Portland Tutors and Portland Tuition

Personal Description:
Friendly, simple person with a proven track record. Though heavily experienced in teaching, always experimenting about ways in which current students learn and hence posses a wide variety of ways to cater to different learning needs of different students.

Have helped Advanced Level students, university students, post grads etc

Teaching Experience:
More than 38 years experience as a university lecturer and tutor in UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Also have conducted private tuition classes (individual and group) for GCSE and A/L. Further, have worked as a researcher in International Research Institutes - all these experiences ensure you get a unique learning experience.

Tutoring Approach:
A novel approach which is student centered and outcome based. Includes many real world examples.

This new approach will ensure that learning become fun.

Subjects

Personal Description:
PSYCHOLOGY
I have a BSc (First Class Honours) in Psychology from Brunel University (2007), and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge (2011). I have worked as a research fellow and subsequently as a psychology lecturer at various universities in the U.K. My research is mainly in social, health and cognitive psychology, but I also teach research methods (both quantitative and qualitative methodologies), statistics and SPSS, as well as effective academic writing, including dissertations and research projects. In addition, I have sufficient competence in personality (i.e., individual differences) and clinical psychology to be able to teach these at undergraduate level. I have published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles, including some in world-leading journals, and have over 1300 academic citations of my research. Some of my research interests are: The attitude-behaviour relationship, behavioural interventions, motivation, cognition, and emotion, dual-process models of cognition, cognitive dissonance, self-affirmation, and information processing, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, health psychology, meta-cognition and self-knowledge, persuasion and social influence, intelligence and problem-solving, psychology of music, and psychology of religion.

PHILOSOPHY/CRITICAL THINKING/RELIGIOUS STUDIES
In my own research in psychology, I have drawn on several philosophical ideas, and have integrated different philosophical perspectives into my work. In addition to critical thinking, I am able to teach humanistic philosophy, social cognition, epistemology, existentialism, and related areas. I also teach how to build philosophical arguments for academic and commercial purposes. In terms of religious studies, I have a particular interest in the Abrahamic faiths, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, and related philosophies.

MUSIC
I am a performer and teacher of Indian classical music (Northern style), and teach the instruments of dilruba, esraj, taus, taar shehnai and a bit of sarangi. I have been learning for 18 years, and been performing for the last 10 years. I teach beginners and intermediate students in basic and advanced raagas (from Yaman to Darbari) and taalas. I also teach vocal and harmonium.

ENGLISH LITERATURE
I specialise in creative writing, particularly short stories, and can teach students techniques in textual analysis and interpretation, especially using the hermeneutic method. I am also interested in how characters in stories (all genres) are given psychological depth, as well as how story structure and character development go hand-in-hand.

URDU
Urdu is my mother tongue, and is one of four languages that I speak fluently. I can teach beginners and intermediate students in grammar, reading and writing, as well as conversations. And I also teach advanced students in conversation. My particular interests in Urdu literature are 18th and 19th century poetry, especially ghazals.

DANISH
I am a native speaker of Danish, and spent the first 22 years of my life there. I can teach all levels of the language and its literature. Some of the key authors that I have an interest in are Søren Kierkegaard, Karen Blixen, H C Anderson, and we can also discuss Danish film, cinema, and culture. Danish is very similar to Swedish and Norwegian so by learning Danish you will be able to read those languages quite well, and you might be able to understand speech in those languages to some extend. There is also some overlap between Danish and German, though not as much.

Teaching Experience:
I taught psychology to undergraduates at the University of Cambridge from 2008-2011. I then taught at King's College London from 2011-2014, followed by the University of Bath from 2014-2017 and then Bath Spa University from 2017-2022. I also supervise BSc, MSc, and doctoral students. I'm currently lecturing at the University of Hertfordshire.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to use an interactive approach that encourages active involvement of the tutee. My main goal during tuition sessions is to stimulate an interest in the subject and facilitate independent and critical thinking. This, I believe, allows the tutee to become an independent thinker and to enjoy the learning process, which is rewarding for both parties.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Based in Wantage (Oxfordshire) Jim has been providing drum tuition to players of all ages and level of ability since 2003.

