Information About Dylan - Kilkenny tutor

Personal Description:

I am a highly qualified and experienced German language educator with a strong academic background and extensive practical experience in both teaching and curriculum development. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in German and History, a Master’s Degree in German and History, and a PhD in German, reflecting my long-standing commitment to language education and intercultural learning.

Over the course of my career, I have lived, studied, and worked in Germany, immersing myself fully in the language and culture. This invaluable first-hand experience informs my teaching approach, allowing me to provide students not only with grammatical accuracy and exam readiness but also with rich cultural insight and authentic language use. My time in Germany has deepened my understanding of both historical and contemporary German society, which I incorporate meaningfully into lessons to make learning more engaging and relevant for students.

I am a Leaving Certificate Written and Oral Examiner, and I work as a German **E-mail Address Removed**, where I support students nationwide in their exam preparation. In recognition of my teaching excellence, I was honoured to receive the Best Teacher of German Award from the Austrian-Irish Embassy—an accolade that speaks to my passion for language teaching and learner success. I am also an author for Euro Languages College, where I have contributed educational content tailored to the needs of Irish secondary school students.

My classes are student-centred, exam-focused, and informed by best practices in language pedagogy. I offer one-to-one online grinds tailored to the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle syllabi, with a strong emphasis on building grammatical competence, developing oral fluency, and mastering the written tasks. Each student receives a free German grammar and oral preparation booklet, specially designed to support learning outside of lessons and reinforce key exam content.

With years of experience guiding students towards achieving their potential in German, I provide structured, supportive, and engaging lessons that equip learners with the skills and confidence needed to excel. Whether you are preparing for Junior Cycle assessments or aiming for a H1 in the Leaving Certificate, I can help you achieve your goals through clear explanations, practical strategies, and authentic language exposure.

Tutoring Experience:

With over seven years of teaching experience across both secondary and third-level education, I bring a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective to language instruction. I have taught German at both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate levels, as well as German language, literature, and cultural studies at university level, equipping me with the pedagogical flexibility to meet the needs of learners at varying stages of their academic journeys.

At secondary school level, I have designed and delivered engaging, outcomes-based lessons aligned with the Irish curriculum, focusing on key skills such as oral fluency, listening comprehension, grammar mastery, and written expression. My teaching consistently supports students in building confidence and competence, with a clear emphasis on preparing for state examinations. As a Leaving Certificate Written and Oral Examiner, I bring deep insights into exam requirements and assessment criteria, which informs my ability to guide students towards excellent results.

In the third-level sector, I have lectured in German language, literature, and cultural studies, supporting undergraduates in developing academic German skills as well as broader critical thinking and intercultural competencies. This experience has strengthened my ability to teach advanced language structures, facilitate discussion-based seminars, and incorporate a wide range of authentic texts and digital resources into my teaching.

I have also contributed to curriculum development and assessment at both levels, designing written and oral examinations, marking schemes, and learning support materials. My role as an expert with ExamRevision.ie and author for Euro Languages College has enabled me to develop high-quality, exam-focused content for learners across Ireland.

My teaching philosophy is grounded in student-centred learning, differentiation, and communicative language teaching. I believe in creating an inclusive, supportive, and motivating learning environment where students are encouraged to take risks with language and become active participants in their own learning. My lessons integrate a range of methodologies—including task-based learning, blended learning, and scaffolded practice—to cater for diverse learning styles and abilities.

Throughout my career, I have remained committed to professional growth and reflective practice, consistently updating my knowledge of best practice in MFL education, assessment for learning, and technology-enhanced learning. Whether in the classroom or online, I strive to deliver high-impact teaching that inspires confidence and a genuine interest in the German language and culture.

Approach to Grinds:

My approach to grinds is grounded in clarity, structure, and individualised support, with a strong emphasis on exam preparation, language proficiency, and student confidence. Drawing on over seven years of experience teaching German at both secondary and university level, I tailor each lesson to the learner’s needs, abilities, and goals—whether preparing for Junior Cycle assessments or aiming for a H1 in the Leaving Certificate.

Every grind begins with a careful diagnosis of the learner’s current level, strengths, and areas for improvement. This allows me to create a personalised learning plan that targets the specific skills required by the Irish MFL curriculum: listening, reading, spoken interaction, spoken production, and written production. I take a systematic and scaffolded approach, ensuring students build core vocabulary, grammatical understanding, and communication strategies in manageable steps.

As a Leaving Cert Written and Oral Examiner, I offer students invaluable insights into how marks are awarded and how to perform with precision and confidence in both written and oral exams. I model sample answers, provide practical techniques for mastering complex grammatical structures, and guide students in developing exam strategies—such as time management, identifying question types, and structuring responses. For oral exam preparation, I place particular emphasis on pronunciation, fluency, and authentic expression, ensuring that students are not only accurate but also confident and natural speakers.

My grinds are interactive, focused, and purposeful. Lessons are built around real exam content, authentic resources, and clear learning outcomes. I provide each student with a free grammar and oral booklet, created to support independent study between lessons and reinforce key material in a structured format.

I also place a strong emphasis on motivation and learner autonomy. Through regular feedback, reflection, and goal-setting, students become more aware of their own learning processes and progress. I aim to create a supportive, pressure-free environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and stretching their abilities.

Whether a student needs help catching up, wants to push for top grades, or simply lacks confidence in German, I bring a deep understanding of the curriculum, exam system, and best practice in teaching to help each learner achieve their full potential.