Cottingley Tutors and Cottingley Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a recently retired teacher with over 30 years combined experience in further education, independent and maintained secondary schools. I am now based in a beautiful part of Norfolk, where I paint, give private tuition and run an art club.
My own work is based on observations of mans' intervention in the landscape. I work in oils, water colour, digital photography and print.
My interests in art and design are many and varied, and include, in no particular order, sculpture/ceramics (Moore, Gormley, Perry), photography (Cartier-Bresson and LaChapelle), graphic design (Brody, Bauhaus), and painting (Freud, Klimt, Giotto, Picasso).

Teaching Experience:
My first foray into teaching was in further education as a visiting lecturer in graphic design and illustration. Subsequently, I trained as a secondary school teacher and quickly became head of my first department in a boys grammar school. From there I moved into the independent sector, continuing to work successfully as head of department and head of faculty.
I have extensive experience as a senior regional moderator for GCSE examinations in art and design with a leading examinations board, being responsible for supervising the work of a team of visiting moderators in the south east of England, and for resolving disputes with schools. I do voluntary work for the National Trust, giving occasional talks to schools on symbolism in Tudor portraits.

Tutoring Approach:
Having started my career as a graphic designer I had, by necessity, to broaden my experience and skills into other two and three-dimensional media in order to become a successful teacher. My departments had outstanding results at GCSE and A-level, and many of my students went on to study at many of the principal art institutions, including Central St Martins, Chelsea, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
Teaching is about finding the unique personality of the individual and finding ways to encourage its expression. Allied to developing the imaginative and creative abilities is the need to create opportunities to build on existing technical skills and introduce new ones. The combination should be fun.

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Personal Description:
I am a retired police officer who has retrained as an EFL teacher. My main interests are my rescue dog, swimming, music, reading, cinema, concerts and travel. As a person I am empathic, patient and kind. I am interested in current affairs both in the UK and worldwide.

Teaching Experience:
During my career I spent 5 years teaching IT in industry. As a police officer I spent 7 years in the Training Department teaching IT as well as Communications Skills, First Aid, Law and Force Policy.

Since retiring I have passed a CELTA course and have taught English in Vietnam for 3 months and Mexico for 4 months as well as a short contract in a high school in Austria. In the UK I have taught at a residential Easter School and two residential Summer Schools, teaching children and adults of all ages and from beginner to advanced level. During 2021 I volunteered teaching online for my previous employer in Vietnam as they were in lockdown for a considerable time and value having a native English speaker working with them.

Tutoring Approach:
I apply to tutoring the same skills that I have used during my extensive time as a trainer - I motivate by encouragement, patience and praise, and use a teaching approach that will suit the learning style of my student. I also enforce strict deadlines and standards in order to maximise the learner's gain from the teaching time and to ensure that they use their study time wisely and efficiently. My attitude towards learners is that the only silly question is the one which they want to ask but don't, and that if they do not understand something then it requires me to explain it in a different way. I believe that if a learner enjoys their study they will gain a lot more from it, so endeavour to make lessons and tasks interesting and relevant.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I`m Simon. I hold a PhD in structural biophysics/biochemistry, plus I have an honours degree in biochemistry and a masters in clinical chemistry. I also have eighteen years of experience working in clinical biochemistry laboratories within the NHS. This encompassed various roles and duties, including producing analytical results to help diagnose and manage patients, troubleshooting and problem-solving, discussion of patients with clinical staff, management and supervision of laboratory staff and research and development work. More recently, I also have considerable research experience, both in pure research and from working within the pharmaceutical industry.

I have over ten years of experience working as a self-employed tutor in the sciences and maths. I have a demonstrable track record of inspiring my students in the subjects I tutor, consistently helping them to much better understand these subjects and achieve or exceed their hopes and expectations. I have numerous happy clients who would testify to this.

