Clay Hill Tutors & Clay Hill Tuition

Personal Description:
I have been a freelance illustrator for 20 years.
I am currently also a Coach for Achievement at Suffolk College.
I enjoy teaching and thinking up projects to resolve particular issues or difficulties.
I work digitally and traditionally .

Teaching Experience:
Over 18 years of teaching degree level ,Foundation and HND levels of illustration,life drawing and special projects.
Recently I have been a Coach for Achievement and Learning Support Assistant.
I also work in schools at times on projects like World Book Day,where I am invited along with authors etc to work on relevant themes in the schools.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to see where people are at,find their strengths and define the areas that need tuition and support.
Some of the teaching can be online,or I can visit you where you are.
Projects can be ones already set by the educational institutions you are involved with ,or can be devised around what we have defined together as your targets.

Subjects

Personal Description:
'Talented', 'inspiring', 'fun', 'a wealth of knowledge'...Majority of people enjoyed my lessons and fell in love with Chinese language. I am a smart Mandarin video creator and have composed 9 Mandarin learning books.

I have been teaching and training since 2009 and gained excellent testimonials. I have taught and trained over a thousand people from all backgrounds, including Defence Academy of UK, BP Technology Centre, Logicalis, The Said Business School, The European School at Culham and much more.

My specialisation in the teaching of Mandarin is designing structured and logical material and various activities in order to make learning enjoyable and achievable. I have developed inspiring and motivational teaching strategies. Some learners could be able to grasp Mandarin skills in 30 hours.

I enjoy teaching all levels, including GCSE, A Level, IB, university level and business Chinese.

I have good communication, organisation, planning and management skills with a sense of humour.

Thank you and enjoy learning Mandarin.

Teaching Experience:
Career Summary

June 2011 to present
Managing Director at MOLAES (Modern Oriental Language, Academic and Enterprise Services)
Clients including BP, Logicalis, P2i, Academy of Defence of UK, LPA Channel Electric, Said Business School, The
Taylor & Francis Group, European School at Culham, St. Hugh's Prep School and St Edward School in Oxford etc.

February 2012 to Present
Part-time Mandarin Teacher The Downe House

February 2011 to August 2011
Temporary Part-time Mandarin Teacher St. Bartholomew's School, Newbury

September 2009 to present
Permanent Part time Language Tutor Oxfordshire Adult Learning, Oxfordshire

February 2010 to Present
Contract Part-time Mandarin Tutor St. George International Foreign Languages
Directors Languages, Buckinghamshire
Professional Language Solutions
Simon & Simon Language School

I have been delivering Mandarin course to all levels and ages. My specialisation is designing
structured and logical material and wide ranges of activities to making learning enjoyable and achievable.

Each of my courses is tailored to needs of the students, beginning with developing their Individual Learning Plan and defining their Personal Learning Style. I also encourage my student to provide feedback and assessment of each lesson so that I can monitor my teaching style as I am always looking for ways to improve.

My goal is always to deliver teaching in a style which engages my students and makes learning interesting and fun.

Tutoring Approach:
Various approaches to meet the different learning styles.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have lived and worked in Plymouth since I finished me degree in 2001. I started as a full time private tutor in 2009 and have been tutoring ever since. I absolutely love this work and am extremely enthusiastic about helping others enjoy and succeed at learning.

I am married and am a mum of two young boys. My hobbies include sports, walking, art, reading, writing and volunteer work with my church.

I am currently away on further training so can no longer do my usual face-to-face lessons, but I am looking at building up my online students.

Teaching Experience:
I have over a decade of experience of helping children, teenagers and adults with their maths and English learning. Whether it is to salvage a struggling student, to catch-up, to succeed in an exam or to excel beyond their current level, I am passionate about helping and unlocking a student's ability to understand and to enable them to enjoy learning.

I hold a BSc degree, 3 A-levels (grade B, including maths), 9 GCSEs (7 As - 2 Bs) and am a graduate of Study Technology. I have been tutoring since 2009 and specialise in the 11+.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style is to tailor all lessons and communication entirely to each student, as each student is unique in the barriers they encounter, and in their level of understanding of the subject. I direct the lessons at a pace, and with content, that the student can comfortably handle and make progress with. I also aim to ensure learning remains light and not too serious: I am friendly and ensure that my students are at ease in lessons so that they feel free to ask questions or to say if they don't understand something.

