Tailor-made tuition for adult learners

with Dr Debbie Elliott

French and Italian at all levels

Tuition available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 9pm, Thursdays from 10am to 2pm

Have you always wanted to learn a foreign language but never quite got around to doing anything about it? Did you attend a class years ago and want to return to learning?  Would you like to learn at your own pace and arrange lessons to suit your lifestyle? Whatever your background and experience, I am here to help.

Being able to speak and understand a foreign language may sound amazing, but it can be challenging and involves long-term commitment. My job is to make sure that your lessons are as enjoyable as possible - that you are comfortable with the pace at which you are learning, that you fully understand the concepts behind the rules of the language, and that you are happy with your progress. I will design clear learning resources for you, to help you get the most out of your lessons without feeling stressed or frustrated. And I am happy to explain things as many times as you need, providing plenty of useful examples, to build up your confidence and ensure that you always look forward to your next lesson.

Some students have a specific goal in mind, such as acquiring basic conversation skills for a planned holiday abroad. However, most stay with me for the long term and treat their learning as a hobby, reserving a regular slot on a weekly or fornightly basis. This allows them to progress at a steady pace so that they can eventually chat confidently with others, watch and understand videos, films and TV series, and read novels, newspapers and magazines in their chosen foreign language.

Lesson arrangements

Tuition is available on a one-to-one or two-to-one basis and all lessons take place in Clifton Moor, York. Teaching face-to-face rather than online is important for all kinds of reasons - language learning is communicative, after all!

Please note that I only offer Zoom lessons to existing students when face-to-face teaching is not permitted (e.g. in the event of a lockdown).

Lessons are normally for one hour, although some students prefer 90 minutes or two hours. Please enquire about special rates for longer sessions.

Flexibility

All learning programmes are flexible, so you can choose:

• how often you would like your lessons (normally weekly or fortnightly, but you can also arrange ad hoc lessons or an intensive course)
• whether you would like your tuition during the daytime or in the evening (10am to 9pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10am to 2pm on Thursdays)
• what you would like to focus on: speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, translation or a combination of skills
• how much time you would like to spend studying between lessons, so that I can set appropriate tasks for you
• when you would like to take time off, if you are planning a holiday or just need a break when life gets busy
  

Prices from January 2025

Prices for one-to-one tuition:

£38 per hour OR £132 for a block of four lessons* payable in advance, saving £5 per hour

Prices for two-to-one tuition:

£26 per hour per student OR £84 per student for a block of four lessons* payable in advance, saving £5 per hour per student

* Where payment is made for a block of four lessons, these can be booked individually (e.g. from week to week). There is no time limit for using up your "credit".