I am a very experienced teacher and know the areas people have problems with when learning a language. I teach children and adults - the latter has included several courses for employees at local companies to help them get by in everyday situations in a German speaking country - and my tutoring can be as formal or as informal as you require. The aim is to help you with your language learning, so I will adapt my coaching to your needs. If, for example, examination technique is a problem, then I can teach you how to master it, so that you can go into the exam feeling confident and well-prepared. My aim is to always use the strengths of each individual pupil to help them with their understanding and performance. I have plenty of material which I can use in coaching sessions, I am patient and I always try to be good-humoured!
I can tutor online via email. I can correct essays, answer questions, give advice etc. This is useful, particularly when students need some urgent help. However, I think tutoring languages is primarily best done face-to-face. Please see the testimonials on my profile to see what some of my students have said.
My time is quite flexible and I would seek to arrange lessons when mutually convenient, whether that be during the day, in the evening, at weekends or during school holidays, which offer a good opportunity for some intensive revision, if that is what you are looking for.
I have a 1st Class Honours Degree in Linguistic and International Studies (German) from Surrey University and a PGCE in German and French from Exeter University and have been teaching since 1988 and tutoring since 2008. I have taught in both state and private schools and have experience of teaching primary and secondary pupils, as well as adults. I teach German up to undergraduate level and you can read some of the testimonials I've received from students on my profile (more are available on request). Please also ask if you wish to see testimonials from my former school employment.
I have an up-to-date DBS (formerly CRB) Certificate and belong to the teaching union NASUWT.
My rates are as follows (please remember to add on £6 for travel which covers a radius of 6 miles):
General German ₤30
Primary German ₤30
German KS3 ₤32
German GCSE/IGCSE ₤34
German A Level/MLAT ₤38
German Undergraduate Level ₤42
Translations (Ger.-Eng./Eng.-Ger.) e.g. all kinds of general business correspondance, brochures, leaflets, website content. Specialised translations not done. ₤0.06 per word or ₤42/hr if you wish to go through a text/texts in person.
A discounted rate would be available for numbers in excess of one. If the distance involved is further than 6 miles, an extra fee dependent on the exact distance would be charged for travel at the standard rate of 45p a mile.
I usually teach at students' homes or at a mutually convenient location, such as a public library, community centre etc., but I can tutor from home, if you prefer. I live in Surrey (I'm based in Knaphill, Woking), but can also travel to certain places in Berkshire. I'm prepared to travel up to a distance of 15 miles. The nearest towns are Woking, Guildford, Bisley, Pirbright, Camberley, Addlestone, Chertsey, Weybridge, West Byfleet, Byfleet, Farnham, Ash, Aldershot, Farnborough, Bagshot, Bracknell, Farncombe, Godalming, West Horsley, East Horsley, Ascot, Sunningdale, Virginia Water, Egham.
• First Class Honours degree in Linguistic and International Studies (German), Surrey University
• PGCE in German and French (1988), Exeter University
• Member of teaching union NASUWT
Georgina's school were considering entering her for Foundation Level GCSE French. After private tuition with Isabella, this was no longer necessary. Georgina was entered for Higher Level and obtained an 'A' grade. Quite simply, this would not have been possible without Isabella. She is a fantastic teacher and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her.
Isabella embraced the challenge of tutoring my son for German and French GCSEs brilliantly...Isabella gave him lots of confidence as well as excellent exam technique and tuition.
Due to the outstanding coaching James received from Isabella, he achieved a grade A in his year 10 GCSE oral module. Before starting the coaching his predicted grade was a C. Isabella was totally committed and always gave 100% to each lesson...
I wish all of my teachers had been like Isabella! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her and have learned so much! Very organised and committed and has never let me down. [Tuition given at undergraduate level in German-English translation technique & help given with preparation for final year oral exam]
I very much enjoyed Isabella's lessons and learnt many useful words and phrases that have helped me to get by during two recent business trips to Munich...
Isabella has demonstrated that she can be very flexible and adapt to the different requirements of her pupils. In a mixed ability group she was able to still teach in such a way that we all learned from her lessons...
It was so worth having lessons with Miss Nicholls. From week to week my daughter's confidence grew. In her last school report the German teacher wrote "Isabel's spoken German is very accurate and she is able to manipulate the language well as she speaks." I credit this to Miss Nicholls' lessons.
The lessons really built my confidence and Isabella made sure I had a firm understanding of the language and was always very patient with me. The lessons enabled me to get my A* in German and I am extremely grateful for her time, effort and commitment.
I would describe my son as hard-working and successful in other areas of study, but he had a 'block' with French, and no confidence whatsoever in his ability. Miss Nicholls gave him a set of tools and techniques to overcome this, worked on core skills and lots of oral practice, so that by the time of the exam he had the basics firmly in place. This gave him the confidence to face the exam and he went on to do really well, much better than we dared hope!
Jade found Isabella to be very approachable, encouraging and always to have a patient attitude. She really liked Isabella as a person and enjoyed her manner of teaching. Isabella went above and beyond what was recognised of her in preparation for Jade's GCSE exams.
german lessons closeby? Here's a selection of tutor listings that you can check out.
Superprof can also suggest german translation lessons to help you.
| at her home | at your home | By webcam | |
| 1 hour | £30 | £36 | Not available |