Drybrook Tutors and Drybrook Tuition

Personal Description:
Certified professional language teacher with more than 35 years of experience, MA in Teaching Foreign Languages (Russian, English and German) and in Linguistics. Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). I've been teaching languages since I graduated from the university, starting with teaching at schools, then colleges, universities, blue chip companies (i.e. Johnson & Johnson) as well as giving face -to-face and on-line private tuition, which all in all comprise the students' age range 9 - 75.

Teaching Experience:
I love teaching, it has been my life's work. For me it's more than just a profession, it's a state of mind and soul, when you as a teacher and a person want to constantly grow and develop, open new doors and look into new cultures. It isn't just for self-development but for sharing with students and carrying them with you. I can help you to learn Russian with confidence, step by step, at your own pace. I'd like to share the knowledge of Russian with you and to open the door to this huge world of Russia.

I've worked as a senior teacher at Kazan State University, one of the oldest and biggest universities in Russia.

Tutoring Approach:
I have mastered a wide range of methods which affords me to be quite flexible in teaching and to make each lesson a tailored one where the main principal is to simplify things, not to complicate them. I will help you to learn, step by step, at your own pace.

My priorities are my students' confidence and convenience while studying, and their satisfaction with the final results. That's why I'm so very proud to say that my students have achieved many of their goals, whether it's just a simple trip to Russia or passing their exams, living in bilingual families, helping their companies to strengthen relations with Russia and even working and living in Russia.

I provide my students with all the necessary materials as well as offer free interactive games that they can play after lessons to increase their vocabulary.

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Personal Description:
I am a very enthusiastic and well experienced tutor of French and Spanish, and English. I also teach GCSE Biology. My tutees tell me that I am fun and friendly and have a unique approach to teaching. I have two children and teach in a local private school so I am up to date with current practice and understand the needs of young learners. Apart from teaching I also play and teach the cello and love to get involved in music making whenever I can.

Teaching Experience:
I am a qualified teacher with 20 years of experience at secondary schools. I teach both French and Spanish up to A level and I am also an examiner for the AQA and Edexcel. I have also taught Biology and English up to GCSE level. I have a lot of experience of private tutoring and try to ensure a relaxed but purposeful approach to my teaching and use a variety of teaching methods. With my knowledge of English grammar and the GCSE syllabus I am also an effective teacher of English language. I can tailor this subject to individual needs and levels.

Tutoring Approach:
I provide a purposeful but friendly approach to tutoring and do most of it from my home as this means I can use the many IT facilities now available. In this way I can create fun and engaging lessons. I teach both adults and children and can teach groups, pairs or individuals. I give homework after every lesson and find that pupils progress quickly using my structured Schemes of Work.

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Personal Description:
My name is Tim and I'm based in the Caerphilly area. I am happy to work anywhere in Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport or the Valleys. I am a primary school teacher and have 24 years experience working with children within the age range 6-11.
I have worked in London and in South Wales and have taught in a range of primary schools, teaching children from many different types of background. I have a current CRB check and can provide excellent references.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a primary school teacher since 1986 and have worked across the age range from 6 to 11. I have a good deal of experience teaching children in Year 6 and preparing them for the step up to secondary school. I am able to give tuition in any primary subject but have a specialism in maths as I have been maths co-ordinator in more than one school and have an in depth knowledge of how children learn in this subject and how they can be helped to enjoy their work here and achieve good results. I also have experience of tutoring children in individual sessions and have always been able to help them to improve their standards and become more confident across the curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a very friendly tutor who has always been able to establish a good rapport with children of primary age. I am extremely patient and calm in my approach as a teacher and believe in using humour to help children relax and enjoy learning. I take into account the preferred learning style of the child and tailor all lessons to their needs. I will try to include an element of challenge in all sessions to help children build up their confidence through success on progressively more difficult tasks. I have a huge range of resources I can use to help make sessions interesting and am prepared to be flexible in terms of rates, location of sessions and times.

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Personal Description:
My name is Andreas and I am 42 years old. I have degrees in Engineering, Computing, Psychology and Psychotherapy. I currently work as a tutor and psychotherapist with children and adults.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2011. I teach Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Key Stage 3, GCSE and IGCSE level.

Tutoring Approach:
I adapt my teaching methods for each of my students, using real-life examples where possible to create a better appreciation of the subject.

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Personal Description:
I was born in Germany to British parents and lived there for 8 years before coming over to the UK to live. I also spent a total of 2 further years over there in Southern and Northern Germany after my A Levels and during my undergraduate degree to further my knowledge, working for OSRAM GmbH and studying at the Freie Universität Berlin.

