Viola Brisolin - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

Experience

Current: Teaching fellow at University College London (French); self-employed as a tutor for Keystone tutors and other agencies.

09-2004/04-2010 Teaching fellow and Researcher. University College London. Centre for European Studies.

Designed and delivered a variety of courses and seminars in the French and Italian departments, both with other lecturers and alone (French literature, Italian literature and cinema, literary theory).

03/2004-07/2004 English and French Languages and Literature Tutor. Institute Centro Didattico Santo Stefano; Bologna, Italy. I was employed by a private college with the following duties:

-Teaching one-to-one courses and revision classes (GCSE and A levels).

-Preparing educational material.

10/2000-02/2003 Free-lance translator and language tutor. Self-employed. Bologna (10/2000-09/2002) and Madrid (10/2002-02/2003).

I tutored exchange students enrolled at the University of Bologna and at the Johns Hopkins University in Bologna, teaching them Italian language and culture, as well as providing translating and proof-reading services. In Madrid I collaborated on a free-lance basis with the language school Cambridge House, providing translating services.

09/1998-07/2000 Teacher and cultural co-ordinator. Cultural Association Poggeschi; Bologna, Italy.

I worked with a well-reputed association which runs cultural, educational and mentoring projects, and fosters collaborations with the local and international community.

-Designed and taught courses of Italian language and culture for migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers.

-Organised discussion groups and advice sessions on legal and social issues.

Recent Keystone Work:

AS/A2 French, GCSE French: GCSE French (Started: February 2011)

AS/A2 French: TCF test - French (Started: March 2011)

AS/A2 French: A2 French (Started: May 2011)

AS/A2 French: AS/A2 French (Started: May 2011)

GCSE French: French speaking for GCSE (Started: September 2011)

Biography

I have recently completed a PhD in comparative literature (French and Italian) at University College London and have extensive experience teaching and mentoring people of different ages and cultural backgrounds. I am fluent in English, French and Italian, and have taught these languages for several years in the UK and in Italy (one-to-one tuition, as well as at secondary and tertiary level).

At Keystone I offer tuition of Italian and French languages at all levels (but have a specialism in GCSE and A level); Italian, French and English literature at all levels; Philosophy

and Cultural studies.

Personal Approach

Every student is unique so my first step is to assess the learner's goals, needs and motivations as well his or her level of linguistic competence. This first assessment also entails an identification of those areas of grammar and vocabulary which need particular attention. I then proceed to prepare a teaching plan accordingly. I like to balance the study of grammatical structures with practical, lively exercises, and often use audiovisual aids and internet resources to make the learning process more engaging and relevant to the student's everyday experience. With more advanced students I like to use newspaper articles, songs, or book extracts as learning tools.

What I do when I am not tutoring

Teaching, writing and translating. Also doing outreach work with the Barnet Refugee Service.

Testimonials

21/12/2011: My daughter had a great time with Viola and is looking forward to their next lesson! (Mother Yr 10 French student)

17/10/2011: “Viola was an excellent tutor. She prepared great exercises and her expertise was much appreciated. I am very grateful” (A-level student, French)

17/10/2011: "My session with Viola was really helpful especially because of her preparation - asking me the areas I had problems with before the lesson - very efficient" (A Level French Student)

25/05/2011: “The first session went really well. She had done loads of preparation beforehand which was very impressive. We did two hours with no distractions, so full marks all round really.” (Bertie, French)

Available upon request

Passport: Keystone Tutors has a copy of Viola Brisolin's passport and therefore can confirm that Viola Brisolin is a UK / EU national or has the appropriate visa to be eligible to work in the UK.