I aim to always make the lessons visual and interactive and set homework to reinforce what we cover in our lessons. I can post worksheets for the lesson/homework if needed.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have and I look forward to hearing from you.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Ciao mi chiamo Adele I am a nice Italian teacher 😅
I started my journey as a tutor in Italy first, teaching Italian in a public school in Reggio di Calabria as well as private, preparing students of all ages for various exams and also teaching Latin. In 1996 I started teaching Italian as a foreign language in the UK and Switzerland also getting more teaching qualifications in order to teach in the further education sector.
I love teaching my mother tongue and have been trained to do so using modern teaching techniques in a friendly, efficient and fun way. "

Teaching Experience:
I am a fully qualified native speaker tutor with over 25 years experience in teaching Italian !Job experience includes teaching for Kent Adult Education College (Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks) from 2001 to 2016 where I focused and received constant training in the Further Education sector.
Private for over 25 years preparing students for Italian GCSE and A levels as well as teaching adults for various purposes ( holidays, conversation etc.) and many years also teaching Italian for business for various international firms like the fashion Company "Guess" based in Lugano Switzerland, Mac Multiples Paddock Wood Kent and Honeywell UK.

Tutoring Approach:
The first step for me is to understand my students needs and goals then I plan our course accordingly providing my students with well-structured, interactive, productive and enjoyable lessons.
I have a very passionate and caring approach and I periodically discuss my students' progress with them to set new targets and challenges and to make the learning process as structured and fun at the same time as possible! From time to time I also include in my lessons watching Italian films and some visit to a local Italian Café' or independent authentic Italian restaurant as a "full immersion" resource and most effective practice particularly for my conversation lessons in the target language.
Also being myself not only a native teacher but having lived in Italy for 30 years allows me to incorporate in my lessons Italian culture and custom as well as Italian gestures, colloquialism and curious facts! Feed back from student over the years has always been very positive and rewarding

Subjects

Personal Description:
I live in Edinburgh with my husband, two sons and our dog. I have had a varied career path, starting as an English Language teacher working in Italy, London and Edinburgh for ten years. In my early thirties I decided to start working as a theatre director and moved to combine EFL teaching with theatre work. Since 2005 I have also worked as a university teacher and have developed a strong skill-set in study skills teaching.
I enjoy reading, hill walking and gardening and home cooking.

Teaching Experience:
I am a highly experienced teacher and have worked in education for over twenty-five years. I have worked part-time as a university lecturer for fifteen years across undergraduate and post-graduate programmes and have particular skill in developing students' study skills and supporting reading and writing development. I can tutor students across a range of arts and humanities subjects to develop the skills they need to succeed at university.

I also have experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language to all levels from Begnner to Advanced levels including preparation for Cambridge exams and IELTS.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a friendly and reassuring tutor and I really enjoy getting to know my students and taking time to ensure that they feel comfortable and clear with what they are learning.
I am highly organised and punctual and like to be well-prepared for the sessions I deliver to ensure students get the most out of our time together. I usually set independent work between sessions and mark prior to a session so no time is wasted. I am happy to teach students in my home or at their home.

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.'

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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.

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Personal Description:
I graduated from Imperial in 2015, studying mathematics & statistics, and am currently working as a consultant at McKinsey London.
A-level results: 4As*1A for Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Economics and Thinking Skills.
I am passionate about teaching and have been teaching since 2011.

Academic subjects help:
I have been tutoring Maths, English, Physics, and Mandarin since 2011.
I have also taught classes at top schools around the world.
My specialty is with coaching high performing students who are preparing for entrance exams such as Oxford MAT, STEP, and public school exam preps; and mathematical competitions such as the Math Olympiads, UKMT challenges etc.
I also like helping out with math projects.

