Chobham Tutors and Chobham Tuition

Personal Description:
PSYCHOLOGY
I have a BSc (First Class Honours) in Psychology from Brunel University (2007), and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge (2011). I have worked as a research fellow and subsequently as a psychology lecturer at various universities in the U.K. My research is mainly in social, health and cognitive psychology, but I also teach research methods (both quantitative and qualitative methodologies), statistics and SPSS, as well as effective academic writing, including dissertations and research projects. In addition, I have sufficient competence in personality (i.e., individual differences) and clinical psychology to be able to teach these at undergraduate level. I have published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles, including some in world-leading journals, and have over 1300 academic citations of my research. Some of my research interests are: The attitude-behaviour relationship, behavioural interventions, motivation, cognition, and emotion, dual-process models of cognition, cognitive dissonance, self-affirmation, and information processing, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, health psychology, meta-cognition and self-knowledge, persuasion and social influence, intelligence and problem-solving, psychology of music, and psychology of religion.

PHILOSOPHY/CRITICAL THINKING/RELIGIOUS STUDIES
In my own research in psychology, I have drawn on several philosophical ideas, and have integrated different philosophical perspectives into my work. In addition to critical thinking, I am able to teach humanistic philosophy, social cognition, epistemology, existentialism, and related areas. I also teach how to build philosophical arguments for academic and commercial purposes. In terms of religious studies, I have a particular interest in the Abrahamic faiths, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, and related philosophies.

MUSIC
I am a performer and teacher of Indian classical music (Northern style), and teach the instruments of dilruba, esraj, taus, taar shehnai and a bit of sarangi. I have been learning for 18 years, and been performing for the last 10 years. I teach beginners and intermediate students in basic and advanced raagas (from Yaman to Darbari) and taalas. I also teach vocal and harmonium.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
I specialise in creative writing, particularly short stories, and can teach students techniques in textual analysis and interpretation, especially using the hermeneutic method. I am also interested in how characters in stories (all genres) are given psychological depth, as well as how story structure and character development go hand-in-hand.

URDU
Urdu is my mother tongue, and is one of four languages that I speak fluently. I can teach beginners and intermediate students in grammar, reading and writing, as well as conversations. And I also teach advanced students in conversation. My particular interests in Urdu literature are 18th and 19th century poetry, especially ghazals.

DANISH
I am a native speaker of Danish, and spent the first 22 years of my life there. I can teach all levels of the language and its literature. Some of the key authors that I have an interest in are Søren Kierkegaard, Karen Blixen, H C Anderson, and we can also discuss Danish film, cinema, and culture. Danish is very similar to Swedish and Norwegian so by learning Danish you will be able to read those languages quite well, and you might be able to understand speech in those languages to some extend. There is also some overlap between Danish and German, though not as much.

Teaching Experience:
I taught psychology to undergraduates at the University of Cambridge from 2008-2011. I then taught at King's College London from 2011-2014, followed by the University of Bath from 2014-2017 and then Bath Spa University from 2017-2022. I also supervise BSc, MSc, and doctoral students. I'm currently lecturing at the University of Hertfordshire.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to use an interactive approach that encourages active involvement of the tutee. My main goal during tuition sessions is to stimulate an interest in the subject and facilitate independent and critical thinking. This, I believe, allows the tutee to become an independent thinker and to enjoy the learning process, which is rewarding for both parties.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi,
I enjoy teaching and researching. Currently, I am working as a researcher at the university.
My area of expertise includes, Biology, Maths, Chemistry and Pharmacology.
In my quest of higher education currently I am working as a research Scientist in molecular pharmacology, and cell biology. My project is associated with Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.

Teaching Experience:
Visiting Lecturer at the university level From last 3 years. Teaching students at the university level theoretically as well as wet lab experiments. I had 6 Nuffield bursary students to teach in the university in last 2 years. All of them are very competent and few of them went to imperial collage, cambridge, oxford and kings for the graduation.

Tutoring Approach:
If a student is not have an interest and intellectual in to the subject, I take it as a challenge. I prefer to correlate the tedious concept of science with the normal day to day life and give a flavor of importance or demand of a particular subject.
Give me an opportunity to introduce myself and I am confident that I will not disappoint you. So far, none of my student left my tuition and stayed with me for longer.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My mum was from Germany, and my frequent childhood trips to Germany fuelled my love of languages, leading me to study French and German at university. I have a wide range of interests, including sport, music, current affairs, reading and travel, which enables me to find areas of common interest with my tutees - this is particularly helpful at a more advanced linguistic level, when discussion and conversation play a greater role. I am friendly and sociable and love helping students achieve their language goals by finding ways of learning that work well for them.

