French tutor & more · Tower Hamlets
Qayyah
French, Spanish and Italian tutor for all ages and levels – fluency, business, GCSE, A-level, CEFR, and proficiency exams.
Hourly rate
£40/hr
French tutor & more · Tower Hamlets
French, Spanish and Italian tutor for all ages and levels – fluency, business, GCSE, A-level, CEFR, and proficiency exams.
About
I'm Qayyah, and I've taught French, Spanish and Italian privately for over 10 years. Whether you want to become genuinely fluent, pass a specific exam, or both, that is what I build every lesson around.
Fluency, not just grammar rules. My classes veer away from lengthy explanations and move quickly to practice – so you are speaking and writing in the target language from early on. I tailor oral and written exercises focused on language production, alongside recorded pronunciation exercises, so your vocabulary recall and grammar application improve together. Little and often is how I work: three to five minutes of practice a day rather than one half-hour block a week, because that is what commits language to long-term memory. Adults and teens learn through song lyrics, films and creative writing in the target language; younger children learn through games, pictures and music, which is more effective and less gruelling than written tests.
Exams, including CEFR and proficiency tests. I've prepared students of all ages for oral, reading, writing and listening exams at GCSE, AS and A2 (WJEC, AQA, OCR and Edexcel), and I help students working towards CEFR level exams and proficiency tests. I have textbooks and past papers at your disposal, and I aim to make you comprehensively solid on grammar application, topic-specific vocabulary and pronunciation – accent and stress. I also give practical tips for impressing examiners: polishing punctuation, using idioms and expressions, appropriate fillers to cover pauses, complex grammar constructions and specialised vocabulary. I teach KS2 and KS3, and I've assisted university students with interpreting exams and presentations; I also offer workshops and corrective services for university-level exams and coursework.
Who I've taught. Students aged four to 70 – it's never too soon or too late to start from scratch or dust off your skills. I currently teach twenty individuals, five couples, a family of three generations and a class of thirty kids in a school. Three of my students have moderate to severe dyslexia and have had no trouble getting up to speed with my methods. Whether you want to relocate, travel, do business, give your kids a stab at becoming bilingual, or simply hold a conversation with confidence, I tailor your classes to you.
How I teach. I aim to be approachable, structured and encouraging. Trusting someone enough to be comfortable making mistakes in front of them – and to have a laugh while learning – is key. I want you to leave class understanding what you've learnt, knowing where improvement is needed and, most importantly, feeling accomplished and able to ask questions or give feedback. I prefer a regular day and time because consistent intervals let you process what you've learnt, but I understand life is complex and am flexible.
Background. My mum moved to the UK from Karachi when she was one, immersing me in Hindi through Bollywood films, Urdu in the kitchen and teaching me to read classical Arabic before nursery – it was she who nurtured my love of languages. After living in Normandy as an au-pair, I studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and later worked as a journalist for Diario SUR in Málaga, Spain. I graduated with a first and distinction in Modern European Languages BA (Hons) from the University of Liverpool in 2015 and have tutored privately since. From crab-spotting in a bog in Brittany to witnessing a meteor shower from the tallest peak in the Sierra Nevada, I'm grateful for the opportunities being multilingual has given me – and I'd love to help you have your own.
Block-discount details
I offer a 50% discount on the first class.
£40/hr · 5 subjects · 29 levels
Subjects & pricing
Discount
Block-discount details
I charge £40 per hour for single lessons. Block bookings are discounted:
Four one-hour lessons: £128 (normally £160 – a £32 saving). Credits must be used within four weeks of the date of the first session in the block.
Eight one-hour lessons: £240 (normally £320 – an £80 saving). Credits must be used within eight weeks of the date of the first session in the block.
The first session fixes the start date of the block, and the four- or eight-week period runs from that date.
I also offer a 50% discount on the first lesson. The first-lesson discount applies to a single lesson and cannot be combined with a block booking.
Exceptions to the expiry period. Credits may be used after the block period, or the period extended, in the following circumstances:
Illness or injury affecting the student, or a household member the student cares for.
Bereavement or a family emergency.
School, university or exam timetable clashes, where the student has given me notice as soon as the clash is known.
Religious or public holidays that fall within the block period.
