Information About Rachel - Aylesbury tutor - (37 reviews)
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This is how 2 referees rated Rachel:
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Subjects Taught
English |
Hourly Rate |
| Primary | £35.00 |
| Secondary | £35.00 |
| GCSE | £35.00 |
| A-Level | £40.00 |
| University | £50.00 |
| Casual Learner | £35.00 |
Entrance Exams |
Hourly Rate |
| 11 Plus | £40.00 |
| 13 Plus | £40.00 |
Music |
Hourly Rate |
| Primary | £40.00 |
| Secondary | £40.00 |
| GCSE | £40.00 |
| A-Level | £40.00 |
| University | £50.00 |
| Casual Learner | £40.00 |
English (Foreign Language) |
Hourly Rate |
| Primary | £30.00 |
| Secondary | £30.00 |
| GCSE | £30.00 |
| A-Level | £30.00 |
| Casual Learner | £30.00 |
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Personal Description:
Teaching has always been a central part of my life and it gives me great pleasure to help people of all ages and abilities to unlock their capabilities and develop a passion for learning.
I am a qualified secondary school Music and English teacher, having initially trained and taught in a selection of schools in the London Borough of Hounslow. This presented an array of both musical and teaching opportunities, furthered by my additional departmental responsibilities, such as subject teacher in charge of A-Level and Gifted and Talented Coordinator, before returning to my home town in Buckinghamshire to begin pursuing my dream of opening up an education centre of my own – an aspiration founded by my belief that one-to-one and personalised, small group tuition is the most successful, and enjoyable, method of education.
During the last five years I have worked as head of English at a small, independent college, where I devised and delivered our IGCSE English Language and Literature and A-Level English Literature (AQA Spec. A&B) courses. I have also been selected by AQA to examine their creative writing A-Level course, a brand new qualification which allows students to further explore creative writing and develop skills touched upon at GCSE level.
Presently, I predominantly teach from home, tutoring students in English, Maths and Music. I offer one-ton-one and small group supplementary tuition to compliment mainstream education, 11+ tuition (English, maths and non-verbal reasoning) and support with audition performances for university and drama school applications. During the daytime I work closely with students who study independently (home-educated or 'Y14') and offer support to families whose children are struggling to attend school. I tailor my lessons to the ends of my individual students, designing courses and creating resources in an accessible format.
In my free time I perform in an acapella choir, Aylesbury Consort of Voices, and enjoy walking my Labrador, Millie, in the surrounding countryside. I am a great fan of music and I believe that there is a strong link between being a successful creative writer and a musical performer.
Tutoring Experience:
Secondary school Music and English teacher (KS3-A Level): July 2007-2010
Private Music teacher (Grades 1-8): 2002-present.
English as a foreign language teacher (Conversational and Business English): June 2006-present.
Grammar School Entrance Examinations: October 2010-present.
Head of English: October 2010-February 2015.
AQA Examiner: February 2014-present.
Tutoring Approach:
Students travel to my house for lessons where they are greeted with a warm welcome from my Labrador. (She recognises who is who by their car engine and is often waiting by the door before students have arrived!) I teach from my study, a warm and bright room at the front of my house, which is an extension used exclusively for my teaching and, if you look around, you will see lots of little gifts kindly given to me by my past and present students.
With regards to English tuition, I provide texts, past exam papers and an exercise book. The latter operates as a record of what has been achieved in the lesson, homework set and targets. Importantly, I offer weekly constructive written and oral feedback and encourage parents to book appointments during the school holiday period to discuss their child's progress.
With regards to instrumental tuition, I do not insist that students work towards examinations, but rather that they learn to enjoy their instrument, developing a passion for their subject first and foremost. After this grounding has been established, working towards graded examinations is a natural progression for most students. I have a 100% success rate and most students pass with merit or distinction marks. Furthermore, I provide a diary which allows pupils to record their practice and facilitates teacher-parent dialogue. As far as possible I strive to lend pupils course materials.
Looking forward to meeting you!
*Lab will be shut away in the kitchen unless you feel comfortabe around animals.
