Charlemagne

Originally born and raised in the UK but currently living in Germany, languages and the ability to communicate with different people have always fascinated me. I was drawn to German and Russian which I studied at Bristol University which then led me to Saxony in East Germany where I worked as a freelance teacher and English copy editor for a number of years. Alongside my teaching, I have worked in customer service focusing on international clients where I can use all my languages.

I am a native English speaker (C2) and am fluent in German (C1) as well as having limited working proficiency in the Russian language (A2-B1). I have studied graphic design and created my own websites, blog and designed logos for clients. I have a keen interest in marketing, psychology and the communication arts. If you are studying design we can bounce ideas around all day!

I live in Hessen, Germany but take trips back to the UK to visit my family. I love to keep fit, eat healthily and enjoy music, writing and reading. I am currently working on my first novel which is in English and attend writing festivals and classes when I can.

I'd describe myself as kind, empathetic, creative and open as well as hard-working going the extra mile to make a difference--a typical INFJ-T personality. I like to put people at ease and promote a safe comfortable space for learning.

Tutoring Experience

I have completed a TEFL course at Bristol University (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and additionally completed an online Master's TEFL Coach course in 2014.

I took part in the British Council Teaching Program in Frankenberg, Germany in 2006 and continued teaching Business English to adults at the Benedict School in Zwickau thereafter for the summer months.

After I returned to Germany at the end of 2011 I started my own freelance business giving one-to-one English tuition, mostly conversational practice and exam preparation, to students and worked as a copy editor and translator.

My teaching and language experience spans 10 years. The secretary to the President of Dresden amongst other businesses are included in my portfolio of clients.

Tutoring Approach

Open communication and a flexible working method tend to be my style. I start with assessing what the client needs and what the goal is along with figuring out what their learning style is. Are they visual, aural, do they need to be motivated or are they able to work alone? Do they want homework and lots of writing exercises? Are they looking more for conversation practice or exam prep? Do they need some help with design research? I can usually read people quickly to determine this and can structure my teaching style around them. At the end of each session, I ask for feedback to see if the method is working for them and if there is anything particular in the next session the client wants to focus on more.

It can vary depending on the client's needs and expectations but usually, I prepare a lesson on the topic the pupil is currently working on or needs additional help with or we can work from a school workbook. Level depending, I plan in a mixture of grammar, vocab and games as exercises focusing on all four skills of speaking, writing, reading and listening using a variety of teaching materials I have either collected over the years or online resources. If it's design work then we look at mixed media, artists and visual aids, colour and form theory and the lessons are more visual and based on discussion, doodling and observation with analytical thinking.

I like to explain things in easier ways if the client doesn't understand the grammar or vocab taking time to approach issues that crop up. If they have designer's or writer's block I have some great exercises that will help and it might mean that we spend a lesson doing things to relax the student and get the creativity flowing first. I think learning how to recognise issues and finding solutions is just as important for handling things later on. It allows the client to get to know how they tick and they can use the tools to help themselves later on aiding in improved learning and confidence.

Adult clients tend to want more business English or German phrases in order to communicate better in meetings so role-plays and looking at different stereotypes, mentalities and cultural differences are useful for this and that is where my own experience in working abroad with international clients is a huge benefit. We can do conversation practice, look at how to structure business correspondence, what to expect when meeting face to face and I can provide typical topics and vocab lists to work through.

With design students, I offer idea generation, analytical feedback from a business and international perspective, critique and advice, and can assist with the "selling the concept to the client" plan whether in written form or practice in pitching it verbally focusing on body language and strong sales points. From idea generation and conception to analysing the meaning behind images or styles and theory of design, I can tutor students to bring out their best creative potential.