Nicola Maria

My lessons are interactive, structured, and always tailored to your goals. I like to start with a short warm-up activity to build confidence, then move into focused practice on speaking, listening, reading, or writing. I use a mix of authentic resources, past papers (for GCSE/HSK or English exams), as well as online resources, realia, personally prepared resources and creative activities like role-plays, quizzes, and games to keep learning engaging.

For beginners, I focus on building a strong foundation with vocabulary and pronunciation, while more advanced students work on fluency, accuracy, and cultural understanding. I encourage lots of speaking practice, but I also provide clear explanations of grammar and plenty of opportunities for questions.

I have experience teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL), tutoring students for GCSE English and Mandarin, supporting the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP), and teaching Greek to both heritage learners and complete beginners. Having lived in Taiwan, I bring cultural insights into my Mandarin lessons, and as a fluent Greek and English speaker with Spanish too, I know the challenges of learning languages and how to overcome them.

Most importantly, I aim to create a supportive and enjoyable environment where you feel confident to make mistakes, try new things, and make steady progress.