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Michael Slavinsky
Michael Slavinsky
Managing Director
Michael heads up Languages For All, and oversees the Hounslow pilot hub.
Previously he taught French at Oasis Academy South Bank where he was also Head of Sixth Form. Before that, he was Education Director at The Brilliant Club, a charity working to widen participation at highly selective universities.
Michael speaks Russian, French and Hebrew to a decent standard, and pretends to speak Spanish too.
Chloe Sides
Chloe Sides
A-Level Spanish
A-Level Spanish
What languages do you speak and to what level?
I studied French, Spanish and Russian at the University of St Andrews
Why are you excited to teach this A-level course?
I am incredibly excited to teach A-level through the languages for all programme because I believe that it is a very special opportunity to nurture a love of languages in Hounslow, London and beyond. I also would have LOVED to meet other linguists as an A-level student. I strongly believe that the Spanish A-level course is the perfect mix of language, culture, history, geography, politics and fun. My personal favourite topic is Patrimonio Cultural because it allows teachers and students to dive into the Spanish speaking world. I’ve adored teaching it to my 6th form students and can’t wait to meet Class of 2026!
Where did you study and learn the language that you're going to teach for A-level?
I started my Spanish learning journey (like many of you) at school in Year 7. I grew up in a rural town in Northern Ireland where not many people valued studying a language, however, I had an incredibly engaging teacher who shared her passion for languages every lesson and encouraged me to take ownership of my love of language. I then studied both Spanish and French at GCSE and A level on her advice and decided to pick up a third language (ab initio) at University. This led me to the wonderful language faculty at the University of St Andrews. My love of Spanish continued to deepen alongside my study of French and Russian.
I recommend students to study modern languages because...
Language learning opens up an endless vault of possibilities. The limits of your language are the limits of your world.
Language learning makes you a more kind, empathetic and interesting person.
Language learning is the perfect problem solving challenge - even a native speaker does not know EVERY word / grammar rule in their language and that is truly exciting!
Anything else your students can know about you?
I continue to enjoy learning languages but find it more and more difficult as I get older and have less free time. I would love to have a conversational level in Portuguese as I travel to Portugal often and love the people and culture. I am also slowly learning phrases in Polish (thanks to my native speaker students) and German (thanks to the great language learning app Busuu).
Phoebe Murphy
Phoebe Murphy
A-Level Spanish
A-Level Spanish
What languages do you speak and to what level?
French and Spanish to university level.
Why are you excited to teach this A-level course?
To get to know pupils from different schools and teach a really interesting course to students passionate about learning languages.
Where did you study and learn the language that you're going to teach for A-level?
I studied French and Spanish at the University of Edinburgh. During my year abroad, I worked in an NGO in Lima, Peru for about 6 months and I also studied at Université Paris-Est Créteil for a semester.
I recommend students to study modern languages because...
It is the best tool for connecting with and understanding other people and cultures. I have met so many amazing and fascinating people through studying and speaking different languages and from them, have learnt so much.
Studying modern languages gives you a greater understanding of your own cultural experiences and also, develops your ability to appreciate other cultures. I think it is essential that as a society, we are compassionate and open-minded individuals and, studying modern languages nurtures those competencies.
Ella Whitaker
Ella Whitaker
A-Level French
A-Level French
What languages do you speak and to what level?
French and German (did both at university). Spanish (currently on a 1 year + streak on Duolingo!!).
Why are you excited to teach this A-level course?
I am excited to be creating the curriculum content and having a long-term strategy to deliver great lessons for more students than in previous years.
Where did you study and learn the language that you're going to teach for A-level?
I started to to learn French at secondary school in Lancashire and loved learning it all the way from GCSE to A-level. At aged 18, I chose to study Modern Languages at the University of Southampton as there was a strong focus on language and culture. In my free time outside of lectures on French history, linguistics and culture, I was part of the French Society, and organised events and trips to Europe. I spent my year abroad in Grenoble, France where I worked in the purchasing department of Schneider Electric, teaching business English to my colleagues. I forged strong connections with my colleagues and people I met throughout my time in France. As soon as I left university, I knew I wanted to use my language skills in my line of work and I ended up working at Promethean (an educational technology company), dealing with customers around the world in English, French and German-speaking countries. I worked with former teachers who spoke highly of their time in education and applied to do a PGCE to teach Languages at King's College London.
I recommend students to study modern languages because...
Modern Languages open up lots of opportunities for work: from short-term jobs to different careers where a Modern Language is vital.
You will meet some amazing people (good friends or your life partner!)
People you meet will always be impressed you know a second language and will tell you they wish they had had more motivation to learn one.
Rébecca Triboulet
Rébecca Triboulet
A-Level French
A-Level French
What languages do you speak and to what level?
I am a French native speaker and I can get by in Spanish. I have also just taken up German!
Why are you excited to teach this A-level course?
I am very excited to teach this A-level course because I believe its unique format will be a game-changer for languages students.
Where did you study and learn the language that you're going to teach for A-level?
I am French and was schooled in France where I studied English and Italian until I was 18. I moved to London as an au pair and after deciding to stay in the UK I went to Birkbeck, University of London, to do a French Studies degree. I loved this course as it enabled me to study not only French literature but also cinema and culture from other European languages. Although Spanish was not part of my degree, I was awarded a scholarship via Birkbeck to spend some time in Valladolid, Spain.
I recommend students to study modern languages because...
...they come with so much culture! I think learning a language is like learning a new way to see the world. I also find being able to communicate in a language other than my mother tongue really empowering.
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