Native Language: English (British)
Availability: Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Availability: Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Qualifications:
- Roehampton University (2007) - PGCE (PGCE) (✘ Not On File)
- Royal Holloway, University of London (2006) - BMus (Hons) (Bachelors) (✘ Not On File)
- Inter Language (2006) - TEFL (Other) (✘ Not On File)
- ABRSM (2002) - ABRSM Music Exams: Piano, Flute, Singing, Theory G1-8 (Other) (✘ Not On File)
Rachel's Feedback
| Tutees Providing Feedback: | 37 |
| Tutees Providing Positive Feedback: |
RachelFrom Cathie (5/5): (GCSE English) Sam has made an excellent start with Rachel. She has been supportive and enthusiastic, giving him detailed and constructive feedback in a timely manner. He looks forward to his sessions and being able to share his ideas with Rachel and the other students in the group. A complete success. Thank you.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for your feedback, Cathie. I have been extremely impressed by Sam's attitude and approach to learning. He is an absolutely delightful student and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve great things with his life. I just wish I could teach him for longer!
Best of luck with the rapildy approaching exams.
Best of luck with the rapildy approaching exams.
From Rebecca (/5): (GCSE English)
Reply from Rachel: Thank you, Rebecca. Korben has settled in well and demonstrates a mature attitude and a strong desire to improve his analytical skills in advance of his GCSEs in June 2018.
From Sinwai (/5): (Casual Learner English) Still waiting for a reply since June 2017. Thank you
Reply from Rachel: We began tuition immediately after you contacted me. During this period you cancelled two lessons out of four, both on the day of the lesson, which you didn't pay for, and then you contacted me to request a change of lesson time. As I first explained to you, prior to exchanging contacts details, I was only able to teach you during the day time due to being fully booked in the evenings. As you then wanted to switch to an evening slot I was not able to support you. I suggested some sessions during the summer holiday, in the event that you were unable to find a more regular teacher, but I've been away until 11th August. Had you e-mailed me you would have received my automated response which outlined summer holiday availability and the date of my return.
Our initial tuition sessions went well and I still have a handful of remaining slots for the end of August, should you like to make any further booking.
Our initial tuition sessions went well and I still have a handful of remaining slots for the end of August, should you like to make any further booking.
From Emma (/5): (A-Level English) Thank you Rachel for your kind and caring approach to lessons.
From Ruth (/5): (GCSE English) I wanted an experienced teacher who could quickly see the gaps in my son's knowledge and skills that is what I got! My son came home positive about how Rachel would be useful to boosting his confidence and giving him useful support in the run up to his English GCSEs which I was not expecting on the first visit! Comprehensive detail provided on identified areas of need so I can see what will be covered.
Never expected to go down the tutor route but glad we did.
Never expected to go down the tutor route but glad we did.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you, Ruth. James has been a welcomed addition to the group and I'm thrilled by his response to tuition and motivation to improve and develop his skills. I'm very much looking forward to hearing about the end result, come the summer.
From Anwar (/5): (GCSE English) All our three sons, who are bilingual (now age 11,16 and 18), have attended Rachel's English tutoring classes for the past two and half years. We have seen astonishing improvement in their English and most importantly have surpassed their expected/target exam grades.
Our eldest son, now at University, who had extreme difficulties with English as a subject for GCSE started attending Rachels English one-to one classes in his final year of GCSE. His school prediction was that he would be unable to achieve a pass C grade at GCSE. With Rachel's tutoring and positive encouragement he managed to achieve a grade B beyond our expectations. He was therefore able to get a place in sixth form to do his A levels and has now successfully moved on to get a place at University.
Our second son, now in his final year of GSCE, has had some natural ability for English but lacked concentration and maturity in his writing skills. With the benefit of Rachel's tutoring and with her ever positive encouragement he has developed a positive approach to studying and he has received surprisingly good result with positive feedback of improvement at school. W e are now confident hat he will obtain a good pass grade at GCSE and possibly continue to study English as an A level subject at sixth form.
With our youngest son, now at year six of primary, we have noticed the most dramatic improvement in his English writing and grammar skills in a very short period of time with the help of Rachel's tutoring.
Rachel has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially children. Her ability to connect with her students and her talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior. She also has excellent written and verbal communication skills with both parents and teachers.