Teaching Experience:
I graduated with a degree in German and Drama, with First Class Honours, in July 2010, from Queen Mary, University of London and have just completed a PGCE (Secondary) in Modern Foreign Languages (German with French), at the Institute of Education, University of London, also gaining QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) from the GTCE (General Teaching Council for England).

I am familiar with the National Curriculum at the Secondary level for Key Stages 3/4/5 - Year 7 through to Year 13, and will tailor tuition to suit individual needs, allowing for development in German language skills, as well as preparation for public examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
Friendly 1-2-1 tuition supporting development in German language skills, tailored to individual needs. National Curriculum at Key Stages 3/4/5 can be followed as well as key examination preparation to boost confidence and performance.

Currently offering sessions on a Saturday/Sunday @ £40p/h

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Personal Description:
I am an avid musician and educationalist, with a passion for sharing my interests in music and learning with children and young adults. As a parent and trained Teacher, I can see from different perspectives the different aspects of learning in life, and am keen to foster a love of learning whenever I am involved with a child or young person. I am also a qualified Music Therapist, and run my own music therapy service which you are welcome to enquire about.

Teaching Experience:
I have 7 years experience working in a Special Needs school working across the 11-19 age range primarily, with much crossover into Primary and Early Years. When my children were at nursery I worked closely with the team to develop their behaviour management and early communication skills, giving me a different range of experiences to call upon. I have also taught private music lessons with great client satisfaction for almost 20 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I am experienced in adapting my approach to delivery depending on context, having worked in classrooms, with learner orchestras, and in 1:1 settings. Fun and enjoyment should be central to a successful learning experience, and I try to ensure a relaxed approach in sessions facilitates this.

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Personal Description:
I am a very dedicated, patient and outgoing person. I am fluent in French, English and Hindi. I have good communication and organizational skills as I have been team leader for different projects both at university and at my place of work. What I have to offer is an approach to tutoring which will be fun, engaging and challenging on all individual levels, adjusted to their preferred progression pace. I am currently studying Psychology at Kingston University. I have an A-Level certificate bearing an A grade in French and I must say I have always loved the subject.

Teaching Experience:
I gave private tuitions in French and Mathematics up to GCSEs for more than 3 years now, with a group of 8 students. Throughout my experience, I have developed excellent teaching skills and I am now confident in guiding students to the rightful path and help them achieve excellent grades.

Tutoring Approach:
I can easily put myself in the skin of my students and try to turn complicated things into simple terms. I try to maintain a friendly relationship with my students and at the same time be very professional at work. The most important thing to remember is that I was and still am a student, which helps me understand what is expected from a teacher. I also keep track of the student's progress and use different methods such as exam papers which I find very useful to achieve the desired grades to motivate them. Also, I always try to make the student do the same exercises more than once as practice makes perfect. I want to develop a career in teaching hence any experience will be valuable for me.

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Personal Description:
I am a Corporate Finance professional with extensive experience in the Healthcare sector. I have robust knowledge on the Life Sciences industry dynamics and trends with focus on the following areas:

- Business Planning
- Corporate Finance: NPV analysis, Valuation (DCF, market multiples, precedent transactions), P&L and BS forecasting
- Pricing & Reimbursement of medicinal products
- Epidemiology (patient flow, line of treatments, market segmentation to identify market potential)

Teaching Experience:
I have helped friends and family in completing their thesis in healthcare related fields. In addition, I have conducted various one-off seminars and lectures in universities. My passion for the Healthcare sector is my greatest driver in assisting students and professionals to build their knowledge in the field.

I actively blog about the Life Sciences industry (see Biostrategy Analytics) and have received excellent feedback from industry professionals and generalist readers.

Tutoring Approach:
- Taking the necessary time to communicate knowledge without losing focus on the objectives.
- Building up the knowledge in a timely manner.
- Approachable and strongly motivated.

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Personal Description:
I am a Qualified Engineer (D.Phil, Oxon, MSc, BSc Imperial College), Qualified University Educator (PG Dip) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) with over 20 years' experience teaching university engineering, including 13 years as an Oxbridge lecturer, 7 years as a Senior Lecturer at an elite Russel Group university and a year as a Professor at a highly-ranked US university. I also have over 10 years' experience in aerospace and defence research with Rolls-Royce PLC, Qinetiq, Volvo Aeropsace in Sweden, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

My work has given me the privilege of working with many hundreds of student-engineers across all branches of engineering. I know how difficult and challenging university engineering can be. My approach is warm, open and professional.

Teaching Experience:
In my 20 years of professional and private practice I have taught all branches of university engineering and engineering science including Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Chemical, Bioengineering, Materials, Design, Motorsport, etc. and even related subjects such as Physics, Architecture etc. Whilst most of my work is with undergraduates I regularly teach Masters/MSc students and doctoral/PhD students, as well as professional engineers.

