Private tuition is a great way for students to improve their level of French. I tailor my one-to-one lessons to best suit the starting level and objective of each of my students. Whether you’re just starting secondary school or preparing for your GCSEs, I will work with you to improve on the areas you’d like to focus on.
French Grammar
Many of my students come to me to improve their understanding of French grammar. With all the strange conjugations and random exceptions to the rule, it can certainly seem intimidating! Having now taught French at GCSE and A-Level standard for over a decade, I’ve become familiar with the common questions and issues that students often have with French grammar:
- Tenses – when to use le passé composé, l’imparfait etc…
- Avoir vs Être – when to use which verb.
- The subjunctive – which common phrases require the subjunctive mood (hypotheses, feelings, thoughts, wishes, doubts, uncertainty etc…)
- Sentence structure – where to place adjectives, nouns, adverbs etc…
- Verb conjugations – regular vs irregular verbs.
French Vocabulary
Students often have to learn vocabulary around certain topics, such as the environment or leisure activities, for their speaking and writing exams. I work with my pupils to expand their vocabulary in French by using a variety of resources, including textbooks, newspaper articles, French videos and audio tapes. One-to-one tuition can be a great way to go beyond the vocabulary typically taught in schools and impress on exam day.
French Speaking & Listening
French pronunciation can be difficult, with many of its sounds not found in English. But like with anything, practice makes perfect. As a native French speaker, I teach my students accurate French pronunciation and intonation through regular speaking and listening exercises. Having this one-on-one support has proven to be immensely useful for my students, many of whom do not receive regular help in this area at school.