Inverkeithing Tutors & Inverkeithing Tuition

Personal Description:
My name is Joseph. Please call me Joe. I am retired and enjoy water colouring, swimming and computing but most of all I enjoy the challenge of helping young people to develop their learning skills.

Teaching Experience:
Before I retired I was head teacher of a Primary School for 21 years. This allowed me to gain a great insight into all aspects of the needs of Primary age pupils. It also provided me with the challenge of how best to provide for those needs. Prior to working in Primary Education I taught in the fields of Junior Secondary Education and Special Needs (with pupils ranging from eight to sixteen years and with multiple disabilities).

Tutoring Approach:
As a tutor my first aim is to establish a pleasant working relationship with each pupil. From there continuous assessment of the pupils needs and progress provides a basis for enhancing the skills which need to be developed. In order to make satisfactory progress I use a variety of materials and methods to stimulate the interest of the pupil.

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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:
Hello! I am 47 years old, originally from Denmark and moved to the UK 20 years ago for my degree. Before teaching, I worked as a monkey veterinary technician in the US, conducted my Masters research on crop-raiding macaques in Indonesia, and helped to run a volunteer expedition in the Amazon. After a couple of years of teaching in secondary school as a Science and Spanish teacher, I heard the call of the wild again and travelled for a year through Mexico and Central America. I now feel very settled here in England and am raising two beautiful daughters, as well as a menagerie of animals, including chickens, guinea pigs, and a dog.

I have an up to date enhanced DBS.

Teaching Experience:
I completed my teaching degree in 2007 at Canterbury Christ Church University. I trained in two very different types of schools.. a private Catholic boarding school and a comprehensive high school, which gave me the experience to engage students of different abilities and backgrounds. I also received training to teach EAL and SEN students. My teaching qualification is in Science, but as a fluent Spanish speaker I also teach Spanish to both adults and children in schools and private tuition. I teach Maths, Biology, and Spanish up to GCSE level. For 8 years, I worked for a private company teaching young people in residential care, and after that at a private school for girls. I have since decided to leave mainstream, and now alongside my private tuition, I teach at a democratic learning community where yoga and meditation are taught hand-in-hand with a topic based curriculum. My teaching experiences are very diverse, and I love having had influence from a variety of styles of education, but what gives me most satisfaction is working with students 1-1.

Tutoring Approach:
Students, young and old, don't like subjects they don't think they can succeed in. My approach is to break down material, relate it to everyday life and interests, and positively reinforce all the way to build up confidence. I am stubborn (!) and I don't give up until it's mastered.

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Personal Description:
I am a very patient and dedicated French native speaker. I tailor my lessons to the students' needs and expectations. Tutoring is not just guiding students through their learning but also giving them confidence and enabling them to experience lessons in a relaxed, friendly and yet serious way.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a teacher for over 20 years now and have a very diverse experience as I have been working in an Alliance française in Mexico, a language centre, two adult education centres and a few tutoring agencies.
My first teaching experience was as a language assistant in Preston, Lancashire. I have had students ranging from 7 years old to 75+, from absolute beginners to advanced levels. I`ve given private and group classes and intensive courses (up to 7h a day).

I have now been in London for 12 years. At the moment, I give French private tuition for the preparation of GCSE and IGCSE, AS-A Level (Edexcel, AQA), DELF B1, DALF C2, and copy editing/proofreading for university essay writing. I also tutor other students looking to learn or improve their French communication skills for personal reasons.

I teach French and can also help with methodology (including essay writing) and primary school subjects to students following the French curriculum (such as CNED - distance learning) as well as DELF A1-B2 and DALF C1 (I got an accreditation to administer these French proficiency tests in 2009 and was an examiner for the November 2009 and June 2010 sessions in Mexico).

I am available 7 days a week, at whatever time is convenient for the students.

I only teach online now, via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp.

Start your day with French (morning before work) or have a French conversation 'lunch break', whether online or face-to-face (30mn, 45mn, or 1h sessions,to fit in your busy schedule).

Tutoring Approach:
I am very flexible and know how to adapt my teaching to the specificities and demands of the students.
Understand and be understood! That's the main thing when you learn a language, be able to communicate.

