Information About Birgit - Wellington teacher - (33 reviews)
Profile Picture
References
This is how 2 referees rated Birgit:
Reliability
Trustworthiness
Professionalism
Badges
Languages Taught
French |
Price Guide |
| Beginner | £35.00 |
| Intermediate | £35.00 |
| Advanced | £35.00 |
| Expert | £35.00 |
German |
Price Guide |
| Beginner | £35.00 |
| Intermediate | £35.00 |
| Advanced | £35.00 |
| Expert | £35.00 |
English |
Price Guide |
| Beginner | £35.00 |
| Intermediate | £35.00 |
| Advanced | £35.00 |
| Expert | £35.00 |
Map Location
Personal Description:
Hello, hallo, bonjour! I am originally from Germany, where I obtained a university degree in modern foreign languages, as well as a teaching qualification for secondary school pupils. Apart from working as a language tutor, I am also a qualified translator and practising public service and conference interpreter for German, French and English.
Please note that my fees are only for Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm one-to-one tuition.
Teaching Experience:
In England I have tutored children, young people and adults since 1995, either on behalf of Community Education (Adult German), commercial providers like "Fun Français" (extra-curricular French in primary schools) or as a private arrangement. I have also delivered residential programmes for language enrichment and courses for German at GCSE and A-Level. Last but not least I prepared a number of college and university students for their language exams, taught Business German & French and helped adults with their first steps in both languages.
Teaching Approach:
I care about clarity, accuracy and enjoyment. Using a range of techniques I cater for different needs and learning styles. Increasing learner confidence and fluency is very important to me, but I can equally deliver secure foundations in grammar and linguistic insight at expert level. Whatever the content and approach, the environment is always relaxed and friendly. Be prepared to work in new ways and with plenty of cultural input towards achieving your goals.
Tutor Resources: (free to download)
Please login or register to download tutor resources.
Native Language: German
Availability: Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Availability: Weekdays (all times)
References Available: Yes (✔ On File)
Qualifications:
- University of Bath (2012) - MA Interpreting and Translation (Masters) (✔ On File)
- Chartered Institute of Linguists (1997) - Diploma in Translation (Professional) (✔ On File)
- Somerset College (1995) - Stage 1 in Adult Education (College) (✔ On File)
- Freie Universität Berlin (1994) - 'Staatsexamen' (Bachelors) (✔ On File)
Birgit's Feedback
| Total Amount Of Feedback: | 33 |
| Total Positive Feedback: |
BirgitFrom Vidhi (5/5): Birgit is a fantastic tutor! She helped me prepare for my final-year German translation exam at university. She is very attentive and supportive, and our sessions helped boost my confidence significantly. I went from hating translation because I thought I was bad at it to really looking forward to my sessions with Birgit because we would always have really interesting discussions in order to come up with the best solution. I couldn't recommend Birgit more!
Reply from: Birgit: Thank you so much, Vidhi! I too enjoyed our sessions immensely and think the world of your interests and talents. With all best wishes for your future in a world that will be a better place just simply for having you in it.
From Patrick (/5): Birgid's exceptional guidance and support throughout my child's GCSE German tutoring was wonderful. Her mindful approach was tailored exactly to my child's needs. Birgid demonstrated, expertise, care, real dedication in a supportive manner. Our child improved their German skills, gained confidence and enthusiasm for learning and (importantly) enjoyed the sessions. I highly recommend Birgid to anyone seeking outstanding German tutoring.
Reply from: Birgit: Mille grazie, Patrick. You've been a pleasure to work with too.
From Terence (/5): Outstanding level of teaching. An encyclopaedic knowledge of how the German language works. My German has been much improved. Highly recommended.
Reply from: Birgit: Wow, thank you so much.
From Marios (/5): Birgit is very professional and prompt - but also fun and flexibile. She has been attentive to my goals and able to adapt accordingly. The wealth of study material and resources she has suggested for the class (and to self-study) go well beyond the standard textbook approach. The lessons themselves have been great and can be as simple or as technical as the learner wishes. I am confident that my upcoming move (and graduate studies) in Berlin will go smoothly!
From Martin (/5): Birgit's lessons have been a real joy. She is able to deliver her excellent knowledge and technical understanding of the language in a fun and digestible way. The foundations and building blocks she has patiently instilled have provided me a tremendous amount of confidence for further learning.
I would not hesitate in recommending Birgit to anyone wishing to further their own understanding, the lessons are engaging, thought provoking and always feel extremely personable to level required.
