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Frequently Asked Questions

If there is a question that you have, that is not here, then please contact me!
  • How do I book a lesson?
    Simply use the contact form here or contact via the details on that same page, and we will arrange a day/time that is convenient for both of us.
  • Can I rearrange or cancel a lesson?
    Of course you can, free of charge when you provide a minimum of 48 hours' notice (that's at least 2 whole days).

    If you are running late for a lesson, please inform me as soon as you can (on my mobile), however, the lesson will only last for the remaining allotted time of the lesson, and will be charged at the appropriate tariff for the full lesson.

    Cancellations within less than 48 hours prior to the lesson will result in a penalty fee. See Section 4 of the Terms & Conditions for more info.
  • Where do the lessons take place?
    It really depends depends on where you are based!

    Personal Tutoring:
    Please take a look at Section 3 in my     Terms & Conditions to find out more about 'acceptable travel distances'. I am generally available to teach in an area that is easily commutable for myself, i.e primarily the Borough of Ealing, but also its outskirts. We can meet in a quiet café, your place of work, or even in the comfort of your own home. Alternatively, you might prefer to be taught online, at times that are even more convenient for you, as explained below.

    Online Tutoring:
    No matter where in the world you are, Online Tutoring provides the perfect option to learn,     when and where you like. Using Skype, you will still interact with me in a real "one to one" lesson. If you are based outside of the UK, we will have to work around your Time Zone to find a mutually suitable time for your lesson. Please contact me via the form available online and we will discuss any possible arrangements.
  • What do I need to be taught online?
    - a broadband/DSL connection
    - a     Skype account. The software is available in several languages, and it's 100% FREE to download and to use. Please check their website for the latest version of the application available for your operating system (Windows, OS X, Linux, other)
    - a     computer that is "powerful" enough to support VoIP (Voice Over IP)
    - a     microphone that is connected to your computer (some computers have a built-in microphone).
    - a     PayPal account, so that you can pay for the lesson!
  • Do I absolutely need a webcam for an online lesson?
    No you don't, but it can make that lesson even more efficient if you do have one. For indeed, whilst you'll always be able to watch me online during the conversation, the benefit of a webcam on your end is that I could correct your pronunciation even more accurately if I get to see you while I try to help you mouth some of these tricky French sounds in the best way that you can.
  • Why do you charge the same tariff for an online lesson as for a lesson in person?
    Although I would love to meet and teach everyone in person, this is not very practical.

    For personal tuition I have to commute to an agreed meeting place, and the time taken to commute back and forth can be as long (if not longer) than the duration of the lesson itself, and therefore the time/travel expense have been factored into the costs.

    This also reduces the number of clients that I am actually able to teach in a day, and while I am certainly not in the habit of "chain-teaching" or rushing clients one after the other, I always make sure that I allow plenty of time for every one of my clients, so that they can benefit fully from each teaching session.

    For online lessons the prices are the same, as you have the luxury of taking the lesson in a place that suits you, at a time that best suits you (which often means that I am working outside of normal business hours), but this also factors in the cost of equipment, and broadband charges (etc.) for myself.
  • What happens if something goes wrong with my computer during an online lesson?
    Although Skype is very reliable, there may sometimes be unexpected network glitches that may interrupt your Skype connection (this could be due to heavy network loading etc...).

    In the event that the connection via Skype should be interrupted during a lesson, I would advise the following:

    - Attempt to re-establish the connection with French Tutoring straight away.
    - If the Audio/Video call still refuses to work, try to use the "chat" facility via the keyboard.
    - If you have not contacted French Tutoring within 3 minutes via Skype, we will attempt to contact you.
    - If the connection fails to come back at all, then you should either telephone, or email me (within 24 hours), and we will arrange to resume the remaining time from your lesson, at a time that is suitable for yourself. Thanks to Skype's call-timer which is clearly visible at all times in the window where the audio or video conversation takes place, you will be able to easily see how much time you have remaining on your lesson.

    USEFUL TIP: As a measure of precaution and in order to maximise the connection you are using during an online lesson and to prevent any potential crash whilst using Skype, French Tutoring recommends that for the time of the lesson you suspend any other activities that might be 'demanding' for the RAM and CPU of your computer or for the bandwidth of your Internet connection, e.g. heavy downloads or uploads, file sharing, multimedia editing software, music or video streaming, etc...
  • Do you teach on Saturdays? Sundays? Bank Holidays?
    Saturdays, yes. However, I'm afraid there's a slightly higher tariff for that.
    As to Sundays and Bank Holidays in England, unfortunately French Tutoring has ceased to operate on those days.

    Weekday tariffs are cheaper, and may be more cost-effective for you. Please     contact me to discuss available weekday appointments that may be more suitable for you.

    Please check the     Prices page for more information.
  • How do I pay?
    Personal Tutoring:
    Payment shall be received at the end of each lesson.
    You can pay by cash or cheque. (Please note that cheques will take considerably longer to be banked into French Tutoring's account).
    A Bank Transfer option is available to our long-term customers. Please     enquire for more details.

    Online Tutoring:
    Payment should be made via     PayPal when the date/time for the lesson has been confirmed by the Tutor. Payment must be received prior to the commencement of the lesson.
    You can use our     Lesson Shop to make the PayPal payments.
    We are sorry but we cannot accept cash or cheques for Online Tuition.
  • What teaching method do you use?
    I have a very flexible approach to language teaching, which will always be tailored to the needs of the individual.

    So the general rule is: YOU are the leader as to WHAT you want to learn and HOW you want to learn it.

    For example, if you need to practise for your GCSEs or A Levels, I will then follow the curriculum as closely as required. In that specific case, on top of my personal input, which is always related to a variety of typical exam subjects, I also often use the pupil's textbook, or practise with them on past exam papers from the relevant Exam Board.

    However, for people who want to learn conversational French – everyday use of the language, but more specifically on holiday in a French-speaking country – then I like to use a variety of methods and resources: it can be French magazines or newspapers, TV programmes, a song by one of the artists of the "nouvelle scène française" , or of course, the Internet.

    In all cases, I endeavour to make each and every lesson as engaging as possible, which usually enhances my learners' confidence.
  • Do you teach Group Lessons?
    With my teaching style, I have found that Group Lessons work best with a maximum of 6 people. However, I don't mind considering larger groups provided that the overall level of the participants is roughly the same.

    Please     contact me directly to find out more, especially since our Group tariffs could be quite cost-effective for you.
  • Do you teach for businesses too?
    At French Tutoring all customers are welcome!
    If you are a Business customer and you are looking to expand your staff's skills with a bit of French, then you have come to the right place.

    Please contact me directly via either the     Contact form or my mobile (07864 076 766), and we'll see what we can do together. We will obviously need to discuss the practicalities of lessons with us according to your location, facilities and size of the Group(s) you have in mind.