Gledhow Tutors and Gledhow Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a postgraduate from the Documentary Photography course at Univeristy of Wales, Newport (graduated in 2000). I have worked as a professional freelance photographer since graduating giving photography classes, workshops and conferences to students of all levels and ages. I have extensive experience a reportage photographer, not only in undertaking magazine assignments but also wedding and portrait work. As a photographer and tutor I can offer an in-depth knowledge of darkroom practice as well as digital software editing(i.e. Photoshop, Capture One Pro, Lightroom), having worked both with film and digital media for the past 15 years.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten years experience in giving photography classes and workshops to young learners (residential camps giving classes to children aged 11-16 years of age) and adults at all levels and abilities. I have taught an extensive range of photographic genres e.g Portraits, Studio Flash, Landscape, Creative Photography, Night Photography, Creating A Narrative(Reportage) and Wedding Photography.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is contextual and task based. I plan and work to the individual needs of the pupil(s), making sure that the classes are instructive, concise and interesting. I believe with these elements the student feels more stimulated and the information in the learning process is absorbed more easily. Above all I concentrate on the student's individual learning potential by giving them the confidence as well as positive and constructive feedback throughout the lessons. I can also use such tools as Skype and a whiteboard to provide online distance learning, when travel is not possible for myself or the learner.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello,
I`ve been tutoring Mathematics at all levels since 1996. Have an outstanding record of getting students top grades. I encourage a hard work ethic and discipline.

For A'level and GSCE students, material is taught as per their exam board requires, with plently of emphasis on the importance of past paper revision.

For younger children I specialise in Vendic Mathematics, subtraction via addition, estimate and adjust, etc. As well as applying the story book method to assist a childs memory techniques.

All students are taught about goal setting principles, motivating themselves and not settling for real and achievable standards.

Teaching Experience:
Have been teaching one-to-one since 1996. Software Engineer by trade.

Tutoring Approach:
Secret to my teaching style is to deliver the subject in a manner that appeals to the student.
Using examples that are relavent to the student's interest are key to understanding.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I studied Classics at King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 2009. I then trained as a teacher at Queens' College, Cambridge, graduating with a PGCE in 2010. I have been a private tutor since 2009, and have now clocked up thousands of hours' tutoring experience in Latin and Ancient Greek. I tutor both languages to degree-level standard in London, Cambridge and online. I love Classics, and my main aim is to make my lessons fun and inspirational.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring Latin and Ancient Greek intensively for the past 7 years, with thousands of hours' teaching experience to date. I have taught towards all major public exams in both languages, such as Common Entrance, GCSE, AS, A2, SAT, Pre-U and even BA (i.e. University exams). I am familiar with the entrance processes for a number of independent and grammar schools, and have had a lot of experience teaching towards scholarship papers. I have tutored many students applying to Cambridge and Oxford, and can provide in-depth advice and support with choosing the right course and college, as well as getting to the necessary level for the language tests. I have also taught the languages to those who have decided to learn them purely for fun! In addition to my face-to-face teaching, I have taught extensively online (about 50% of my teaching is conducted on Skype), and have built up an array of handy techniques to get the most from the online format. I was Head of Latin at a school in Bury St Edmunds for two years (September 2011 to July 2013). Since October 2010, I have been supervising Cambridge undergraduates in Latin and Ancient Greek (colleges so far have included Pembroke, Downing, Homerton, Queens', King's, Murray Edwards, Newnham, Caius, Peterhouse, St John's, Emmanuel and Trinity). I also own and run a private tuition agency, Titanium Tutors, which I set up in 2011, managing a team of 8 staff members and over 1000 inspirational tutors.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style is structured and thorough. I start every lesson with a five minute recap of the key content of the previous session, checking how much the tutee remembers. A typical lesson will then consist of a translation, in which I ask the tutee to note down each unknown word as it is encountered and to devise a memory trick which will help them to recall the word in a five minute test at the end of the lesson. Together with the tutee, I will then pick a grammar point which stood out in the translation exercise as requiring the most immediate attention. We will spend five to ten minutes working on that, with the tutee's understanding tested with some reinforcement exercises. At the end of the lesson we will recap all the new vocabulary and grammar which was covered, and I will typically set a manageable 20 - 30 minute homework for the next session based on what was covered in the lesson. Every lesson is of course different, and tailored to the tutee's requirements, but I find this approach works in the vast majority of cases. I consider grammar to be crucially important, but treat it as a means to an end and always emphasise the ways in which it can be usefully applied to translation rather than learned in isolation. I believe that any tutee can excel in Latin and Greek with a little guidance and a decent amount of independent work. Above all, I strive to make my lessons fun and enjoyable. I love my subject and want all of my tutees to love it too.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I understand the importance of the relationship between student and teacher in determining a student's enjoyment of the subject and developing confidence in their ability to succeed. I see it as a privilege to be entrusted with that role of tutor.

