Linguistics: Chomskian grammar, universal theory, XP theory (trees)

From 149.88 C$ /h

For Linguistics and Phonetics you will go through your university course assignments with me, we shall do "Chomskian trees" and we shall discuss theoretical points (eg GB theory, minimalist program). For Phonetics, IPA symbols and phonetic structures and theories (auto-segmental phonology and optimality theory). WARNING: there are many approaches to these theories, we shall go by what has been adopted at your university.

Extra information

We shall work in accordance to what you were taught at your university course, as standard approaches vary - as you will know.

Location

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At student's location :

Around London, United Kingdom

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I have been working as an independent tutor since 2005, for Linguistics and Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish, French and Italian).

The courses showcased on Apprentus can be tailor-made (adapted) to your personal needs.

Please note that I tutor one-to-one, and not in pairs or groups.

I tutor mainly students in London, both secondary and university level, having been engaged by top London tutorial agencies in the course of my professional life as a tutor. My main cohort of students come from private schools in London and the home counties. None of my students has ever failed to be accepted by the university of their choice, and all of my 13 plus or 16 plus students have also passed their highly selective entrance exams (French, Spanish and Latin for the 13 plus entrance). I am aware that tutoring involves a different set of skills but I also have experience of group teaching and observation undertaken at different stages of my professional life. I have carried out short teaching assignments before, namely for ENSSIB in Lyon (two sessions of four weeks and one week courses) for the masters in library management in 2004 for two groups of around 30 students (English) and at Queen Mary University of London (evening revision class for A level French, in the Widening Participation Programme, 2007).

I have taught all ages and levels, as well as multi-level classes (as it was the case at the higher education establishments in France and Poland). While there is expected homogeneity in a regular class, I respect the individuality of each student and adapt to their needs, ranging from their first exam preparation for 11+ or 13+ (mainly French and Latin) to students needing help at university with their degree language modules, in particular when linguistics is involved (as students have less contact time with university teachers than they might need or wish). In addition, I taught EFL classes of average 20 students both in Buenos Aires (1980-1981), Oxford and Reading (1982-1988) and at UCL as a subject librarian (Romance Languages) I carried out staff and student training in IT skills and information literacy. I have a good selection of educational materials and visual prompts from cultural centres (Spain and South American countries) to help students with their literature and cultural essays. My ambition is to inspire students not only to succeed but to want to take their Spanish knowledge and skills to the next academic level and excel as scholars at university or in their chosen profession.

Education

I have a BA from Reading University in Linguistic Science (2:1) and from UCL, an MPhil in Linguistics (Romance languages syntax) as well as an MA in Electronic Communication and Publishing. While I was working at UCL Institute of Education, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher and Professional Education. I am now a Research Associate at King's College London in the Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, where I do research for bibliographies.

In addition, I have received scholarships from ARELS/British Council (1981), I completed my year abroad at Aix en Provence (as a regular student within my Reading degree, 1987-1988) and was a postgraduate exchange student at the Freie Univ. Berlin, 1992. I have worked in Buenos Aires, France (Paris, Lyon). Poland (Bielsko Biala), and carried out a project for libraries in New York (2006) and attended (on a scholarship) a summer school at ELTE, Budapest (2006).

Experience / Qualifications

Spanish, French and Linguistics tutor. Typical tasks involve intensive revision tutorials in exam periods (Easter revision in particular) as well as year-long support for regular students. Most of my GCSE students have progressed to A level study of Spanish and French. Tuition for the typical tutee means that they are able to improve their grades, which is crucial for university entrance (usually those Bs must be turned into As for Russell Group universities). I also coach and tutor for Common Entrance and own school’s entrance exams, both at 13 plus and 16 entry points. None of my students have ever failed to get into the school of their choice at these two levels.

iI have tutored children in top private schools, Eton, Harrow and Winchester in particular, which has been intellectually rewarding and inspiring. For the lesser gifted, I have based the lessons on carefully graded advancement, in order not to discourage the student and create confidence in their abilities. Tutees return to me for their university support, as they are likely to be inspired to continue with their languages in Higher Education.

