For twenty-five years I made documentaries for clients such as the BBC, National Geographic, Arte and ZDF. The job was explaining something to an audience who knew nothing about the subject and had not asked to learn it. I now teach, and the work is much the same.

I am a native German speaker and a qualified MFL teacher. I tutor German from beginner to A-level, French to GCSE, and adults starting from scratch or returning to it after twenty years. I also prepare children for 11+ entrance in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. My own son sits his this September, so I am working through the same past papers at home most evenings.

German and French, KS3 to KS5, in two contrasting London state secondaries in Newham and Barking, including a full year with Year 10 on the Edexcel GCSE specification.

11+ preparation in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, working through past papers with my own son alongside my tutees.

Twenty-five years directing, researching and interviewing in German for broadcasters including ZDF and Arte.

The first lesson is mostly listening. A student stuck on the perfect tense has often never got word order straight, so I begin by finding what is actually secure rather than what has been covered in class, because those are rarely the same thing.

GCSE. Plenty of speaking, because it is the part students avoid and the part parents can least help with at home. And plenty of exam technique, working to the mark scheme, which is a skill separate from knowing the German.

A-level. Literature, translation, and the independent research project (speaking), where the work is usually narrowing the subject down until it can actually be answered. As a documentarian, I can guide research within exam guidelines.

11+. Finding the weak spot, and working on that while keeping the other subjects improving. If just working on one paper (eg English/comprehension), then intensive exam-based training.

Adults. Whatever you came for, whether that is a holiday, a job, family, or picking up something abandoned at school. Grammar only to the extent it gets you talking - unless you love grammar!

Lesson observations in my schools noted the same things: a calm room, a kind approach, and students unafraid to try. This will transfer to tutoring.