I'm Silvia. Originally from Bratislava, Slovakia, I've been a qualified Slovak private tutor for 3 years. I have successfully prepared students of all levels and all ages for their move to Slovakia; or I have helped them to gain and improve their competence in the language more generally. I hold Master degree from University of Economics in Bratislava.
For each of my Slovak lessons I prepare a text (tailored to your level and on a topic of your interest) that I read and discuss with my students in the first part of the lesson. In the course of reading and discussing the text, you will pick up around twenty new words in each session.
Since I believe that it needs at least three repetitions for a new word to sink in, I make sure to come back to the new words we learnt and phrase sample sentences so that you know how the word is being used and in which context.
In the second part of the lesson I then tend to focus on grammar, usually starting with the most important rules concerning Slovak word order in both main and subordinate clauses. In class as well as at home, you'll fill out grammar exercises which allow you to test what you have learnt.
My grammar training proved to be so successful over the years that I'm currently preparing my material for publication.
I look forward to working with you.
My teaching is designed to ensure that my students are making rapid progress. For example, it takes me on average five to eight months of weekly two-hour lessons to bring absolute beginners to intermediate level (B1). However, regular revision and completion of homework are of course essential.
With my beginner students, I start by looking at various ways of expressing preferences in Slovak, how to introduce oneself and talk about one's past time activities, the conjugation of regular verbs, and differences in pronunciation between the Slovak and English alphabet.
Thus, at the end of our lesson, you will have practiced and improved your conversational skills, you will have picked up new words, and you will have learnt about at least one aspect of Slovak grammar.
At home, you will then produce a text (usually of one page) that I will correct outside of our lessons, or you will fill out grammar exercises. We will therefore cover listening, speaking, reading, writing.
I'm happy to provide references by former and current students upon request. Let's arrange a 'trial lesson' and take it from there.
My lessons usually take place at quiet cafes in central Sofia or at my home. I also offer lessons via Skype and group tuition.
I charge €30/hour and €50 for 2 hours one-to-one tuition, including custom designed teaching materials and travelling expenses.
For lessons via Skype my fees are €25/hour. For group tuition I charge €20/person per hour. I offer discounts if 10 lessons are booked in advance.
Finally, companies seeking group tuition in Slovak and/or Business Slovak for their employees, please ask for a quote.