Whether you are a student taking GCSE or A levels in French and need confidence for your exam or you are a professional willing to have a proper conversation with your French colleagues or clients, or just want to enjoy your next holidays in a French-speaking country, whether on a daily basis or intensive classes, we will first talk about what you are looking for and how I will help you to achieve your language goals.

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Personal Description:
Hello and welcome :-)

I'm Craig and I have been teaching languages for almost 15 years now. I am a relaxed and patient teacher and will be well suited to anyone who needs to learn at their own pace or who needs things explained well and carefully to them.

I am also well qualified for the job with a BA Honours degree with triple distinctions in Spanish, Italian & French as well as Teacher Qualified Status and a CELTA. I have also lived, worked and studied in Spain, Italy, France and Greece.

I have studied a lot of languages myself. I've studied over 30 languages over the years. I have achieved fluency in the languages I teach, but I have also reached a fairly good standard in some other languages or have acquired a basic knowledge of many others. I will use some of the methods I have used to learn these languages to help teach you.

I will help you, step by step, to begin speaking and understanding your chosen language.

I am also DBS (previously CRB) checked for your security.



Here are a few a reviews from my customers:

I thoroughly recommend Craig to everyone as an excellent Spanish tutor. He is kind, patient and commited to his students.
My daughter, who had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) had an hour`s lesson every week for eighteen months, after her secondary school was unable to offer Spanish lessons. She achieved an A* grade in her GCSE exam (Review by Kerrie, Sittingbourne)

I thoroughly recommend Craig if you are looking to learn a foreign language. I spent my teenage years completely adamant that a second language was beyond me. German was my weakest subject and I sat at the back of the class applying my make up! I am now working towards conversational Spanish, and after just over 3 months I am able to hold a Facebook messenger conversation with my South American friends! Not only has Craig taught me enough grammar to achieve this, he also anticipates difficulties English speakers may have with certain language constructs and works through those too. I always look forward to my lessons each week, and enjoy doing the practice questions I`m given for homework. (Review by Emma, Chatham)

I am giving my Italian lessons with Craig a 5 star rating. I began my lessons as a complete novice and now feel confident enough to be going on holiday to Italy to stay in a non-English speaking village. Craig is a highly-skilled professional. I recommend him to anyone who wants to learn a language (he speaks and teaches many!) whether a beginner or with some existing knowledge, for holidays, for work or to reinforce their language learning. (Review by Amanda, Maidstone)

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching languages since 2004 and have worked as a full time language tutor since 2010.
I have also taught in language schools in the UK and abroad as well as in public schools.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very patient and will guide you step by step towards speaking your language of choice. I use a mix of my own course designed by me and materials from other sources such as course books, grammar books and realia.

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Personal Description:
Hi, my name is Valentina and I am Italian. I have been living in the UK since 2002. I am a very friendly, reliable, approachable person, but professional and trustworthy at the same time. I am very honest and I work very hard to achieve my targets. I am sure I can help you to achieve the results that you are looking for and, with my support, learning something new will be just a positive and enjoyable experience!

Teaching Experience:
Since 2003 I have been giving lessons to students of any age; my students are usually preparing university exams or interviews, GSCE, A-levels, business people, or anyone else who needs an extra support to achieve better results. I also run private courses to prepare students to school exams, as internal and external candidates; I work with all the major exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, Cambridge...) as private tutor, but also in the most well known private schools in Surrey and South East region.

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are very well planned in advance and delivered with confidence. I will make sure that your learning level will go up lesson by lesson! After a first assessment, I will prepare a tuition plan and the learning process will start. The positive results will come very soon!

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Personal Description:
I have 35 years teaching experience both in the UK and overseas. I feel it's important to understand a students learning style and adjust lesson materials to suit that style whilst setting purposeful, realistic and attainable goals.

I enjoy teaching and deem it a privilege to have a share in helping others reach their aspirations.

I have a Trinity CERTTesol and an MA in English Language Teaching.

Teaching Experience:
Between 1992 & 2010 I lived and taught in Hong Kong to a variety of students from Chinese medium of instruction (CMI), English medium of instruction (EMI) and International schools. Assistance was given to help students progress towards their HKCEE (GCSE equivalent) and `A` levels, and in recent years the IB diploma, IGCSE's, and HKDSE.

