Fabienne

I am a French native qualified language teacher with a long experience of private tuition. I am a happy and enthusiastic person with a great deal of empathy and patience. I love reading, travelling, cooking to name a few. I have a passion for teaching and learning and I am currently taking a course in philosophy and learning Spanish. Some of my other main ongoing interests are history, sociology.

Tutoring Experience

I have been teaching adults from pre-intermediate to proficient and students from year 6 to A-level for 21 years. I have successfully prepared adults for DELF/DALF exams or for their own pleasure and students for Common Entrance and CE scholarship for Eton, Westminster and St Paul's as well as GCSE (6-9), IGCSE, A-level, IB, preparation for Oxbridge and American SAT. I keep up to date with exam specifications and requirements and let my pupils know exactly what to expect so they don't feel stressed about it. 

Tutoring Approach

This long experience has taught me that it is vital to establish a good rapport, based on trust and good communication, with both students and parents. I ease the pressure by assessing priorities and establishing a flexible and interesting programme. French grammar is often tricky and using humour and lots of encouragements along with regular practice, while revisiting the tenses for example, is paramount. I also consider kindness and cultural knowledge to be an important contribution to my teaching. I will adapt the four skills to each individual student and to his or her needs. As well as worksheets and various printed materials, I use fun and interesting websites for practice, whether for listening, reading or grammar. Being able to express oneself freely being the main point of learning a language, I always devote free speaking time during each lesson. I encourage my students to speak to me about anything they wish. I find this makes the lesson more pleasant, interesting and always gives rise to vocabulary that the student is eager to learn. Whether students simply need help with grades and exams or if they wish to become fluent in French, I will go out of my way to make sure my tuition is a pleasant and stimulating experience.