My approach is understanding students and establishing a rapport with students, which I tend to do quite easily. Obviously, different students have different abilities, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Therefore I offer a bespoke service and tutorials are carried out in a relaxed atmosphere, where I will involve students in the session rather than just talking at them, giving friendly encouragement throughout. I also make extensive and effective use of various illustrative material and exercises (including past and mock exam papers, for those preparing for upcoming exams).

I LOVE tutoring, both because of some of the lovely people I meet along the way, and due to the fact that I make a difference.

Teaching Experience:
I now have over ten years' experience as a self-employed tutor, during which time I have tutored many students and guided them towards achieving their aspirations and often, exceeding their academic expectations.


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

During my clinical laboratory career, I was frequently involved in supervising, teaching and training staff from various backgrounds, from school placement through to graduate.

As a PhD student, I was involved in a considerable amount of teaching, tutoring and mentoring activity:-
- I taught undergraduates in laboratory-based practical classes.
- I supervised and tutored my supervisor`s final year honours student. She graduated with a first.
- During a fourteen month period of secondment to an academic institution in the USA, I was heavily involved in designing research projects for, supervising, teaching and assessing undergraduates within the research laboratory environment.
- Acting in a consultative, mentoring and teaching capacity for my guest American supervisor`s research group, especially when he was not around.
- I have presented science and research work in various forums, from informal seminars to international conferences, including a prize-winning lecture I delivered in the USA.

Tutoring Approach:
I appreciate that everybody has different expectations and needs, and these always have to be taken into consideration when deciding how best to tutor somebody. Initially, I would seek to find out your strengths and weaknesses and use those to tailor my tutoring to your requirements.

One's ability to learn and understand a subject are inextricably linked to one's interest in it. The classroom nature of school or college education can understandably make it unsuited to students who are struggling with a subject. Similarly, it can lead to the potential of strong students of a subject not being fully recognised and nurtured. In both cases, this can lead to dejection, frustration and disinterest. As a one-to-one tutor, I work very hard to inspire my tutees and make the learning process as enjoyable as possible. I see it as being much more of a coaching role than students might receive within a school class, and seek to bring the subjects I teach to life, drawing on life examples and anecdotal approaches to make even the most abstract of concepts relevant and fascinating. I always try to ensure that tutoring sessions are conducted in a relaxed and friendly way, as students feeling comfortable with their learning environment is important for sessions to be fully effective and useful.

For the interested learner who is not attending a course of study but wants to learn about "science" and all it's wonderful facets, I would be happy to provide a more independently-structured course, that is tailored to your interests and requirements.

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Personal Description:
I teach Japanese on face-to-face basis (from home), or via Microsoft Teams (on line).
I also use e-mail correspondences about writings (students scan their work and send them to me via e-mail).

I do GCSE Japanese, general conversation in Japanese, essay writing in Japanese, etc., based upon your requests.
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a particular field to study.

I also do JLPT-exam based lessons - (one of my students is aiming at JLPT N1 level.) upon students' request.

Thank you very much.

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I am a native Japanese, and I have a full academic record about the education of Japanese language.
Also I have professional carrier history about teaching Japanese for a non-native Japanese speakers at reputable companies.
I am also a professional interpreter, and translator in Japanese - English and vice versa.

I have rich professional experience in Japan and in England for over 20 years.

I have double degree in literature and linguistics (Master's degree in linguistics, too).

In recent years, I have involvement of the school activities to read Japanese and English books.

All students are happy to be taught by me, as I have rich experience of teaching.

Teaching Experience:
I was also used to be a professional Japanese tutor for non-native Japanese (Malay trainee) hired by an international textile company, Toyobo in the past.
I also conduct private tutoring at home. Examples of my students' nationalities: British, Canadian, Malay, American.

I currently hold UK PGCE Secondary teacher qualification.