I have had an extensive career as a Biologist before becoming a teacher, working in the field of cancer research, and in the pharmaceutical industry, which gives me an insight into the possible careers associated with the subject.

I teach online using Zoom which has been very successful throughout the pandemic

Teaching Experience:
I am an accredited AQA A-Level Biology examiner.

I have 25 years experience teaching GCSE and A-Level Biology, mostly at selective state schools, where I have an excellent record of raising the attainment of my students, enabling them to achieve top grades.

I have a strong track-record in tutoring and have successfully worked with students to develop their exam strategies, build confidence and secure their desired grades.

I have worked with students resitting Biology A-Level and helped them improve their grades.

I prepare students for Biology in the Common Entrance 11+ and 13+

Tutoring Approach:
I work hard with my students to build trust quickly, so that they overcome their fear of `getting it wrong` and `sounding stupid`. This helps the students feel relaxed and more willing to verbalise their thinking. This in turn gives me the opportunity to understand their reasoning, identify gaps in their knowledge and correct any misunderstandings.

I support students to develop revision resources and exam strategies as they go through the specification. The sooner they start, the easier the revision before the exams and the more time for question practice they have.

It is important that the students I tutor enjoy their sessions and grow in confidence throughout their time with me, and I employ my coaching skills to achieve this.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have a bachelors and masters in psychology, a PGCE and am currently a trainee psychologist.

Teaching Experience:
I have 8 years of teaching and tutoring experience.

Tutoring Approach:
A student centred approach, adaptive teaching, guided learning, discovery learning.

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 am a Brazilian Portuguese teacher from Sao Paulo, with over 20 years experience and dynamic visual resources for a more fun approach.
As a professional, I like to find out more about my students because I understand that everyone learns in a different way. My thesis in university was based on Different Methods and Approaches in Language Learning and Teaching. For this reason, I use my authentic visual communicative resources to guide people in achieving their language goals, always considering what needs to be updated to their needs.

I am a bit of peacock when it refers to the resources I create for my Portuguese lessons. I have to say, I am quite proud of the work I do and of how much my students say they enjoy it. My students and I run sporadic direct and indirect course review and feedback to guarantee they are in the right path, with the right approach, advancing and enjoying the lessons.

I offer Free 45-min Trials meetings for you to get to know me, my resources and my approaches.

Let me know if you have any special request for our sessions and I will try my best to help you. Get in contact with me! :)

Teaching Experience:
I am a certified Portuguese teacher from Brazil. I have a Bachelor Degree in Teaching Portuguese and English from Universidade Metodista de Sāo Paulo and a Teaching Knowledge Test Certificate by the University of Cambridge. And my students have given me 5 stars on Google.

I have been teaching for over 20 years and I have worked with students all ages, from China, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Panama, among others. I teach Brazilian Portuguese on-line. I am fluent in English and have a very good understanding of the Spanish language, so I can help if you get confused with both languages during communication.

Work Experience:
- Portuguese and English Teacher
2013 - present
Bristol United Kingdom
English and Brazilian Portuguese language tuition

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - Private Language School Inc.
2011 - 2011
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as Business professionals. Assisting pupils with English related work or graduation activities Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach.

