About Me
Hello! I am Kenia. I have been a language teacher for over 20 years in primary and secondary schools in France, USA and Japan and running my own language courses in Ireland and in the UK.
I am also a home educator and Languages with Kenia started as a way to motivate my own children to embrace their heritage language. Now they are completely bilingual in English and Spanish and actively continue to learn other languages. I grew up bilingual myself, speaking Spanish and English as a young child. I learnt French as a young teenager. Japanese I learnt as a young adult.
I have a postgraduate diploma in interpreting and translation (Spanish-English retour). I also have a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and in French and a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certification. I have also lived in France where I taught English in a secondary school and in the USA where I taught English as a Second Language and Spanish as a heritage language in primary schools. As part of my role as a language instructor in the USA, I also acted as an interpreter and translator for the school community. I studied Japanese as part of my Linguistics degree and also while living in Japan, where I spent three years teaching English in senior high schools. I also worked at the Japanese Embassy in London for two years.
My approach to language teaching is to provide students with language that is relevant to their lives and goals. Whether they are beginner or advanced, I cover topics that get them excited about learning languages and about other cultures. In every session, my students will be able to practise speaking, listening, reading and writing. At the GCSE/IGCSE level, I have helped students prepare for examinations with major exam boards Edexcel, AQA and Cambridge. I have a 100% pass rate with 80% of my students earning a score of 7 and above. SEN students are always welcome. I have an enhanced DBS certificate.
How I can help
Languages for all ages.
Individual lessons
for children, teens and adults
Small groups and family lessons
GCSE / IGCSE
Please contact me for current fees for all lessons and for availability for individual and family lessons. You can view the group lesson schedule in the next section.
* All group sessions are taught live weekly on Zoom.
* A short review video is provided after each session along with materials to practise between sessions.
* Less is more! Small class sizes to ensure all students get an opportunity to practise their language skills and to provide a supportive and friendly atmosphere.
Sessions available for the academic year 2025 - 2026
(Sessions run from September 2nd 2025 - July 23rd 2026)
French KS3 for improvers (ages 11+), Wednesdays 10:05 - 10:50am
Suitable for students who have studied French continuously either through lessons or self-study for at least 6 months and are familiar with the basics.
Japanese KS2 for beginners (ages 7-10), Thursdays 10:45 - 11:15am
This class is suitable for beginners who have some knowledge of Japanese through lessons or self-study and complete beginners.
Japanese KS2 for improvers (ages 7-10), Tuesdays 9:30 - 10am
Suitable for students who have some experience of Japanese whether through lessons or self-study and are familiar with the basics. It is not essential to be able to read Japanese to join.
Japanese KS3 for beginners (ages 11+), Wednesdays 11-11:45am
This class is suitable for beginners who have some knowledge of Japanese through lessons or self-study and complete beginners.
Japanese KS3 for improvers (ages 11+), Tuesdays 10:05 - 10:50am
Suitable for students who have studied Japanese, either through lessons or self-study for at least 6 months. Being able to read some hiragana is useful but not essential.
Japanese KS3/KS4 for improvers (ages 13+), Tuesdays 11 - 12
Suitable for students who have studied Japanese either through lessons or self-study for at least 6-months. Being able to read some hiragana would be useful for this class.
Spanish IGCSE (ages 12+), Tuesdays 3:45 - 4:45pm
Suitable for students who have completed at least two years of continuous Spanish level KS3 studies in a class or through self-study. This course is suitable for students who would like to take the Spanish Edexcel IGCSE in 2027. However, it is also suitable for students who are considering other types of qualifications such as DELE, SIELE or the Leaving Certificate (Ireland). It is not suitable for beginners.
Spanish KS2 for improvers (ages 7-10), Wednesdays 9:30 - 10am
Suitable for students who have some experience of Spanish whether through lessons or self-study and are familiar with the basics.
Spanish KS3 for beginners (ages 11+), Wednesdays 2:30 - 3:15pm This class is suitable for beginners who have some knowledge of Spanish through lessons or self-study and complete beginners.
Spanish KS3 for improvers (ages 11+), Thursdays 9:15 - 10am
Suitable for students who have studied Spanish continuously either through lessons or self-study for at least 6 months and are familiar with the basics.
Spanish KS2 for beginners (ages 7-10) Tuesdays 12:15 - 12:45
This class is suitable for beginners who have some knowledge of Spanish through lessons or self-study and complete beginners.
Group fees for 2025 - 2026:
£5.50 / €6.50 per 30-minute session
£8.50 / €10 per 45-minute session
£10 / €11.50 per 60-minute session
£12.50 / €15 per 60-minute GCSE-level session
Not sure which group is right for your child?
You are welcome to try a session for 50% off the regular price!