I would not hesitate in recommending Birgit to anyone wishing to further their own understanding, the lessons are engaging, thought provoking and always feel extremely personable to level required.
From Rhoda (/5): Regarding feedback for Birgit, I am limited to being able to comment only on our correspondence per email, as we did not employ her as a tutor.
We did not find that our pre-tuition discussion with this tutor (or her 'administrator') regarding lesson arrangements to be very straightforward… to the extent that we were not comfortable with going ahead to begin lessons. This is a shame, as I am sure she is competent in her field of work.
We did not find that our pre-tuition discussion with this tutor (or her 'administrator') regarding lesson arrangements to be very straightforward… to the extent that we were not comfortable with going ahead to begin lessons. This is a shame, as I am sure she is competent in her field of work.
Reply from: Birgit: Thank you, Rhoda. I too am very sad that we were not able to conclude an arrangement as I was truly looking forward to meeting your boys and know that I can be an enthusiastic tutor for bilingual children with a specialist background, both personally and academically.
From Nick (/5): It was very easy to liaise with Birgit. One lesson in now, and so far so good, plus the tuition aids (CD sets) are helping to make the understanding of the language very clear
From Anna-Katharina (/5): Contact with Birgit was fast and professional. She was very helpful in arranging German lessons for my husband who is enjoying them and learning a lot - his German is already much better!
From Brian (/5): Excellent chat-highly recommended
From Kerstin (/5):
From Mark (/5): It is a great pleasure spending time with Birgit. This is a much more positive way of learning, very different to being 'taught' for O level 60 years ago! I suspect we are not working at it as hard as we might, but too many other duties might [or not] be an excuse. We are doing this to make an effort when travelling in France - but also to stir the little grey cells and have fun.
Awful how much one has forgotten, or never knew, but the most unexpected things break through to the surface from hidden depths. This is a reminder that learning, for the sake of it, can be fun. Thanks, Birgit
Awful how much one has forgotten, or never knew, but the most unexpected things break through to the surface from hidden depths. This is a reminder that learning, for the sake of it, can be fun. Thanks, Birgit
From Charlie (/5): Birgit has been straight forward to engage and well organised. My son loves his German lessons with Birgit.
From Theodora (/5): Lovely tutor. She has assessed my level of understanding of the German language and works according to my needs. The lessons are very enjoyable. Thank you!
From Jason (/5): Birgit is a real breath of fresh air in her approach to tutoring - she is clearly passionate about language and it has been great to strike up such a positive rapport with her to move my German forward in a targeted and effective way. Thank you for your time and dedication so far!
From Robert (/5): My Spanish Au Pair enjoyed 2 lessons a week with Birgit over the summer. Birgit was helpful, friendly and flexible with dates and times. Paula very much looked forward to her lessons and greatly improved her English during her time with Birgit! I hope to be able to do the same next year.
From Penny (/5): Very organised and enthusiastic teacher. Only a few lessons in but so far I am enjoying the course and Birgit's teaching methods. Would highly recommend.
From Curly (/5): A first class, professional tutor. Considered and thoughtful and both of my children gave her the 'thumbs up' straight after their first lesson. She engaged with both immediately and has been very thoughtful about what approach would work with them indiviudally.
We will certainly be asking for more of her time in the future.
Curly Hugh-Smith
cid:image001.png@01D1206F.76AD90C0
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachment is confidential. It is intended only for the named addressee(s). If you are not the named addressee, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose, copy, or distribute the contents to any other person other than the intended addressee(s). Although it is believed that this e-mail and any attachments are virus free, it is the responsibility of the recipient to confirm this.
We will certainly be asking for more of her time in the future.
Curly Hugh-Smith
cid:image001.png@01D1206F.76AD90C0
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachment is confidential. It is intended only for the named addressee(s). If you are not the named addressee, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose, copy, or distribute the contents to any other person other than the intended addressee(s). Although it is believed that this e-mail and any attachments are virus free, it is the responsibility of the recipient to confirm this.
From Stephanie (/5): The lessons are punctual, and Birgit is very reliable in her planning.
Lesson material is provided often in audio CD form, sometimes with paper sheets of information and exercises. This creates a good foundation from different angles of learning. Repetition is encouraged which helps with retaining what is being learnt.
Birgit's knowledge of both english and german grammar is extremely good which has been essential to help with my understanding of learning german. She can always answer any questions or problems I may have with this.
I feel I am making good progress, even after only a few lessons. I am already thinking in a far more logical way when it comes to constructing german sentences, and I hope to have many more lessons with her in the future.