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - CNA
2009 - 2011
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons Keeping every student's learning progress database updated Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach

- English as Foreign Language Teacher - Fisk
2004 - 2009
Sāo Paulo Brazil
Managing English as a second language lessons Providing students listening, written and spoken tools required to access the English language through dynamic classes in a Natural Communicative Approach Providing Conversation and Multimedia Classes for students of all levels

Tutoring Approach:
I offer online private and group lessons between 9am and 8.30 pm.
My lessons are extremely visual, communicative, fun and student focused.

We work with resources I prepare in advance, including a PowerPoint presentations with a variety of exercises (images, videos, music, anything that can help you advance in the language).

My students get the chance to meet other learners on WhatsApp and we have weekly conversation meetings.

Lesson Packages include:
> Warm-up activity
> Speaking, listening, reading and writing exercises during and after sessions
> Dynamic Visual-Communicative resources copy sent to students
> Online games, flashcards and quizzes
> Teacher notes and homework at the end of every lesson with a copy of the material used during the lesson
> Google Classroom access to over 100+ videos, exercises, games and activities
> WhatsApp Language Exchange Group and Community (optional)
> Virtual meetings may be offered with other students who want to chat and practice the language. It will depend on teacher's and students' availability. These meeting are optional, for those students who wish to meet other people who are also learning the language and want to pracitce it.

If you are worried about it being online, we make it feel as it would be in-person: during our sessions, you would:
- be able to follow everything we are studying on your screen, just like if we were in person with a book.
- write your answer and read my notes on Google Docs, just like you would if we were in person with your notebook and a whiteboard.
- if you prefer to do your homework on your notebook (paper and pen), you can still do it. All you will have to do is to take a picture and add to your Google Docs. This way I can read everything you have written, add commas, accent marks, check spelling and everything.
- If you wish to meet other people who are also learning the language, have a chat, practice the language, you will be have the choice to meet my other students every Friday evening for our Conversation Meet Ups or Game Nights, and you will be able to join our WhatsApp group to keep in touch with them.
if you worry you need to have listening exercises during your sessions, you will also have it with the resources I will have prepared for you.
As you can see, you will be able to practice all language skills with my sessions. I give you my word.

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Personal Description:
My name Is Emma and I am 29 years old.
When I was 8 years old, I moved to Corfu, Greece without any knowledge of the language. I quickly learnt the language whilst attending a Greek school.
I came back to the UK to do my GCSE's in which I paid extra to do a Greek GCSE and I gained an A in this.

Teaching Experience:
I have no teaching experience however I am an easy going, confident and caring person who can go at your own pace and teach you things that you would like to know.

Tutoring Approach:
The first session I would engage with you to find out a bit about yourself and what you would like to achieve in our lessons. I would then create lessons and create you some homework.

I am approachable and am happy to do refreshes of the previous lesson.

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Personal Description:
Greetings! My name is Alexander, and I am glad to present you my short biography and academic qualifications:

I have a degree of master in mathematics from Moscow State University (Moscow State University), which gave me strong fundamental knowledge in the field of mathematics. After that, I was a researcher in the project of Marie Curie in Sweden, where I was engaged in research in the field of information search. This allowed me to develop data analysis skills, the application of statistical methods and immersion in urgent problems of information technology.

Then I trained at the Part III program on mathematical statistics at the University of Cambridge, where I expanded my knowledge and skills in the field of statistics. During my studies, I also received a certificate from Judge Business School in entrepreneurship, which emphasizes my ability to apply mathematical and statistical knowledge in practical situations.

Combining my academic qualifications, research experience and teaching skills, I strive to help students deepen my understanding of mathematics and statistics, develop analytical thinking and achieve success for their educational purposes.

Teaching Experience:
With over a decade in the educational field, I've had the privilege of teaching students from distinguished universities such as MIT, UCL, Stanford, Oxford, and UCLA, amongst others.

My teaching experience includes work with various age groups and levels of students. I conducted individual classes and led group classes, where I tried to adapt my approach to the educational needs of each student. My teaching style is based on understanding the unique needs of each student, building a trusting relationship and creating a stimulating and supporting educational environment. I strive to apply various methods, including active educational methods, examples from real life and practical tasks, to help students better learn the material and develop their skills.

