A bit about Isabelle W

I am a passionate teacher of languages who has been teaching for 25 years and has managed a successful languages department for 7 years. I adapt my lessons to suit the needs of each student and I am fully cognizant with the ever changing curriculum and exam specifications at GCSE and A-levels. I have taught across the age range-primary and secondary as well as adult tutoring and as a result, I can offer tuition to suit all ages. French to primary, GCSE and A-level as well as adults. Spanish to GCSE. My lessons are planned to suit the needs of every student and I use a flexible approach to teaching and learning. I am passionate about languages and my passion is reflected in the way I teach. I have experience in teaching to GCSE and A-levels and have a proven record of pupils achieving highly in both examinations. I have always taught in schools and I am currently teaching French and Spanish in a local school as well as managing a successful department. I have also been tutoring for the past year. Teaching languages is not just about vocabulary and syntax but it opens up a whole world of opportunities. It gives students a better insight into their own language and into other cultures. I am also very interested in language acquisition and I always bear research and evidence in mind when teaching my subject. My teaching style will vary depending on students' needs and whether I am teaching to an exam or for enjoyment but I am highly organised, professional, encouraging and patient. I use a variety of listening, reading, speaking and writing tasks in order to keep a good pace and make sure all 4 language skills are practised. Working one to one with a student means that, as a tutor, I can adapt the teaching and learning to suit the needs of that student. The lesson can be changed to address misconceptions or specific questions the students may have. I have experience teaching primary and secondary French. I have taught GCSE and A-level and I am cognizant with a range of examining boards (AQA, Edexcel) I love running and dancing. I also practise yoga and I love spending time with family and friends. I also love traveling, discovering new cultures and of course, learning new languages-I am currently learning Portuguese! I have a degree in English and a master's degree in English literature (from a French university) and a PGCE in French and Spanish (From Exeter University). I came to the UK to complete my master's degree and then decided to work as a language assistant. As I loved working in a school and sharing my passion of languages I then went on to do a PGCE at Exeter Univeristy. Allowing students to grow in confidence and achieve high results in their exams and supporting pupils with university applications including Oxbride. Meeting pupils I taught years later and them telling me what an impact I had! Although I have high standards and expectations, I am relaxed and positive and always try to make my teaching fun. I am also calm and patient. Repetition and retrieval are key to be a successful language learner; as a result I plan my lessons based on retrieval to ensure key vocabulary and concepts are embedded in the students' long term memory. When teaching GCSE and A-level, understanding the questions and exam skills are also fundamental in being successful.