Wiebke

Academic History

Academic Qualifications :

University College London (2012-2016) – Upper second class honours French and English

St. Mary‘s University and The Orange Tree Theatre – MA Theatre Directing (2018-2019)

Repton School (2007-2012) – Five A Levels : German – A* , French, English, Spanish, Drama – all A

Nine A* GCSEs : English, Latin, Ancient Greek, Biology, German, French, Drama, Spanish, Art

About Me

My specialist subjects are, English, Drama, French and German (all language and literature). I teach these subjects at, A-Level, GCSE (including IGCSE), Common Entrance and home schooling. I also teach English and French IB. I have a passion for Languages and Theatre. Whilst I use many creative activities to engage my students’ imagination, I have also had formal 11+ training and combine learning techniques from both areas to ensure a thorough and fun study process. I believe tutoring also means mentoring my students in their study approach and helping them develop independent and transferable learning skills for life. My years of tutoring and home schooling experience have enabled me to build upon this, and I have worked as lead tutor, coordinator and mentor for families and teenagers. I have experience working with students with a range of additional needs, including dyslexia,, ADHD and autism.

An open and approachable person, I have always searched for opportunities which stimulate and challenge me as well as those around me. Over my six years of tutoring experience, I have developed a teaching method which encourages my tutees to feel confident in their learning ability and comfortable in communicating their frustrations with and their pride in their work and progress. I believe progress in tutorials depends upon shared values such as mutual respect and an open environment where mistakes are positive and lead to growth. My warmth, energy and passion for my subjects help create tutorials which are fun, engaging and relevant.

I believe all learning should be fun, so I make sure to always bring energy, patience and creativity to my tutorials, whilst also remaining sensitive as well as authoritative.

Recent tuition

Early Years and KS1

I have taught English to children aged 4–10 in China and France. This has included complete beginners with no prior English knowledge. I champion an interactive, patient and highly engaging teaching style, using pictures, movement, repetition, games and songs to make learning enjoyable and memorable. I carefully structure lessons to help young learners recognise sounds, letters, and simple vocabulary through fun activities and clear pronunciation practice.

11+

11+ English – London, Preparation for Latymer, Charterhouse, St.Paul’s, Emanuel, Westminster

11+ English – London, Summer preparation, ISEB

11+ English – international student in London, preparation for King‘s College

13+

English, London – Comprehension support, ISEB

13+ French course, London – Preparation for Cheltenham College Entrance Exam

French and English, London – Preparation for Eton Entrance Exam

16+ 

English, London – Cheltenham Ladies and Westminster

GCSE

English Literature, Language, Mentoring and coordinating – online. I worked with a student who was being home-schooled to help him manage his workload, create homework and revision plans and communicate with other tutors.

English – I worked with a dyslexic student who had been predicted a D. During our time working together her confidence increased and she was thrilled to be awarded a B in her final exam.

Drama, AQA and OCR – I have tutored students taking their examinations with AQA and OCR. For both, I’ve supported them in essays exploring how to successfully communicate meaning through staging, design elements, and actor delivery. Set texts have included Kindertransport, Antigone, An Inspector Calls, and A Midsummer Night‘s Dream.

German (two week intensive) – London, Cambridge GCSE, Oundle

French, Skype – IGCSE, Millfield School. This student achieved an A* having been predicted a B.

German GCSE Summer Revision – Cambridge International, Oundle School

A-Level, IB

French – London, AQA, (Skype)

English  – London, Edexcel, Lady Margaret School

French – London, IB Higher Level

German – Edexcel, International (Skype)

AS French, Derby – AQA, Repton School

English – IB: I tutor a student in Dubai who is doing her IB; for English, she is expected to compare written works to their adaptations (both film and stage) and analyse what choices a director has made.

English – IB Middle Years Programme: I have tutored two siblings in Dubai following the IB syllabus for years and the eldest has just sat her IB MYP exam (focusing on directed writing, creative writing, and compare/contrast analysis questions).

SEN Students

I encourage students to take an active role in lessons by discussing ideas, creating examples, and even “teaching” concepts back to me. This helps build understanding, independence and confidence while keeping sessions engaging and relaxed.

LAMDA examinations

I’ve recently taught two students taking their LAMDA exams in Public Speaking. A young Chinese student at Entry Level and an English student preparing for Grade 3 Level 6. Much of our work focused on confident delivery and rhythm.

Pre-prep and prep

English Language au-pair, Toulouse: I worked as a live in au-pair with a family based in Toulouse. The two daughters were aged 8 and 14. My main responsibilities were  picking up the youngest from school, leading English and German conversations with both of them at home, and to oversee homework being done in the evenings.

Language clubs, aged 6-10: I have run several after-school Language clubs for students aged between 6-10 years old in England and France. Depending on the students’ level, they may learn vocabulary through singing songs together (like head, shoulders, knees, and toes) and playing games like Simon Says. For more advanced students, I would focus on Creative Writing skills by playing improvisational drama games and by writing stories together in groups. For Phonics classes, I tend to use lots of visual learning materials.

Creative writing, aged 8-11: Creative writing can often seem daunting and for many students…and a bit of a bore! I ask students lots of questions to understand what they’re passionate about – the creative writing can then be focused around their interests. Students respond well to the idea that this story is entirely their world and their creation …anything could happen…and they’re the ones in charge! With a sense of agency (instead of boring homework!) many grow to love telling stories.

IELTS Preparation – International (Skype)

Hobbies and Interests

I was raised bilingually with English and German and have lived in both countries. I’ve always loved learning languages and exploring different cultures. I lived in France for ten months whilst still at University. My biggest passion is Theatre and I work as a freelance Director in London. I really love reading and analysing texts.

Client Testimonials

“My daughter J– was home schooled in Greece. Wiebke did a wonderful job helping prepare J– for A2 oral and written examinations in German, at flexible times and all via Skype. Wiebke planned and structured lessons meticulously and provided important feedback. As well as building J–‘s confidence and fluency in German, Wiebke taught my daughter presentational and essay writing skills that will stand J– in good stead in all her languages and in all the subjects she studies at university. My daughter and I are so grateful for Wiebke’s valuable guidance and support. I strongly recommend her as a Tutor.”

Parent of A2 German student

“She’s like the perfect big sister whilst also being responsible, attentive and lovely… She’s working for two families and the children love her. She always gives interesting lessons with lots of energy so that the children always enjoy themselves whilst learning.”

Manager of My Anglophone Sister, Montpellier

“Wiebke really helped me to build confidence for my exam by having a lot of patience with me. We would do a lot of exercises that prepared me both for my written and oral exams…. I found myself to be more confident in the classroom, especially when doing exam style questions. I particularly really struggled with grammar and Wiebke helped me grasp the language…I managed to achieve my AS level with two grades higher than what was expected of me.”

AS French student at Repton School

“The output from the areas Wiebke is working through with F, and the techniques she is using, are really helping. She comes across very enthusiastic and it is a bit of an uphill battle to get him interested, so she is doing well! We had a parents’ evening last night and his teacher can see an improvement in his creative writing, which is a good start…”

Mother of 11+ student