Tutoring Approach:
Learning a foreign language is very challenging. Especially people who are not familiar with the new language, because they do not see the words and the grammatical structures in common with their language.
However, some people need to study a foreign language to achieve good score of an exam.
In this case, we have to focus on a short-term goal. Specific exercise is necessary to achieve the goal.
I can offer the various options of the package that are based on a specific goal, and on the current level of a student. By focusing a specific goal, students can achieve to the level they wished for in a very short term.

My aim as a tutor is to create in my students a deep understanding and confidence in answering exam questions and being able to tackle new and unfamiliar problems. My philosophy is based on the idea that learning happens in an environment of mutual respect in which the student is encouraged to think and make new connections for themselves. My experience has been that one-to-one personal tuition has a unique value to students because of the ability to resolve the students' personal barriers to learning in a way that lays the foundations for a deep and lasting understanding of the subject.

My approach varies depending on the student's needs and learning style. However my teaching philosophy is based on encouraging students to think for themselves, using real-world examples wherever possible. I start from topics the students are comfortable with and move gradually towards more complex areas as their confidence builds. I use questions and examples to check understanding continually. I don't lecture to students or ask them to memorise things. Nor do I do the students' homework for them!

I believe passionately in the huge value of tutoring to students and take great satisfaction in seeing my students achieve their full potential.

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Personal Description:
Hi! こんにちは！

I am Erina, a native Japanese teacher regularly tutoring adult learners via online Skype lessons. My home town is Tokyo, where I was teaching Japanese. I've been teaching Japanese for 6 years for beginners and lower intermediate (JLPT N5 to N4). I can also offer conversation practice for upper intermediate to advance levels. I'm very patient and enthusiastic teacher who tailors each lesson for the individual depending on the students interests and goals.

I mainly use a text book called Genki in my lessons which covers reading, writing, speaking and listening. The most difficult areas of Japanese language learning tends to be reading and writing, but I would like focus more towards listening and speaking. Although you need to know the Japanese alphabets of Hiragana and Katakana to be able to understand accurate pronunciations, isn't it more fun and motivated if you would be able to pick up some Japanese thorough movie, anime and songs you like!

In person lesson is limited slot and different price, please ask me if you need more information.

Teaching Experience:
I've been teaching Japanese for 6 years for beginners and lower intermediate (JLPT N5 to N4).Regularly tutoring adult learners via online Skype lessons. My home town is Tokyo, where I was teaching Japanese.

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring Approach:

Genki 1 and 2 are the main text books

This lesson is suitable for beginners to lower intermediate level.

If you want upper level, conversation lessons are also available.

Please contact me if you are interested in learning Japanese or if you have any questions.


-Student review-
"Erina is an excellent native Japanese tutor.
Extremely patient, Erina breaks down the lessons into chunks and explains each language concept, rule and grammatical idea with clarity and a smile.
couldn't recommend her enough to anyone wanting to learn Japanese from scratch !!"
Kate S


"Enthusiastic and patient. Classes are always fun with Erina and she always sets up classes geared towards your wants and needs."
Ross W


"Erina is really a very patient tutor I must say. I think I could be a Japanese expert if I keep learning with her."
Joey H


"Thoroughly enjoying my lessons with Erina. She is extremely encouraging and enthusiastic in lessons"
George T


"Excellent tutor. Always prompt, polite and incredibly efficient. My son found Erina very friendly and informative. We have had 3 lessons , 1x a week and will be booking more. Site is easy to use and simple payments. Emails to update ever step of the way. Very happy highly recommend"
Rachel M


"Erina's lessons fly by, and are so helpful!"
James R


"I wasn't sure what to expect from the process but Erina has been great. I was quite specific with what I wanted to learn and she has been very flexible and patient. I feel positive about the process and I think she'll get me ready for a trip to Japan in the future."
Christian H


"Yesterday I had my first lesson with Erina, she was really fun to talk with, she quickly assessed my understanding and asked me about my goals etc. After discussing textbooks I already owned and my past experience she put me through my paces with some exam practice, reading comprehension and some speaking. I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson with her and gained confidence both in my current ability but also felt I was once again learning and not stuck in a plateau. Looking forward to our next lesson and completing my homework soon."
Sam C


"Erina is a great teacher! Learning from a native speaker has been so beneficial to me. Erina lessons are well structured and she pushes me to increase my learning while also making it fun. Highly recommended!"
Dominic C

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Personal Description:
I'm looking forward to taking on some new students!

