Information About Benedict - Solihull teacher

Personal Description:

I'm a Modern Languages graduate and all round language enthusiast with extensive experience as both a learner and teacher.

As somebody who has been on both sides of the fence, I know and enjoy the process of starting from zero in unfamiliar territory, steadily making progress until the barriers that once held you back begin to crumble and reveal a whole new world unlocked by your newfound abilities. I've walked that path myself and it gives me great joy to help someone else on their journey.

For students focused on GCSE/A-Level exams, not only can I offer you language support but also, crucially, exam techniques and strategies. For many students, language exams are particularly intimidating. I can provide you with all the weapons you need to battle these demons and come out on top.

For casual learners, what I can offer is a helping hand to avoid common pitfalls that beginners can fall into. As a native English speaker, I know very well the concepts that are difficult for us to grasp and those that must be mastered to truly conquer a foreign language.

Teaching Experience:

Member of the Teach First programme, teaching Spanish and French in a comprehensive school. Small but growing number of one-to-one clients, both GCSE/A-Level students and casual learners.

Teaching Approach:

Every student is different and it is my job as a tutor to adapt to your needs and abilities. My core principles are listed below.

For GCSE/A-Level students:
- Firstly, we seek to establish firm foundations by mastering all relevant grammar concepts
- Once foundations are in place, we look to consolidate any weaknesses in the four assessment areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
- Finally, we look to hone your exam technique and strategies for navigating any obstacles an assessment may throw your way

For casual learners:
- I prefer to focus on the enjoyment of learning a language, you are more likely to stick with it if you're having fun and engaging with the language outside of our sessions
- I endeavour to get to know my student and use topics/resources from their areas of interest as a base for our sessions
- If you do have a specific goal in mind (holiday, business etc) scenario based sessions are my favoured way of helping you progress towards this

Typical session length is 50 minutes. I welcome casual learners of all ages and abilities, whether we're building from the ground up or dusting off the cobwebs after a long hiatus.