Katharyn C - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

• GCSE German (specialising in new AQA & CAIE)
• A Level German
• ISEB 13+ German
• MLAT German
• English as a Foreign Language (EFL/EAL)
• IELTS, and Cambridge B2 First for Schools

I teach German to a wide range of ages and abilities. I have extensive experience of German at GCSE and A Level across a range of exam boards. In 2009 I completed a CELTA and taught at a private language college in Perth, Western Australia. Since returning to the UK I have taught German for SQA (Scottish) National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. I have also tutored students for IELTS in preparation for UCAS requirements. From August 2022 to June 2023 I taught full-time EAL in an international secondary setting, preparing students for the B2 First for Schools and IELTS. In addition I taught English A2 & B1 learners who required individualised programmes. I also supported emergent English learners in one-to-one and small group sessions. I have taught CAIE German GCSE in secondary school and recently successfully tutored a learner to an A, after achieving an E in his mock. I have taught adult German learners online with Lingoda GmbH, CEFR A1 to B2, alongside bespoke, private tutoring (specialising in CAIE GCSE and the new AQA GCSE specification).

I am a passionate linguist with a genuine love of languages. After my A Levels in German, French and Geography I spent a gap year in Tübingen, Southern Germany, where I fell in love with the language and culture. Having developed a high level of fluency during my gap year, I successfully completed two years of undergraduate studies in Germany. I then graduated with First Class Honours in German (BA) from the University of Stirling. Upon graduation, I worked as a bilingual project co-ordinator for a translation company, before taking the plunge into teaching. I hold a PGCE in Secondary Languages (German with French) from the University of Bristol and have enjoyed teaching languages ever since. In 2009, whilst living and working in Western Australia, I completed a CELTA, which has enabled me to teach EAL/ESOL to a wide range of learners. Since returning to the northern hemisphere in 2018, I have taught German and EAL in different schools in Scotland and Europe, including IELTS and Cambridge English at Gordonstoun School. I have also taught German to adult learners with Lingoda GmbH (online school) and successfully tutored German and EAL. Most recently, after working in Further Education for two years, focussing on SEN learners and vocational studies, I now work in Education Support at Dominican College, Belfast. I continue to teach and tutor German in the evenings.

I am an empathetic and patient teacher, who understands the importance of individualised programmes. I quickly identify students’ needs and personal goals, to determine the best approach for them. As a language learner myself, I know the importance of a safe learning space, free from judgment, and where students can experiment with language, learn from mistakes and quickly gain the confidence to aim high. I value and enjoy using retrieval practice, whilst recycling language and consolidating prior learning. Traditional grammar also plays an important role in my approach, as it contributes to a higher level of accuracy, fluency and self-confidence.

When not working, I love to be outdoors, along a beach, up a hill, or exploring a new city or country. Indoors or in poorer weather, I am a Scrabble and crossword fiend who also enjoys baking and experimenting with my sewing machine. Last but not least, I am an avid fan of German dramas (Krimis) on Netflix, ARD and ZDF!