every day in a class of 30 or more others! Learning to think independently as an individual, and to read and write fluently enables pupils to participate fully in society, to achieve their full potential and thereby become happy, confident adults. Once the student is enthused and inspired by a tutor to think for themselves there is only one way forward.

I like to encourage pupils to develop independent thinking and logical analysis. Too many schools are teaching the children WHAT to think when they should be teaching them HOW to think. Naturally, many pupils become disengaged and even some of the most talented are simply going through the motions rather than actually studying. This lack of motivation together with highly inflated grades means that many of our youngsters are leaving school with minimal reading and writing skills. Indeed, few now have the aptitude for doing much reading, thinking or writing at all.

I like to build up the student's confidence by establishing their strengths first. Thereafter I identify weaknesses and gauge the student's awareness of them and motivation to put them right. Above all, I encourage my students to read widely and with full concentration. My best students learn to read closely and publish their reviews on Amazon. Aside from the huge adrenaline run, the boost in confidence and proficiency students get from seeing their writing in print is awesome to behold!

To put it simply, when they're reading they start succeeding!

Homework set weekly by me will always involve reading, thinking and writing. My feedback will always concentrate on reinforcing the idea that the writing process never ends with the last full stop. I expect students to read back their work to ensure that their writing communicates their meaning clearly and fluently. Editing with the focus on making the right word choices, organising sentences with the words in the right order and structuring longer writing assignments into coherent paragraphs are all priorities schools are increasingly neglecting thereby greatly hindering the life chances of their pupils..

Once the student and I have agreed which areas need improvement we use lesson time to extend the student's competence and skills by undertaking thinking and written assignments that allow the student to develop these.

Weekly homework set will advance and reinforce the skills the student has been encouraged to bring to the lesson.

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Personal Description:
I am a bilingual native speaker from the Loire Valley in France, have a Master's Degree in French as a Foreign Language and have worked in the UK since 1998 as a French teacher and in Community Education.

Teaching Experience:
I began teaching French in 1991 as a French assistant in a secondary school and throughout 1995-6 undertook Training Placements at l'Institut de Touraine, l'Université François Rabelais and le Centre Linguistique pour Étranger (CLE) de Tours. I have taught French to students from beginner to university level and my experience includes working as a French assistant in primary and secondary schools, French classes for children and adults, private tuition for SQA (NQ 4 and 5, Higher Grade, Advanced Higher), BA Degree level students, DELF or DALF students, leisure classes and literacy.
For SQA, AQA/ GCSE/ AS and A2 level, and DELF/ DALF students, I adopt a person-centred approach in line with course requirements: grammar and discussion around topics such as society, family and friends, lifestyles, media, global languages, citizenship, employability and culture (planning a trip, other countries, celebrating a special event, literature of another country, film and television). Whatever the level, I am particularly interested in developing oral, writing and translation skills, and in tailoring lessons to suit each student's requirements.
Always aiming for fluency and proficiency in French, I provide practice for oral and written communication with emphasis on authenticity, idiomatic expression and translation; provide a concerted development of the four basics - listening, reading, writing and speaking; provide pronunciation tips in light of the phonetic and phonological rules of pronunciation; and, of course, provide access to those grammatical textbooks which perplex many students of the language.

Tutoring Approach:
To inspire confidence in speaking and writing, to encourage improvisation in language use and to stimulate interest in French culture and manners. My lessons aim to be fun as well as methodological, whether instructing school students for SQA/ AQA exams, encouraging casual learners or assisting university students in the finer points of grammar!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
Bonjour! My name is Samantha and I am from Bordeaux, a region famous for its wine. I am a qualified and experienced teacher. I have been living in the UK for many years and, after working in different roles in the educational system, I decided to undertake a French teaching qualification. The course was really stimulating and learning about pedagogy was particularly interesting. I have enjoyed teaching ever since.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten years experience teaching on a one to one basis as well as small group from the very young to adults face to face or online. I am familiar with the curriculum for French GCSE and A Level.
I also teach University students, supporting them with grammar and conversation.
I have experience teaching French to adults from basic knowledge for holidays up to advanced level.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor lessons to what the student requires. I respect each student`s pace of work and way of learning and try to help them to fulfill their potential.
I make lessons interesting, stimulating and adapted to my clients' needs.
I am aware that tutees have different learning style and therefore I offer a variety of exercises.
I use different materials such as videos, images, magazines, music and the latest Course books from L'alliance Française as well as my own creation.
I empathize with my students because I had to learn English myself. Therefore, I know it can be difficult to learn a foreign language and even frustrating at times but also very rewarding. That is why, I make students aware of their progress on a regular basis.
I love teaching and I have had some very good feedback from my students. I am a friendly, patient and approachable person.