Job hunting help:
With working experiences/job offers/internships at top consulting firms, accounting firms, investment banking firms, and FTSE100 firms. I can help with CV writing, technical and tests taking skills, and interview preparations to boost your chances to get jobs. I can also help with more specialised skills for consulting jobs.

Additional information:
-Language speaking and writing skills:
English, Mandarin (first languages)
Malay, Hokkien/Taiwanese, Cantonese (fluent)
French (beginner)
-Awards and Scholarships:
Silver and Bronze medals for various Mathematical Olympiads
Champion for the University of Waterloo`s Euclid Mathematics competition
7 High Distinctions from Australian Math Competitions and New South Wales Math Competition
Offered the prestigious ASEAN Scholarship to study in Singapore for my GCSE and A-level
Other private scholarships to further my studies in colleges and universities

Teaching Experience:
-9 years of tutoring experience.
-Imperial College London M3T Module - Distinction:
mini-thesis on: Difference in teaching approaches between top Asian schools and top British Schools.
-Taught more than 50 students on GCSE, AS, A-level, and university level maths, further maths, and (up to A-level) physics; and have taught many kids and adults learning Mandarin.
-Successfully prepped more than 10 students to qualify for BMO1 and BMO2, and have also coached an IMO gold medallist.
-Worked with UniAdmissions to prep students for Oxbridge Maths, physics and engineering interviews.
-Teaching experiences at top schools: St. Pauls School London, Catholic High School Singapore etc.
-Helped many adults, and university students with job hunting skills.

Tutoring Approach:
I prefer classes to be carried out in small groups, or ideally, one to one.
I try to make the lessons as fun and engaging as possible, as from my experience, that`s the best way to make students want to learn, and remember what they`ve learned.
I use the `5 whys?` approach to prompt student to think by themselves and work towards the answer rather than just relying on the tutor to give them the answers.
If my students show great potential or interest, I am more than willing to introduce more challenging questions and concepts that can be beyond the syllabus (upon request).
I will explain every formula that are introduced briefly so that students first understand how and why they work, which will help them a lot in remembering and when/how to apply them.

Occasionally, A small test will be carried out to judge students` level at the first lesson, I will then have a small chat with them to understand which parts they have least confidence in and know their requirements and aims to ensure we get on track and work towards the correct direction.

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Personal Description:
I am currently an Academic Foundation Doctor at University Hospital Southampton. I studied at Westminster School as a Queen's Scholar and secured 14 A* at GCSE and 4 A* at A-level. In 2020 I received first class honours in Natural Sciences and was awarded a scholarship by Jesus College in 2020. I graduated Cambridge University in 2023 (MBBChir)

I am also a keen musician and played the clarinet with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain between 2014-2017. On holidays you might see me climbing and camping around Scotland or catching up with close friends in London.

What do I offer?:
• 13+ entry scholarship examination to Westminster School; 'The Challenge'
• Oxbridge interview preparation for medical applications
• BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)
• UCAS personal statement
• Other; please reach out to discuss

Teaching Experience:
Between 2020-2022 I have taught the neuroscience course (NHB) for 2nd year undergraduates at Jesus College Cambridge. Supervisions comprise of weekly small group teaching. I have also taught the NHB course privately 1:1. I regularly teach younger students (10-14).

Tutoring Approach:
I am a kind and supportive tutor looking to work with my tutees to identify and consolidate areas of weakness. In addition, I hope to provide insight into the skills required to tackle competitive application processes, including scholarship exams and medical interviews.

I prioritise improving exam performance and I encourage the development of critical thinking skills at all levels of learning. In undergraduate supervisions, I aim to tackle difficult concepts from first principles and question underlying assumptions, as well as help undergraduates develop their written communication. I believe these skills are highly valuable for writing personal statements and for success at interview.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I am a French and German graduate from the University of Cambridge with experience in tutoring languages for children and adults through volunteering and working as a teaching assistant both in the UK and abroad.

Teaching Experience:
In the past, I have volunteered to help at a local lower school, where I would give speaking practice to small groups and help them reinforce new vocabulary ahead of mock tests. I have also been a teaching assistant in upper school, where I have helped students on a 1:1 basis.

