Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
General French, Business French, French literature and culture

Tell me about your qualifications.
BA in France in the University of Tours in English Language, Literature and Civilisation in 1983 French as a Foreign Language in London in 1988 at the Linguarama Language School I also completed two courses in teaching business French with the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris in the following subjects: Legal French and Business Communication

What kind of experience do you have?
I spent 12 years teaching French for a top language school in London. I was appointed Head of French in 1996 but left as a result of the company reorganisation in 2001 I taught a wide range of clients including executives from top listed companies and high civil servants from central government and other departments. I also delivered training seminars to teachers of foreign languages in London and Luxembourg. Since 2001 I have been working as a tutor and consultant mostly with the Civil Service but I also have had a wide range of private clients coming from various backgrounds, city professionals, school children, sportsmen, French property owners, students looking to enter the Ecole de l'Europe in Belgium or preparing the European Union Concours...

How much do you charge?
Individual lessons for adults are priced at £30 per hour on week days and £35 per hour on Saturdays and Sundays. For children, it is £25 per hour on week days and and £30 per hour at weekends. Group lessons are: £50 per hour for 2, £60 per hour for 3, £70 for 4. Please add £5 for outside normal hours. If travel time exeeds 2 hours return, a fee of £10 will be added. Prepaid blocks of 15, 20, 30 hours are available with a discount.

Where do you teach?
I teach at home, at the student's home or at their work place if suitable. I also use appropriate cafes in Central London when required.

When are you available?
I am available throughout the week and weekend but will always have to work according to my schedule week by week as students book on a flexible basis. I am available most half terms but usually absent for some of the Easter and Christmas periods

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach from the age of 8 and above. I teach all levels including total beginners and very advanced.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
GCSE, A levels, University entry, INSEAD, European Institutions Concours, College de l'Europe concours

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
No not right now but am prepared to get one should it be required

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
NA

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
subscriber of LinkedIn

Where and with whom did you train?
I have trained with Linguarama International Language School in 1988 in London. I completed their training course prior to being hired and continued to attend internal training courses on a yearly basis with them until my departure.

Tell me about some of your current students.
Throughout my career, I have met some incredible people coming from a wide range of backgrounds. I have made many friends amongst them and most of all I have myself learnt a great deal. Right now, I have an interesting range of students, amongst them a professional sportsman who is a keen linguist, a retired lady wishing to communicate in French when she goes to her house in France, a barrister who is passionate about politics and international affairs, a group of advanced learners who study classic and modern literature, a banker who travels to Paris on a weekly basis for work, a pensioner who thought he could never master a foreign language, some very motivated and creative school children and more! It's a diverse and very interesting group of individuals.

Do you have a personal message for students?
If you are looking to learn for the first time, refresh your knowledge, perfect a specific area of language, pass an exam or if you just enjoy general conversation, I believe I have the relevant experience and personality to help you achieve your goal. I will conduct a detailed analysis of your needs and objectives, carry out an assessment of your current level and based on this explain to you how best to achieve your aims. I will then give you an outline of your learning programme and make sure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience. For those who fear the challenge of learning a language or had negative past experiences, I will endeavour to build your confidence, follow your pace and prove to you that learning French is not only an unvaluable assett but also great fun and a perfectly achievable goal.

Articles

Forming foreign language reading groups
Subject: French
Tags: creating reading groups, reading books
Created: 22/01/2012