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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 was born in the Dominican Republic and my family moved to the USA as a young teen where I finished my High School and university education.
I have lived in many different places like Florida, Jamaica, Curacao, Suriname and now London.
I absolutely love to teach languages. It brings me great satisfaction to help my students learn to communicate in the language of their choice.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught EFL and Spanish for 12 years 1:1 and in groups at a corporate level. I have also taught High School Spanish and French in USA. I have tutored students in Spanish, English and French at all levels, for A levels, GCSE, business or pleasure with great success.

Tutoring Approach:
A teacher should be able to make his lessons dynamic and interactive, always engaging the student and learning about their learning style. In a group setting it is important to differentiate and in 1:1 lessons it is vital to tailor the lessons according to the needs of the student.

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Personal Description:
I am a vibrant passionate Italian, French and English Teacher. I am strongly committed in delivering outstanding teaching, supporting learners and motivating them.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for 20 years, delivering:
- classes to pupils aged from 14 to 18 as a State teacher in Italy,
- individual tuition / group classes to pupils, students, professionals, adults
- individual tuition / group classes for certification purposes to pupils, students, professionals, adults in English (Cambridge ESOL certificates from A2 to C1 level), DELf-DALF (Alliance française certificates from A2 to C1 level), FIT and Start (Goethe Institut, FIT 1 and FIT 2, Start 1 and 2)
- individual / group classes for entrepreneurs (French and English)
- individual/group tuition for national competitions, job interviews,....
- degree thesis in English and French.

Tutoring Approach:
Being passionate of research, innovative methodology, communication I have developed my own methodology enabling students to speak and write from the very first lesson.
I have a true passion for pronounciation which enables learners to easily understand and produce well built answers.
I have develped my own methodology for listening activities and pronunciation skills from my experience as an interpreter (simultaneous, consecutive, chuchotage).

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Personal Description:
Hello!

I'm De from the North-West of England, but currently living in Bournemouth. I love learning about different cultures and people and practising my French and Spanish. Other interests I have include reading, music, art and travel.

Teaching Experience:
I have substantial experience of working in an educational environment and of dealing with a wide range of professionals and students - I have worked in an administrative capacity at a University and taught EFL and ESOL English to students of various ages, nationalities and levels of ability at colleges, summer schools and on a one to one basis.

I have also taught some IELTS and EAP English (at University) and can teach Business English if required.

Other teaching experience includes teaching beginner-level Spanish and French on a one-to-one basis.

Tutoring Approach:
I do my best to make lessons interesting and enjoyable and to help students progress. When teaching, I understand the importance of a well-prepared lesson plan, well-timed tasks, variety, flexibility, structure, discipline and humour and of enabling students to practise the four key language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) during lessons.

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Personal Description:
Hello my name is Anne-Marie, I am from Ireland but have been living in the UK since 2004. This is now a place I call home. I realised I had a flare for imparting knowledge when I became a basketball trainer at 15, working with Primary and Secondary pupils. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, saw the progress the pupils I trained had made and knew from that moment that teaching was my vocation as it was and is so rewarding. I now have a 5 year old son who loves reading and writing. He can articulate himself well and it's truly a joy to see. It's amazing the wonder a child sees in learning.

