Zoe

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.

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.

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.