Mark Bamforth Languages
[mɑːk 'bæmfəθ 'læŋɡwɪdʒəz]
Learning Beyond the Classroom
+44 (0)7914 920266
DBS enhanced
Welcome to my website! I also advertise in a number of places such as Tutorhunt, Superprof, Facebook, LinkedIn and Eurolingua.com, so you may have come here via one of those pages.
Whether you’re looking for help after school or simply want to boost your knowledge, there's nothing more effective than being taught by an experienced language tutor. I’ve been offering German, French and English as a foreign language to students of all ages since 2011. I’m here to give you the personal attention you require, so that you or your child can reach full academic potential.
English as a foreign language (EFL) / English as a second language (ESL)
UA Чи хотіли б ви покращити свою англійську? Тоді, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з нами за допомогою кнопки «Контакт» нижче!
DE Möchten Sie Ihr Englisch verbessern? Dann melden Sie sich bitte über den Contact-Button hier unten!
F Vous cherchez à améliorer votre anglais? Alors s'il vous plaît entrer en contact via le bouton Contact ci-dessous!
IT Sta cercando di migliorare il suo inglese? Quindi si prega di mettersi in contatto tramite il pulsante di Contact qui sotto!
ES ¿Buscas mejorar tu inglés? ¡Por favor, póngase en contacto a través del botón de Contact aquí abajo!
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Why am I a tutor?
For millenia, the peoples who inhabited the area we now call Europe have been trading and learning each other's cultures and languages. Language learning is nothing new: indeed it is one of the oldest forms of learning known to humandkind. As former German Chancellor, Willi Brandt, put it: "If I'm selling to you, I speak your language. If I'm buying, dann müssen Sie Deutsch sprechen."
Many forms of organised trading agreements have existed for centuries, and most probably ever since commerce between countries began. We need only think of the Hanseatic League, of which London and other north European ports were members in the 12th century. More recently in the 20th century, sound European collaboration resulted in the creation of suspersonic airliner, Concorde, and the Channel Tunnel / Le Tunnel sous la Manche.
The European Union is merely one of the more recent forms of organised international co-operation. And with the current trend in isolationist nationalism which threatens generations of successful international relations, there has never been a more important time in human history for maintaining sound relationships between different countries. This surely includes learning our neighbours' languages, so that our current and future generations can continue to keep international co-operation alive.
I am delighted and proud to have a strong lifelong skill and interest in language learning, and I trust that by helping and encouraging others to learn, I am also contributing to maintaining good international relations.
About me
Looking to progress in English, French and German, and need a bit of one-on-one guidance from a reliable, professional tutor? Sometimes all it takes to really progress in a language is a considerate teacher who knows how to enable you to study at your own pace. Having a degree in Modern Languages from Newcastle University (1994), a postgraduate diploma from Anglia Ruskin University (1995), an English Teaching (TESOL) certificate from Trinity College London (2011), then having worked with students since 2011, I bring a depth of professional experience and knowledge to those who are eager to expand their learning of English, French and German. I offer quality online tailored lessons, so contact me to see how I can help you.
Lessons and specialisms
One-to-one lessons
Customised lessons
As an established English tutor (EFL/ESL), GCSE French tutor and GCSE and A level German tutor, I have enabled my students to excel. Take advantage of my professional experience - especially my one-to-one lessons and online lessons. Get in touch today and allow me to help you or your child achieve your potential.
Exam preparation
Help where it's needed
I know how difficult it can be to find help which focuses on exam and assessment preparation. Teachers need to be able to motivate and guide students to success. As an experienced language tutor, I can identify students’ problem areas and work with them in positive, constructive ways to achieve success. I design my lessons according to my students’ needs, with an emphasis on confidence-boosting activities including flashcards to help with vocabulary, and grammar exercises to assist with writing.
Group lessons
Personal attention
Occasionally I offer tuition to small groups, and know how to get my students to excel through personal attention, patience, a lot of practice, and hard work. I make learning fun through a variety of engaging and outside-the-box activities. Teaching is a skill, but great teaching is a vocation.
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TESTIMONIALS
'Mark was very committed and enthusiastic. He prepared very thoroughly and worked through topics systematically. He was entirely reliable. My child enjoyed the lessons and feels their command of the language improved considerably.'
Helena, parent of German GCSE student
'I am an adult learner, wanting to learn German for when I visit Germany. He came armed with many questions to understand my current level of knowledge and areas of interest. He is always interested in feedback and has even given me useful websites to look up, as well as homework.'
Madeline, German adult intermediate student
'Mark is personable, reliable and communicative. Above all, he is an effective tutor and all our students have been very happy with him.'
Chris Polatch Language School
'Mark responded immediately and we arranged a convenient date/time to tutor a GCSE student. Very professional and a hit with my teenager who after only 3 lessons has more confidence speaking German than in 4 years of learning at school.'
Bromley, parent of German GCSE student
'After the first lesson which included what I wanted to focus on, I have had 4 lessons and they have all been great. Mark gives me the choice of what to do each time but also with some structure to them. As a complete beginner myself I would definitely recommend Mark to anyone - whether a beginner or someone with more experience.'