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

Spanish

French

English

Latin

Italian

Skills

Grammar

English

Phonetics course

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

At student's home

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Bilingualism and Code-Switching: by popular demand

149.88 C$ /h

In these neuro-divergent times, the binary division of "one language or two" in bilinguals is perhaps due some contestation, which students are capable of providing. I have always found bilingual production models (and the ubiquitous Powerpoint slide) that university teachers provide a hindrance because of their lack of explicitness and discussion - they are just not relatable as presented nor do they provide much information or examples for monolingual students.

Code-switching, a by-product of bilingualism, is now a term that is even found in minority-ethnic neighbourhood grafitti ("can white people code-switch" a found example). Please note that this is a linguistic term, used for switching between two languages, and not between local or social varieties of English.

My personal position is that there is no such thing as bilingualism: there is always a language that suffers attrition, and one language that prevails, mostly because of its prestigious standing over the other language. On the other hand, a child exposed to more than one language cannot be truly monolingual.

For this course (very popular at universities around Europe both at undergraduate and postgraduate level) we shall go through the terms used to discuss bilingualism, in detail, and then discuss, with the help of published books and articles, who can be considered bilingual (or are we all, one other language lying dormant?). Can bilingualism be defined by the speaker, instead of the "community"? Can it be imposed by the State? Does a bilingual brain function in the same manner as a monolingual brain? These are research questions that emerge as dissertation or thesis topics both at undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Help with Modern Languages dissertations (English, French, Spanish) including Linguistics (Theory and Applied)

149.88 C$ /h

In this course, you will learn a range of linguistic methods and learn the terms used for describing a specific aspect of language or phenomenon (lexis, morphemes, and 'telegraphic stage' to give a few examples). The course requires you to explore your own data using quantitative and qualitative analysis (eg: how frequently are slang phrases used? Are there new auxiliaries being created?). No historical linguistics or literature is involved, but language change or specific traits will be sampled via your own data collection (if this is what is demanded in your course).

As many students need to present a "year abroad" dissertation at University level (3rd year in the UK of a Modern Languages or Linguistics Undergraduate course) I can help you to research and structure your year abroad work, both in English (Linguistics) and Romance languages (French, Italian, Spanish). The topics that have arisen from recent discussions with students relate to French Caribbean writing, Italian resistance and reprisals in Rome (Fosse Ardiatine), and Spanish Etica franquista in films (among others).

Gohar

4.62

(50)

Ready to Speak French Like a Pro? Join My Online Classes!

Are you looking to improve your French quickly and confidently? Whether you want to chat effortlessly, succeed at work, or prepare for exams, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

As a professional French teacher, I create fun and effective lessons tailored just for you. We’ll focus on real-life conversation, grammar made simple, and pronunciation that helps you sound natural.

Learn from the comfort of your home with live, interactive online classes — no stress, no pressure, just steady progress.

Let’s make French easy and enjoyable together. Book your first lesson now and start speaking like a native!

Kevin

4.62

(50)

I offer you a new learning experience.

The focus is on practical application and theory is only introduced where intuition reaches its limits.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, my tailor-made lessons will accelerate your language acquisition in a positive learning environment.

You can book a complete course with regular sessions or individual lessons to overcome a specific problem, such as pronunciation or a particular point in grammar.

Learning a foreign language is not a linear process that consists of memorising a list of words, and speaking a foreign language is not an oral translation exercise.

There are two types of approaches to acquiring knowledge:

When asked what year follows 1999, you can immediately answer 2000 without having to think for a long time and, above all, without having memorised each number individually, starting with 1, 2, 3 ... You know that numbers are formed according to a certain pattern. With only ten digits, you can form an infinite number of numbers and always know which number comes next.

When it comes to the alphabet, words and sentences, it's more or less the same, but school pedagogy, school textbooks and regular lessons still follow the rote learning approach. In the lessons I propose, you will learn to use patterns because this is more efficient and faster.

Learning is easy, but unlearning bad habits is extremely difficult. This makes it all the more important to learn the right reflexes as early as possible.

My offer is aimed at both young people and adults who want to learn German or improve their knowledge without wasting time on nonsensical school methods.

