Information About Sönke - Newton Abbot teacher - (29 reviews)
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This is how 2 referees rated Sönke:
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Languages Taught
Sönke offers a FREE first / introductory lesson!
German |
Price Guide |
| Beginner | £35.00 |
| Intermediate | £35.00 |
| Advanced | £35.00 |
| Expert | £35.00 |
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Personal Description:
I am a native speaker and have a BA and a MA degree. Most importantly for language learners, I am a qualified teacher with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in teaching secondary German (with French and Geography).
Teaching Experience:
I taught German in schools for over 20 years, which included working with individual, small and class-size groups of all ages. Having gained first experience in teaching German while working as a British Council Foreign Language Assistant in East Devon, I decided to follow a career in teaching German at secondary and tertiary level.
I teach learners of all abilities and ages, using my experience in teaching secondary (Years 7-11), as well as tertiary (Years 12 and 13) students and can prepare learners for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IBDP German ab initio, and German B (SL or HL) exams. I have also taught professionals, adults and in primaries, as well as raised our own children bilingually.
2024 exam results (IB, A Level, IGCSE, GCSE and adult certificated courses) have once again been 'huge' for my tutees and humbling for me. It is not only a great pleasure but also a privilege being able to help learners to achieve their learning goal(s); almost all of mine surpassing that grade (where possible) by up to two grades. Three of them improved by four grades/digits compared to their predicted '3/4/3' respectability.
Ever since C-19 began, things had been rather strange and difficult to measure accurately how successful my tuition has been. However, my learners’ results speak for volumes, and I am very proud to be able to say that I have never had any negative feedback; all of my tutees having achieved at least their desired grade.
Also, all my Goethe Zertifikat tutees all passed with at least „gut", having so far taught and prepared learners for exams at A1 to C1.
Teaching Approach:
I teach learners of all abilities and ages, using my experience in teaching secondary (Years 7-11) and tertiary (Years 12 and 13) students, I can prepare learners for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IBDP German ab initio, and German B (SL or HL) exams. I have also taught in primaries and raised our own children bilingually.
Tutor Resources: (free to download)
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Native Language: German
Availability: Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Availability: Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Qualifications:
- St. Luke‘s School of Education, University of Exeter (1997) - German with French (PGCE) (✔ On File)
- University of Kiel, Germany (1996) - English and Geography (joint honours) (Masters) (✔ On File)
Sönke's Feedback
| Total Amount Of Feedback: | 29 |
| Total Positive Feedback: | |
| Total Other Feedback: (not shown) | 4 |
SönkeFrom Claire (5/5): I am having weekly lessons with Sønke as I am planning to take some time off next year travelling throughout Germany. Sønke is an exceptional teacher and is great to work with. His lessons are very varied, well prepared and most importantly fun! As a total beginner I am learning way more than I could ever have hoped for. Highly recommend.
From Heidi (/5): I used FirstTutors to find a German tutor for my child.
We had an excellent experience with Sønke as an A-Level German tutor. His deep understanding of the curriculum and ability to explain complex grammar and vocabulary were invaluable. He created engaging and interactive lessons that boosted confidence and improved my child’s fluency. Sønke was also incredibly reliable and supportive, always willing to tailor sessions to specific needs or requests. Concise summaries at the end of each lesson were extremely helpful.
I highly recommended Sønke for anyone looking to excel in A-Level German! His expertise, enthusiasm, and personalised approach make him an outstanding tutor.
We had an excellent experience with Sønke as an A-Level German tutor. His deep understanding of the curriculum and ability to explain complex grammar and vocabulary were invaluable. He created engaging and interactive lessons that boosted confidence and improved my child’s fluency. Sønke was also incredibly reliable and supportive, always willing to tailor sessions to specific needs or requests. Concise summaries at the end of each lesson were extremely helpful.
I highly recommended Sønke for anyone looking to excel in A-Level German! His expertise, enthusiasm, and personalised approach make him an outstanding tutor.
Reply from: Sönke: May I just say that it has been a privilege and huge fun working with your child, Heidi!
Thank you so much for your exceptionally kind words.
