La parole aux étudiants
Testimonials from students learning French later in life:
“Kathi offers anxious adults a secure way into speaking French! She teaches in a relaxed and informal manner, and puts the learner at ease. That does not mean that her lessons are ‘ad hoc’ – on the contrary she is highly organised and her lessons are well prepared with a mix of conversation, grammar, podcasts and homework and are always really enjoyable!
Her sessions are tailor-made to meet the needs of the learner. Each lesson builds on the previous, with appropriate revision every few weeks. Kathi will teach around subjects which interest the student, so that her lessons are about real language learning and not simply rote learning. I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is pleasure to be with and will take any enthusiastic learner to that momentous point when one can say ‘yes, I speak French’ ! “
– Sharon – property owner in Creuse
“Kathi is very knowledgeable in her subject, and as important, very patient, especially with the likes of me. A great teacher with a great personality.” – John (Mature learner)
Students of all ages improve their French grades with Kathi:
“I really enjoyed studying with French with Kathi. She is very approachable, deeply supportive and incredibly patient, never making you feel anxious or under pressure. I studied two French OU modules at the same time (beginner and intermediate levels) and Kathi was invaluable in helping me attain the high grades that I received. I genuinely could not have done it without her”
– Karla (Open University student)
“If it’s French you will be the only person I will ever recommend” – Mature student V.
GCSE and A level students succeeding with Kathi’s help:
“Hi Kathi. In French I got a high A which I’m really really really pleased with!! Thank you so much for all your help as without it – particularly the speaking – it would have been a lot harder. Off to my first choice Nottingham to study politics; I think I’ll choose to study French in my optional modules!!”
– Andrew A2 French Edexcel board
“Hi Kathi, got 3a’s and did really well in my speaking exam. Just want to say thanks for all the teaching, I really appreciate it”
– Ollie A2 French Edexcel board
“After struggling with French in class at AS Level, a friend recommended Kathi and since then my grades went from a C to an A in my exam. I find Kathi really easy to understand and she’s been excellent at helping my thought process to develop to my French speaking and writing. I have much more confidence with my verbs and grammar, and Kathi’s made a definite improvement with my pronunciation. So I have no hesitation in recommending her and she’s continuing to tutor me for my A Level exam”
– Sam AS and A2 French Edexcel board
“I started with Kathi to improve my French before my AS speaking exam, yet I found the lessons so useful that I continued right up until the end of my A Level course. Every week I felt as if my confidence with the language improved, and the flexibility with the content of the lessons meant that I could ask for help on everything that I had difficulty with. Kathi’s passion about French encouraged me to follow my instincts and apply for French Studies at the University of Birmingham, and I am so grateful to her for giving me her time, patience and encouragement with French; from grammar to vocabulary to speaking practice. I would highly recommend Kathi to anyone who needs help and encouragement with their French studies.”
– Laura, AS and A2 French, Edexcel board
Testimonials from students learning as part of Kathi’s French groups:
“I have attempted to learn French many times and in many different ways over the years – I can honestly say that Kathi’s Wednesday group has definitely been the most enjoyable way of doing so by far, and my French has improved hugely too!” – Di
“Our French group has gone from strength to strength, and it was easier for me to notice the progress of others in the class until I went to France on holiday. Kathi has recently been playing us French news which we have to break down and translate. She also encourages us to speak French all the time. The net result is that I could understand people much better, speak much more fluently than ever before and I could even understand the radio to some extent, which I had never really been able to do before. The other thing that had often floored me was talking on the phone and this I did quite confidently. She is incredibly nice and friendly, but manages to be strict with us as well which is just as well when we try to lapse into English!” – Frances
“For over a year now I have been the only man at the Advanced level classes. I am always made very welcome by the lovely ladies and enjoy the light-hearted banter -en français bien sûr! Kathi is a wonderful teacher and a lovely lady too. Being English she is able to immediately identify our difficulties and what we are trying to say which to me is very important. I particularly enjoy it when un vrai français turns up (often in UK to learn English-long story) at the class to witness our efforts in speaking their beautiful language. Free pronunciation lessons! One thing troubles me though-it seems I am the official supplier of chocolates to the class and although “les filles” are always on a diet (!) they seem to disappear quickly. And I don’t even touch their wine Great fun – come along and enjoy” – Peter