Teaching Experience:
I achieved a First Class Joint Honours degree in French and German from Nottingham University, where I spent the third year of my degree as an 'Assistante' in a school in St-Lô in northern France. I then completed a PGCE in Secondary German and French at Manchester Polytechnic. Since qualifying I have worked in secondary, primary and adult education, teaching all ages and levels, including GCSE and A-level. I have also tutored privately, again with a variety of age groups and levels.

Tutoring Approach:
I am enthusiastic, friendly and conscientious and believe that good relationships are at the heart of effective teaching and learning. My experience in different sectors of education means I have developed a wide range of teaching styles which can be adapted to the needs of each individual learner. Whilst every student is different and requires a tailored approach, I aim to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in which students are given encouragement at every stage and feel able to ask about anything they do not understand. I review with the tutee on an ongoing basis how they feel things are going and whether their needs are being met.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have been teaching chemistry, science and maths for over 35 years and now I am using this experience to offer bespoke 1:1 tutoring for students of all levels..

I have a first class honours degree in chemistry from the University of Leicester, a DPhil in organic chemistry from the University of Oxford and a PGCE [Chemistry] from Oxford.

I keep up to date with my subject through regular Continuing Professional Development activities including reading about the subject and attending seminars and courses.

I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Chartered Chemist and a Chartered Scientist.

Teaching Experience:
I was Head of Chemistry at Eton College [the famous public school] and was a Senior Lecturer in chemistry at the University of Northampton. Alongside these appointments, I was an Associate Lecturer in chemistry with The Open University teaching part-time students by distance learning and at Summer Schools for over 30 years. I have over 20 years experience of online [distance learning] tutoring as well as the traditional face-to-face tutoring.

I am a patient, friendly and successful teacher, with over 35 years' experience, specialising in chemistry at GCSE and A-level with experience of IGCSE, IB, pre-U and university level chemistry teaching. In addition I have extensive experience of tutoring science and mathematics to GCSE level including to home schooled students. My experience covers helping students of all ages [from primary to adults] and from all backgrounds. I have a good sense of humour, and I am used to teaching in groups and in 1:1 situations.

I have been coaching students in science and maths for over 35 years. Post-16 I have extensive specialist background in chemistry for Edexcel, OCR and AQA at AS and A2, including Salters, A-level plus I have experience of the International Baccalaureate, PreU, and supporting vocational courses and home schooled students. For many years I ran and organised the UK International Chemistry Olympiad competition to pick the UK delegation for the International Competition.

I have supported students in chemistry, biology, physics [as triple or double science, for the AQA, Edexcel and OCR syllabuses] and maths at GCSE/IGCSE for many years and helped with Independent School entrance, both for scholarship and Common Entrance exams. I have also supported students studying for equivalency testing for career development or foundation courses for university.

In recent years online I have tutored students across the UK and internationally. Locally, I have tutored GCSE, A-level, IGCSE, and IB students from Sidmouth College, Colyton Grammar School, Exeter School, Exeter College, Exmouth Community College, Richard Huish College, The King's School, St John's School, Honiton Community College, The Maynard School, The Woodroffe School, Churcher's College, Torquay Boys Grammar School and Torquay Girls' Grammar School. Nationally I have tutored students from Eton College, Winchester College, Oundle, Wickham Abbey, Bedford School, Christ's Hospital, Northampton High School, Northampton School for Girls, King Edward VI School, Southampton, and King Edward VI School, Birmingham. I also have worked with many international students in Spain, China, Singapore, South Korea, the US, Middle East and Canada.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is to boost a students` confidence in a relaxed environment resulting in greater success and self-belief which results in more enjoyment and success in the subjects being studied.

In-between sessions students can contact me by email or telephone for support with exam questions or school work at no extra charge rather than waiting until the next meeting.

My main teaching slots are on weekdays and in the evenings. Since 2020 I have focused on online teaching and I am now recruiting students for the 2025/26 academic year.

I have a few evening slots that are available alongside earlier daytime slots that may suit A-level students or students based outside the UK.


Currently I am teaching online:

3 A-level chemistry students
2 IGCSE chemistry students
1 GCSE double award science student
2 GCSE chemistry students
1 GCSE physics student
1 GCSE biology student

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm Jude. Currently I'm getting ready for the government funded Maths teacher training course. I have a degree in Business Management & Information Communication Technology. I'm very passionate in Maths and also in teaching. I have been teaching Maths & Chess for more than a decade in UK & Sri Lanka. I have been playing chess since 3years old and became to represent Sri lanka for many International chess tournaments. Currently plays for Croydon & Crystal Palace chess club and also former club chess championship (2016).

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching Maths and Chess for more than four years in UK including some websites and also through family and friends.
Before I moved to UK I have been teaching Maths and Chess for more than 7years in Sri Lanka.