Lesson material is provided often in audio CD form, sometimes with paper sheets of information and exercises. This creates a good foundation from different angles of learning. Repetition is encouraged which helps with retaining what is being learnt.
Birgit's knowledge of both english and german grammar is extremely good which has been essential to help with my understanding of learning german. She can always answer any questions or problems I may have with this.
I feel I am making good progress, even after only a few lessons. I am already thinking in a far more logical way when it comes to constructing german sentences, and I hope to have many more lessons with her in the future.
From David (/5): Birgit was excellent!
From Serena (/5): Birgit has been very helpful to my daughter. To date we have had four French lessons and already she has managed to focus her on the subject by approaching it in a holistic manner rather than just learning by rota in preparation for the next test. She is strict on pronounciation and with one to one teaching she has the time to solicit a verbal response from My daughter thus making her listen and take things in. My daughter enjoys the lessons and feels she is making progress thus re enforcing what she learns at school. Birgit is quite strict but very engaging. We would not hesitate to recommend her as a French teacher.
From Simon (/5): Very thorough, measured and logical structure, which is building a strong foundation for me. The lessons are enjoyable also, and are enabling me to understand Germany and the German language as well as work through the linguistic rules needed to learn the language. I highly recommend Birgit.
From John (/5): Extremely happy. Just what I was hoping for. My wishes and needs have been quickly understood and I am thoroughly enjoying the tuition.
From David (/5): Helpful, friendly, professional and well-informed. A pleisure to learn from!
From Josh (/5): I'm really enjoying my lessons with Birgit so far. Not only is she a native speaker, but her career as an interpreter means she is fantastic at explaining the nuances of the language, and why things are the way they are. At my request, our lessons have a less structured format, and we tend to go wherever the lesson takes us, sometimes focusing on specific grammar, and other times just conversing. Right from the start, our lessons have taken place entirely in German, except where English is needed for explaining something, which has already made me more confident with the language. She is very personable and very friendly, and I have absolutely no reservations in recommending her as a highly qualified German tutor for any level.
From Isabel (/5): Birgit is a great online teacher who has followed the brief of making my German more idiomatic and has provided me the means to ensure that I've made great progress with my German after only a few weeks. Her explanations are extremely clear and have ensured that as much as possible that I don't make the same mistake again, (as well as my colleagues now noting that my German has significantly improved). I would thoroughly recommend Birgit to anyone as her lessons and support have both provided enocuragement and clear, concise feedback on my language.
From Alan (/5): Birgit is a first class teacher who fills you füll of confidence.She is also very professional and I look forward to progressing under her tutoring.
Alan Carne
Alan Carne
From Bryony (/5): We are really enjoying our lessons - Birgit is helping all of the family, age range from 13 to 62. She makes learning fun but also makes our brains work!
From Tom (/5): Birgit has been teaching me for nearly 4 months, and I couldn't be happier. She is a creative flexible teacher, and her lessons are entertaining as well as informative. I am happy to recommend Birgit to those who are keen to learn German.
From Charlotte (/5): I could not have asked for a better tutor! I felt comfortable from the beginning and was very pleased with the opportunity to speak German straight away. It had been a while since I had spoken German properly so it really helped to increase my confidence again. I really appreciated the close attention paid to my essay- it helped me to see where I had gone wrong with regards to the grammar and encouraged me to work out the correction for myself. I became more aware of my weaknesses and it has enabled me to prepare more efficiently for the upcoming exam. I really cannot thank you enough for your time, patience and your willingness to help me on an essay that I found very tricky to write, and that was probably not very enjoyable for you to read! I enjoyed our lessons very much and was grateful for the flexibility in such a short period of time. It was only a shame that I was unable to come back for another lesson! Very best wishes, Charlotte
From Lawrence (/5): Have completed our first session and very enjoyable, looking forward to the next session and many more.
From Clare (/5): An extremely experienced teacher, who is proving to be flexible, reliable and providing just what I was looking for.
From Ian (/5): Birgit has provided excellent support, in a structured and planned way. It has really helped with confidence and preparation for exams in a relatively short space of time. Birgit is very accommodating with specific needs and a pleasure to have as a tutor.
From Joseph (/5): Well what can I say! A brilliant teacher, just what I was looking for. Birgit has got me on a fantastic course for me to work through with her guidance and she provides a lot of insight into the German language and culture that no book or CD could ever teach you. I started with a very limited vocabulary of bitte and danke but I'm am surprised with how quickly I'm learning. I would thoroughly recommend Birgit to anyone looking to learn German, you will not be disappointed!