F.A.Q

Guiding your children through their school life can be a juggling act: doing the school-run; scheduling after-school clubs and activities; helping with homework. 
 
When it comes to homework or home-schooling, many parents find they can assist and support their children in the majority of school subjects, however not everyone speaks French. This is where I come in.
 
I adapt lessons to your child’s specific requirements, and can tailor the pace of lessons to suit their abilities and workload. This individualised attention helps students gain confidence within the subject, improving their performance and participation in the classroom and in exams.

Generally, no. I specialise in French grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, which are generally taught in secondary schools (from aged 11), possibly earlier in preparatory schools (from aged 8). As such, I prefer to work with young students once they have reached this level in their schooling.

There are many language learning resources available to adult students, including online courses, immersion courses, exercise books and podcasts, however they can often be a one-size-fits-all solution, and rely solely on the student’s willpower and determination. It can be a lonely experience.
 
A tutor will personalise lessons to your specific requirements, and can tailor the pace of lessons to suit you, whether you need to slow things down to really grasp something new, or whether you would benefit from being pushed to reach for your goals. 
 
Adult students will benefit from having a conversation partner with whom to practise, all the while revising those little rules and unique phrases that add elegance and a certain je ne sais quoi to their spoken French.

For school-aged students, this is a commonly asked question. Learning a new language, as with any new skill, is hard work and requires practice. So why do we insist that our school children learn one?
 
Knowing a foreign language can help you imagine the world in a different way. It can enhance your communication skills, improve your memory and problem-solving skills, and will open up a whole new world of career opportunities in French-speaking countries around the world. Research also shows that being bilingual helps keep the brain sharp and functioning as we move into old age.
 
For adults, your knowledge of a foreign language will give you an advantage in the job market, with language skills being considered a major asset by both employers (international expansion) and employees (professional growth and advancement).

While we may wish to jump straight into speaking French, we must appreciate the stepping stones that will lead us there. Yes, it may seem boring conjugating verbs or having to go over grammar rules, but mastering these elements will enhance your speaking abilities.
 
Language learning is primarily made up of four elements: speaking, listening, reading and writing, and grammar crosses over all of them. Just as you cannot drive safely (or legally) until you have studied and learnt the Highway Code, nor can you truly speak a foreign language without studying and learning its grammar - a language’s Rule Book.
 
Understanding how the language is constructed and put together will help you form sentences of your own, accurately and elegantly.

How long is a piece of string? Seriously though, the more practise you can put in (in addition to sessions with your tutor), the quicker you will see results. I can point you in the direction of many varied resources that can keep you occupied and learning between lessons.
 
And remember, fluent means different things to different people: it can mean you can make hotel/restaurant reservations and confidently ask for directions; it can mean you are able to read French newspapers and chat socially with French-speaking neighbours or work colleagues; or it can mean you can write blogs/articles and deliver speeches or corporate presentations in French.

Think about your goals, and remind yourself why you wanted to learn French in the first place.

Every student is different and lesson plans are based around achieving your goals. Some lessons will be grammar-focused, others entirely conversation-focused, often generally a mixture of lots of varied resources (on- and offline), plus some fun added in to make the process enjoyable.

Lessons are via Zoom so you will need a reliable Internet connection and access to a computer. You may want to take notes so a pen and writing pad may be useful.

With younger students, a one-hour lesson per week is the norm, maybe increasing in the months leading up to exam season. A Level and undergraduate students may require longer lessons so that in-depth topics can be studied. 
 
For adult students, a one- or two-hour lesson per week is great and will help you keep focused and motivated with your self study.

Yes, if you live close to my area (Shipley/Saltaire BD17, UK). Contact me to find out more.

Payment is by direct bank transfer after each lesson. Invoice options are available for corporate clients.

I get it - life happens. Those last-minute after-school activities or work meetings can make scheduled appointments difficult to keep. If I can reschedule then great, however it may not always be possible.
 
Generally, my cancellation policy is:

• Lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson start-time: half the lesson fee is payable.
• Lessons cancelled within 4 hours of the lesson start-time: the whole lesson fee is payable.

No. The French language is my life-long passion, and as such it is the only subject I tutor. I studied German and Spanish, but it is the French language that captured my heart.