Tutoring Approach:
My aim is to deliver my knowledge to the student to understand about Maths and solve Maths problems without any help from anyone. I also wants to build confidence in every student and work on there skills and improve their weak areas.
I'm a very patient, disciplined & qualified Maths tutor whom would like to teach for students who are very weak and struggling to excel in Maths.
I'm creating a short note for every lesson for the student.
Very patient and understanding person therefore students can ask same question again and again until they understand properly what it means.
Cover all the lessons at least one month before the exam.
Do revision
I give my own exam paper for them to check their knowledge and also to give them a practice before they do the real exam.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have been teaching Russian Language for more than 18 years with 9 years experience working in London, and in addition, have also taught Russian Literature.
From January 2009 until present I have been teaching children from the age 3 -18-year-old and adults. I am using the communicative methods to teach my students. I started to work as a private Tutor of Russian as soon as I came to London. Since that time I have developed an extensive database of students, especially young children due to the fact that their parents employed me when their children were 3-4 year old. I have been tutoring the same students until they reach the age of 14 -16 year old.

Teaching Experience:
I have completed a Thesis in Pedagogy studies, and I have achieved a PhD in this subject.
Expertise in all levels of student education primarily with children age groups from 3 to 18 years of age and adult learners. Able to assist in supervision, organisation of all areas of student curriculum, including preparation of GCSE and A-level.

Tutoring Approach:
My professional focus is on teaching Russian as a Foreign Language and I recommend the communicative method to improve conversation skills, developing grammar and vocabulary, the key phrases and expressions that can be used in real life situations.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I love skiing, horse riding, walking with my dog. dancing Salsa, Ceroc, Bachata and Kizomba. I also enjoy learning a new language

Teaching Experience:
I hold Certifcate in Education. I have been teaching English as a Second Language since May 2007. The students would stay at my house for a week or up to eight weeks. I have also taught Maths, Biology, Science, History, Geography and Physics to GCSE level.
I believe that every child has the ability to learn given the right tuition and guidance. Patience maybe required in order to explain a point in several different ways for the student to understand it.
I enjoy teaching English as it is the language of the world, the internet and the language that is spoken by the most number of countries. I find the enjoyment comes when some who can't speak or pronounce English well at first become confident and fluent over time.
I like to make my lessons fun and excited, as I believe that a lesson that is boring will not be remembered by the students.
I have learnt over the course of my teaching that students are individuals and cannot be taught the same. What works for one student will not necessarily work for another. Every course can and should be adjusted to suit the different student.
My classes would be packed full of fun with the intention of energizing everyone in it. I like my students to participate fully in the class, so that they are able to get the most out of their time with me. They should not realize the time because they are enjoying the interaction with me and the other students, if not a one to one scenario.
I love skiing, horse riding, walking with my dog. dancing Salsa, Ceroc, Bachata and Kizomba. I also enjoy learning a new language

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that every child has the ability to learn given the right tuition and guidance. Patience maybe required in order to explain a point in several different ways for the student to understand it.
I enjoy teaching English as it is the language of the world, the internet and the language that is spoken by the most number of countries. I find the enjoyment comes when some who can't speak or pronounce English well at first become confident and fluent over time.
I like to make my lessons fun and excited, as I believe that a lesson that is boring will not be remembered by the students.
I have learnt over the course of my teaching that students are individuals and cannot be taught the same. What works for one student will not necessarily work for another. Every course can and should be adjusted to suit the different student.
My classes would be packed full of fun with the intention of energizing everyone in it. I like my students to participate fully in the class, so that they are able to get the most out of their time with me. They should not realize the time because they are enjoying the interaction with me and the other students, if not a one to one scenario.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I began tutoring in 2015 to help out a friends child with their French. During those lessons I started to develop a joy in teaching and thrived on seeing the progress of my student. Since then I have created simple methods, tailored to each child or adult, whether it be for the fun of learning or to obtain good grades. As a native French speaker living in London I am confident and proficient in English and French. My online services can be flexible depending on your personal schedules.

Teaching Experience:
After also enjoying the experience of tutoring primary students Maths and English, I started tutoring GCSE French on the side. Whilst doing this, I was a pre school teacher at a nursery!

Tutoring Approach:
Every individual has different needs and circumstances, these of which I try to cater to. I provide group lessons, one-on-one lessons and crash course lessons before exams at all levels of Education.

Subjects

Personal Description:
PLEASE SEE 'TUTORING EXPERIENCE' BELOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS PAGE, THE RESULTS AND FEEDBACK

I am an Oxford graduate (English language and literature, first class), as well as a qualified English teacher, and have been tutoring since 2013. My specialism is A-level English literature.