To Rachel we are ever grateful.
A. Zaman
Our eldest son, now at University, who had extreme difficulties with English as a subject for GCSE started attending Rachels English one-to one classes in his final year of GCSE. His school prediction was that he would be unable to achieve a pass C grade at GCSE. With Rachel's tutoring and positive encouragement he managed to achieve a grade B beyond our expectations. He was therefore able to get a place in sixth form to do his A levels and has now successfully moved on to get a place at University.
Our second son, now in his final year of GSCE, has had some natural ability for English but lacked concentration and maturity in his writing skills. With the benefit of Rachel's tutoring and with her ever positive encouragement he has developed a positive approach to studying and he has received surprisingly good result with positive feedback of improvement at school. W e are now confident hat he will obtain a good pass grade at GCSE and possibly continue to study English as an A level subject at sixth form.
With our youngest son, now at year six of primary, we have noticed the most dramatic improvement in his English writing and grammar skills in a very short period of time with the help of Rachel's tutoring.
Rachel has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially children. Her ability to connect with her students and her talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior. She also has excellent written and verbal communication skills with both parents and teachers.
To Rachel we are ever grateful.
A. Zaman
Reply from Rachel: Dear Anwar,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such detailed, and thoughtful, feedback. It's been an absolute privilege to support your boys with their study of English and to be part of their academic journey from KS2, with the hope of progressing on to A-Level.
Some of the most enjoyable aspects of my job are getting to know an entire family and from a young age, watching them grown physically, and in maturity, as they become more confident and independent learners. Each week I ask Musa to stop growing, as he is now towering above me!
Your boys are hard-working, enthusiastic and committed and they are a pleasure to spend time with.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such detailed, and thoughtful, feedback. It's been an absolute privilege to support your boys with their study of English and to be part of their academic journey from KS2, with the hope of progressing on to A-Level.
Some of the most enjoyable aspects of my job are getting to know an entire family and from a young age, watching them grown physically, and in maturity, as they become more confident and independent learners. Each week I ask Musa to stop growing, as he is now towering above me!
Your boys are hard-working, enthusiastic and committed and they are a pleasure to spend time with.
From Patricia (/5): (Secondary English) Rachel has now being tutoring English to both of my boys for 2 terms - she is kind and knows exactly what they need to fill in gaps in their learning and to enable them to progress. My son in year 8 is already visiting some GCSE work which I am pleased about.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you, Patricia. It is a pleasure to support your boys and having them first on Monday evening is a perfect start to my teaching week.
From Alex (/5): (GCSE English) Surprisingly with a 15 year old boy I have no complaints about "going to the english tutor". Rachel is highly organised and there is very good communication between her and her her students. My son is in a group of 3 which seems to work very well as they can bounce ideas around with each other.
My son is dyslexic and has never enjoyed english, but he actually came out with the comment the other day that he was enjoying creative writing, which is lovely as he has a great imagination, but has always thought he couldn't write it down. Thank you Rachel
My son is dyslexic and has never enjoyed english, but he actually came out with the comment the other day that he was enjoying creative writing, which is lovely as he has a great imagination, but has always thought he couldn't write it down. Thank you Rachel
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for your feedback, Annie. It brings me great pleasure to learn that Alex is feeling more confident in his ability to write creatively and, indeed, I felt we'd turned a corner on Tuesday. I ws very impressed by the way he took the reader on a journey around the image of a haunted house, which he'd selected to describe.
I always look forward to welcoming the boys on a Tuesday and they are a positive influence on each other.
Many thanks,
Rachel
I always look forward to welcoming the boys on a Tuesday and they are a positive influence on each other.
Many thanks,
Rachel
From Joanne (/5): (A-Level English) Rachel was very helpful and very accommodating abd very professional. Thank you.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you, Joanne. It was a pleasure to help Richard with his A-Level coursework.
From Eileen (/5): (GCSE English) A Great Tutor in a setting … really fortunate to have found Rachel.
From Nicky (/5): (A-Level English) My son has settled in really well with Rachel. She has excellent communication skills and I would highly recommend her.