I hold a PhD in Engineering Science from Oxford University (where they call it a D.Phil), an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and a BSc in Physics, both from Imperial College London, as well as a PGdip in University Learning and Teaching.

I also have over a decade of experience in experimental aerospace and defence research, as part of which I conducted ground-shaking jet engine tests at military and civilian test sites in the UK and Europe, working with companies including Rolls-Royce aero engines, Qinetiq, Volvo Aeropspace, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan.

As well as having designed numerous large-scale experiments, my practical hobbies include classic car restoration and designing and building the places where I live. This hands on engineering experience means that I don't just teach the theory, I teach the reality and how the theoretical concepts you are learning in class relate to the real world around you. This is the beauty of Engineering.

Outside engineering, I enjoy freeride skiing, ice and inline hockey, and downhill mountain biking. I travel extensively with sport and have played hockey in almost every country in continental Europe and skied in virtually every country in the alps.

I am comfortable teaching in French as well as English.

Tutoring Approach:
Engineering is one of the hardest subjects you can study, and it doesn't help when module content is disorganised, learning materials are messy and hard to follow, and when lecturers are too busy to respond to your questions. If you are not getting the support you need, I know how this feels and I can help.

My overall aim is to teach you to become an independent learner, to teach you how to learn, so that you can learn regardless of the support from your university, and so you can continue learning when you leave university into whatever career path you take.

If you have a set budget for lessons then we won't go over this, even if we overrun the hour.

I offer an initial meeting free of charge to discuss your learning requirements, so you can show me what you need help with, what your learning aims and objectives are, and to plan our sessions together.

I am flexible in terms of scheduling, I'm happy to reschedule with sensible notice etc.

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Personal Description:
Having lived in the UK for the last 22 years and raised a family along side having a career in hospitality, french speaking & culture is part of the family daily life.
I am familiar with the current french curriculum and though my experience of training and guiding teams in the past, combined with a fun and agreeable personality, improving your french and reach your goals become a great experience all round.

Teaching Experience:
I have in the past successfully tutored several teenagers towards their GCSE French as well as supporting my own children throughout their school life.

Tutoring Approach:
It is very important to set goals and understand what the student is looking for from the lessons. The experience should be tailored to each individual.

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Personal Description:
I am a Cambridge and Royal College of Art graduate with five years of freelance tutoring experience. This is primarily at BTEC, A Level, University and for independent adult learners.

I have been in co-ordination with art and cultural institutes and regeneration programs both in Kent and London to teach film in public workshops including working with the Royal College of Art institute, Stories and Suppers, Dartford Arts Network and Medway Film Festival. I have worked for NGO`s in India teaching art and media, and I have four years of experience working freelance on film productions both pre and post.

Alongside teaching I work as an actor, improvisor and creative theatre practitioner. My hobbies are medieval history, cinema, art, horror and hiking.

Teaching Experience:
Devised curated film studies programs practical, theoretical and historical. Assigned study, development and critical engagement with the following:

- History of French Cinema
- History of German Cinema
- Hollywood Golden Era
- New Hollywood
- The Avante Garde and Experimental Cinema
- Foundation to Film Studies
- Genre
- Documentary
- Production
- Silent Film
- Cult Cinema Classics
- Contemporary British Cinema


Alongside tutoring I currently offer essay and dissertation guidance, proofreading and editing services.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor the classes to fit the needs of the student, and I work a direct goal oriented approach. Whether this is for an exam, essay or specific aspect of information, I will strive to help you develop and understand what is required to reach the desired learning outcomes.

The classes are built upon a teaching foundation developed through my years of study, research, practise, and mentoring, all of which takes place in a well structured and fun environment. For me lessons are most memorable when they are engaging dealing with relatable content, robust context and a decent dosage of humour! I strive to make the teaching environment a space for nurturing creative and critical thinking around the desired subject.

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Personal Description:
I am a specialist GCSE and A-Level Japanese tutor. Over the past six years, I have written full textbooks for both exams, alongside an original beginners' grammar textbook. My students consistently perform excellently in their exams, benefitting from an extremely targeted approach, covering each of the GCSE and A-Level grammar points, topics and tasks in depth.

I am fluent in Japanese and Spanish and offer a unique teaching style, based on 14 years' experience teaching in the UK, Japan and Spain; Japanese study at the highest level (Cambridge University - Double First Class BA / Doshisha University Kyoto - JLPT N1), Communication and Teacher training at Royal Academy of Music (MA Distinction / LRAM Licentiate to Teach) and 20 years' experience working with children and young people in childcare and academic settings.