Teaching Experience:
From September this year I have been teaching English, Geography and RE at Beckfoot School in Bingley. I am a tutor as well (GCSE English, KS3 English, Maths and Science). As well as that, I am an EAL teacher to Chinese children online. In the past I have taught English up to GCSE at Laisterdyke Leadership Academy and English and French at Pudsey Grangefield School. In addition to this, l have taught Spanish and French at Carr Manor Community School. I taught the same subjects at St. Bede's and St. Joseph's Catholic College in Bradford from September 2017 to May 2018. Prior to that I was teaching French and Spanish at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School (formerly a Language College). In addition, I assisted students to prepare for the GCSE German exam. As well as my teaching responsibilities, my pastoral duties included being a Year 10 form tutor. From February to December 2016, I was a teacher of French at Key Stage 3, Spanish at Key Stages 3 and 4 and was responsible for a Year 9 form at Queensbury School. From September 2015 to January 2016, I taught German at Key Stages 3 and 4 and French at Key Stage 3 at Oakbank School in Keighley. I previously worked at Rastrick High School and Sixth Form College where I was a teacher of French at Key Stage 3 and Spanish at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. I also taught German and PSHCE to Year 9 students, and Accelerated Reading to Year 7 pupils. Four years ago, I was a Year 11 form tutor. This role entailed planner signing, reading and guiding pupils on college and career choices as well as helping them with exam revision skills. During registration, I covered some PSHCE topics and encouraged my tutees to write reviews on the books they were reading in order to find out more about their interests and consequently get to know them better. My form was involved in fundraising activities and have participated in assemblies. As well as that, I have mentored a PGCE student on how to become a form tutor and in addition I had a GTP student in my Key Stage 3 and 4 Spanish classes. In 2015 whilst on maternity leave, I taught Spanish to Years 2 and 6 and French to Years 3 and 4 at a local Primary School on a voluntary basis.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to use an approach that suits the students I teach. I discuss what needs they have and what their interests are and work from there. I like to be well-prepared yet flexible when necessary. I like to do kineasthetic activities to keep the students engaged in their learning and use a variety of resources to enable my students to gain as much confidence when speaking, reading writing etc.

I also create an environment where my students feel safe and at ease when learning meaning they are not afraid to make mistakes and are keen to build on this and see that mistakes are evidence of effort.

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Personal Description:
I began tutoring in 2015 to help out a friends child with their French. During those lessons I started to develop a joy in teaching and thrived on seeing the progress of my student. Since then I have created simple methods, tailored to each child or adult, whether it be for the fun of learning or to obtain good grades. As a native French speaker living in London I am confident and proficient in English and French. My online services can be flexible depending on your personal schedules.

Teaching Experience:
After also enjoying the experience of tutoring primary students Maths and English, I started tutoring GCSE French on the side. Whilst doing this, I was a pre school teacher at a nursery!

Tutoring Approach:
Every individual has different needs and circumstances, these of which I try to cater to. I provide group lessons, one-on-one lessons and crash course lessons before exams at all levels of Education.

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Personal Description:
I am teaching French and German I will start off using speech methods, so that the student feels relaxed and able to learn. This is very important. Depending on how we go we can then progress to pens and paper. Learning at this level ought to be enjoyable. I also teach adults at this level. I seek to build confidence in students, so that they can encounter native speakers and be able to do simple tasks like ordering meal in a cafe and an item of clothing in a shop. I have GCSE French and A level German.

Teaching Experience:
I have dyslexia, so I am sensitive to those who have this condition. I go at a slow pace to make sure the knowledge is consolidated before we move on. There is no hurry in learning either of these languages. Better to learn solidly and slowly
than poorly and in a rush. I teach in short sessions as these are most beneficial. There is homework if students want it. I am DBS cleared.

Tutoring Approach:
I am patient and empathetic and these are vital qualities in a teacher. I have travelled frequently to France in recent years, chiefly to Burgundy and also to Paris. I have a also been to Germany --I know Konstanz quite well and have been to Berlin.
Part of learning a language is learning more about the culture of these countries. I hope the students will be able to do this.

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Personal Description:
My name is Alice, I am French from Paris, and have lived in the UK for the past 9 years. I am currently based in Stirling, Riverside. I offer tutoring for all levels, whether online or in-person.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience teaching French to various ages and levels and using different approaches - whether more theoretical or conversational.

Tutoring Approach:
If you decide to start lessons with me, we will first discuss your needs and expectations. I will then propose a plan for lessons going forward. The lessons can be online, in-person or a mix of both. I adapt my method to each pupil's requirements and will ensure that you get a clear understanding of the French grammar, vocabulary and are at ease with your pronunciation of the language.

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Personal Description:
I am a highly-experienced French and German teacher with over 15 years in the classroom, teaching both languages to Oxbridge entry level.

I believe in giving pupils the tools to manipulate language for themselves and to feel confident when communicating orally or in writing. My lessons are tailored to the individual and for those taking GCSE or A Level examinations, there is a clear focus on improving exam technique and working on individual skills and exam papers.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught at a wide range of schools, from comprehensive to grammar schools and from this, I have gained a wide level of experience of supporting pupils with different needs. My pupils and those I have tutored have consistently achieved very good outcomes in public examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor my lessons to the needs of the individual pupil and in our initial meeting, I will establish the areas where we want to work on together.

My lessons are interactive and I make use of authentic materials and assessment materials to practise the different language skill areas.

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