Marina

I specialise in tutoring 10+ Entrance Exams to grammar and independent schools. .
I have taught in institutions and privately in the UK, Austria and Italy. I speak several languages, have lived abroad and have taught in primary and secondary schools. From 1987 to 2015 I worked as a freelance translator (German and Italian into English) and I was a Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists.

I have taught children and adults individually, in groups and classrooms for over 40 years.

I have two grown-up children who live and work in the UK.

Tutoring Experience

My teaching career has ranged from English as a Second Language to Primary Maths and English, A level German and Italian conversation. As a language graduate with a postgraduate teaching certificate, from 1973 I led the German Departments at The Royal Naval School, Haslemere, Tiffin Girls' School, Kingston on Thames and St. Bernard's Grammar School, Slough. I also taught French in Year 7 and 8.
I am qualified to teach English as a Second Language, which I taught for five years to all ages at a grammar school in Vienna as well as adult evening classes. In Italy I taught ESL from 1987-1999 from nursery school to university level. In the UK I taught business English and general English at Cheltenham Inlingua Language School.

From 2008 to 2019 I successfully prepared 10-year-olds for Grammar School and Common Entrance exams in Cheltenham ( Pates Grammar and Cheltenham College), Gloucester (The King's School and the Crypt Grammar School ) and Cornwall (Truro Girls' High).Two students were awarded academic scholarships. I successfully coached three students in English for 13+ entry to Bedford School and Radnor House, Twickenham and Eton College.
I have successfully tutored for 8+ entry to St.Paul's, Westminster Under, King's College School and Sussex House.. In 2016/2017 I successfully tutored a student who was offered a place at 7+ level at King's College School, St.Paul's, Westminster Under and Latymer School. Another student was offered a place at Latymer and two students gained places to years 3 and 6 for September 2017 at Wetherby School. In the 2018 7+ exams one student was offered a place at Westminster Cathedral Choir School. In the January 2018 11+ exams one student accepted a place at Latymer Upper School. Another boy accepted a place at Hampton School. In the 2019 7+ exam my student gained a place at Westminster Under. Another private student, age 11, was accepted for entry to Hampton School in September 2019 and Wellington School in 2021. In the November 2019 7+ exams one student gained entry to King's College School, Wimbledon.

In London, I worked from 2016 to 2020 as a volunteer for the charity Richmond EAL Friendship Group, teaching 1:1 English and from 2019 to 2020 I also worked as an Exams Invigilator at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Tutoring Approach

I adapt my teaching to my students' needs. I believe in creating a friendly atmosphere and also believe in high standards. Students should challenge themselves and understand their strengths as well as their weaknesses. To this end, I frequently update my teaching resources and make sure they are tailor-made for the student.
I respond quickly to enquiries and always communicate promptly with potential clients via the message feature.