Elsa

I see myself as a language coach. In my French Language tutorials, I believe in creating a relaxed and stimulating environment for students to feel confident enough to make mistakes, learn from them, and try again. I make direct spoken communication in French a top priority, only resorting to English from time to time to regroup when a break is needed or to clarify an exercise’s instruction. I used written exercises to embolden students’ ability to think and express their thoughts in their own French words, choosing topics related to the students’ interests and specific learning requirements.

As a Creative Writing mentor, I believe in helping students and aspiring writers to see the uniqueness of their project and voice (whether in poetry, prose fiction or nonfiction), and from there alert them to the areas of their craft which most urgently need attention (structure, point of view, dialogue, characterisation, emotional depth, consistency of theme and message, etc.). I teach students what I didn’t know myself when I first started out writing creatively: that originality is a skill, and likely the product of long hours of work and revisions to bypass cliché and access the mind’s treasures of imagination.

Willing to travel: 10 miles

Experience: I currently teach French language courses at Undergraduate level at the University of Oxford. I also teach Creative Writing at MA level at the University of Birkbeck, in London. Since completing my PhD in English literature (UCL, 2016) I have mentored students in English Language and Literature, with a specific focus on research and essay-writing skills, at every level from 7+ to A levels. My dynamic approach means I can adapt to different learning needs and personalities, and I always do my best to help students notice and take pride in their own strengths.

DBS Check: Yes