The Art of English

Tailored English and EAL Tuition

Welcome! Romy Fotheringham loves teaching English to students from around the world. We hope this site gives you a flavour of what her lessons can offer.

Tailored Lessons

Tailored lessons to primary and secondary school pupils and adults:

English language lessons from beginner (A1) through to advanced levels of English
Preparation for the ISEB English and Verbal Reasoning Pre-Tests
Preparation for Common Entrance English and Year 8 Scholarship exams in English
Preparation for the Cambridge Language exams, including the First (B2) exam, the Preliminary (B1) exam, the Advanced (C1) exam and the Proficiency (C2) exam
Support for independent school entry tests
GCSE English support
Lessons that focus on British Culture and life in Britain

Tailored lessons

British Culture sessions

Romy can offer lessons on aspects of British culture that suit your interests.

Recent topics have included:

Wimbledon
Music in the UK, from the BBC Proms to Opera at Glyndebourne
Famous British gardens
Modern Village Life in the UK
Architecture in London
Alexander McQueen
Queen Elizabeth II

Vocabulary and language exercises can be developed around these topics,

which makes it interesting and fun!

For a taste of the content of British Culture sessions, please see my blog.

About Romy

Romy is an English and English Additional Language (EAL) specialist. Working in the independent schools’ sector, she was Head of EAL at Papplewick School in Ascot for over fifteen years and taught EAL at Heathfield School in Ascot. She also taught English and study skills at the University of Reading summer school for postgraduate students.

Educated in South Africa, Romy’s first degree was in English literature, after which she specialised in teaching EAL with a first-class B.Ed (Hons) degree and then a first-class MA degree in Applied Linguistics.

In addition to teaching, Romy’s career has also included writing and editing educational materials and running workshops for the British Council in Senegal. Romy currently lives in Wiltshire, teaches EAL part time at an independent preparatory school and tutors students in the UK and internationally.

Romy loves reading, writing and travelling. She loves art and gardens and visits galleries and gardens on a regular basis for inspiration.

Testimonials

When our son first started lessons with Romy, he could barely speak English. Three years on, he reads, writes and reasons in English with real confidence - progress his school has singled out for praise. Romy's teaching was patient, well structured and carefully pitched for an EAL learner: she built his vocabulary systematically, set focused homework, and made the material relatable by connecting it to our son's own interests, which kept him genuinely engaged.

She gave him a real command of the question types in the ISEB English and Verbal Reasoning pre-tests, pairing warmth with high expectations. Above all, she takes a sincere, personal interest in her work and in each pupil's progress, and he always looked forward to his sessions. We recommend her wholeheartedly - especially for any child preparing for senior school entry in a second language.

Year 6 parent

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the online tutoring work?

Lessons take place via Zoom, or another platform if requested. This works well for students around the world and all you need is a WiFi signal.

Do you offer face-to-face tuition?

I can offer this but it would need to be in Wiltshire, UK, close to where I live or can easily travel.

How long is each lesson?

Each lesson is usually 60 minutes but can be shorter, for example 40 minutes, depending on the age of the pupil and the aim of the lesson.

When do lessons take place?

Lessons take place at times that suit busy schedules. I offer holiday and weekend lessons as well as lessons during term time. I can accommodate pupils in different time zones and have worked with pupils in China, Korea and Europe.

How are lesson materials provided?

This depends on the topic of the lesson. I often email lesson materials in advance but can also post them, if students are in the UK, or share my screen. Sometimes a pupil and I might have the same books. I discuss the easiest way to make sure a pupil has everything s/he needs for a lesson in advance when we first plan the lessons.

Do you provide homework?

I often provide homework and this is discussed when we first plan lessons. Some of my adult students don’t have time for homework and, of course, that’s fine too!

How much is payment for the lessons? When is payment due?

The cost of the lessons depends on the pupil’s level, the aims of the lessons and how much preparation each lesson is likely to involve, including homework. Payment is due on the day before the lesson is taught.

How do you report on progress?

I provide a short report after each lesson and more comprehensive feedback at the end of a teaching cycle, which can be in written form or via a Zoom meeting.

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