Please get in touch for online English tuition, particularly if you are or your child is

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2026/27
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a double first in English language and literature, winning the prize for the best performance in English finals at Mansfield College, and the college essay prize. At school, I was awarded eleven GCSEs at A-star and three A-levels at A.

As well as tutoring, I have worked as a researcher, a copywriter, and a proofreader. I have also completed a PGCE in secondary English at the UCL Institute of Education, the highest-ranking college of education in the world ('QS World University Rankings'), during which I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools, and received A's for my master's-level assignments. I am currently pursuing a PhD in English literature at the University of Buckingham.

As well as English tuition at any level, I can help you or your child with the following:

• Oxbridge entrance (the admissions process, practice interviews, the ELAT, etc.)
• Essay surgery - how to structure and write an essay
• How to revise - note-taking, organisation, making connections, committing to memory
• Grammar, punctuation, and style (a.k.a. 'usage and abusage')
• Speech-writing and public speaking
• Proofreading and redrafting essays
• Suggested reading and resources, including access to my library of 'TES' resources
• Creative writing
• How to annotate, analyse (and enjoy) English literature - sometimes known as 'close reading' or 'practical criticism'
• If you'd specifically like written feedback on your writing - more like a correspondence course - then I can also provide that.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, writing, and photography.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD. And I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in the exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

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A student, June 2025: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June 2025: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June 2025: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May 2025: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May 2025: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February 2025: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January 2025: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

Kate, a parent, December 2024: 'We're so pleased [G.] is enjoying his sessions and seems to be really motivated to read widely in between sessions, is making useful structured notes (which he didn't do before) and his confidence and awareness of what he needs to do when essay writing is really building. Thank you!!!'

Eleni, a parent, December 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that [D.] received an offer […] today! She is super happy! […] I wanted to thank you again as [D.] found your sessions incredibly helpful and inceased her confidence during the exams process.'

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A-level results, August 2024:

'I wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you for all the help, support and inspiration you have given [E.] over the past year. You have not only given her the technical advice and support to help her make the most of her essays and exams, but more importantly you have helped her keep the love of the subject alive. I know a big part of the reason she is so excited to study English at university is because of how much she has enjoyed your conversations, and how you have helped her to consider texts in a way that the rather narrower scope of teaching at school does not allow. I am so very grateful to you and I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into her sessions - thank you so very much. […] You've been so great, and any other student/parent would be lucky to have access to your teaching.'

'I have just opened my results and am happy to confirm that I am off to Bristol this September with an A* in English! I just want to thank you again for making this possible.'

'I got an A in English, and will be going to Exeter, so mission accomplished. I wanted to thank you for all your help, not only for helping me to get what I needed, but for giving me back my confidence and enjoyment of the subject in the process.'

'Just to let you know [I.] got her results this morning and achieved an 'A' in English. We are over the moon […] Thank you again for all your help with the English, it's much appreciated.'

'thanks for your help this past academic year! Got two A*s in English and Philosophy'.

'I got a B and I was accepted into my firm university (Durham) which I am very happy! Thank you for all your help and support.'

'I was really happy to receive […] A in English Literature […] I secured a placed at my firm university. I will be studying English Literature at Durham University this September and I am very excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!'

'i got into Warwick with […] an A* in English!!!!! I am very happy :) Thank you for all your hard work, wisdom and wit over the last year or two'.

'Thank you so much for all your coaching and advice that you shared with [L.], it made such a difference to his confidence leading up to his exams. He is (as are we) delighted with his English result.'

'an A awarded in English […] so she is off to her first choice of Edinburgh University to study History of Art and English Literature.'

'Results day went well and I'm going to the university of Kent. Thank you so much again for all the time spent helping me to prepare for my exams it means a lot I'm very excited to continue my English literature journey.'

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A student, June 2024: 'Thank you so much for being the most amazing English teacher! It has been an immensely rewarding and interesting journey exploring so many books […] I have learnt so much from GCSEs to continuing with more amazing literatures in A-levels'

A student, June 2024: 'I […] wanted to say thank you for the tremendous help you have provided with the English content throughout the A level period. The resources that you provided for me were quite helpful in refining my knowledge in many areas of the syllabus so thank you very much.'

A student, May 2024: 'I've just received the results for my english coursework and wanted to thank you for all the help and feedback!!'

A parent, February 2024: 'your help has kept her love of the subject and her enthusiasm alive and I can't thank you enough for that.'

A parent, February 2024: 'You were such a huge help to [S.], we will always be very grateful to you.'

Kath, a parent, February 2024: 'We would both like to thank you for all your invaluable help, especially all the helpful feedback on the coursework essay. [S.] has definitely learnt a lot and grown in confidence, especially in her knowledge of Twelfth Night.'