Topics used in the lessons cover many of disciplines in the school curriculum, including, History, Geography, Economics, Biology, English Literature. Further guidance was given to help students prepare for exams, such as: SAT; and IELTS exams and common apps for HE.

In the past 15 years I have been tutoring students in the UK to prepare them for the 11+ entrance exams; teaching students at KS3, GCSE, A levels & IB. Additionally, I am currently guiding students with their dissertations for their chosen degrees, and proofreading BA, MA, papers prior to submission.

For the past 7 years, I have been involved in intervention teaching, which involves identifying learning styles and other factors that inhibit a student`s progress, and then devise strategies to engage the student in learning, to identify and then support their current learning needs.

Tutoring Approach:
I am committed to providing students with assistance to achieve the grades they need by patiently tutoring each student according to their learning style. I trust that my student-centred approach is effective in this area. My one-to-one tuition produces noticeable improvements in student confidence, attainment and ambition.

Exam Boards I cover:
- AQA
- Edexcel
- Cambridge/ Edexcel IGCSE
- OCR

GCSE English Literature texts
GCSE English Language Paper 1
GCSE English language Paper 2
- Writing to persuade
- Writing to inform
- Imaginative/ Creative writing
- Essay writing / structuring

GCSE Poetry
Love & Relationships
Power & Conflict

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Personal Description:
My name is Ellie and I'm a History graduate. I have been teaching English as a second language in Suzhou, China for the last year. I am experienced in teaching particularly Chinese students, using IPA with a focus on oral speaking. I have a TEFL in China certificate and an International Child Protection Certificate. I also have HSK3 Mandarin Chinese

Teaching Experience:
I taught ESL at a school in Ghana for one month. For the past year I have been teaching a wide range of ages and levels in Suzhou, China. I completed 2 weeks on intensive teacher training in Beijing where I sat classroom-based and paper-based exams and received a TEFL in China certificate. Since then I have taught grade-8 students at two middle schools in Suzhou. I also tutored one-to-one and small groups of adults, teenagers and children. I performed demonstration lessons in classrooms with children I had never taught before and had numerous classroom assessments. In September I will be going to teach at Suzhou International Foreign Language School.

Tutoring Approach:
In my lessons I focus on oral speaking and fluency, using images, games and conversation activities. This can be adapted to each student depending on the level and needs. I am experienced in presentations and public speaking. I can also teach writing skills.

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic qualified teacher with extensive classroom and private tutoring experience. I am currently not working in school full time as I am undertaking my Masters in Education at Reading University as well as caring for live my little boy, I am willing to teach online, travel to your home or a nearby suitable study space.

Teaching Experience:
I love teaching and believe that all children can excel. I have been teaching for over 15 years with a large proportion of my experience in years 5 and 6. I have been a SATs marker for over 10 years now so definitely know how to get the best out of children in preparation for success not only in their SATs but also secondary school. I work regularly with children who want to participate in the 11+ entrance exams and have experience in most Berkshire schools' entrance requirements.

Tutoring Approach:
My pupils often describe me as 'firm but fair' with lessons that are fun. I believe children are most productive when they are enjoying themselves whilst being challenged. Any child can learn if they are taught in a way that is engaging to them and ensures that their strengths and weaknesses are identified. With this in mind, I aim to make learning relevant to them and break everything down into manageable chunks. I believe that children should be in charge of their own learning and will therefore always ensure that their views are taken into consideration when teaching. I love helping children to learn and relish the challenge of helping them to meet their potential.

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Personal Description:
I have over thirty years experience of teaching Latin, English, French and essay-writing skills, both in schools and as a private tutor. I specialise in helping students write their Personal Statements when applying to university or to postgraduate courses.

I am the mother of five grown up children, three of whom went to Cambridge, one to KCL and one to Oxford, and I have also guided many other students into achieving offers from top universities, including many to Oxbridge.

After graduating from Cambridge with a degree in English and Classics, I taught for 2 years before going to Drama school, then moved to Granada TV as a researcher and presenter. The next 14 years were spent working for various TV companies, while also writing for national newspapers and magazines.

In 1992, I moved with my family to Salisbury and went back to teaching, first in a college of Further Education, then at a prep school, and subsequently in independent schools: nine years at St Mary's Calne from which I retired in 2015. I was then invited to , come out of retirement to teach at St Swithun's in Winchester and The Oratory School Oxford.

