Jon

I am a retired public servant having worked for both French and British Governments and policing agencies and have been security cleared to a high level. I Lecture at the Institut National de la Formation de la Police Nationale (INFPN) in Clermont Ferrand. I am a guest lecturer at The Ecole Militaire in Paris at the Institut National des Hautes Etudes de la Securité et de la Justice (INHESJ) and I have acted as an examiner for the Gendarmerie Nationale language school in Rochefort .

I offer a free taster session to establish level and aptitude and to allow potential tutees to experience my tutoring style and content.

Availability: Most days and evenings.

Willing to travel: 15 miles

Experience: I am an experienced graduate in French and History with a Masters Degree and Post Graduate Certificate as well as a graduate from the Ecole Supérieure de la Gendarmerie Française. I have lived and worked in France for extended periods and spend a part of the year there. I have successfully tutored to GCSE and `A` level with students exceeding their predicted grades at both levels. I currently have tutees from both GCSE and `A` level cohorts from SWCHS.

Below is testimony from Parents and tutees:

Reference for Jonathan
French Tutoring for GCSE and A-Level
Date June 2019 to April 2021

Jon tutored my 2 teenage children for GCSE and A-levels on a weekly basis for almost 2 years.
I can honestly say that we struck gold when we found him.

He nurtured both of them to enjoy and understand the French language and culture and both of them are predicted high grades (GCSE level 9 and A-level A*) in their exams. My eldest has a place at Oxford to go on to study French. Jon has been a big part of this reason.

His teaching styles are interactive and he encourages broader thinking. He is extremely knowledgeable and facilitates learning by finding areas of interest for the pupil. For example, he made use of comics, music and films to spark interest.

Both the children have been left with a wonderful understanding of not just French but also life in France including history and politics. They found his teaching style a breath of fresh air from the more prescri ptive and regimented school curriculum.
Jon gives over and above the time he allocates to teach and is never rushed. He communicates well about lessons and plans these carefully.

Beyond this, he has also become a good family friend.

He could not come more highly recommended.

Dr Yvonne Gerhard

A-Level French Lessons with Jonathon

Jon taught me for two years whilst I was completing my A-Level French studies at the Saffron Walden County High School. I could not have asked for a better tutor or guide through my French exams and university application to study French at Oxford. Jon is a fount of knowledge in every regard and my spoken and written French has reached levels I could never otherwise have hoped to achieve. Perhaps more importantly, he has taught me a love for French music (Francis Cabrel being a regular favourite whose songs Jon would encourage me to translate for vocab and pronunciation practice) alongside an eager and continued interest in all aspects of the French culture which Jon always seems to have nuggets of information about. He was unbelievably supportive and encouraging and every conversation with him feels like an academic discussion rather than a tutorial. To say that he went above and beyond is an understatement- he was always willing to offer sage advice, motivate and pick me up whenever the stress of A-Levels was a bit too much. Jon is a hugely kind man.

With regards to my university offer from Oxford to study French and English Literature, I can confidently say that Jon was a beacon of light guiding me through the process, diligently enriching my knowledge of literature, history and culture which proved to be invaluable at interview.

I have been hugely lucky to have had Jon as a tutor in French. Jonathon`s are few and far between.

Ursula Gerhard

OBO Hannah Stogdale GCSE Pupil.

`Hello Jon,

You managed to reach me before I reached you - must be great minds think alike!!

You have been just fantastic, the speed and enthusiasm with which Hannah`s french language has developed is purely down to your natural teaching ability. I have never seen her so enthused and excited about a subject. I am actually gutted she isn`t choosing to keep it up next year.

I naturally will provide a reference for you, every child needs a Jon in their life to help them learn French.

Hannah said you mainly focus on GCSE students, I don’t suppose by any chance you would take James under your wing – he is going into Year 8, so will be 12 and he is a little lazy when it comes to learning, despite his many capabilities. I would love him also to get a language under his belt and would be happy to support him.

Thanks
Helen

DBS Check: Yes