Guidelines for students attending my language sessions
I ask students to please follow these guidelines to ensure that the sessions run smoothly and that everyone has a pleasant experience when attending my sessions.
Microphones and cameras
Please keep your microphone off during the lesson. However, if a student is struggling with the mute button they may keep their microphone on but only if they are following the lesson in a quite room without distractions.
Cameras, can be kept on or off during the lesson. I only ask that they switched on at the start of class to verify student's identity and for safeguarding purposes
Taking turns speaking and using the chat function
I ask students to please wait for their turn to speak and to raise their hand (physically or with the hand icon in the chat) if they would like to speak during the lesson. This is so we can hear all participants clearly and give everyone a chance to speak. It is ok to make comments but please keep these brief and related to the lesson so everyone can benefit from the allocated time.
The chat function on Zoom is a very useful tool for communicating with me and other class participants and I encourage students to use it. However it is not to be used to share inappropriate comments or memes. It is also not be used for chatting about topics outside of the lesson.
Finally, have fun and enjoy your lesson! Thank you for following these guidelines!
Terms and Conditions
Please read the following term and conditions before joining my sessions. You agree to abide by the following terms and conditions by attending my lessons or by allowing your child or young person to attend my language lessons.
Fees and attendance policy for group sessions
Fees are collected monthly in advance at the end of each month. I regret that I cannot give refunds for sessions missed by the students who attend group sessions. However, I will issue a credit for the following block of sessions in the unlikely event I have to cancel a session. I send a short weekly video and materials for review after each session for the benefit of all students and in case a student is absent. Thank you for your understanding.
*If decide you decide that you do not wish to continue to attend the sessions I would be grateful if you could give at least four weeks' notice in writing so I can fill the vacant place. If you cancel before the end of the block you will not be entitled to a refund for the remaining sessions.
Homework and progress reports for group sessions
After every session I send an email with activities and a short review video to help the students practise at home. Homework is not compulsory but I would recommend students spend time in between sessions reviewing to help them progress faster. You can keep track of your child’s progress and what we cover in class by looking at the weekly email. I am happy to answer short questions over email regarding the class. However if you require a written progress report this can be provided for an additional charge.
Cameras and recording for group lessons
Live sessions are not recorded to protect students' privacy and identities. You are not allowed to record lessons for any purpose. I send a review video after each lesson which students may review. Review videos are only for class participants and may not be shared with others outside of the class.
Cameras must be switched on at the start of the session so I can verify attendance and identity of the students. After, I have done this you are welcome to keep your camera on or switch it off if you prefer.
Fees, attendance and cancellation policy for one-to-one sessions
Fees are collected monthly in advance at the end of each month. If you decide to stop attending your sessions please give four weeks' notice in writing.
1. Students must give at least 24 hours' notice if they are unable to attend their scheduled session.
2. When unable to give 24 hours' notice, the session must still be paid for but with the option to make it up at a mutually convenient time. If the student would like to make up the session it must be done within 15 days. Students will only be able to make up a session once per calendar month. That is to say that if a student is absent more than once a month, they will only be allowed to make up one session per month.
3. If the student fails to attend their session without any notice at all, they must still pay for the session without the option to make it up.
Homework and progress reports policy for one-to-one sessions
Homework will be given according to the student's ability and to help them progress. The homework will be checked/marked at the start of the lesson with the student. I will be sending an email after every session with homework and a short review video. I would recommend students spend time in between sessions reviewing to help them progress. It is the student's and parent's responsibility to keep track of their student's progress by looking at the weekly email. If the student requires extra marked work, assessments, mock exams or a written progress report these will incur an additional charge.
Cameras and recording for one to one lessons
You are not allowed to record lessons for any purpose. I send a review video after each lesson which students may review. Review videos are only for class participants and may not be shared with others outside of the class.
Cameras must be switched on at the start of the session so I can verify attendance and identity of the students. After, I have done this you are welcome to keep your camera on or switch it off if you prefer.
IGCSE/GCSE policy for both groups and one-to-one sessions
The cost for both 1-1 and group sessions includes teaching time, preparation time and a weekly homework assignment which will be marked in class with me. If the student requires mock exams or extra assignments that will incur an additional cost. Parents are responsible for booking the exam and finding an exam centre.
Celebrating students' work!
After every session, I always set a weekly challenge to continue learning beyond the lesson. In this section I like to feature some of the amazing work created by my students. Well done everyone!
Fantastic bilingual story! Written and illustrated by student in Spanish KS2.
Beautiful butterfly
with description by student
in Spanish KS2!
Fantastic advert created by student in French KS3 class!
Fabulous Hinamatsuri display
by student from the Japanese
KS2 class!