I currently live in Barcelona and offer online sessions, making use of my own interactive teaching platform.

Teaching Experience:
I have been working as a private tutor for 14 years in the UK, Japan and Spain. Since 2020, I have focused exclusively on Japanese, and in particular the GCSE and A-Level exams. This has allowed me to develop an exceptionally strong exam programme, guiding my students through each step of their chosen exam, regardless of their starting level of Japanese.

I hold a BA (double first-class) from the University of Cambridge (Japanese, 2014) and graduated with the highest results in my year, alongside a national prize for best Japanese dissertation. During my degree, I passed the highest level of the JLPT Japanese Proficiency test (N1 - business level) whilst studying at Doshisha University, Kyoto. After graduating, I went on to volunteer in rural Japan for a year, before entering the Royal Academy of Music, London, to study Performance and Teaching (LRAM, MA, RAMDip - distinction). I began teaching privately in Japan in 2013, and have taught internationally ever since.

Whilst I now focus exclusively on Japanese language and University applications in East Asian studies, over the past decade, I have taught a wide variety of subjects: Japanese, Oxbridge / University Entry, Musical Theatre and Drama, Presentation Skills and Public Speaking, EFL, 4-plus, 7-plus and literacy lessons. I have worked with children as young as two in formal tutoring settings (4-plus examinations / EFL / literacy) both in-person and online, and have extensive experience working part-time in childcare centres, caring for children from just a few months old.

Tutoring Approach:
I offer the only textbooks available specifically following the GCSE and A-Level Pearson Edexcel specifications. Textbooks cover each grammar point of the chosen exam in detail, alongside extensive materials exploring each of the different themes and topics (GCSE) as well as in-depth materials guiding students through the Research Essay and Set Works (A-Level).

I offer support regardless of your current level of Japanese. Classes can be adapted both for students who have never studied Japanese before, as well as for those who already already have some level of Japanese: learners taking Japanese classes at school who feel they need extra guidance, or heritage speakers of Japanese who need to formalise their language skills before taking a GCSE or A-Level exam.

GCSE
My GCSE course consists of three parts. Depending on your level (beginner - native speaker) the course can take 6 months - 4 years. Firstly, students cover each grammar point of the Pearson Edexcel Specification. This is often the longest part of the course, and is suitable for all students, even those not wishing to take a final exam.

We then move onto applying the vocabulary and grammar learned to the GCSE Specification, using my online textbook and interactive learning platform.
The textbook has 5 theme modules. Each contains:
- A full vocabulary list, colour-coded into Foundation and Higher Tiers, alongside further optional vocabulary.
- A full kanji guide, split into kanji to learn to read, and those to learn to write.
⁠- Comprehensive guides to building thorough answers to each specific sub-topic (e.g. Family, Directions, School Rules, Charities, Jobs, Environmental Issues and so on).
- A breakdown of Speaking Exam prompts for each topic (e.g. pros and cons of social media, online shopping, taking a gap year and so on).
- Extensive annotated example paragraphs in the style of writing paper answers, focusing on the theme's sub-topics.

Finally, we focus on exam techniques and exam preparation. I support students to feel confident in each of their papers, spending extra time and developing additional materials and guides for each individual student, to help them conquer any weaker areas of study.

A-LEVEL
I support both students moving from GCSE to A-Level study, as well as heritage speakers of Japanese aiming for a qualification to formalise their skills. Depending on your level, A-Level study can take 6 months - 3 years.

The A-Level course contains:
- Lessons on each A-Level specification grammar point (+ revision of any forgotten GCSE points)
- Vocabulary and kanji lists for the four A-Level themes and their sub- topics.
- Comprehension materials further exploring the theme and sub-topics.
- Full analyses of selected Set Works (Spirited Away; Kitchen; Mado-giwa no Totto-chan).
- Guides to preparing, researching and writing the Research Essay.
- Guides to planning, structuring and writing the Set Works Essays.
- Multiple example essays for the selected Set Works and for each Research theme.


NON-EXAM TRACKS
Alongside the targeted exam textbooks, I write original materials for all my learners from beginners onwards, offering a smooth transition for students from newcomer level through to their next steps, whether that be a formal exam (GCSE, A-Level or JLPT) or not. All lesson content is adapted to suit the needs of each individual student.

For those who do not wish to focus on a UK schools' exam, I support students looking towards N5-N3 JLPT exams, using a variety of original materials and multi-lingual textbooks.

Finally, of course, many of my learners are taking Japanese classes casually for personal or professional development, without aiming for formal exams. I adapt all lessons to the needs and wishes of my students, and can support learners with any goal, at any stage of their journey with Japanese.

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