I have a very strong grasp of English, as shown by my first class degree in English language and literature from Oxford University. I also work as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, often helping writers for whom English is a foreign language. Because of my background, I am particularly good at teaching English for academic purposes, and teaching writing skills, but I will be happy to focus on whatever you want to learn.

Teaching Experience:
In 2019, I graduated from a CELTA course (Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Since then I have also taken courses in Teaching English Online, and How to Teach IELTS. In summer 2019 I taught at International House and Oxford Intensive School of English (OISE). I also started teaching freelance 1:1 in that year. In 2020 and 2021, I was employed as an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, teaching an online pre-sessional course in English for Academic Purposes. I did a similar job in 2022 at Coventry University.

Tutoring Approach:
I will ask you about your learning needs so I can plan and prepare lessons to suit you.

I particularly enjoy communicative and task-based teaching, where you learn by speaking and listening, reading and writing about things that are important to you, and you practice for real-life activities using English. I can help you gain the vocabulary, grammar, and skills you need for all this.

I can take students from all around the world. While the pandemic continues I will be teaching online only. (Otherwise, I would also teach in person, in Bristol, UK).

I teach adults (age 18 and above).

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Personal Description:
I am a passionate Geography Teacher who works in Aberdeen City, Scotland but recently moved to live in the Deeside area.

I am a friendly individual and I love the outdoors which is why I decided to move closer to the mountains!

I would be happy to tutor from my home in Deeside in the evenings or weekends or after school in the city during the week days.

Teaching Experience:
Experience with the following:

- BGE years (S1-S3)
- Senior Phase (National 3 - 5)
- Physical Environments
- Human Environments
- Global Issues
- Mapping Skills
- Assignments/Added Value Units

I am currently registered on the PVG Scheme through Disclosure Scotland.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to get to know my pupils and make sure I can tailor lessons to individual needs as everybody has different strengths and areas for development.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher and experienced tutor of 16 years, previously curriculum leader of science and head of STEM, with a proven track record of securing high levels of attainment for all my students with great testimonials from previous students. I have been teaching Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Engineering since 2004 and also an examiner with AQA,OCR and Edexcel.

Teaching Experience:
I am a UK trained teacher and have been teaching physics, chemistry, maths and engineering up to A level, since 2004 in various schools in London.

Tutoring Approach:
As a qualified Scientist, my approach is to make the subjects enjoyable and convey complex concepts in a simple way. No one approach will work best for every student, and understanding how each student learns and changing my strategy to suit them is how I work.

My lessons are clear, easily digestible, based on the student's needs, developing prior knowledge, building confidence and problem solving skills whilst developing exam technique with access to practice questions.
If you find these subjects challenging or overwhelming, i'd like to hear from you because Science and Maths is only as hard as the teacher makes it.

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Personal Description:
I have a PhD in chemistry and have published a book on Study Smarter: a lecture's inside guide to boost your grades.

With over 15 years as an academic, I have published extensively in peer-reviewed academic publications. My passion and outstanding commitment to teaching were recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2016 with a Higher Education Teaching Award. In 2017, I was awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in the UK.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored A-level students and taught undergraduate and postgraduate students in my academic work.

Tutoring Approach:
Most students are wasting time with the study habits they use. This may seem like a crazy thing to say, isn't working hard the foundation to good results?
Research shows that at least 6 out of every 10 students are using suboptimal study strategies.
I've met this a lot in my own work. I have created a Study Smarter Audit to help identify where study habits can be improved. This can be over 2 sessions or longer depending on what you want to achieve. I work online and create a personalised plan to target effective study strategies and evaluate the changes.

