Lois Anne - Knightsbridge tutor






Information About Lois Anne:


Personal Description:

I have been living in South Kensington for 6 years, working as a teacher and as a student myself. I came to London to study for a Masters in Russian Literature at UCL. Literature is a great love and my aim in teaching is to share and explore with students of both literature and language the intricacy and depth of the English language.
The teachers that make the greatest impression and whose classes remain with you are those who transmit their enthusiasm and it is very much my intention that classes should be an enjoyable and engaging experience with an emphasis on what the student needs support with. The aim is to build confidence with the class that will carry itself outside of, and sustain itself away from the one-to-one class dynamic.

My approach to singing teaching is much the same. I want singing classes to be a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable time, exploring the vocal abilities of students in whatever capacity they require. I do focus on technique for at least part of every class as good technique is the foundation for vocal flexibility, confidence and ease, but we always leave plenty of time to cover a wide range of repertoire pieces chosen by students and myself.



Teaching Experience:

1997-2000 - English Coach whilst a literature student at Leeds University. Private GCSE English students from local private school. Focus on exam preparation and coursework support.
2001 - Trinity TESOL teaching qualification. Taken on as an English teacher at the school where I trained. Taught multi-level classes to students of all levels.
2001-2004 English teacher at 'The English Studio' in Shepherd's Bush. Taught classes of all levels and all ages from children to adult. Beginner to proficiency level. Exam preparation.
2004-2006 Tutor in English Literature, Language and Singing for tutoring agency 'Top tutors' based in London. Taught students preparing for key-stage, A-level and A2 level, focus on exam preparation and coursework support. Taught adults and children singing.
2001-2007 Teaching private clients of all ages and abilities singing. Focus on bel canto technique to extend range, build strength and vibrato, increase performance technique and prepare for exams where required, or just singing for pleasure!



Tutoring Approach:

I have been teaching English Literature and Language for about 10 years now, both in the classroom and one-to-one. My attitude to learning is very much guided by student engagement; learning can be a great pleasure at any age in a supportive environment where a student feels they are covering useful, pertinent and relevant ground.
I try to make one-to-one classes as student specific as possible so that rather than unnecessarily repeating what has already been covered in the classroom, tutoring time is spent filling in any gaps or supporting any elements of the course that may represent a challenge. I want my students to feel confident that they are in control of their knowledge and learning. whilst assisting them to the best of my abilities to fulfill their highest potential.

This is also true of my attitude to teaching singing. Music, which can and should be a relaxing and enjoyable pastime, too often becomes an added stress in the educational timetable. Feeling pressured and unsupported is in fact deeply counter-productive to working and freeing up the voice and can leave children and young adults with a lasting bad impression of music and their own musical abilities. My aim is to make lesson time challenging and fun, creating an unintimidating environment where students can approach vocal technique in as rigorous or relaxed a fashion as is required. Some students flourish with the direction of working towards an exam, others work better within a less structured approach. My intention is that both English and Singing classes should reflect the individual needs of students and that my role is to support them in the ways that they need to make lesson time productive, enjoyable and confidence building, whatever the age, ability or learning requirements presented.



Map showing Lois Anne's location

Qualifications:

  • Trinity Teacher TESOL, 2001
  • Masters Russian Literature, UCL 2002
  • BAHons English Literature, Leeds University 2000

Further Information:

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