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Language Services Specialists

Expert online private tuition in French and German for students from 11 - adult.

27/08/2026

🇫🇷🇩🇪 Language Learning Tip: Grammar

Learned a new grammar point in your lesson this week?

Don't just leave it there until your next lesson. Spend a few minutes revisiting it during the week.

If reading through your notes feels a bit dull, try searching YouTube for that grammar point and watch a short explanation instead.

The more often you encounter a new structure, the more familiar it becomes—and the more likely you are to remember and use it confidently.

Small amounts of regular revision can make a big difference over time.

24/08/2026

☀️ Back from holiday! ☀️

After a relaxing couple of weeks away, I'm back and looking ahead to the new academic year.

First of all, a huge congratulations to everyone who received their GCSE and A-level results over the past couple of weeks, particularly those who got the grades they needed to move on to the next stage of their plans. I hope you're enjoying celebrating your achievements!

For those who didn't get the results they were hoping for, I'm sorry it hasn't gone the way you hoped. Results day can feel like a huge setback, but hopefully you've now found a new way forward. Sometimes one door closes and another opens—and the path we hadn't planned turns out to be just as worthwhile.

As for me, I'm looking forward to getting back to teaching and welcoming new and returning students this September.

I still have some availability for online French and German lessons, particularly for adult learners looking for daytime tuition and home-educated students.

If you're thinking about learning or improving your French or German, feel free to get in touch. I'd be happy to have a chat about how I might be able to help.

Here's to a new academic year!

30/07/2026

☀️ Summer break!

The summer isn't just about preparing for September—it's also a chance to rest and recharge.

With that in mind, I'll be taking a break from posting while I'm away on holiday.

Thank you to everyone who's followed, liked, commented on or shared my posts over the past few months. It's been great to share language-learning tips, teaching insights and a few behind-the-scenes moments with you.

I'll be back towards the end of August with more French and German tips, updates from the tutoring front line and news about the new academic year.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer!

27/07/2026

A little behind the scenes...

This summer I've been swapping text books for video-editing software!

I'm creating an introduction video for my Superprof profile and, like learning any new skill, it's involved plenty of trial and error.

It's reminded me how valuable it is for teachers to put themselves back in the position of being learners. Learning something new isn't always easy, and it's a useful reminder of what our own students experience every day.

Hopefully I'll have the finished video ready to share soon!

23/07/2026

A thought from this week's lessons...

Grammar sometimes gets a bad reputation, but I think it has an important role to play in language learning.

Learning grammar isn't about memorising lots of complicated rules. It's about helping you say what you want to say more accurately and with greater confidence.

That's why I introduce grammar little by little, as students need it, rather than teaching lots of rules in isolation. When learners can use a new grammar point in a real conversation or piece of writing straight away, it's much more likely to stick.

What's your view? Is grammar something you enjoyed learning, or did you always find it a bit daunting?

20/07/2026

Every year, I receive enquiries from prospective students looking for French or German tuition. Unfortunately, I usually have to disappoint them because my timetable is already full.

This year is a little different.

I'll have a small number of lesson spaces available from September, and I'm looking forward to welcoming some new students.

Whether you're studying for GCSE or A-level, returning to language learning as an adult, or looking for structured support with French or German as a homeschooler, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to find out more.

15/07/2026

French Grammar Tip of the Week

French adjectives can be confusing. Most come after the noun, but there are some important exceptions.

In this 60-second video, I explain which adjectives come before the noun and which come after.

Did this surprise you, or is it a rule you already knew?

13/07/2026

📚 Language Learning Tip for reading in French or German

Reading in a foreign language can feel overwhelming, especially when there are lots of unfamiliar words.

One mistake I often see is students reaching for the dictionary straight away. Instead, try to understand the overall meaning first. You might be surprised by how much you can work out from the context.

The more you practise reading in this way, the more confident you'll become—and the less you'll need to translate every word.

09/07/2026

Summer tutoring update ☀️

With this year's exams now behind us, I'm turning my attention to planning for September.

The summer gives me the chance to plan, develop new ideas and continue my professional development, so that every student benefits from the best lessons I can provide.

For the first time in a couple of years, I'll also have a small number of spaces available from September.

If you're looking for online French or German tuition—or know someone who is—feel free to comment below or send me a message. I'd be happy to have a chat about how I can help.

07/07/2026

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Address

Kingsclere
Newbury

Telephone

+447944820284

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-cruickshank-1ab1374/, https://tutorperch.com/t/samantha-ij7e#subject=german&level=g

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