Experienced language teacher gives French lessons to students up to level A2

I met Cissy about a year and a half ago when I took an intensive French language class with her. I was struck by her strong work ethic, dedication and sense of humour. She took her studies very seriously yet was also able to laugh at herself.

Over the course, we became friends and she showed me language learning techniques and study aides she had created for herself for French. We communicated in my native language of English but I discovered that she spoke German, Dutch and English and was picking up her fourth language with the French study.

Cissy has a maturity about her which enables her to work and play with a diverse range of people. Our class of 18 students had over 15 nationalities represented and she befriended all constantly striving to help others. It was evident that teaching is a natural ability for her.

With this in mind, a few months later when I decided to find my nine-year-old a tutor for her emerging interest in German, Cissy was the first person who came to mind. Knowing that she was working as an au pair and hearing her speak affectionately about the children she cared for, I asked her if she was interested. She agreed.

Over the next several months, Cissy met weekly with my daughter to teach her German. Each week, Cissy came extremely prepared with a lesson plan typed up for their session. Her style was interactive and playful and she used games and songs for the purpose of teaching. Additionally, there were two days when she baked with my daughter. It was something they were both interested in so they turned it into a learning opportunity. All classes, including baking activities, were conducted primarily in German.

Cissy did a great job of being warm and inviting yet also firm in terms of her expectations for my daughter. It gave my daughter a continued excitement for the German language because Cissy made it fun.

It is without reservation that I recommend Cissy for not only a teaching job but any job where you need a hard-working, dedicated person. She is engaging with children, prepared and professional.