I no longer teach in the classroom, but continue to offer tutoring in Latin, English, French and Writing Skills. A particular speciality is Personal Statements - helping students with their applications to university. I have helped very many students (both pre-university and postgraduates) write successful personal statements for their chosen courses.

As well as the academic subjects mentioned above, I help with any writing task from an A level or IB essay (especially Theory of Knowledge) to university theses and dissertations. I specialise in Oxbridge help, including suggestions for reading, preparation for entrance tests and interview practice. So far I have helped over 20 students gain places at Oxbridge.

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

I have helped very many students write their personal statements for application to university - both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This does NOT mean writing the statement for the student - I do not have the breadth of knowledge to write about Astrophysics or Zoology, but it does mean helping the student clarify his or her thoughts, explain what has prompted the interest in the subject, how he or she has developed this interest, what extra-curricular choices have been made, and why, and how current A levels (or degree subjects) have prepared the student for this application.
For many students, the Personal Statement is the first time they have have to talk about themselves, and for many, it is bewildering knowing how to approach it and what to include and what to leave out.

I help the student by asking him/her to fill in a preliminary questionnaire, (Why this subject? What sparked the interest? Why it's important for the student and for society etc). Next, I ask for a first draft - it doesn't matter how bad or poorly expressed this is. Then, I work with the student - either at home or by Skype/Zoom, talking through the first draft and suggesting adjustments, improvements etc. Next the student writes a second draft, and the process continues until the students is totally happy that the statement says exactly what was intended, and show the student at his/her best.
I have many testimonials from happy students (including over twenty five to Oxbridge) which I would be happy to share on request.

Latin
I teach Latin at Latin Common Entrance, GCSE, A level, and university level. The great majority of my students achieve 9s at GCSE, and As and A*s at A level. Many have gone on to read Classics at university.

English
I teach English literature and language - both critical analysis of texts and and writing skills - from GCSE to university level and beyond. Many students whom I have helped with A level essays have come back to me for help with their university dissertations, applications for Masters, or covering letters for postgraduate job applications.

Essay writing
As well as helping with A level essays in all the humanities (RS, Philosophy, Psychology, History etc) I am an experienced tutor for IB Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays. I have also advised and guided many students with their EPQs.

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

Tutoring Approach:
1. My first priority is to let the student know that they are not alone - I am here to help. Just being told this can be immediately reassuring, especially if the student has been worrying for about a subject or project for a long time.

2. The next step is to establish exactly how much the student already knows. Nothing surprises or shocks me, but I have come across students seeking help who haven't got a copy of the relevant book or haven't read beyond the title page. I understand this - life is busy.So I am never critical or judgmental, I am always on the student's side. If necessary, I will provide a copy (years of teaching and a large family mean I usually have several).

3. The next step is to encourage the student into thinking of the subject as interesting. This may mean overcoming any resistance, by chatting, discovering how much they already know (always more than they think - another source of encouragement) and relating it to other areas of interest. One ideas have started to flow the student will begin to realise that not only might this subject/essay not be as bad as feared, it's possible they might find something enjoyable about it.

4. Now we look at the project and ways of approaching it. The key here is structure. Quite often the student's lack of confidence has led to panic and accompanying lack of organisation. So I help sort out files, help put notes in order, and encourage the student recognise which bits of paper are/aren't relevant to their work. This is mental housekeeping - and once order has been established, the student is in a better frame of mind for doing the work.

5. The next step varies according the to the subject.

LATIN.
I ask the student translate until he meets a problem. I then explain the topic- taking care to base it only on what the student already knows and feels confident about. If there are big gaps in knowledge, I start filling them, teaching vocabulary, grammar and syntax in an orderly way and asking the student to record what we have covered in his own written file.We then continue the translation, making sure the student has understood everything we have covered so far. This process is designed to lift the fog and give the student the tools needed to translate confidently

WRITING.
If it's an essay, I encourage the student to look at the title and think about (a) what is it really asking and (b) what ideas can he or she think of in response? These can be written down in any order - at this stage it's a question of getting the thought processes going.
We then discuss how to organise the student's thoughts into a coherent whole. This can be painstaking process - it involves teaching essay structure, and and sometimes even working backwards - going from conclusion back to introduction - but we always finish by knowing exactly what direction the essay is taking.
The final step is to ask the student to write something for next time. It doesn't matter if it's short or badly-expressed, and I always make it relevant to school work. The reason I ask for a piece of writing is
a) the act of writing enables a student to know what he/she wants to say
(b) seeing a student's writing shows me how to approach the next lesson. I can see what element of the writing need work, and plan my lesson accordingly.

