Tala A.

I recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA in French and Arabic, and I am now a Fulbright Scholar starting an MA in International Relations at the University of Chicago. I completed the French baccalauréat at a French lycée and have lived in France, so I know the French education system well and understand what examiners are looking for.

I am a native speaker of French, English and Arabic, and I tutor French across all levels, from beginners through to bac and A-Level students. Whether you need help with grammar, oral practice, written work or exam preparation, I can adapt sessions to what you need.

I also advise applicants on Oxford admissions as a Modern Languages Ambassador, so I am happy to help with personal statements, interview preparation and essay writing.

Alongside my degree I have worked with students of all ages through education projects in Jordan, Cyprus and Kenya, so I am used to teaching mixed abilities and keeping sessions clear and patient.

Outside of teaching I am a distance runner, play badminton, and write on Middle Eastern literature and politics.

I have several years of teaching and mentoring experience with students of different ages, backgrounds and abilities. In Jordan, I taught English to Syrian refugee children aged 6 to 12 alongside my year abroad, and I worked with young refugee girls through a sport-based education programme. In Cyprus, I supported migrants and asylum seekers, using my French and Arabic to help them navigate unfamiliar systems. More recently, I have advised Oxford applicants as a Modern Languages Ambassador, guiding them through personal statements and interview preparation.

Having sat the brevet, IGCSEs and the baccalauréat (OIB) myself, I know exactly what each exam demands and where students tend to lose marks. I have been in the bilingual system since CM1, so I can explain things the way a French and English teacher would. I tutor French from beginners and brevet through to GCSE, A-Level and bac.

My lessons are structured but flexible. I usually begin by checking in on what the student has covered recently and where they feel less confident, then focus the session around that, whether it is grammar, vocabulary, oral practice or exam technique. I like to combine clear explanation with plenty of active practice, so the student is speaking, writing and applying what they learn rather than just listening. For exam students, I work through past papers and mark work in detail so they know exactly how to improve.

I try to be patient, welcoming and encouraging. I know exams can feel intimidating and are very stressful! So I try to make sessions relaxed and interactive, and to build confidence rather than just drilling material. I try to adapt my pace and approach to each student, and I always want lessons to feel useful and motivating.