From Angela Noelyn (/5): (Primary Entrance Exams) My daughter is very relaxed and starting to become more confident. she is always looking forward to her next lesson at all times. Rachel is such an amazing, knowledgeable and a very approachable person. Thank you First Tutors
Reply from Rachel: Thank you so much, Angela. It really is such a pleasure to see Holly developing confidence and making progress. She takes such pride in her work and is such a lovely natured little girl that I know she will go on to achieve great things with her life.
From Joshua (/5): (GCSE English) Rachel has settled my son in very quickly and identified strategies to support him, I am confident he will now make good progress. Looking forward to a good term, thank you
Reply from Rachel: It's a pleasure to support Joshua and I am really pleased to see that his confidence is improving rapidly. He is an observant and capable student and we just need to work on capturing his ideas on paper. With his determination and organisational skills I have every faith that he will get there.
From Meena (/5): (Primary English)
Reply from Rachel: Saravanan is an asset to the group. He works hard, is extremely polite and is highly supportive to his peers. It gives me so much pleasure to see my students helping each other, reinforcing their own learning, and developing a keen awareness of their skills. I always look forward to my 11+ group on a Wednesday evening.
From Trudy (/5): (Primary Entrance Exams) My son is really enjoying his lessons with Rachel and comes back home full of enthusiasm. Rachel has a professional yet friendly and encouraging teaching style. My son is now much more confident and now feels able to tackle more challenging work at school.
Reply from Rachel: Alessandro is a delightful boy and he has fitted into the group well. He now has far fewer panics and is more able to calmly apply his knowledge. He has also greatly improved his speed and is less likely to become fixated on challenging questions, instead moving on to something more manageable, when working under timed conditions. Alessandro is a strong contender for the 11+ and I really hope achieves the mark he deserves.
From Paulo (/5): (Primary English) My Daughter is well relax and looks forward for her tutoring all the time. she is learning fast and started to gain points in school. Well recommended. Thank you first tutors for allowing us to meet such a wonderful, knowledgeable and approchable person.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for such thoughtful words. I, too, look forward to teaching your daughter each week and it is a pleasure to help her progress with her studies and see her transform into a confident, articulate young lady. We have great fun on Sunday afternoons and she is a highly valued memeber of the group.
From Helen (/5): (GCSE English) Really easy to discuss our needs, review what help would be beneficial, organise a mutually convenient tutoring slot and get started. Sam is very happy and comfortable and actually enjoys his lessons which I still think is amazing for a sporty 14 year old boy who lives outside!
Reply from Rachel: I've utterly enjoyed our sessions to date - Sam is a delightful young boy and I am so pleased to see his confidence developing quickly. Already his writing style has improved enormously and I look forward to seeing where he ends up.
From Paul (/5): (GCSE English) My daughter has just started with Rachel, and we can already see very positive results.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for your feedback, Paul. It is such a pleasure tutoring your daughter and her school friend together - they are both such lovely students. Having another person to bounce ideas off of has made the session more vibrant and has been particularly beneficial when planning essay questions. I look forward to our sessions.
From Beena (/5): (Primary Music) I have been very happy with Rachel and would highly recommend her.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you, Beena. I am really enjoying supporting Lakshmi with her Grade One Piano and also tutoring her for the 11+. It's also been a real treat getting to know you too! I hope you will bring Biscuit, your dog, to a lesson soon!
From Rosie (/5): (GCSE English) Our son has had 2 lessons with Rachel and has found them really useful. She is very friendly and personalises the lesson well to meet his requirements. Thanks very much.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you Rosie! I am yet to meet another student of his age group who is so well travelled - he has lots of exciting stories to inspire his creative writing tasks!
From Vicky (/5): (A-Level English) Excellent Tutor, & is the perfect person to tutor my son. He has a massive amount of A Level coursework to conquer, and Rachel is excellent at getting the best out of my son, the tutorials so far have been very productive.
Under Rachel's supervision, I a very confident that my son will be prepared for these forthcoming exams, and will achieve good grades.
Many Thanks.
Mrs V Sklar
Under Rachel's supervision, I a very confident that my son will be prepared for these forthcoming exams, and will achieve good grades.
Many Thanks.
