It was April, and the time had come again for Tokyo to be velveted in a pink blanket. Shinjuku National Garden, vast and winding, was bustling with life: lovers made eyes in pedalos on the lake; a pretty girl posed for photos with petals in her hair; a tourist hunted for the best picnic location, dodging and diving around swarms of sightseers; and my grandfather held my sticky little hand, as I looked up at the blooms with awe-struck eyes.

With a real talent for story writing and creating complex characters, Adiche is one of my favourite authors. Purple Hibiscus is her debut novel, set in post-colonial Nigeria, examining a wealthy family and the impact that colonisation has had on language, religion and real people even after the British have left.

I read this book at the recommendation of one of my wonderful Year 10 students recently, and instantly fell in love. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue tells the Faustian story of a girl who makes a deal with the devil. As a result, she will live forever, but be instantly forgotten by everyone she meets as soon as she leaves their sight.

When it comes to language learning, the home environment is often just as important to get right as the school environment. The relationship between the student, the parents and the teachers is crucial to setting the right tone and enabling the student to flourish, but parents may not know exactly how to help their child improve their English at home. Here are my top ten tips that you can help your child to improve their English in your home.