I offer individual or group lessons for German. The methods are based on cognitive science and, in particular, comparative linguistics. My flexible programme can be tailored to your individual needs. The programme focuses on your independence in spontaneous conversations in real life.

What is particularly important to me:

motivating my students and help them establish a learning rhythm;
encouraging their creativity;
helping them become more familiar with the language;
teaching them the letters and their sounds;
strengthening their memory by training their phonological loop;
teaching sentence building plans instead of memorising sentences;
explaining how language works so that my students can become independent as quickly as possible.

I look forward to meeting you.

Lú

4.62

(50)

I truly think learning Spanish has to be enjoyable and challenging (positively) and my aim is to create a fun and positive learning environment in which you can really thrive, feel confident and tranquilo.

I like to approach my students to grammar structures and cultural comprehension of the language by a variety of methods and sources such as images, videos, interviews, audios, etc. and adjust exercises of reading, listening and conversation to topics related to their particular interests and personal motivations.

Ilia

4.62

(50)

Can learning English be fun, insightful, productive and effective at the same time? I believe so!

Whatever your background or profession, deciding to learn a foreign language is a great way to add another dimension to your life and make your mind work in a new way. You become a (slightly) different person, since along with a new language, one learns to look at the world in a slightly different way. This is why my approach to teaching English is not only aimed at laying or strengthening the foundational knowledge - grammar, speaking, writing and listening skills, but also at introducing students to the culture of the English-speaking population. We will find out what English speakers find funny, what drives them to tears, what makes them feel proud and what they get embarrassed about.

Open to students of all levels, my course usually is taught online, using a variety of visual aids and a wide range of material, from textbooks to YouTube videos. In teaching advanced learners, I often refer to pieces of literature such as novels and poems, since they easily spark discussions, which in turn improves the students' grasp and feel of the language. In doing so, I take students beyond ordinary textbooks and grammar books, since they are no more than guides to learning, not absolute authorities, and because to me language is a living, constantly evolving matter, which you must submerge yourself into in order to understand.

In addition to my unorthodox approach, what sets me apart is a collection of unique, language-related experiences, which translate into a good ability to understand nuances of the English language. A native Russian speaker, I have lived in the UK for over 5 years, went to a Scottish boarding school and have even completed a university degree in English. Thanks to my linguistic and cultural competency, I will make sure that you are never lost in translation! Are you interested? Then contact me today!

Abdrahman

4.62

(50)

Hello! My name is Abdrahman, from Nigeria. I have studied Arabic language (including reading, writing, listening and speaking skills). I also studied Quran & it's sciences, Tajweed, and other Islamic studies for more than fourteen years.

I have studied Arabic from the International Open University and Arabic Institute.

Currently, I'm also an Undergraduate student of Islamic Studies Education in the University of Lagos, Akoka. I also study under the tutelage of Sheikh Raslān from Egypt.

I am a tutor of modern standard Arabic, classical Arabic (the language of Quran and Hadith) and colloquial Arabic ('āmiyyah).

I love teaching Arabic because it is a very important language of Islam. Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said we should love Arabic language because: he is an Arabic, the holy Quran is in Arabic language and the language of the paradise dwellers is Arabic.

I also love teaching Arabic language because it is the fifth most spoken language in the world.

It is the official language of 26 countries including 5 of the wealthiest countries in the world. And it's sixth most spoken language in the world.

Learning such a language will avail you to the discovery of most interesting cultures in today's world. It will also look good in your resume.

With Arabic language, you'll become a polyglot and you will be able to adapt to the environments of Arab. As a Muslim, with Arabic language, you'll have thorough understanding of Quran and Sunnah.

I have been tutoring Arabic and Islamic Studies since 2014 both online and offline till date. I tutor the learners between the ages of 5 - 80.

The focus of my instruction is on all the important skills of the language (reading, writing, listening and speaking), grammar and vocabulary development. With these, you'll be able to intermingle with Arabic speaking people in any Arab environment you find yourself and of course, you'll have yourself prepared and fit for any formal exam.

I am also certified to instruct in the memorization of Quran, the sciences of Quran like different versions of Quranic recitation (riwāyāt), the exegesis of Quran (tafsīr), e.t.c

I have syllabus and materials for tutoring Arabic efficiently within a period of six to twelve months.