OTHER IDEAS FOR READING ETC
I often recommend extra-curricular ideas to make the subject more engaging - films, YouTube extracts, magazines, even books - the student doesn't have to read a whole book - even dipping in and out is helpful and there is nothing more deadening to the love of books than being told you HAVE to read them.

STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
. I do not only help academic high-flyers. I am also offer warm and sympathetic help to students who - for whatever reason - find academic study challenging. I help develop study skills, suggest organisational strategies (for student and parent) and above all, restore lost confidence by showing the student that he really can tackle - and overcome - any problem - just by taking it slowly and making sure he or she understands each step before going on to the next.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE.
, I'm a great believer in the comforting powers of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit, as well as the presence of my 2 cats (who, despite being to every lesson I've given, are still rubbish at Latin). For allergic pupils, however, the cats are banished to the garden.

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Personal Description:
I have been teaching the Humanities subjects since 2005 and specialise in History and Geography. I have taught in secondary schools, colleges and online (small groups and 1-1). I love helping students to get to grips with all the different aspects of the Humanities subjects and consider it a real bonus for my students to, not only succeed in exams, but also to learn to love the subject. I take a collaborative approach to teaching and think it is vital that the student and I work together to get the best out of the sessions. I live by the coast and spend my free time hiking and reading.

Teaching Experience:
Qualified 18 years ago.
Worked in secondary and FE as a History and Geography teacher.
Experience as a Head of department.
15 years experience as an examiner and moderator, 13 at a senior level.
Registered examiner with Edexcel, AQA, OCR and CIE

Tutoring Approach:
A personalised approach, working together to find the best path forward to success

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Personal Description:
Hi there,

I'm a tutor with 10 years' experience helping students reach top grades in A-level Economics and develop a ton of other skills along the way. Over that time I've worked with a whole spectrum of people with different personalities and needs, which has really allowed me to fine tune my approach. Everyone has the potential to succeed in their studies and I've seen first-hand how people can grow to achieve grades they never thought were possible in the beginning. It's a repeatable approach that can be tailored where needed.

The difference between a good tutor and a top one is two-fold - firstly it's the ability to instil confidence in a student that they can realistically achieve an A* grade, regardless of where they were when we started or the expectations set by their teachers. This confidence comes from seeing their academic competence grow each week as well as realising that nothing in the syllabus is beyond them. This confidence carries over into their other studies, stays with them as they progress to higher education and positively affects other areas of their life. A great tutor isn't just a teacher, they should act as a mentor and motivator as well. A top tutor should also understand how human memory works - both what works better for everyone on a primal level, as well as how people differ individually. Put that all together and you truly have someone who knows what they're doing.

The difference between an A and A* can be a few lines in each answer. My job is to help the student to understand the paper to the point that they know exactly what they need to do in the exam hall - where one would usually experience 'Exam nerves,' I want my students to experience combat-readiness, like an elite athlete would feel stepping onto the field. This comes from removing all uncertainty from the equation - the student knows exactly what they need to do, it's now just a case of executing it.

Concepts can seem a lot simpler than their teachers made them out to be if they're explained correctly. I'm doing my job right if the student leaves the lesson thinking "wow, that was way better than school."

Get in touch and we'll hit the ground running.

All the best,

Leo

Teaching Experience:
10 yrs+ private tutoring, specialising only in Economics A-Level & Adult Learners

Also taught at a school in North London

Tutoring Approach:
Enjoyable high tempo lessons, using methods that are tailored to how human memory naturally works. We don't just train for the exam (rest assured you'll be well trained for that) but also the art of learning and memorisation itself. At first I lead by example, then lay the crumbs for the student to work it out themselves and have their own "Eureka!" moments along the way. This along with use of analogy, visual examples and emotion help the theory come alive.

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