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Personal Description:
*** Use my experience as an IELTS examiner to help you pass your exam! ***

If you need to pass IELTS quickly, then look no further as 98% of my students pass the test with Band 7, or higher!

My name is Lee and I am a friendly and qualified teacher of English and a former IELTS examiner. Let me help you to achieve a score of Band 7 or more on your IELTS exam with a tailored course for your specific needs. I can offer tuition and exam preparation support and share with you my techniques to help you to pass the tests.

As well as making my teaching enjoyable, I am able to use my insights from working as an IELTS examiner to make sure you meet the precise IELTS marking criteria in order to get the best Band score possible. I have extensive knowledge of the tests and know what examiners look for in a good answer. Let me use this experience to help you to pass your IELTS exam.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 2003 and since 2015 have specialised by teaching students to pass the IELTS test in which my pass rates are around 97% at Band 7, or higher.

My pass rates are very high as I am a former IELTS examiner for the writing and speaking components. I now use the experience and skills gained from that role to teach students how to pass the test quickly and with the best score possible.

Let me help you to pass your next test!

Tutoring Approach:
We will start with an assessment of your current level of English and your particular needs. Then, I can go on to plan a course which will strengthen your skills and address your areas of weakness.

I am very experienced in assisting students who need to obtain IELTS very quickly owing to visa, emigration or higher education course requirements. I can provide intensive courses which fit around existing test date bookings.

Courses can be tailored around the following skill areas:

LISTENING
Lots of practice using exam style questions which use a variety of accents. Emphasis is given to all four parts of the listening test in including conversations and following academic lectures.

WRITING
How to structure your task 1 report and task 2 essay. How to describe and analyse graphs, tables and charts. Understanding diagrams and maps. Writing letters and expressing ideas clearly. Checking and correcting your work.
ALL WRITING LESSONS INCLUDE ESSAY CORRECTION AND FEEDBACK.

READING
Techniques to save you time under pressure. How to scan a text for the information you need. Skills to help you answer True/False/NG and Yes/No/NG questions. Support to help you deal with the matching headings questions, short-answer, table completion and multiple choice questions.

SPEAKING
Lots of practice on all 3 parts of the speaking exam. How to structure a response. Articulation and pronunciation. Improving Lexical Resource.

All of the materials you will need are provided, hence there will be no need for you to purchase any additional course or textbooks. Band 9 answers are also supplied to you for all of the writing tasks.

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Personal Description:
Pleased to meet you, my name is Cristina, I am Italian and I am 30 years old.
I am a very sunny and active girl. I really like travelling, getting to know new cultures, doing outdoor activities.

Teaching Experience:
Since I've been at university, I've started giving private lessons to high school kids, in maths, physics, science, grammar and english.
After university I worked as a teacher in a primary school, teaching the basics of various subjects to children aged 7 to 12.
In recent years I have started giving Italian lessons to teenagers and adults of different nationalities.

Tutoring Approach:
During my lessons I speak exclusively in Italian. I have found over the years that this is the most effective way to learn a language. I divide my lessons with a grammar part, exercises and I always leave a good space for free conversation.
My personal experience has taught me that making an effort to understand and not being afraid of making mistakes when speaking speeds up learning considerably.

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Personal Description:
I hold a master's degree in Arabic language from Saudi Arabia,

Teaching Experience:
I have an excellent command of grammar, and have 10 years of experience in editing and writing in Arabic.
I also have 4 years of experience teaching Arabic.

Tutoring Approach:
I teach face-to-face and online.
I use PowerPoint presentations, a variety of books on teaching the language to non-native speakers, and videos of dialogues in a variety of ways. Engage students in each lesson through practice, in-class exercises, and homework assignments.

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