Tutoring Approach:
In my work as a tutor, I strive to create an individual and personalized approach to each student. I pay special attention to understanding the educational needs and goals of each student. My teaching style includes the construction of a trusting relationship with the student, the creation of a supporting and comfortable atmosphere, as well as taking into account his unique learning style. I try to apply a variety of teaching methods, including the explanation of the material, examples, practical exercises and tasks, as well as the use of interactive tools and technologies to make the learning process more interesting and effective. The main goal of my teaching style is to help the student to develop the skills of independent thinking, solving problems and achieving success in study.

My teaching methodology is rooted in engagement and interactivity. The lessons I design are not only informative but also highly engaging, ensuring that students are not just passive listeners but active participants. I utilize the Miro board, a versatile collaborative platform that allows for real-time interaction and feedback. My approach is problem-based, which means I present problems adjusted to a student's level of expertise, challenging them to think critically and apply their knowledge. What sets my method apart is the real-time correction of student mistakes, which ensures instant feedback and accelerated learning.
To maximize the interactivity and effectiveness of our sessions, students are expected to have a device similar to an iPad and a stylus like the Apple Pencil (though not necessarily Apple-branded). This setup allows students to engage with the material fully and benefit from the interactive elements of the lessons.

My certification and continuous professional development ensure that I stay abreast of the latest pedagogical techniques, ensuring my students receive a world-class education.

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Personal Description:
I am a confident, hard working and positive person with a mature attitude.
I am an experienced private tutor. I work with A-level chemistry students who have been excluded for under performance in their schools and get them back to where they achieve an "A" when they take their final exams.
In short, I am good at motivating disaffected children, and raising the self esteem of those whose self esteem has been damaged.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught GCSE Biology, Physics and Chemistry and A-level chemistry for more that 30 years. I have been tutoring for the last 16 years.
I am currently teaching full time at a catholic school and taking some KS3, GCSE and A-level chemistry tuition after school and on Saturdays.

Tutoring Approach:
For GCSE and A-level, I make it a point that students familiarise themselves with the way examiners ask questions and the topic areas frequented by examiners. Through practice, students learn how to respond to exam questions with accuracy and precision. This is done for every topic. In addition, I train my students to be independent learners who can use available resources to help themselves find answers.

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Personal Description:
I am Maths Teacher and tutor located in Dorking Surrey with over 25 years of teaching experience currently working full time in an award wining secondary school in Surrey. Prior to my current position I taught Maths GCSE and A-level at a leading independent school in Greater London for over 10 years. I have also tutored for over 20 years. I really enjoy helping students learn and see the rapid increase in progress and confidence that can be achieved from one-to-one tuition.

As a current teacher, crucially, I am familiar with all the changes to the syllabus for both GCSE and A-level and have the relevant materials to assist. The content has increased for both as has the type of questions. In order to prepare my students fully I ensure they have as much exposure to the problem solving style of questions in the new specification. It is hard for them to get enough of this in school time with the extra content they have to cover so this is where tutoring can be very beneficial.

Feedback / references from recent tutees :
"Thank you for supporting Alex over the last few months with his maths. He felt very confident with his recent statistics paper, which is encouraging. His confidence in maths has definitely grown over the last few months and he is busy revising for Y13 finals with a positive approach."
Reference from previous A-level + GCSE tutee :"Andrew has been tutoring my son, Michael, for approximately 2 years . Andrew's input has been very helpful to Michael. Andrew is always pleasant and punctual. I would recommend Andrew as a maths tutor "
Michael went on to achieve an A at GCSE and I continued tutoring him for A-level.
Darcey wrote "Just wanted to send you a quick email to let you know that I achieved an A* in maths!!! Thank you so much for all your help over the past year I could not have done it without you. "