It was much appreciated.
I just hope that your child will now use their German to go beyond what is taught at A Level.
Thank you so much for your exceptionally kind words.
It was much appreciated.
I just hope that your child will now use their German to go beyond what is taught at A Level.
From Eva (/5): Soenke has really helped me refresh my German skills which have been gathering dust for a while. He always finds fun topics to discuss and is always well prepared for the lessons. Highly recommended!
From Sarah (/5): Sonke has been incredibly patient with my 18 year old who is a very reluctant student! He has provided feedback to us on every session and been a fantastic teacher. Many thanks
Reply from: Sönke: Many thanks for your feedback, Sarah.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, working with him and - more importantly - watching his very notable improvement.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, working with him and - more importantly - watching his very notable improvement.
From Hilary (/5): Sönke has been tutoring me for nearly two years. Our lessons are fun, and very well tuned to me (as an adult learner) and my preferred learning style. I really enjoy studying with him - he's an excellent tutor.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your kind words, Hilary.
Working with you and witnessing how much you have improved continues to be a delight and privilege.
Working with you and witnessing how much you have improved continues to be a delight and privilege.
From Peter (/5): Sonke is excellent, although we couldn't use him long term due to us travelling
Peter
Peter
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your kind words, Peter.
ALl the very best for your travels and language journey,
Sønke.
ALl the very best for your travels and language journey,
Sønke.
From Constanze (/5):
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your feedback.
I would love to know what else I could have done or what I could have done even better to deserve your ‘5/5’.
Kind regards,
Sønke
I would love to know what else I could have done or what I could have done even better to deserve your ‘5/5’.
Kind regards,
Sønke
From Seina (/5): My daughter (17) has been working with Soenke for a few weeks now. She loves her sessions with him and is super-inspired when she comes off calls. His style is clear, creative and inspiring and although it's still early days, we would thoroughly recommend him. As a parent I appreciate how organised, reliable and consistent he is. Thank you, A* :)
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your very kind words, Selina.
I am enjoying the sessions just as much. It is such a pleasure to work with learners who are as eager to improve as your daughter.
I am enjoying the sessions just as much. It is such a pleasure to work with learners who are as eager to improve as your daughter.
From Max (/5): Sönke is a sublime teacher - look no further if you are looking for a German tutor. He is fun, patient, and warm, and constantly came up with new, innovative ways of learning; I always looked forwards to our lessons. I recommend him wholeheartedly, whatever your level of pre-existing knowledge of German may be.
Reply from: Sönke: WOW!
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words.
It is working with tutees like yourself, which makes me love my job so much!
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words.
It is working with tutees like yourself, which makes me love my job so much!
From Srinivasa (/5): Mr has taught online German lessons for my daughter in the final year of her GCSEs. He is very kind, supportive and an excellent German teacher. He has a practical and methodical approach towards the teaching. My daughter enjoyed her German lessons with Mr Bayer, and has significant improved her confidence and performance in the German. She has now taken the German as one of her subjects in her IB programme, and is keen to continue with Mr as her German tutor in the next two years of her IB programme. We are very happy to have him as German tutor.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you very much for your very kind words, Srinivasa.
It has been and continues to be a pleasure and privilege to tutor your daughter.
It has been and continues to be a pleasure and privilege to tutor your daughter.
From Galen (/5): I've been seeking tutoring in getting me to a B1 level and Sönke has been amazing at tailoring a programme for me. He's patient and very effective. I highly recommend!
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you, Galen!
I look forward to every lesson; working with you is very rewarding and great fun.
I look forward to every lesson; working with you is very rewarding and great fun.
From Shrinivas (/5): Sonke has been excellent. I can see improvement in Shreyas in just 3 weeks. Even though he did not have slot he offered to forward resources. He connects with the student and always copies parents in the email thread.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your kind words, Shrinivas.
It is an absolute pleasure working with your son and I trust he will achieve his learning goal in due time.
It is an absolute pleasure working with your son and I trust he will achieve his learning goal in due time.