My cancellation: any lesson I cancel, for any reason, is rescheduled or credited outside the block period without loss to the student.
Force majeure: circumstances outside either party's reasonable control, including severe weather, transport disruption, or public health restrictions.
In any of these cases, please tell me as soon as you can. Where the exception applies, the missed lesson is rescheduled within an agreed extension, or carried forward to a following block if that is more practical.
Cancellation and rescheduling. A lesson cancelled with at least 24 hours' notice is rescheduled within the block period or within an agreed extension. A lesson cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed without notice, is treated as used, except where one of the exceptions above applies.
Credits. Credits are personal to the student named in the booking and cannot be transferred to another person or refunded for cash, except at my discretion. Credits not used within the block period, and not covered by an exception, are forfeited.
Languages
- Arabic Conversational
- French Native
- Italian Native
- Portuguese Fluent
- Russian Conversational
- Spanish Native
- Urdu Conversational
Qualifications
Higher education
- BA (Hons) Modern Languages · University of Liverpool · First-class (1st) · 2015 University of Liverpool · First-class (1st) · 2015
How Qayyah teaches
Structured or Responsive. Qayyah: Structured. Sets a plan in advance and works through it in order. No reviews yet.
Individualised or Standardised. Qayyah: Individualised. Uses materials tailored for each learner. No reviews yet.
Scaffolded or Discovery-based. Qayyah: Scaffolded. Gives step-by-step guidance and worked examples. No reviews yet.
Session-focused or Homework-integrated. Qayyah: Homework-integrated. Sets work between sessions. No reviews yet.
What Qayyah says How teaching style works
Reviews from Tutorperch
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Reviews from First Tutors
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The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.
- imported from First Tutors
Tanjina
Ruqayyah is patient and answers all my questions. I’m very much enjoying the pace that we’re learning.
Qayyah replied
Teaching Tanjina is a real pleasure - looking forward to getting her fluent in French!
- imported from First Tutors
Bryony
We are really enjoying learning Spanish with Ruqayyah! She is always well prepared for our lessons and we're really happy with the progress we have been able to make in our lessons. Ruqayyah is a fantastic professional tutor and we look forward to learning more with her.
- imported from First Tutors
Kasmin
So far I observed during the period of tutoring to my son, Ruqayyah is very sincere and dedicated towards her teaching. She is knowledgeable, friendly, supportive and a very patient teacher, which makes her an ideal educator. Also she is able to explain things very well using different methods as per the learners’ needs. I hope I son will be able to achieve the grade that he has been targeting.
Qayyah replied
Thank you so much Kasmin, I really enjoy teaching Jawad very much and am excited to see him continue progressing in Spanish :)
- imported from First Tutors
Miranda
She is very easy to get along with. I was a bit anxious about starting but right away I knew she was right for me. Being a mid-30s Canary Wharf female I needed someone who is flexible to my schedule and understands my main objectives. While it is early stages I am already feeling more confident in my Spanish speaking abilities.
Qayyah replied
Thanks Miranda! Your Spanish is coming along really well - keep up the good work!
- imported from First Tutors
Joshua
Kaya is quite the teacher, full of pizzazz and armed with a wealth of language knowledge, she doesn't make you feel stupid though which is ideal.
Qayyah replied
Haha, thanks Josh!
- imported from First Tutors
Rachel
Have really enjoyed my lessons with Ruqayyah! The grammar / writing exercises that she sets are always pretty fun and useful for structuring the lessons. She also focuses a lot on pronunciations and accents, which I find very helpful.
Qayyah replied
Thank you, Rachel Your grammar level and range of vocab was already very good and you're sounding more and more French every day! Keep up the work with the accent practice and you'll soon find people think you're French when you're talking :) Thank you, Rachel
- imported from First Tutors
Daniel
A very good tutor, quite busy. At first we had trouble getting a sustainable time, but afterwards was fine.
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Philomena
- imported from First Tutors
Steven
Really good way of explaining things and made to feel comfortable. Very easy to understand.