I'm well experienced in tutoring with these books:

➡️ I love Arabic

➡️ Lessons in Arabic language

➡️ Nūrul bayān

➡️ Iqrā' qirā'tī

➡️ Qā'idāh Nūrāniyyah

➡️ Qā'idāh Makkiyyah

➡️ Qā'idāh Baghdādiyyah

➡️ Arabic in your hands

➡️ Tuhfatul Atfāl

➡️ Exegesis of Ibn Kathīr e.t.c

I also have experience in teaching English language and Philosophy.

Learning English language helps in developing ideas and communicating them.

I would be glad to be your tutor in this journey, choose me and you will not regret it.

See you in my class!

I have 7 years of teaching experience. I'm a certified Arabic and English teacher. I have TESL and simplified Arabic certification. My teaching method is philosophical, experimental and persuasive. My teaching approach is simple to complex.

Christophe

4.62

(50)

Do you want to start learning French but have never learnt it before? Or maybe you want to perfect your understanding of French grammar, or your capacity to express yourself clearly, spontaneously and with confidence in French? Or work on pronunciation, perhaps improve your accent and learn more about French culture?
I can help you with all of these, and not only because I was born and raised in France: after getting my Master's Degree in Lingustics and Anthropology from the School for Advanced Research in Paris - at the time I was also teaching private classes of French and English to high school and university students - I moved to the UK and studied theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. There I worked on the skills any speaker needs to communicate clearly and convincingly: diction, voice projection, etc.
These two approaches - linguistics, and theatre work - give me a strong foundation from which to help any student learn French. So jump on: we'll build a learning program tailored to your needs and make sure that the lessons are both dense and fun.

Surya

4.62

(50)

✅ Hindi belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Along with English, Hindi is one of the official languages of India.
✅ Hindi is one of the world's most important languages. If you want to visit India, become a successful businessperson in India, or travel across the country, knowing Hindi is essential.
✅ I specialize in providing Hindi lessons to students and individuals learning the language.
✅ My primary goal is to teach Hindi, as I can guide learners from basic to advanced levels and solve any problems effectively.
✅ Students and learners can grasp Hindi well because I am a native speaker.
✅ You will begin by learning Hindi vowels and consonants, progressing to reading, writing, listening, and speaking Hindi.
✅ Finally, I encourage you to book a lesson with me and start learning Hindi today. I am available 24/7 to assist you.
Namaste to all!

Natasha

4.62

(50)

Tutoring in primary level English and maths from a qualified primary teacher.

I provide bespoke sessions that best meet the needs of the student. I can assess and identify areas that need practice and provide materials for sessions. Additionally, I provide support with homework.

Having taught in Year 6, I have experience with SATs preparation.

Happy to either provide tutoring in person or via webcam.

Parinaz

4.62

(50)

My lessons are based on standard conversational (informal) Persian spoken by mainly the middle-class educated people in Iran. I teach in three beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels:

The beginner level is mostly focused on basic grammar and vocabularies and you will learn to make simple sentences and handle basic conversations.
In the intermediate and advanced levels you will gradually learn more vocabularies, will make more sophisticated sentences and will be more confident in communication in Farsi.
In the advance level you will have lessons on particular subjects such as cooking, weather, houses, cities etc and thus you will learn related vocabularies and slang.

All the lessons are designed and written by me and all are supported by plenty of examples from everyday life.

In my class, not only yоu will leаrn Persiаn but yоu will also knоw аbоut аmаzing Irаniаn culture,music, pоetry. You will never get bored during the lessons as I cаn аlsо teаch yоu sоme eаsy sоngs in Persiаn, we will talk about delicious Iranian food ( I am going to give you some recipes in Farsi as a part of lessons) and will even listen to some Persian songs!!
We are practicing four skills together, Listening, Writing , Reading and Speaking. Also, you have homework at the end of each class.

Maria

4.62

(50)

Say Goodbye to Boring English Classes! My lessons are tailored just for you to master the language through fun, interactive activities. Getting stuck on grammar? I'll make it click. Struggling with writing? I'll be your wordsmith wingman. Whether you're a student prepping for exams or an adult looking to level up, my English sessions are the ultimate language upgrade.