Tutoring Approach:
I will tailor to your specific goals and also help you improve your confidence in the language through friendly tutoring.

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Personal Description:
Languages and psychology are my passions. I enjoy learning languages (as well as the languages listed below, I have started learning some Arabic, Norwegian, Japanese, Spanish and Italian) and this has enabled me to try many different methods of learning a foreign language, which I can pass on to students to see which works best for them. In addition, I am currently researching the integration of psychology into language learning to make the learning process easier for students. I have lived abroad and am knowledgeable about different cultures. I have a good understanding of the common issues experienced by speakers of certain languages when learning English, including learning a new alphabet. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for languages and my knowledge to allow you to enjoy new opportunities as your English improves.

Teaching Experience:
My CELTA level 5 qualification in teaching English as a foreign language included teaching students of different ages and abilities from around the world via zoom. My students were very engaged in their lessons and weren't afraid to have a go even if it meant making a mistake, as I am able to ensure a relaxed and safe atmosphere in the classroom (or virtual classroom). I have taught all aspects of learning a language: listening, reading, writing and speaking. I am currently working in a voluntary role teaching English to Ukrainian guests in my local town, as well as tutoring my daughter in French for her GCSE exams.

Tutoring Approach:
I am kind and patient and like to create a comfortable atmosphere where students feel they can have a go at using their new language. My psychology background enables me to explore the best method of learning for each individual. My lessons focus on communicating effectively in the real world for good general understanding and improving pronunciation in spoken English (which also helps improve listening skills). I can also set tasks in between sessions if students wish so they can progress quicker. This is generally how I approach lessons, but they would be tailored to your preferences. You can let me know what your aims are and if there is anything you want to focus on.

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Personal Description:
I am a professional fine artist with many years experience of teaching in Colleges and Universities both in the UK and the USA. I am committed to teaching and this to some extent informs my work I have continued my practice as a fine artist throughout my teaching career and I have continued to exhibit both in Europe the USA and Dubai. I have a studio in Crete Greece from where I regularly travel to various European Capitals to visit important museums and galleries and these experiences are fed back into my teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I have a Master's in Fine Art from the Royal College of Art in London and I am a professional fine artist with 30 years' experience of teaching in the field of Art and Design. In 2014 I was an early adopter of teaching the visual arts remotely to a range of students from different countries and backgrounds. Over that period I taught over 1000 students and as Head of Foundation Studies, I supervised the instruction of many thousands more. I have been responsible for strategies, content, and delivery of that covered media from fine art drawing and painting, photography, concept design, animation, theatre design, graphic design, and illustration. My approach across these disparate and rich media is to enable students to understand the connections between theory and practice and of how to develop a creative process which is research and concept-led. I continue my practice as a painter in my studio in Crete while exhibiting most recently in galleries in Greece, Switzerland and Spain. I regularly visits European museums and galleries and I am familiar with Art and Design from a global perspective. This knowledge is fed back into my teaching and evidenced in the high-quality work my students produce.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to work with the students regarding whatever project they may be working on. In some cases I write a project for them. I speak online face to face to each student once a week and encourage them to upload work in-between our meetings for advice and comment. I help the students to understand what it is to be a visual artist and how to discover their own creative process. I also introduce the students to professional artists both Historical and Contemporary whose work might inspire them and I introduce the notion that discussion and dialogue can ensure that the student become curious and committed to their practice in an informed manner.

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Personal Description:
I am graduated from the University of Stirling with a Master's degree in Finance. With over a decade of experience, I have been dedicated to teaching A-Level and GCSE Chinese at a private school. My approach to tutoring is highly effective。

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching A-Level and GCSE Chinese at a private school for over 10 years. I I have successfully guided numerous students through A-Level and GCSE Chinese courses. Many of my students have achieved outstanding results under my guidance, including a remarkable 90% of students who attained an A grade in A-Level Chinese in 2023.

Tutoring Approach:
During the initial session, I work closely with the student to set clear objectives based on their individual needs. My teaching methodology involves designing tailored assignments that draw from a range of subjects and past papers. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also equips students with the skills to apply their knowledge effectively.

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