A student, January 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that I got an offer from Oxford! Thank you so much for checking over my personal statement and all the help that you have given me since GCSEs. I really enjoy our sessions every week, the discussions keep me constantly creative and thinking.'

A parent, January 2024: 'Thank you as always for all your continued help and support for [E.]. I know she gets a tremendous amount from your sessions and I'm very grateful.'

A student, January 2024: 'Just emailing to let you know I did get an offer from […] Cambridge yesterday so thank you so much for all your help! It is really appreciated and I'm really looking forward to starting my degree in October!'

A student, December 2023: 'So thank you so much again for all your help; your insights have been very useful and I have really enjoyed talking about literature with you.'

Tara, a parent, November 2023: 'you are really helping [R.], he is becoming much more confident. Thank you so much'.

Paula, a parent, November 2023: '[M.] is always delighted with your teaching. You are asking questions no one else does. My husband and I see her grow academically after every session with you.'

Liz, a parent, October 2023: 'Thank you so much for all the work you have done with, and the kindness you have shown, [E.] to date. She really enjoys her sessions with you, and you've helped keep her enthusiasm for English very much alive. I'm so grateful.'

Kim, a parent, August 2023: 'I cannot tell you how happy we all were and your help was clearly instrumental in that. Not sure if he told you but he got 12 points above an A* and it was his best A level result!'

A student, August 2023: 'I really enjoyed our lessons and think it has really helped prepare me for the Oxford style tutorials.'

A student, August 2023: 'wanted to let you know I ended up getting an A* in English, thanks so much for all the help!'

Mark, a parent, June 2023: 'Many thanks josh for your help this year. [E.] has said to me it has really helped, you started assisting her at a time when she felt behind her class mates for the whole of the first year, having switched to English half way through term one.'

Melanie, a parent, June 2023: 'Thank you so much for all your time and effort with [T.]'s English literature. She really enjoyed your sessions together and it really boosted her confidence and inspired her to think more deeply and critically about the texts. It also confirmed that she is happy and excited to study a literature based course at degree level.'

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A-level results, August/September 2022:

'[L.] came home from university yesterday to attend her school prize giving ceremony, and this morning as she was leaving she asked me to let you know that she won a special prize in English […] Until last night, she wasn't aware of any of her awards, apart from her scholarship, so it was all a lovely surprise. Furthermore, the essays she wrote in her A level English exams have somehow found their way into her teachers' hands; they told her, with beams of pride , that the three marks dropped overall were actually in her *non exam* assessment, so 30/30 in all questions across all papers under exam conditions, something she had never achieved before. She had admitted to me in the aftermath of the exams that when she was writing her English papers she had really enjoyed the process, her thoughts flowing pretty effortlessly on to the paper. But she had also worried this stream of ideas might not be fit with the mark schemes. […] she […] wanted you to know about her prize, as she thought you'd be pleased, and she also wanted to say thanks one last time for your inspirational teaching that led to it.'

'I got AAA* for my results much higher than my predicted! particularly for english'.

'[G.] got an A star in English. And is off to Oxford. […] Thanks so much for everything - you were honestly amazing and really helped her get there'.

'[L.] got 3 a stars and an A star as well in her EPQ. Her highest marks were in English Literature ( 197/200)'.

'I achieved 4A*s in my Alevels - one being in English Literature. My teachers also let me know that I got full marks in both the exam papers'.

'[T.] smashed English Literature, A* […] she is absolutely over the moon . Thank you so much for all the work you put in with her !'

'I got a D[distinction]2!!! […] I got full marks on my PI!'

'I got an A* in English!!! Thank you so much for all of your help I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!'

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A student, January 2023: 'Just wanted to let you know I got an offer from Cambridge, thank you so so much for all your help.' And Kathryn: 'You were such a great help to [E.] in her preparation for the Cambridge application and interview and we were all delighted when she was offered a place this week. Thank you for all the support you gave her.'

Shaun, a parent, January 2023: '[E.] has found the sessions really very helpful (and has enjoyed them!)'

Guifang, a parent, December 2022: 'From what I hear from [S.], she really enjoys her discussions with you, it's really one of the highlights of her week.'

A student, November 2022: 'I'm extremely happy to tell you that I received an 8.3 for the literary review […] Thank you for explaining to me what a literary review is […] I remember whilst working on it I was so worried about my grade, but it appears I've survived.'

Deborah, a parent, September 2022: 'a huge thanks again to you for all your work with [S.]. I know he has been in touch to let you know that he got 9s in both English Language and Literature. He was over the moon - well beyond his best hopes, so thank you again for being instrumental in helping him attain those grades.'

