Zoe

Experience

- 13+ Spanish

- GCSE Spanish

- A Level Spanish

- IB Spanish

- Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT)

I am a qualified teacher with 18 years experience as a full-time Spanish teacher in a top private school in the UK. My experience includes teaching Spanish from beginner to GCSE and A Level to a diverse range of students of all abilities, as well as those with SEN. In that role I was responsible for tutoring Spanish/MFL Oxbridge candidates with extra literature lessons, support with applications, and interview preparation and practice, with a high level of success. I spent 5 years as a boarding housemistress, taking responsibility for the academic progress and pastoral care of students, gaining valuable understanding of pupils’ needs and circumstances and also overseeing their university applications for all subjects, supporting them with personal statements and writing their references. Prior to working as a full-time teacher, my first teaching job was in a language school in Bolivia, where I taught English and also tutored Spanish to international aid workers. I also tutored university students informally alongside my previous career in tourism.

Biography

When I was 10 I was sent to live with a Spanish family in rural Andalucía on my own for three months to learn Spanish. It was a formative experience that sparked a life-long love and fascination for Hispanic language and culture. Languages were always my forte, and after studying Spanish, Latin and French A Levels, I went on to study Spanish and Russian at Cambridge, which included a year in South America studying the Quechuan language. On completing my degree I set up a travel company arranging tours of Bolivia, running that for several years before deciding on a career change to teaching when my family came along – regular trips through the Amazon to the Andes were not brilliantly compatible with having small children! After enjoying an 18 year career as a full-time Spanish teacher in a top private school, I am now tutoring, which allows me to continue teaching, which I love, while also allowing me more time for my own projects, which include learning Italian, reading, spending time with my huge extended family and going on long walks with my dog.

Personal Approach

Having taught hundreds of students over the years, I know that every learner is different and my first objective is always to identify their individual learning style and motivation and discover a way to harness their natural curiosity and strengths to encourage interest and confidence. I am an enthusiastic and encouraging person with high standards; ultimately, I want my students to become more independent, self-motivated and confident learners, so I encourage them to ask questions, do research and take a critical approach to their learning. I like to use a variety of activities and resources; while I am passionate about grammar, I also love to incorporate lots of real-world Hispanic culture to bring the language to life and make it relevant and interesting. I have plenty of experience stretching the most able students, as well as neurodiverse pupils and those with SEN.

What I do when I am not tutoring

When I am not working I love to travel and to learn more languages for my own interest. I am currently having weekly Russian lessons and I am also learning Italian. I also love to read, have friends over for tea in my beach hut and walk my dog.

Testimonials

'I just wanted to say a huge thank you for being such a brilliant teacher and helping me so much throughout the A Level, especially in those last few weeks where we went through countless essays, I am so so grateful and I can't believe I got full marks on Lorca! I was over the moon when I found out and it just made all those hours so worth it. Thank you so much!' (A Level student)

'I’m writing to express my gratitude for everything you have taught me. With your amazing teaching style and your lovely sense of humour you imbibed this quality of discipline towards studying Spanish, which I now apply across all my subjects. Thank you for the many laughs, words of encouragement and key life lessons you have shared with me. Muchas gracias por todo Sra A!' (GCSE student)

'Thank you so much for teaching me the past two years, you’ve been an amazing teacher. You really made me love Spanish even more, especially literature. I will never forget Lorca ever in my life now!' (A Level student, successful Cambridge applicant)

'Thank you so much for your amazing teaching and constant support. I am so grateful for the high quality of Spanish teaching I have received and hope to continue speaking Spanish in the future' (GCSE student)

'I wanted to write and thank you for all the help and support you gave me while preparing for my interviews. You’ve played a huge part in getting my offer and I can’t thank you enough.' (Cambridge applicant)