Classes with Talking Bee

Learning a language involves 4 main skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening.

Reading and Listening are the receptive skills and generally people find these easier than Speaking and Writing, which are the productive skills.

It is common that learners have some strong skills and some weaker ones so, for example, you may be good at speaking but have more difficulty with writing.

A good language class involves using all 4 skills. However, with Talking Bee, although you will use all 4 skills, you have the option to focus mainly on Speaking and Listening with our Conversation and Pronunciation classes or mainly on Grammar, Reading and Writing with our Writing, Grammar and Exam Practice classes.

Classes will be tailored to your needs and preferences but I find that a variety of approaches and activities helps to keep the sessions alive and interesting. We may approach the same language item in several different ways as this helps you to absorb it and check if you really understand it. If you have a hobby or a particular area of interest, do tell me and I will use this to plan a stimulating class for you.

Learners who work independently outside the class usually make more rapid progress. You will be given tasks to work on between classes and it is advisable to make time to complete them and bring them to the next class for feedback.

Before you sign up, make sure that you have the time to commit to learning. Like any skill, there is no magic button you can press to become good at English. If you want to be good at writing – you need to spend time writing. If you want to be good at speaking – you need to practise speaking as much as possible.

Talking Bee will give you the materials, explanations and encouragement you need to make good progress. The rest is up to you!

What makes a good English teacher?

Lois Darlington

Qualifications

I am a qualified teacher of English to speakers of other languages (Cambridge Certificate in Further Education Teaching with ESOL subject specialism), and English as a Foreign Language (RSA TEFL Certificate from International House, London). I have a BA Joint Honours degree in French and English from Leeds University (UK) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Technical & Specialised Translation from the University of Westminster (UK).

Experience

I first started teaching in France, giving conversation lessons to teenagers. After passing my TEFL course at International House, I went to work in Spain, where I taught children, students and business people for 2 years. I then did a translating course at the University of Westminster and worked in World Music for 10 years, using my languages to translate and interpret for artists from around the world. I went back to teaching after having my daughter, first starting in a community centre and then working for 18 years at a busy central London college.

Here I taught students from many countries around the world with many different first languages including Japanese, Mandarin, Thai, Arabic, Lingala, Tigrinya, Amharic & Somali, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Kurdish, Farsi, Italian, French, Czech, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian and more. Some were professionals, others students or housewives. I have taught all levels from beginners to advanced.

What makes a good language lesson?

I believe that learning a language needs to be fun. People learn best when they can build on their own personal experience and interests so it’s important to work towards students’ personal goals in a way that suits them. By listening to you, finding out about your interests and responding to your needs, I make my lessons interesting, stimulating and effective. If you are serious about improving your English, Talking Bee is the place for you.

Get in touch

Pricing

Grammar, writing & exam practice classes

One to One classes

£30 per hour, paid in 2-weekly blocks in advance (£60)
Block of 10 classes (£270)
First 30 minute consultation class (£10)

Conversation & Pronunciation classes

One to One classes

£25 per hour, paid in 2-weekly blocks in advance (£50)
Block of 10 classes (£225)
First 30 minute consultation class (£10)

Please enquire about group discounts

Terms & Conditions

How it works

  1. Classes normally last one hour.
  2. But the first session enables me to assess your level and your needs and lasts for just 30 minutes (the fee is £10, payable in advance).
  3. All English classes will involve some speaking, listening, reading and writing but you decide where to focus your efforts, so after the initial consultation session, you can choose classes in Conversation & Pronunciation or Grammar, Writing and Exam Practice.
  4. When you enrol on a course, you pay for 2 classes in advance or for a block of 10 classes (with a discount).

Terms & Conditions of Booking

  1. Missed Classes
    1. There are no refunds, credits or swap classes for missed classes. This applies even if the reasons for missing class are not your fault.
  2. Block refunds
    1. Courses booked in advance will be refunded if you give at least 2 weeks’ notice before the first class but an administration fee of £20 will be retained.
    2. For private classes: If you cancel after your block has started, 50% of the fee will be returned IF YOU CANCEL WITHIN THE FIRST 4 WEEKS. After week 4, no refund is possible.
    3. For group classes: If you cancel after your block has started, 50% of the fee will be returned IF YOU CANCEL WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS. After week 2, no refund is possible.
  3. Deferments
    1. Blocks of 10 classes already booked cannot be deferred. If you are unable to attend, you can cancel your booking under the terms above and rebook when a new slot becomes available.
  4. Teacher availability
    1. If the class has to be cancelled because the teacher is unable to attend, students will be given as much notice as possible and their class will be refunded or carried forward.
    2. If the teacher cannot attend, every effort will be made to find an alternative teacher for the session.