Karen, a parent, August 2022: 'Both my girls really like your way of teaching and talking to them, they feel really listened to and respected for their opinions (as well as respecting yours obviously), so thank you :)'

Helen, a parent, July 2022: 'Thanks so much for all the help you gave [J.], he really benefitted from the sessions he had with you.'

Tara, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all your help and patience - I think you have been brilliant for her confidence. She found English exams really very difficult before she started talking to you and it's amazing to see how much calmer (relatively speaking!) she has been going in to her A level English papers. Whatever the result, her sessions with you have definitely helped her to enjoy English again and I'm really grateful.'

A student, June 2022: 'This is incredibly insightful and thought provoking feedback. Thank you so much.'

Mei, a parent, June 2022: 'She found your lessons very helpful and always remarked to me how much you went the extra mile for her ; looking up and sending on links to whatever you'd been discussing. Much appreciated!'

Marguerite, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all you've done for [T.] in the past year . […] you are a very talented teacher.'

Monica, a parent, June 2022: 'You have been an absolutely wonderful tutor to [L.], and how time has flown since she first met you! […] Many a time she has needed someone to talk to, not so much about AO1-5, but rather about the beauty and burden of literature and life. You have always been willing to do that, and she is richer for it.'

A student, June 2022: 'Thank you for teaching me for the last year; I have enjoyed our lessons and I feel I have grown as an English student, with thanks to your teaching.'

A student, April 2022: 'I received an 8 for my essay!! I want to thank you for your tutoring on Keats and Wordsworth- I wouldn't have gotten such a grade without it!! […] I learned tons because of you.'

Ngozi, a parent, March 2022: 'Thanks for everything that you're doing for [G.] - it has been very helpful.'

A student, February 2022: 'Really, thanks so much. Was such a good and efficient service. Your feedback looks really good and I'm going to implement it today. […] Thanks again for doing this on such short notice'.

Deborah, a parent, October 2021: '[S.] said you make it really fun - he said at school his energy goes down in English lessons and with you it goes up! So that is praise indeed from a teenage boy!'

A student, August 2021: 'I got the A grade ! I'm so pleased, thank you for all the help and the essays really paid off :).'

Monica, a parent, July 2021: 'As would be expected from his first class qualifications, Josh is extremely intelligent. However, in my opinion, he has a a very particular advantage over others of a similar academic background, namely his ability to exhibit an authentic interest in the ideas his students express. He is always kind and encouraging, but without sacrificing rigour; this approach has had a hugely positive impact on my daughter when speaking, writing and reading. Furthermore, Josh has introduced her to a range of authors, poets , films and philosophical thought, thus enriching her far beyond the school curriculum. In the future, my daughter will undoubtedly look back on her time with Josh with both fondness and gratitude. I have no hesitation in recommending Josh as a tutor'.

Guifang, a parent, July 2021: 'I have know Joshua for 2 months and He has been supporting my daughter excellently through her GCSE courses, helping her to achieve a 9 in predicted grades. From this, Joshua has always been very serious with the work, needless to say, always punctual and gives detailed homework feedback. I know him to be a wonderful tutor to my daughter.'

Susan, a parent, May 2021: '[T]hank you so much for all your help with [N.] […] [N.] found your lessons extremely helpful which enabled her to enjoy and understand English in a greater depth […] it was excellent tuition . Thank you'.

Jamal, a parent, May 2021: 'Thank you Josh for all your efforts, you have greatly assisted [S.] in better understanding English Literature as whole.'

Zahed, a parent, May 2021: 'We are grateful for all your help and support. We are in no doubt that [A.] has improved a lot in English Literature under your guidance.'

A student, May 2021: 'I just got my coursework back and got an A in it. Just thought i should let you know thanks you!'

Margaret, a parent, March 2021: 'Thanks for helping [M.] to improve her English understanding. She really enjoys her lessons and chats!'

Chris, a parent, March 2021: '[R.] is benefiting immensely from your lessons and is definitely getting more confident in expressing his thoughts in writing! Thank you.'

Amanda, a parent, December 2020: 'Josh has really helped join the dots, encouraged a depth of questioning and ways to interpret and compare ideas, extracting and bringing fresh meaning to narrative styles and creative use of language. Josh has been a great support and steered [R.]'s confidence to look more thoroughly and develop a greater understanding all round. Josh has a kind, approachable style and encouraged [R.] with debating aloud and suggestions for further reading which all continue to be an invaluable help and inspire greater confidence in approaching exams and further reading in future!'

A student, December 2020: 'He helps focus my understanding and makes sure i understand the topic we are learning before moving on. Josh will make sure to ask you questions throughout the process and is always ready for your ideas even if you think it's wrong. He will set homework but makes sure to switch it up each week to make it more interesting and gives his feedback to help me understand what i need to do to improve.'