Teaching Experience:
I have taught secondary Mathematics throughout my career in both state an independent schools - teaching both GCSE and IGCSE Mathematics and the AQA Certificate in Further Maths and A level Maths. I have successfully tutored many pupils for Maths GCSE and A-level (Both pure and applied modules) as well as younger secondary aged pupils. I can provide help with exam preparations or more general support with secondary school maths. I have also helped prepare pupils for the maths part of 11+ exams. /entrance test for grammar or private schools. I use my knowledge of examination board mark schemes to ensure that students present their answers in such a way as to maximise their mark. I am currently teaching full time in a private school and have over 25years of teaching and private tuition experience. I have an excellent track record of results including one of my Year 11 classes achieving a 90% A* rate at GCSE.
In addition to my extensive mainstream experience have a specialism in teaching maths to SEN students with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.

Tutoring Approach:
I can tutor online, at my house in Dorking or sometimes in the pupil's house (depending on the location - there will be an extra charge for travelling) prices shown are for in person at my house or online. Tuition can be weekdays after school or evening though I do have some limited weekend slots if preferred (also during school holidays if required). I am very punctual and reliable. I can provide materials such as past exam papers or text books if required. I have tutored many pupils to achieve great success in both GCSE and A-levels. This includes sample questions from the new syllabus for both GCSE and A-level. can also help with the maths part of common entrance exams and supply materials. My approach is to get the student to think things out for themselves and enable them to gain confidence as they realise that they can answer questions successfully . I encourage students to tell me if, after an explanation, they still are not sure, so that I can try to explain it in a different way.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I'm a primary school teacher with four years of classroom experience at an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' school. Before qualifying as a teacher, I worked as a Teaching Assistant supporting children with a range of special educational needs, which gave me valuable experience in adapting learning to meet individual needs.

The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing children grow in confidence and achieve things they once thought were beyond them. I enjoy getting to know each pupil as an individual, understanding what motivates them, and helping them develop the skills and confidence to reach their full potential.

I decided to offer tutoring because I want to provide personalised, one-to-one support that allows children to thrive. Every child learns differently, and I believe that with the right guidance, encouragement and challenge, every pupil can make meaningful progress.

As a tutor, I am calm, patient and approachable while maintaining high expectations. My aim is not only to help children achieve their academic goals, but also to foster confidence, resilience and a genuine enjoyment of learning that stays with them beyond our lessons.

Teaching Experience:
Throughout my teaching career, I have taught across all year groups in Key Stage 2, giving me a strong understanding of the curriculum and how children's knowledge and skills develop over time. As a class teacher, I have taught the full primary curriculum, with particular strengths in reading, writing and mathematics.

I have consistently supported pupils in making excellent academic progress, with many achieving Greater Depth in reading, writing and mathematics. While I take pride in these outcomes, I am equally passionate about helping every child make progress from their own starting point, whether they need additional support or greater challenge.

My previous experience as a Teaching Assistant, alongside my classroom teaching, has enabled me to work effectively with pupils who have a wide range of learning needs, including those with complex special educational needs. I am confident in adapting my teaching, resources and pace to ensure every child can access learning, experience success and continue to develop with confidence.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that effective tutoring is built on high-quality teaching, strong relationships and a thorough understanding of each child's individual needs. I take the time to get to know every pupil so I can identify their strengths, address gaps in their understanding and tailor lessons to help them achieve their goals.

My lessons are carefully structured to help children retain knowledge and build confidence. I begin by revisiting previously taught content to strengthen long-term memory before introducing new learning through clear, explicit instruction. Throughout the lesson, I regularly check pupils' understanding, adapting my teaching and providing additional guidance whenever needed. Once a pupil has demonstrated a secure understanding, they are given opportunities to practise independently while receiving constructive feedback to consolidate their learning.

Building confidence is central to my approach. I believe children make the greatest progress when they experience success and recognise that it comes through effort, perseverance and positive learning behaviours. I use encouragement and meaningful praise to help pupils develop resilience and become increasingly independent learners.

I also value open and honest communication with parents. I believe tutoring works best when parents feel informed and involved, so I aim to build positive relationships based on trust, providing regular updates on progress and ensuring we work together to support each child's learning journey.

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