From Carys (/5): Sönke has been fantastic with my daughter, encouraging her and helping her to feel that she can certainly reach the grade she is after. He is patient, good-humoured and engaging and I would highly recommend him as a tutor.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your very kind words, Carys.
From Alice (/5): Sønke's lessons were always very lively and upbeat. This was important to us, as we needed someone who was both knowledgeable and could also make the tutorials fun.His help came at a time when my daughter needed some extra input and guidance as she was about to sit her German IGCSE in two months time. Regardless of outcome or grade, we really appreciated Sønke's help and, in these stressful times, his humour. Thank you!
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you very much for your kind words!
I enjoyed working with your daughter.
Fingers crossed, having achieved her learning goals, the outcome will be the desired top grade.
All the very best for a prosperous, happy and healthy future,
Sønke
I enjoyed working with your daughter.
Fingers crossed, having achieved her learning goals, the outcome will be the desired top grade.
All the very best for a prosperous, happy and healthy future,
Sønke
From Izzy (/5): Sønke truly is an excellent tutor. For the short time that I worked with him he made such a massive difference in everything from my results to my confidence and ability. He always delivered lessons that were perfectly pitched and well planned and structured, willing to spend as much time as necessary ensuring that I understood where I went wrong and how to improve. Overall, I could not recommend him highly enough!
Izzy, year 13 A Level Student
Izzy, year 13 A Level Student
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you so much for your very kind words, Izzy. It was a pleasure working with you!
Best wishes,
Sønke
Best wishes,
Sønke
From Alexander (/5): I am three lessons into my time with Sönke and I am loving every minute of it. Very courteous and professional, but also great fun to work with.
His teaching style is very flexible and he adjusts it to suit the context of what I am learning, minimising confusion with humorous examples and witty jokes.
His teaching style is very flexible and he adjusts it to suit the context of what I am learning, minimising confusion with humorous examples and witty jokes.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you very much for your kind words!
I am glad you are enjoying the sessions.
I am glad you are enjoying the sessions.
From Stefan (/5): Sonke has a great approach and combined with his sense of humor makes learning German easier. Thank you.
From Madeleine (/5): Sönke is an excellent tutor with a wealth of teaching experience and fantastic knowledge of all the different exam boards' syllabuses. He makes lessons fun, which is so important for learning; my daughter always enjoys them and has learnt a great deal. As my daughter has been too ill to attend school on a regular basis for some time, his lessons have actually been a lifeline. I can't recommend him enough.
From Sherry (/5): Daniel had his first lesson with Sonke and came downstairs afterwards beaming! he said he really enjoyed the lesson/
From Lewis (/5): Fantastic tutor, because he is patient, great personality, he goes the extra mile for you and has a canny ability to get you to understand complex ideas of German grammar. Highly recommended.
From Malene (/5): You are a great teacher - patient, organised and fun - and we have been very impressed with your level of professionalism. It’s quite amazing what a little bit of focused one-on-one can do!
From Ron (/5): Friendly and pro. Helps my son
From Jennifer (/5): We have hired Sonke to help myself, my husband and my two small children (aged 5 and 7) to learn some basic German before moving to Switzerland in a few months time. His lessons have been great fun, really engaging for the kids and we are amazed at how much we have learnt in such a short space of time. He has also been really helpful in providing further learning for both myself and my husband at a more in depth level. He is professional and friendly and we could not be more delighted. I would highly recommend him as a tutor.
From Andy (/5): Sönke is a real find - not just because of his prompt professionalism, his wealth of teaching experience, but because he has so quickly established a strong rapport with our daughter.
From Ed (/5): Sönke has built both my German language skills and my confidence to use them. His flexible approach keeps you engaged while keeping an eye on the end goal. For me that was to simply converse in German while there on business and holiday. Quickly we got to a stage where I was studying for a Goethe Institut certificate (the German equivalent of the British Council). His ability to deliver face-2-face and virtual lessons helped considerably during the March snow. I would highly recommend Sönke as a German tutor.
Reply from: Sönke: Thank you for your kind words! I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and it was great to use the online platform when we had to - almost as good as face-to-face. All the best for a prosperous and happy future in Germany!