Découvrez the Language of Love with Lessons that Sizzle! Say au revoir to dull, dry French classes. My sessions bring the passion and flair of French culture directly to you through immersive activities, authentic materials, and plenty of practice. Whether you're a novice or prepping for major French exams, I'll have you speaking, reading, and dreaming in French before you can say "ooh la la!"

Gabriela

4.62

(50)

Good morning! Currently studying at university in London, England, I have four years of experience in tutoring for all ages. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve, I'm here to make your English learning fun and engaging. Let's embark together on this linguistic adventure which will allow you not only to master the language but also to discover the joys of English culture.

Deborah

4.62

(50)

I help students with IELTS Preparation, English Writing Skills, Reading Comprehensions Skills, Speaking Skills and much more. My classes are enjoyed by students of all ages and abilities. When teaching students I assess their weakest skills and help them improve their exam grades and overall skills. I have successfully taught students for Independent Schools exams, GCSE, IELTS and Trinity College English exams.

Issa

4.62

(50)

Unlock the world with English! Our online English classes give you the freedom to learn at your own pace, anytime, and from anywhere. Whether you're just starting or looking to perfect your skills, we offer lessons tailored for all levels—from beginners to advanced learners.

With experienced instructors and interactive lessons, you'll build the confidence to speak, read, and write in English fluently. Whether for work, travel, or personal development, our flexible online format ensures you can learn English on your schedule.

Don’t wait—start your English language journey today, anytime and anywhere! Sign up now and take your first step toward fluency.

Mian

4.62

(50)

Are you eager to learn English but feel unsure of where to start? This class is crafted just for non-native speakers like you, who want a friendly, supportive space to build their language skills from the ground up.

In this engaging class, we focus on the real-life English that you’ll use every day. We’ll start with the fundamentals—basic vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation—then work together to build your conversational confidence. With interactive exercises, tailored guidance, and plenty of practice, you’ll quickly feel at ease forming sentences, asking questions, and expressing your ideas in English.

Each lesson is structured to meet you at your level, whether you’re a complete beginner or need a refresher on the basics. I break down concepts clearly and provide simple strategies to help you remember what you learn. We’ll cover a range of practical topics, like introducing yourself, discussing daily routines, and navigating common scenarios, from ordering food to making small talk. You’ll be able to participate, ask questions, and receive personalised feedback every step of the way.

Plus, our sessions include real-life listening and speaking exercises designed to make your learning experience effective and enjoyable. By the end of this course, you’ll not only understand key phrases and everyday language, but you’ll also feel confident using English in a variety of settings.

Whether you’re preparing for school, work, travel, or just want to feel more comfortable speaking English, this class will equip you with the tools to communicate with ease. Join today, and let’s take the first step towards fluency together!

Francesca

4.62

(50)

👋🏼 Hello! I'm Francesca. Do you want to learn or improve your Italian?
No problem, more than 300 students have studied with me and learned while having fun. I started teaching at 19 thanks to the director of my high school and I have more than 15 years of experience, in Italy and abroad, all over the world thanks to the internet.
I offer online Italian courses for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced learners, i.e., C2. I always have quality reference books to recommend to students.
My classes are highly personalized and tailored to the specific needs of each student. I guarantee quality because I put a lot of passion and care into everything I do, trying not to overlook the details.

🚀 During the lessons, I will help you learn the basics of general Italian, paying attention to pronunciation and intonation while reading. I am always attentive to the needs of the students and ready to tailor my lessons. My lessons are an investment for the present and the future because they are prepared with passion, a lot of experience, and dedication 🧡.

🌟 If you are a beginner, don't worry because I take great care to make you feel comfortable.

➡️ I work on different levels: conversation on different topics, grammar, reading, writing, dictation and games (role-playing games in which the student can test himself by communicating in a natural and practical way with the teacher, as in real life).
In addition, preparation for official language certificates (CELI, CILS, PLIDA), the Swiss maturity exam, apprenticeship as a commercial employee CFC and tailor-made courses in a certain professional field.
➡️ All levels: A1-C2