Mrs V Sklar
Reply from Rachel: Dear Mrs Sklar,
Thank you for such wonderful feedback. Josh is continuing to astound me with his hard-working approach and mature attitude toward the enormous amount of work he is currently facing. He is rising to the challenge of balancing A-Level coursework, examinations and resits whilst applying for university places - accepting auditions and completing sample essays for his future professors.
A fantastic young man, whom I feel very priviledged to have met.
Rachel
Thank you for such wonderful feedback. Josh is continuing to astound me with his hard-working approach and mature attitude toward the enormous amount of work he is currently facing. He is rising to the challenge of balancing A-Level coursework, examinations and resits whilst applying for university places - accepting auditions and completing sample essays for his future professors.
A fantastic young man, whom I feel very priviledged to have met.
Rachel
From Charissa (/5): (Primary English) Our son enjoys his fortnightly lesson and he is gaining confidence, he can get stressed at school but during his lesson he is relaxed and at ease. His English score at school has improved, the one to one teaching has really helped him.
Reply from Rachel: Marcus has gone from strength to strength and I look forward to seeing him every other week. It's amazing what a confidence boost can do!
From Susan (/5): (GCSE English) Rachel , Suzie is really comfortable working with you. Thank you
Reply from Rachel: Thank you! She is steadily growing in confidence each week.
From Rachel (/5): (Casual Learner English) Rachel, has provided my son (Yr8) with clear, but supportive feedback to help improve his written English. I think it is fair to say this is a work in progress, but I feel so much more confident knowing she will help him to improve. She has also created a learning environment which is fun but challenging. He loves to go to her on a Saturday morning which tells you all you need to know !
Her admin is efficient and clear which helps me, and she clearly has a genuine interest in her students and a desire to help them achieve their full potential, whatever that might be.
I would strongly recommend her.
Her admin is efficient and clear which helps me, and she clearly has a genuine interest in her students and a desire to help them achieve their full potential, whatever that might be.
I would strongly recommend her.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for such wonderful feedback, Rachel. It gives me great pleasure to know that the balance between hard work and 'fun' has been appropriately struck! Alex is hard working and keen to implement the skills we have been developing in our weekly sessions and his enthusiasm bodes well for a successful achievement, come GCSE time.
From Samuel (/5): (A-Level English) Really great, so friendly and warm, genuinely interested in not only the subject matter but also in what i had to say. Good knowledge and just a very nice person!
Reply from Rachel: Dear Sam,
Firstly, thank you for such heart-warming feedback. Secondly, I thoroughly enjoyed supporting you with your A2 studies and I always looked forward to reading your essays. I am confident you will receive some well-deserved news in August and I hope you are now spending ample time relaxing :)
Please let me know how you get on.
Warm wishes,
Rachel
Firstly, thank you for such heart-warming feedback. Secondly, I thoroughly enjoyed supporting you with your A2 studies and I always looked forward to reading your essays. I am confident you will receive some well-deserved news in August and I hope you are now spending ample time relaxing :)
Please let me know how you get on.
Warm wishes,
Rachel
From Nicola (/5): (GCSE English) Excellent could not have found a better tutor for my son he thoroughly enjoys his English tutorials with Rachel and importantly his school have noticed an improvement in his work after only a few weeks
Reply from Rachel: Thank you Nicola! I am thrilled that school have noticed an improvement and that his hard work is being acknowledged, deservingly so.
From Ann (/5): (Secondary English) Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for tutoring Josh, he really looks forward to his sessions with you and I feel that he is progressing well. He is thinking about his English more and is putting in more effort, which shows that he is enjoying your teaching. I am also really pleased with how you are broadening his horizons and improving his confidence, as he always leaves his lesson buzzing with enthusiasm for study and for life, it's great! I only wish all his teachers at school were like you!
Thank you!
Best wishes,
Ann
Thank you so much for tutoring Josh, he really looks forward to his sessions with you and I feel that he is progressing well. He is thinking about his English more and is putting in more effort, which shows that he is enjoying your teaching. I am also really pleased with how you are broadening his horizons and improving his confidence, as he always leaves his lesson buzzing with enthusiasm for study and for life, it's great! I only wish all his teachers at school were like you!