Diana, a parent, September 2020: 'Josh worked with my daughter for her A Level in English Literature. He was outstanding with his ideas and expanding her critical thinking. He went above and beyond to develop her analytical skills and as a result helped her obtain an A*. He is an absolutely lovely, gentle but dynamic and reliable tutor who has a rare ability combine his academic achievement with a natural talent for teaching. A real gem and we cannot thank him enough.'

A parent, September 2020: 'Joshua is an excellent tutor with great communication skills . He is very patient , helpful , approachable and takes time to explain everything clearly to my daughter . Joshua has been able to breakdown and explain in full detail all aspects of the A Level content.'

A student, June 2020: 'it's been great being taught by you, I've learned so many critical thinking skills in such a short space of time.'

A parent, March 2020: 'I can't thank you enough for everything that you've done for her - you've been the best English teacher she's ever had and she has loved her time with you.'

*

During my teacher training, I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools.

While at Oxford, I was part of an 'e-mentoring' scheme to help candidates from schools without a history of Oxbridge applications.

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature. In English we covered 'The Tempest', Gothic literature, Pat Barker's 'Regeneration', 'Jane Eyre', Wilfred Owen, and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Tutoring Approach:
I try to combine three things that I want my students to do, which are three forms of thinking: speak about complex ideas, read high-quality material, and write essays for which they will receive detailed feedback. For obvious reasons, lessons are weighted to speaking, and homework to reading and writing.

Speaking

Pedagogy's holy grail is measuring progress, which is difficult in a classroom and impossible in a lecture. Happily, the tutorial system allows this to occur continuously and efficiently via dialogue. Can a student re-express an idea they have heard or read in their own words? If the answer is yes, they have probably understood the idea. Hence the constant questions!

As well as understanding the ideas of others, speaking is essential for students to develop their own. I love the quotation from the novelist E. M. Forster, 'How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?' We improve the quality of our ideas through the process of articulating them.

For my part, quite a lot of what I say is explaining what texts mean. This might sound obvious, but great works of literature are complex, so, to understand their meaning, one's own interpretation probably needs the support of others' prior interpretations.

I sometimes like to break the question of a text's meaning into two: What's it about? And what's it really about? Answering the first question is comprehension, a necessary first step. To answer the second question is to understand. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', for example, Blanche goes to live with her sister in New Orleans. She expresses a strong dislike of her surroundings and is frequently associated with images of water. She declines mentally and is eventually taken away. So what's the play really about? Blanche is a Romantic idealist who is disappointed with her life but still tends to imagine things in their perfect form. The play is about the human soul conceiving of things being as good as they could be (as if cleansed by water), reaching for the conception, and failing to grasp it - shuttling back and forth, in other words, on the streetcar named desire.

One thing I frequently encourage is making the link between those oft-cited elements of a good essay, themes and quotations. These are not unrelated ingredients, they are the text itself viewed from different distances. A theme (the desire to be cleansed) is a wide shot, and a quotation ('the land of the sky blue water') is a close-up. So the student of English has to practise their ability to zoom in and out.

Another way I try to support my students' studies is by making connections between the texts they are reading, which in my experience doesn't happen that much at school. Particularly at A-level, there are often many fruitful connections between the half-dozen or so texts being studied: the Romantics were devoted to Shakespeare and Milton, the Gothic is an aspect of the Romantic, the Aesthetic Movement drew on particular strains of Romanticism, etc. When these connections get made with reference to particular writers, they are no longer just isms. They make the material deeper and easier to understand at the same time. Towards the end of their school careers, students of the humanities should be able to get the sense of taking part in 'the Great Conversation that began in the dawn of history and that continues to the present day' (Robert M. Hutchins).

Reading

I regularly give my students PDFs of high-quality secondary material pitched at their level or just above it. Explanatory notes, commentaries, and essays can help with understanding, particularly when it comes to context. (And all exam boards have assessment objectives relating to historical context.) To know that a text was written during a particular period and what characterised that period is to have a mental scaffold that does not limit movement but frees it. In studying the humanities we are studying human culture, and no one can do that without a bit of structure. It also helps when thinking about texts in relation to each other - when writing a comparative essay, for example. I like to think of honing in from context to text, e.g. Romanticism (late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) > William Blake (1757-1827) > 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' (1794) > 'The Tyger'. (What's 'The Tyger' about? There's a question!)

