About Rachel
Hello! I am Rachel, a qualified and experienced French teacher with over 20 years’ experience in education. I am currently Assistant Head of Faculty with responsibility for French at a secondary school in West Yorkshire, where I teach across KS3, GCSE and A Level and lead A Level French.
I have previously held roles including Head of Department and have also taught at a British international school in Tunis. This has given me experience of both UK and international education and familiarity with GCSE, IGCSE and A Level qualifications. I have extensive experience of teaching and supporting students of different ages and abilities and a strong understanding of what students need to do to make progress and succeed in their examinations.
I am passionate about helping students become confident French speakers, rather than simply learning French for an exam. My lessons combine clear explanations of grammar with plenty of opportunities to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. I aim to make French feel manageable and enjoyable, particularly for students who may have lost confidence in the subject.
My tuition is always tailored to the individual learner. This might mean revisiting key foundations and filling gaps in knowledge, developing confidence in speaking, improving exam technique, or helping higher-attaining students use more sophisticated language and work towards the top grades.
I also really enjoy teaching adults, whether they are learning French for travel, conversation or everyday life in France. I adapt lessons to their individual goals and focus on practical language that they can genuinely use.
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing a learner’s confidence grow and watching them become increasingly independent in their French.
In conversation with Rachel
What do you enjoy most about teaching French?
For me, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing a learner's confidence grow. I am passionate about helping students become confident French speakers, rather than simply learning French for an exam. When a student who once hesitated to say a sentence begins to speak freely, ask questions and work things out for themselves, it reminds me why I love this job.
What teaching experience do you have?
I have over 20 years of experience in education. I am currently Assistant Head of Faculty with responsibility for French at a secondary school in West Yorkshire, where I teach across Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level and lead A Level French. I have previously worked as a Head of Department, so I have a strong understanding of what students need to do to make progress and succeed in their examinations.
How has teaching in both the UK and abroad shaped your tutoring?
I have also taught at a British international school in Tunis, which gave me experience of both UK and international education. As a result, I am familiar with GCSE, IGCSE and A Level qualifications and comfortable supporting students following different routes. Working in different settings has taught me to adapt quickly and to see each learner as an individual.
How would you describe your teaching style, and how do you adapt your lessons to each student?
My lessons combine clear explanations of grammar with plenty of opportunities to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. I aim to make French feel manageable and enjoyable, particularly for students who may have lost confidence in the subject. Every learner is different, so my tuition is always tailored to the individual. For some students, that means revisiting key foundations and filling gaps in knowledge. For others, it means building confidence in speaking or improving exam technique. For higher-attaining students, it means using more sophisticated language and working towards the top grades.
Do you also teach adults?
Yes, and I really enjoy it. Adults come to French for many different reasons, whether for travel, conversation or everyday life in France. I adapt each lesson to the learner's goals and focus on practical language that they can genuinely use.
What do you hope students gain from working with you?
I hope they gain confidence and independence. Success in an exam matters, but I would like students to leave our lessons feeling that French is something they can use, enjoy and continue to develop on their own. Watching a learner become increasingly independent in their French is what I find most rewarding.