Harrison, German adult elementary student
'Mark was a great tutor, came well prepared for each class and was happy to send additional materials or info after class if unsure. I really enjoyed the 1-2-1 approach and being able to work on my pronunciation.'
Emalina, English as a foreign language advanced student
'All good. Mark made a big effort to understand the type of support that my daughter needed with her French.'
Carol, parent of French IGCSE student
'I have thoroughly enjoyed my lessons with Mark Bamforth. As a very proficient and reliable tutor, he was always very well prepared and eager to find out and meet my needs. He was very flexible regarding time and place and very reliable. Not only was he very easy to converse and have a laugh with, but he also provided me with challenging grammar and writing tasks. This learning experience has truly surpassed all of my expectations. Therefore, both as a teacher and student, I can only warmly recommend Mark Bamforth to anyone who aspires to learning and/or improving their English or German skills on all levels.'
Ariane Indira Wildberger, English as a foreign language - proficient
'Mark is a very dedicated and well-organised French tutor. He has been helping me (an adult learner) for several years now. Currently I am working through the French A level syllabus.'
Caroline, French adult student
'Mark has been giving extra tuition for my daughter's German GCSE. He has been very supportive and has helped her organise her revision. Given her much confidence. He helped her enormously with her spoken as well as written work. He was always prompt and reliable and organised.'
Tessa, parent
'Mark has been a godsend over the past year helping to prep for GCSE. Professional, organised, polite and punctual.'
Bron, parent
'Mark is a great teacher who has helped me improve my speaking skills in German. He is friendly and supportive and whilst he has interesting lesson plans, he is also flexible in his teaching by focusing on my problem areas.'
Bella, German IGCSE student
Further testimonials are on my Facebook page.
Booking policy Scheduling of lessons Students' conduct
In line with the practice of many established tutors nowadays, lessons are booked and paid for in advance, and desired lesson slots are agreed by email between the client and tutor.
Therefore please book with payment a series of lessons, for example a month's lessons, a half term or whole term.
School holiday lessons: Please book with payment the number of lessons required for that period.
Paying for a batch of lessons in advance also obviates the need for frequent reminders for payment. At this point, the client will be able to highlight dates when the student will be away. This promotes commitment for both client and tutor, and helps to avoid penalty in the event of a cancellation (please see policy below).
Online lessons: The recording of any part of the lesson, either by the tutor or the student, is not permitted, just as the recording of face-to-face lessons would not normally be allowed.
Students' conduct: During lessons, students should not become distracted by checking phones or looking at other windows on their screen, but keep their attention on the lesson. This will ensure maximum progress with their language learning.
Cancellation policy
A cancellation policy is necessary as without one, a cancelled lesson means the tutor is left without income after having invested time and resources during preparation, and other clients will miss out on the unused time slot. The terms are as follows:
If a lesson is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, or if the client fails to show up for the lesson at the agreed time, the lesson will be charged.
If there is a genuine one-off and unforeseen circumstance, please discuss with the tutor as soon as possible. In some situations, lessons can be rescheduled (free of charge), but this is at the tutor’s discretion and cannot be guaranteed, as it is dependent on existing schedules.
In the unfortunate and unusual situation where lessons are cancelled on a frequent basis, regardless of giving the required notice, for example several cancellations per term, the tutor may have to choose to terminate tuition for that client.
Similarly, so that this policy is fair to both client and tutor, if in the unlikely event the tutor has to cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, the next lesson will be offered free of charge.
Away Dates
My practice will be closed on the following dates
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Year's Day
My practice is also closed on certain public holidays, but I can give priority to requests for lessons on such days. Please get in touch to enquire.
Away dates are subject to change, please check regularly.
Useful Links
Every effort is made to keep links current, but should you discover a broken link, please contact me to let me know!
Dictionaries
GCSE (AQA) German
GCSE (Edexcel) German
IGCSE (Edexcel) German
IGCSE (Cambridge) German
GCE A level (Edexcel) German
IGCSE (Cambridge) French
Cambridge English & Cambridge International
Interesting articles & further links
Why private tutoring for your child is time well invested
The 5 pillars of effective language learning
Einen Englischlehrer finden - DE
Einen Englischlehrer finden - AT
Einen Englischlehrer finden - CH
Trouver un professeur d'anglais - FR
Trova un insegnante di inglese - IT
Encontrar un profesor de ingles - ES
How many people learn English?
How many Europeans learn a foreign language?
The Guardian: Language learning
The Guardian: Private language lessons
British Council: Learn English
University of Zurich online English (EFL / ESL) tuition
The Westgate School, Winchester
The Henry Beaufort School, Winchester
St Swithun's School, Winchester
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Winchester
Peter Symonds College, Winchester
The Pilgrims' School, Winchester
Contact & Feedback
Please do get in touch to find out how I can help you. If you'd like to leave comments or a review, please do so!
Email on markh.bamforth@yahoo.co.uk, call on 07914 920266, or complete the form below:
