German is not an easy language, so studying for exams can be stressful and time-consuming. Unless you get help from a qualified native tutor. I'm Jens Olesen, the founder and director of Olesen Tuition- a German language school offering effective exam preparation in German. Having been educated at RWTH Aachen, the LSE, and the University of Oxford, I have over 25 years of experience in preparing students for
-
GCSE German (AQA, Pearson Edexcel)
-
IGCSE German (Cambridge Assessment, Pearson)
-
A-Level German (AQA, Edexcel)
-
International A-Level German (Pearson Edexcel)
-
IB German (standard and higher level)
-
French Baccalauréate in German (Bac allemand)
-
Pre-U German (Cambridge Assessment)
-
Goethe-Institut exams and certificates (from A1 to C2)
-
Test DaF (all levels)
-
University exams at Bachelor, Masters and PhD-level.
German exam preparation with a qualified native tutor
Track record of my GCSE and A-level German tuition
Over 95% of my students studying toward GCSE/IGCSE, A-Level, the IB or the French Baccalaureate have achieved A* or the equivalent with an average preparation time of four to eight months of weekly German tuition.
90% of my students have passed their Goethe-Institut exams with an overall score of 80% or higher. All of them passed have their exams. One of my recent students who took the B1 exam at the Goethe-Institut after five months of German tuition passed with flying colours, achieving an average score of over 90%. Four months later, she also passed the C1 exam with 77%. C1 is the second highest level and enables you to study and work in Germany. In other words, she went from knowing just a few German words to fluency in nine months. Whilst this is exceptional, getting to advanced level German in less than a year is a feasible goal for really committed students and with several lessons a week.
Why my students excel in their German exam
* including traveling expenses within zones 1 and 2, teaching material (most of which I have designed myself) and homework correction outside of lessons.
For tuition outside of zones 1 and 2, as well as intensive German courses, please contact me for a tailored quote.
Please note that my tuition is subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy. In the event of a cancellation with less than 24 hours notice, the full fee will be charged.
While I deploy similar strategies to those laid out on my methods page, my focus lies on getting the best possible result in your exam. I will tailor texts and grammar exercises relevant to your exam, and run through past papers provided by your exam board (from AQA, Cambridge Assessment to Pearson Edexcel) with you to explain typical questions and requirements, and give you advice on how to achieve full marks in all parts of your exam. Having prepared thousands of students for all qualifications in my native language, I am confident that my approach and experience will help you to achieve your aims.
I know that German is often taught poorly at schools. As a result, many students lack the motivation to work hard or do not have the confidence to believe that they could achieve an A or A*. That’s where my teaching experience proves to be an invaluable asset. I know how to establish a connection with my students and convince them that together we can get them to the top grade.
​
I also prepare students for GCSE German and A-Level German exams as an outside option if their schools do not offer German. Enhanced DBS and references upon request.
GCSE, A-level, IB, and Pre-U German classes with only 3-7 students per course
Prepare for your exam with private one-to-one tuition or join one of my small group classes with up to seven students. With regard to private tuition, my lessons are tailored to your needs and the time is arranged by us individually. So just contact me to arrange your lessons. As far as group classes are concerned, you will find my new courses below.
Most of our exam preparation classes are held via Zoom to allow students who are not based in London to join. The app is free of charge to our clients and ideal for high-quality tuition. However, if you prefer in-person lessons, you could also join any of the courses mentioned below from our office in Hampstead.
Sundays 11.30-1pm NEW Intensive GCSE German Course for Year 11 (taught by Jens. Four spots left. Sign up for this GCSE German course now)
​
Mondays 6-7.30pm NEW Intensive GCSE German Course for Year 10 and 11 (taught by Jens. Sign up for this GCSE German course now)
​
Saturdays 11.30-1pm NEW Intensive GCSE German Course for Year 10 and 11 to be confirmed (start date 14th of October 2023; taught by Jens. Sign up for this GCSE German course now)
Unsure what's best for
you?
Then let's meet for an assessment and consultation session where I advise you on the various options I can offer you. My assessments include reading, comprehension, speaking and writing exercises, in order to determine your current level of German. These sessions are 15-25 minute lessons with me and the fee is £30. Contact me here and book your session now.
Sundays 4-5.30pm NEW Intensive A-level German Course (start date 29th of October 2023; taught by Jens. Sign up for this A-level German course now)
​
Sundays 7-8.30pm NEW Intensive A-level German Course (start date 29th of October 2023. Sign up for this A-level German course now)
​
Saturdays 11.30-1pm NEW Intensive A-level German Course (start date 4th of November. Sign up for this A-level German course now)
Intensive IB German Classes
Mondays 5.30-7pm NEW Intensive IB German Preparation Course (start date TBC) ​
​
Saturdays 12.30-2pm NEW Intensive IB German Course (start date TBC. Sign up for this IB German course now)
Try the first lesson at my normal rate before you commit to however many classes you'd like to attend. If you miss a lesson, we can meet for a catch-up lesson at the rate of £80 per hour, which you could split with others who also missed the class.
Practicalities
I teach full time, seven days a week. German lessons can take place at my students' home, quiet cafes in Central London, remotely over the internet or at my office in Hampstead.
​
Let's arrange a 'trial lesson' and discuss how we can achieve the best possible result in your German exam. In the meantime, check out my blog posts on how to get an A* in German and German grammar.
​
I look forward to hearing from you.
​
Kind regards,
​
Jens
Anna B., A-Level German
Jens is a brilliant teacher. I studied with him for 8 months via Skype to prepare for the language papers at German A-level. As a grammar teacher Jens is superb, both in explaining complex grammatical points and in particular in ensuring that his students develop a high level of accuracy. This is carried into all aspects of his teaching and provides an invaluable foundation. His lessons are always well-planned with excellent resources and consistently challenging and interesting discussion. He is good at both incorporating relevant work for the A-level while going far beyond simply preparing one 'for the exam'. Over the course of our lessons, I noticed a significant improvement in my German and I would certainly go back to Jens in the future if I wished to take the language further. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Richard K., GCSE and A-Level German
Jens is simply excellent. We have used him for my son's GCSE and A-level, and he is unwaveringly perfectionist, 100% professional and very easy to deal with. His teaching is comprehensive, covering written and spoken German and examination curricula in all detail.
Charles P., IB German
Jens is one-of-a-kind. Very impressive with his command of the intricacies of the German language, he also reads his students very well and matches their needs with a specific path to mastery designed for them. He is tough, though, and expects his students to put in effort, although when they don't, he doesn't harp on it, but simply moves forward, just as determined and tough as he was before. In the end, Jens accomplished getting my son to a level that other teachers said was impossible. Perhaps. But not with Jens.