Altrincham area: limited slots available for in-person GCSE tutoring 2025/6
Tailored language tutoring designed to suit your pace and goals. Whether you’re a beginner or improving, I provide personalised support to help you build confidence and learn effectively.
KIRstie
My teaching style is highly individualised and completely tailored to each student’s unique learning style and personal preferences. I believe every learner is different, so I take the time to get to know my students, listen carefully to their needs, and adapt my approach accordingly.
MA in languages Cambridge University
PGCE London University
QTS: Qualified Teacher Status
DBS checks: automatically updated
AQA / Edexcel / Eduqas exam boards
Business experience using languages
Always actively learning new languages
In-person (up to 30mins from Altrincham)
Online lessons
Fit in around work / school commitments Mon-Fri
French, German and Spanish tutoring for beginners, GCSE and A Level and beyond. Italian tutoring for beginners.
from bonjour to Baudelaire
from gracias to García Márquez
from Guten Tag to Goethe
from piccolo to pizza
French is a beautiful language, but pronunciation can be challenging. When a native English-speaker can make themselves understood in French they will often be met with both surprise and joy.
There are around 500m native Spanish speakers. Whilst understanding Spanish can be challenging as it’s often spoken at speed, pronunciation is easier than say French, as it’s very regular. It’s a great first language to learn.
German grammar can be daunting at first, but it’s highly logical plus one of the easiest foreign languages for native English-speakers to understand.
I’d say that my level of Italian is intermediate – I sat my GCSE in 2025 and plan to take an A level in 2027. I’m learning Italian because it sounds fabulous and I love Italian food and culture. Right now, I offer lessons for beginners.
There are so many resources available now for language learners: sub-titled films, news channels
in multiple languages, DuoLingo, BBC GCSE bitesize to name but a few. Every month or so I
share insights as both a language teacher and learner.
CONFIDENCE So many people say to me that they’re no good at languages, but I would beg to differ. If you can read this, then you’ve learned English pretty well. This brings me on to another hurdle: DESIRE. As a new-born babe, our need to communicate our needs with our carers plays a big part…
Keep readingAccess languages and culture without leaving the UK (or your sofa) A great way to just enjoy a language is to watch a film – don’t worry about needing to rely on the sub-titles. Just enjoy the show and pat yourself on the back when you recognise a few words or phrases. Here’s a sample of…
Keep readingCan you learn a language using only DuoLingo? Will DuoLingo help with preparation for GCSE? What level can I achieve using DuoLingo? I am an avid user of DuoLingo. I have completed the French, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin courses. I am currently working my way through the Japanese course and have dabbled in several…
Keep reading
I can support students with both A Level and GCSEs, and focus on any specific needs, which may include help with confidence in the speaking exam, one-to-one support with grammar questions or strategies for specific exam questions. As a parent of two boys and two stepdaughters, I understand the pressures that exam time can bring.
The ability to speak another language looks great on your CV and in our increasingly global environment, can help you stand out. I’ve been fortunate to work on projects using my languages in a number of locations including France, Belgium, Germany and Chile.
Learning languages is fun! Interacting with the locals will enhance your holiday. Whether it’s an intensive course you need, or you’d like to commit to regular lessons, I can work with you to find a learning method that suits you.
For small similar-ability groups I offer language courses around my kitchen table in an informal setting with a cuppa. Going on a holiday with friends or family and you’d like to try out your language skills? Or maybe you’d like the social aspect of learning a language together with like-minded people. If this is something you’d like to do at work, I can deliver courses in the workplace*.
*subject to location
“Kirstie was such a great tutor for my son. She built his confidence and skills so he felt really ready to tackle his GCSE exam.”
“We have to say a massive thank you to you as the work you did together was a huge contributor to my daughter being motivated to try and work harder – it increased her confidence as well as her learning.”
Parents of GCSE French students
“Kirstie helped my son through both his French and German GCSEs. Her assistance was invaluable, particularly in building confidence prior to his speaking exams, which had previously been a real hurdle. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kirstie to anyone who wants some help with their languages, either to build confidence or to cover off grammatical challenges.”
Parent of a Year 11 student
I can teach both adults and children in-person within a 30 minute radius of the Altrincham area, in my or the student’s home. For adults further afield, I can teach online.
Send me a message with details of what language you want to learn, a brief outline of your language goals and whether you are looking for online or in-person tutoring.
Kirstie Hawkins 