Sarah - Edinburgh tutor





Sarah's profile picture

Information About Sarah:


Personal Description:

As a student in the University of Edinburgh, doing a degree in Geology and Physical Geography, I have always enjoyed working with people and helping others where possible. I am friendly, sociable and open-minded, as well as motivated to get the best results in the quickest way possible. I have graduated from Tallinn Secondary Science School, an elite science school in Estonia, been in top 2 in exam results for past 20 years. I graduated with highest grades in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, got 105/120 in IELTS ibt English language test, and received a B1 level certificate for Russian language. I have also played piano for 13 years, graduated Nomme's Music School with highest honors.



Teaching Experience:

I have been a piano instructor for one school year to an entry level 15 year old girl. Have been a math tutor for GCSE level for one school year, helping once a week with homework and additional exercises.
Both projects ended because of my graduation.



Tutoring Approach:

I believe the most important thing is to acquire the right learning habits, as the discipline and order gained through that is irreplaceable in later years. Even if the student decides not to go to a college or university, the same principles that are present in mundane schoolwork are present during future employment. Every subject needs a logical step-by-step approach that makes it easy for the student to follow, understand and remember.

Science:
The most common problem I had in science subjects, was the absence of logical ascent of the topic. This is hard to obtain in a classroom setting, where the teacher may have to hurry up with the explanatory part in order to get to the exercises, thus leading the student to rely on memorizing facts instead of using logic. Through individual setting, it is easy to set the right pace and see where the student gets stuck. Helping him/her by going through and analyzing different exercises is a way that reveals the logical path behind it and aids with remembering as well. It is also important to engage with more difficult complex exercises that include different topics, as they broaden the way of looking at science in general.

Music:
What matters the most in music, is practice, practice and practice. Whether it is theory of music, music history or piano practice, sometimes the hardest thing is to have enough motivation to get through the tedious work needed to excel. To make it easier I believe in investing in good work-relationship, as well as in high discipline. Learning is fun! If you let it be and if you start to get better at it. The theory of music is like math that you can use for your purpose. I believe in acquiring good fundamental skills in both singing and listening and writing down music.
In piano, I take as my mission to inspire the student to seek out his/her own potential. You always find more than you expect. It is my job to find right sheet music and technical exercises to match and mold the potential.

Russian/English:
Learning a new language is a difficult process. Especially if it has different alphabet and logic to it. To acquire the sense/intuition for the language, repetitious practice of grammar as well as broadening of vocabulary is necessary. After defining the level the student is at, it is easy to set goals and arrange a schedule. Continuous and individual work is needed, but the key point is practicing speaking. This would consist of easy dialogues and recitals. As my teacher used to say - it is sometimes better to speak with mistakes than be silent with none.



Map showing Sarah's location

Qualifications:

  • A levels - mathematics
  • A levels - chemistry
  • A levels - physics

Further Information:

Availability:  Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
Types of Tutoring:   Travels to you / From their home / Online
References Supplied?   Yes
Additional Languages Spoken:   Russian, English, Estonian