Helen

Hi, I took early retirement, 8 years ago from teaching, when my kids left home to go to university. I have a dog whom I don't wish to leave at home alone, while I'm out working long hours. After 4 years away from a full time teaching post, I would love to do this now on a one-to-one and/or small group basis, in my own home or wherever is convenient for the student. I enjoy and miss teaching my favourite subjects German and English as a foreign language.

Tutoring Experience

I taught English in Germany where I lived from 1984-1991. My degree was in German and Linguistics. I became fluent in German from the age of 19, having lived and worked in Germany for long stints, over a 12 year period. I taught English in various companies and in adult education courses. I then went to live in Portugal for 5 years where I taught German and English in the International School of the Algarve as well as at a College for Hotel Management and Tourism. I learned Portuguese also. I moved to the South West (most recently Torquay) 27 years ago where I did my PGCE in German at Exeter University and taught German, English (Key Stage 3) and EAL (English as an Additional Language) for a total of 16 years. On taking early retirement, 8 years ago, I continued to do regular supply teaching both at primary and secondary schools in Newton Abbot, Exeter and Plymouth.

Tutoring Approach

I love being creative in my teaching... no excuse for boring grammar lessons.. with a creative mind at work, all aspects of language learning can be interesting and fun. I have quite a stock of interactive and communicative language learning games that I have developed over my long teaching career (30+years). I tailor my lessons and interaction with my students based on the type of learner they are and endeavour to maximize their learning potential.