In my experience, knowledge acquisition operates according to the Matthew principle, named after a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: 'unto every one that hath shall be given'. In other words, the more you've got, the more you'll get. Every time you learn something about Romanticism, the greater will be your understanding of the poetry of William Blake. Your internal bookshelves expand - more connections, greater understanding. Reading secondary material is obviously 'extra', but it works to enhance students' understanding of set texts rather than crowd them out. Homer Simpson said, 'every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain', and we laugh because it's not true. You can't fill up a brain, so the cliché about people's (particularly young people's) limitless potential is true. Every time you learn something new, you enrich your contextual understanding of everything else you have ever learnt. '[E]very moment is a new and shocking / Valuation of all we have been', as T. S. Eliot put it in 'East Coker'.

Writing

Speaking and reading are in a concrete way preparation for writing. If you think and make notes while speaking and reading, by the time it comes to writing an essay, the question should not be about what to say, but how to arrange the things you want to say. So annotation is an important skill. It's a bit like getting 'in the zone' for a sportsperson - students must practise getting there and staying there. I model the annotation process something like this:

Read with a pencil in your hand. What makes you underline? Something fires in your brain, so that you have a response - you spot a developing theme, you're reminded of another book, you agree or disagree, there's a word you don't know and need to look up, you like the way a sentence sounds. It could be anything. Read until you've underlined twenty words or sentences. Work out the three or four connections between the things you have to say, and you've got a paragraph plan. Work out the main thing you have to say, and you have a thesis for your essay, which, as you aim your paragraphs at it, will accumulate force.

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.

When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a native Turkish and near-native German speaker (born in Germany) and have been teaching Turkish and German languages for 10 years. I hold a BA degree in German language and literature, and a PhD degree in Turkish language and literature. I also have a certificate to teach Turkish as a foreign language. I have translated four works from German into Turkish, two of which are still in press.

Teaching Experience:
I can summarise my teaching experience as follows:
- Language teaching and education consultancy at several language schools in Turkey for ten years.
- Private tuitions since 2012.
- Lecturing at two universities (in Turkey and Cyprus) for one year.
- Preparation for language proficiency exams.

What I teach:
- Turkish as foreign language (all levels)
- Turkish as native language (to Turkish people)
- Ottoman Turkish and its script
- German as foreign language (all levels)
- English as foreign language (to Turkish people)

Tutoring Approach:
I use the following methods: the Communicative Language Teaching and the Direct Method (for those who want to learn the language for a general purpose), the Structural Approach and the Lexical Syllabus together with the Direct Method (for Turkish people to speak their mother tongue appropriately), the Grammar-Translation and the Structural Approach (for Ottoman Turkish).
However, the most appropriate approach should be decided on before the tuition, depending on the learners and their needs.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hey everyone! This is Jaycee from Hong Kong. I love art and fashion. I relish teaching, playing tennis ,watching movies and making ceramics. I am energetic and passionate in education and I have a sense of humour and like to explore new things.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified and accredited English and Mandarin teacher while my mother tongue is Cantonese as I am a Hong Kongese. Having been teaching in secondary school up to the sixth formers for years, I have rich experience in assisting students in mastering the language and identifying their room for improvement to shoot stars and boost their confidence , as well as finding the meaning of learning languages with inspiration and thought-provoking questions. I have received training in SEN in universities in Melbourne and got experience in teaching SEN students.

Tutoring Approach:
It depends on the needs, level, strengths and background of students to make adjustments on what sort of teaching mode and materials would be appropriate to help them fulfil their potential and excel, reaching or go beyond their target.

Making learning enjoyable and irresistible is the key to enhance the cognitive reception and performance of learners.
Thus, having a tutor is more for getting support and sharpening skills to lay a solid foundation for building your blocks higher.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor and understand how to make maths fun! I have been teaching for over three years across several primary schools in Ashbourne teaching years 3 to 6. I talk to the student and find out which areas they find difficult. In the lesson we go through these areas and tackle them one at a time. I can provide summer tutoring if required. I've also set up a primary maths resources business, I'm that excited about maths!

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified teacher having taught across several schools across Ashbourne. I struggled with maths in primary school so I had several years of maths tutoring in order to ensure that I passed GCSE maths. My tutor showed me that maths was not impossible and I decided to take it again at A level along with Further Maths AS. After a further two years of lessons (deforesting half of the planet printing off hundreds of past papers) I obtained an A* in A level maths. I used to find maths difficult. As a result I am able to explain difficult concepts. I completed my BSc in mathematics at the Open University in 2018 and am currently completing my MSc in Business and Finance at Derby University. I understand how a tutor can make a difference.

Tutoring Approach:
Maths isn't boring but the way that it is sometimes taught can make it seem that way. I use my own resources that I design to help engage students. By listening to the interests of each student, I try to engage their interests into the maths which makes learning much more enjoyable!

Subjects