Agnes Horvath

My approach to tutoring is friendly, supportive and tailored to each student. I aim to make lessons interactive rather than simply working through a textbook, with explanations adapted to the student's current level, interests and areas they might find more difficult.

I have previous experience tutoring GCSE-level Maths, where I created personalised PowerPoint explanations and question sheets based on the student's needs, then worked through them together to identify and address areas of difficulty. This taught me the importance of adapting lessons to the individual, and giving them autonomy, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

For German, I would use a mixture of spoken conversation, vocabulary and grammar practice, exam-style questions and personalised exercises, depending on what the student needs most. A typical lesson might involve working through an age-appropriate reading passage, practising comprehension and vocabulary, followed by speaking exercises designed to reflect both real-life conversation and the style of GCSE speaking assessments. If required and agreed, I would also set manageable homework, most commonly vocabulary practice.

I am also happy to adapt lessons towards a student's particular goals. For a student preparing for GCSE exams, this could include working through past-paper-style questions, practising specific exam skills and identifying recurring mistakes. For a student who is less confident or simply wants to improve their general German, lessons can be more conversational and focused on building vocabulary, comprehension and confidence.

As a native Hungarian speaker, I have unique experience of learning German as a foreign language and can approach unfamiliar sounds and syllables from a different perspective. I can therefore offer alternative explanations or techniques where a student is struggling with pronunciation.

I would aim to create a relaxed environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes and asking questions. Learning a language involves a lot of trial and error, so I think it is important that students are able to practise without feeling embarrassed about getting something wrong. I would encourage students to become increasingly independent as their confidence develops, while providing structure and support where they need it.