Thank you!
Best wishes,
Ann
Reply from Rachel: Dear Ann,
Thank you so much for your heart-felt words. It's such a pleasure to support Joshua and it's wonderful to know that he's happy to brace the cold, winter weather, late on a Friday evening, for a tuition session! He is growing from strength to strength and it is exciting to imagine where his recent enjoyment for English will take him.
Thank you so much for your heart-felt words. It's such a pleasure to support Joshua and it's wonderful to know that he's happy to brace the cold, winter weather, late on a Friday evening, for a tuition session! He is growing from strength to strength and it is exciting to imagine where his recent enjoyment for English will take him.
From Nuttayanee (/5): (Casual Learner English)
Reply from Rachel: It was a pleasure to support you for your first ever interview in the UK. They would be lucky to have you on their team.
From Jane (/5): (A-Level Music) Rachel really helped my son, Alex, with his A Level Music. He was really struggling with some aspects of the course and Rachel helped Alex achieve a really good result.
Reply from Rachel: I am absolutely thrilled that Alex achieved a C in A-Level Music and is now at his first choice university, Bath Spa, studying Music Technolog**Contact Detail Removed**ge feat for a self-taught, popular music performer to have successfully battled their way through a written paper on Mahler's 4th Symphony!
From Chris (/5): (GCSE English) My Year 9 son has only had a handful of sessions with Rachel but we've been very impressed by her support so far. Rachel has a wonderful, friendly approach and is very encouraging. My son is already more confident in tackling his English homework and he enjoys the time he spends with Rachel.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for such wonderful feedback! I look forward to teaching Alex and I have particularly enjoyed helping him to develop his creative writing skills. It's great to have such a hard-working and well-organised pupil.
From Samantha (/5): (GCSE English) Rachel made a positive impression on my son from the start. He looks forward to his sessions and they seem to be making a real difference with his confidence and enthusiasm for English. Thanks Rachel
Reply from Rachel: Ben is a delight to work with and in a matter of weeks he has made dramatic progress. Keep up the fabulous work Ben and you will go far.
From Susan (/5): (Secondary English) Grace is now enjoying ,for the first time ever, reading and writing all thanks to Rachel.
We have only been with you a few months but Grace's progress and confidence has vastly improved.
Thank you
We have only been with you a few months but Grace's progress and confidence has vastly improved.
Thank you
Reply from Rachel: It makes me so happy to read this! Talk about job satisfaction! Well done Grace - keep up the good work!
From Carol (/5): (Secondary English) Hi Rachel
I liked your site because you looked friendly, I was interested in your experience in the area that Will needed help with.
You were not this years graduate who would find something else to do before the year had finished.
Carol
I liked your site because you looked friendly, I was interested in your experience in the area that Will needed help with.
You were not this years graduate who would find something else to do before the year had finished.
Carol
Reply from Rachel: It's been a pleasure to assist Will with his Y9 English studies and I am amazed at how quickly he has developed a passion for reading! With such enthusiasm he has a bright future ahead.
From Nicola (/5): (A-Level English) Thank you Rachel our daughter has felt encouraged by your friendly attitude and feel s that pointers you gave her at her first session were helpful.
Reply from Rachel: Thank you for your warm words! It's a pleasure to help Anya develop her skills at A2 and I am certain she will do very well.
From Caroline (/5): (GCSE English) Very friendly , helpful . Provided resources .
Would recommend
Would recommend
Reply from Rachel: I hope she gets the grades she deserves, as she has worked exceptionally hard against all odds. Best of luck for the future.
From June (/5): (GCSE English) We were very lucky to be able to link up with Rachel,she has engaged with Sam very quickly , and his confidence is growing. She is able to give him quality feedback that will help him with his GCSE's.
Reply from Rachel: Sam's confidence has drastically increased and he works hard to apply my feedback to his work. He is a pleasure to teach and I'm looking forward to having something fantastic to celebrate in the summer!
From Jitka (/5): (Casual Learner English) She's good tutor.I'm happy with her.She helps me.
Reply from Rachel: It's such a pleasure to watch Jitka go from strength to strength each week. At the end of each lesson she has always made progress and should feel very proud of herself.