Sarah W
Tutor in Balham, South West London

*Skype lessons now available for advanced level students*

A full-time Private French Tutor since January 2010, I have worked with many students preparing for their 13+, GCSE, iGCSE, A Level and undergraduate exams. My key aim is to create a safe setting within which each student can feel free to learn without negative pressures from classroom peers, judgment from teachers, fear of criticism or embarrassment, or any other restrictions. I design my lessons around each student’s aims, interests and ambitions, keeping study sessions fun and motivation high.

I have also worked with many adults, improving their Business French language skills across a wide range of industry sectors including Law (Barristers and Lawyers), Media Relations, Finance (Finance Directors and City Traders), Human Rights Organisations, Engineering, Risk Consultancy, Events Management, Accountancy, Architecture, Data Marketing, IT and Human Resources Management. Similarly, I have worked with other adults who were learning French for pleasure. Learning on a one-to-one basis can often provide the motivation an adult student is looking for if he/she has had difficulties with home-learning resources or other types of self-study.

Every student will have different questions, different talents and will need to face different hurdles. My calm, patient and considerate approach to tutoring creates an environment where no question is silly, any worries about the subject can be discussed openly, and frustrations can be ironed out, explored and worked through. A one-to-one tutoring session also means gifted students can be pushed further than they would be in a classroom environment. In effect, it is the student who will dictate the pace of the sessions.

Prior to tutoring, I spent 12 years in the media, direct marketing and recruitment industries in sales and marketing roles. As such I am well placed to tailor sessions to include business jargon and technical corporate vocabulary for Business French students.

I have also worked on ad-hoc bilingual projects, including the translation of corporate and literary works from French into English, and a market research project in the French pharmaceutical industry. I recently translated the brand marketing/market research book 'I Love Marketing' by Cyril Jamelot from French into English.

I have a DESEM (Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Européennes de Management – equivalent to a UK Honours degree) from Euromed Management in Marseille, France. A prestigious and selective 'école de commerce', all tuition was in French. I also have a BA (Hons) degree in European Management (2:1) from Middlesex University Business School in London.

I have lived, worked and studied in France for several years and I am bilingual in all aspects of daily French life, culture and business.

I operate very flexible hours both during the day and in the evenings, during the week and at weekends, including school holidays. I cover most areas within Central London and South London.

I have an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate and I am also trained in First Aid At Work through St John Ambulance (valid to August 2018).