- imported from First Tutors
Sarah
Ruqayyah has been brilliant at teaching us French. We have recently bought a family home in France so would like to be able to survive conversing with the neighbours and locals. We've only had a few lessons so far but are already feeling more confident. We are all different ages; 28, 32 and 58 so have been out of education for some time and have always struggled with languages but are finding it easier with Ruqayyah's methods. Looking forward to each week! Would highly recommend her.
- imported from First Tutors
Dharshaini
Ruqayyah has been very eager to help my brother improve his modern language skills. Always professional and friendly, she has already increased his confidence and passion for the subject within a few weeks. Ruqayyah bases her lessons around my brother's needs and constantly checks that he is following her. She also sets weekly homework and sends extra teachings through emails as voice recordings and documents. All these has proven to be extremely helpful, and I am constantly impressed by her desire to teach excellently.
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Jaya
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Ami
Ruqayyah is amazing! She’s a total professional and is very tuned into people’s individual needs. Lessons are both fun and challenging and I take away so much from them. I have made fantastic progress with her in a few short months and can’t wait to nail French so I can move on to the next language with her. Highly recommended!
- imported from First Tutors
Stephen
Fantastic teacher and couldn’t recommend her highly enough .
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Sara
Very patient and the lessons are built around us
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Jenny
Ruqayyah is an excellent tutor who I would highly recommend. Her lessons are always well planned and she adapts them to be relevant to my interests and needs. She is patient, friendly and encouraging and I feel my Spanish has taken a huge leap forward since starting lessons with her! I have studied with a number of tutors and can honestly say Ruqayyah is the most organised and professional I have come across. Her lessons are always fun and I now have a new found confidence in my Spanish learning!
- imported from First Tutors
Michael
Excellent tutor. My children love her and have come on so much with their Spanish since Ruqayyah has been teaching them.
Qayyah replied
Thanks so much, Michael. I love teaching Lizzy and Anna :) Lizzy has a crazy memory considering she's only seven and Anna is amazing at spelling, presentation and attention to detail! She's very mature for a ten-year-old They both have lovely manners and great potential in Spanish - thank you so much for choosing me as your teacher!
- imported from First Tutors
Shaun
I started learning Spanish to help me with my job. Ruqayyah has been an excellent and helpful tutor- always creating ways to help me remember certain phrases or grammar. I started learning from scratch and in the short period i have been doing lessons i have learnt a great deal. I woild recommend Ruqayyah to anyone-beginner or expert.
- imported from First Tutors
Rebecca
Couldn't recommend Ruqayyah as a tutor any more! I've only had a few lessons so far but already feel like I am picking things up quickly. Lessons are always tailored, and they are always productive, fun and challenging, and the homework she sets is always really helpful. Ruqayyah is a lovely person, so helpful and patient, and I can't wait to continue my lessons :)
Qayyah replied
Loved teaching Rebecca so far! She's already come to the class with good knowledge of Spanish and is very proactive with the homework I set her - I'm impressed with her ability to absorb the amount of information we pack into our sessions and am really pleased with her progress so far If she carries on as she is, she'll be fluent in no time!
- imported from First Tutors
Sarah
I am learning Spanish, as a beginner-intermediate and so far it is going really well. Ruqayyah is a really friendly tutor and always professional. The lessons are fun and we laugh a lot but they are very structured and focused towards what I want to achieve. I am Dyslexic and she is very flexible with her teaching and is understanding of my needs. She is always well prepared for the lessons, and always happy to re-cover material that I have found difficult, or go into it further if I need more explanation or understanding. Her knowledge of languages really helps with understanding how to form sentences correctly and my pronunciation has improved very quickly. Ruqayyah has been amazing and I have found my tuition to be an enjoyable experience. I do not hesitate to recommend her xxx
Qayyah replied
Sarah is a vivacious person and a very intelligent student who doesn't allow her dyslexia to affect her drive - the only things I'd really ever have said were lacking with respect to Sarah's Spanish abilities were her confidence in speaking spontaneously and having a little patience with herself when she made the odd mistake! I've enjoyed watching her improve greatly over the course of our classes together and she's much quicker and more confident to answer than before - she always had an excellent accent, vocabulary range and knack for picking up new grammar rules I'm really very proud of the progress she's made and, while we do always have a good laugh together, the dedication she's put into learning Spanish has been admirable thus far - thanks for choosing me as your tutor, Sarah! xxx