Private Tuition

How I work

Once your learning goals have been confirmed, we will then decide upon the lesson format which works best for you. For example, this could take the form of any, or any combination, of the following;

• The reading out loud, with my supervision, of authentic online articles and other materials will focus on correct pronunciation, the identification and learning of new vocabulary and its application, and will improve your reading and comprehension skills.
•  Open and ‘free’ conversation’ in which you are encouraged to talk with me on any subject of interest to you, during which time, I as your instructor will note any grammatical or pronunciation errors within your speech, or points which could be improved. I will encourage conversation and will not interrupt you (except for the more serious mistakes) but prior to the end of the lesson we will discuss and note on a shared screen any errors or possible improvements. 
• Discussing and compiling vocabulary and expressions regularly used in a given situation in which you, the student, would like to develop your English language skills. This could, for example, be language used typically in the hospitality or other industries, when on holiday in an English-speaking holiday destination, when making ‘small-talk’ with strangers, when in business negotiations or making presentations at work, or when applying for a job or in a job interview.

During my lessons I adhere to one of the most important and widely recognised principles of language teaching. This is known as 3Ps or PPP. This works as follows:  

• First, I present of an aspect of language in a familiar context that students are familiar with, in the same way a personal physical trainer would show a new exercise technique to a member of a gymnasium. Here there is significant teacher input.  
•  The second stage is practice, where students will be given an activity that gives them lots of opportunities to practice and familiarise themselves with the newly introduced language while at the same time receiving limited and appropriate assistance from the instructor. To continue with the analogy, the personal trainer allows the gym member to practice the exercise technique while being close enough to give any necessary assistance, encouragement and positive feedback. Here, the input is transferred more to the learner.  
•  The final stage is that of production, where the students will use the language in context, in an activity set up by the teacher who will be giving minimal assistance, like the personal trainer allowing the new gym member to perform the exercise activity.