Hello, my name is Fiona Gardiner and I'm an experienced Irish tutor currently living in Ireland. I have been giving Irish lessons online with Verbalplanet since 2014. I am currently offering a discounted initial trial lesson at 50% off my normal lesson price for new students.
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Latest Reviews
barrett United Kingdom
more practice with questions and a couple new words. the poetry has my full attention
barrett United Kingdom
great lesson. learned about a Rafferty poem. practiced more questions/answers which is helpful
barrett United Kingdom
good session. more work with relative clauses and question and the indirect/dependent form go, nach and some new words. go raibh maith agat
barrett United Kingdom
worked with verbal nouns and infinitives. very instructive
barrett United Kingdom
good practice with questions and tenses. learned some new words and was able to say a few things on my own
Mark J United Kingdom
Fiona is really understanding, and immediately perceived what my I needed to fill in from the courses I'd done to this point. I'm scheduling another lesson with her right now.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts (International) Degree in Spanish and Legal Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway, as well as a Diploma in Irish Level C1. I completed my Erasmus year in Murcia, and after a year working for an International insurance company in Galway, I returned to Spain again to work as an English Language Assistant in Cádiz. In Cádiz, I taught bilingual subjects including natural and social science, and art to primary school students of all ages. I have a native level of both written and spoken Spanish and Irish. I have a TEFL Ireland qualification and Leaving Cert honours English, Irish and Spanish. During my time in Cádiz, I discovered my passion in life is for teaching and I have returned to Ireland with the intention of pursuing a career in Primary School Teaching at home.
I basically love language and understand what is it like to learn a new language. I use this to create fun English classes for students who wish to learn my native language.
Qualifications & Experience
I was teaching English as a Foreign Language privately throughout my year abroad in Murcia and for the duration of my time in Cádiz. I have taught students of various ages and levels of English. I taught many primary school subjects through English while working in Cádiz, Spain. I have experience teaching casual language learners of all ages as well as preparing students for both State and Language exams. I understand that each student has different needs and abilities and have a lot of experience working with children and adults with various social, emotional and behavioural needs, as well as children with learning disabilities within the classroom setting. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding my experience.
Teaching Approach
Classes are always through English so that the students will have a better understanding of the language by practising. I encourage students to practice and become more confident in speaking and understanding. I will start by finding out what you plan to achieve from these classes and try to personalize classes to attend to your needs.
I ensure the classes will always be interesting and fun as I believe it is important that you should enjoy learning to speak another language. I try to encourage students to improve all of their language skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening by using a wide range of different activities I teach grammar in an effective (and enjoyable) manner.
Whether you would simply like to practise your spoken English/Irish/Spanish, learn grammar rules, improve understanding, written or spoken skills, are studying for exams or just need to improve for school or work, I will ensure that you achieve your goals and see how enjoyable language learning can be.