Meet our team of French & Spanish Tutors

Valerie Hurst

French Tutor

Bonjour! My name is Valerie, and I am a fully qualified French teacher with over 20 years of
experience in state and international schools. I was born and bred in sunny southern France, and
now live in York where I raised my two bilingual sons, and still work as a French teacher. I am also
writing the 2 years course for the French IB Diploma Programme. I always had a deep love for the
French language and culture. Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of teaching students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds, and have developed a passion for helping them achieve their
language learning goals.

My extensive knowledge of exam specifications for IB, AQA, Edexcel for A level and GCSE, and iGCSE has enabled my students to achieve excellent results consistently. I can offer help with exam
preparation and revision, language clinics, and any kind of writing or speaking practice to improve
skills and confidence.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, I provide personalized lessons that cater to
your unique needs and interests. My approach to teaching is interactive, engaging, and tailored to
your learning style. I incorporate a varied range of resources, including videos, music, and literature, to make your learning experience both enjoyable and effective.

As a language teacher, I understand that French is more than just a language; it's a gateway to French culture, history, and society. Therefore, my lessons go beyond language proficiency to
include cultural immersion and practical applications. For instance, I can help you with dealing with
buying French properties, applying for French citizenship, and navigating the complexities of French bureaucracy.

So whether you're a business professional, a student, or a Francophile, I am here to help you achieve your language learning goals. My extensive teaching experience, French background, and passion for French culture, make me an ideal choice for anyone seeking to academically achieve, progress, or simply enjoy French in a lesson.

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Sandra
Dorado Leon

Spanish Tutor

Approach

I am a Spanish native speaker who has lived in London for almost two decades. I have spent the last eight years of my career as a Spanish Assistant /Tutor working with y10s, y11s and sixth formers in preparation for their GCSE’s and A Levels. I have a very good understanding of the exam’s specifications, content and structure for each of the skills assessed (speaking, listening, writing and comprehension). Although not everybody has a flair for languages, I believe that with a bit of determination and guidance every pupil can achieve their goal.

Hobbies

I am an enthusiastic reader of Historical fiction and I enjoy the numerous art exhibitions and theatre productions on offer. Activities which sometimes, I share with my daughters.

As a good Spaniard I enjoy my food, whether its cooking or eating out with friends and I am always keen to discover the flavours of new cuisines.

¡Hasta la vista!

Albane Smart

Psychotherapist

A former secondary school teacher and charity worker, I am a psychotherapist for children, adolescents and families.

Fully qualified, with a Masters in Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents and Families, and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I offer consultations in English or French. Most of my clients are teenagers, students and adults.

My expertise includes anger management, identity crises, anxiety, peer pressure, depression, low self esteem, the feeling of feeling lost, burn-out, communication breakdown, relationship difficulties, bereavement, trauma, compulsory obsessive disorder, postnatal depression, and couples relationships.

If your children need help, or if you need help with your children - or just for yourself, please do get in touch.