He has been teaching private drum tuition for 7 years from his home studio. Many of his students have been with him for a long time. His teaching is based largely on the Gigajam syllabus and he likes to think that he brings the syllabus to life and makes it interesting and relevant for his students.

Teaching Experience:
He always make sure that he tailors his teaching to suit each student as an individual and that he treats them as such. Regardless of their age or ability he gives them all the same amount of attention and always does his utmost to support and motivate them.

He has been a gigging drummer since the age of 14 and has played in numerous bands at numerous gigs and events. He draws upon his own experiences (good and bad) to empathise with his students and to help and assist where he can, be it with a tuning issue, a drum repair or upgrade or helping them to stay focused while learning a new and sometimes difficult technique.

Tutoring Approach:
He is a well motivated, outgoing and cheerful person and that comes across in his lessons. He likes to keep things upbeat (no pun intended) and fun, as he believes that music should be something that is enjoyable and pleasurable and not a chore.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My name is Margo and I'm 44 years old. I am a high school French and Spanish teacher. I am also an avid cyclist and in 2011 fulfilled my lifelong dream of cycling round the world. My 27,000 km, New Zealand to Scotland trip took 2 years to complete and was the best experience of my life so far. As for other interests, I am a keen mountain biker and take part in the Scottish cross country championships every year.

Teaching Experience:
Before leaving the UK in 2009, I had been working as a French tutor for almost 7 years. Much of my work came from tuition agencies, with whom I taught students up to University level. I taught French to adult learners at the Glasgow College of Commerce in 2007 and pre 5's in several nursery schools around Glasgow from 2004 to 2009. I studied French and German at the University of Glasgow and finished my degree in 2001. I have lived in France for several years and worked as an English assistant in a French school. I also worked as a nanny in the French Alps for a year and ran a ski chalet, again in the French Alps.

In 2015, I returned to university to undertake the PGDE course, which would qualify me as a secondary school French teacher. I also studied a Spanish degree at the University of Strathclyde whilst working full time and finished this in 2019. I am qualified to teach Spanish but French is, by far, my main language.

For the last 8 years, I have had excellent Nat 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in classes for which I have had sole responsibility.

Tutoring Approach:
Whether you are a parent looking to give their child a head start in foreign language learning, a Nat 5, Higher or Advanced Higher student struggling with exam practice or just an adult looking to learn a new skill, I am here to help. I am a highly skilled teacher and have helped many pupils achieve SQA exam success.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a bilingual native speaker from the Loire Valley in France, have a Master's Degree in French as a Foreign Language and have worked in the UK since 1998 as a French teacher and in Community Education.

Teaching Experience:
I began teaching French in 1991 as a French assistant in a secondary school and throughout 1995-6 undertook Training Placements at l'Institut de Touraine, l'Université François Rabelais and le Centre Linguistique pour Étranger (CLE) de Tours. I have taught French to students from beginner to university level and my experience includes working as a French assistant in primary and secondary schools, French classes for children and adults, private tuition for SQA (NQ 4 and 5, Higher Grade, Advanced Higher), BA Degree level students, DELF or DALF students, leisure classes and literacy.
For SQA, AQA/ GCSE/ AS and A2 level, and DELF/ DALF students, I adopt a person-centred approach in line with course requirements: grammar and discussion around topics such as society, family and friends, lifestyles, media, global languages, citizenship, employability and culture (planning a trip, other countries, celebrating a special event, literature of another country, film and television). Whatever the level, I am particularly interested in developing oral, writing and translation skills, and in tailoring lessons to suit each student's requirements.
Always aiming for fluency and proficiency in French, I provide practice for oral and written communication with emphasis on authenticity, idiomatic expression and translation; provide a concerted development of the four basics - listening, reading, writing and speaking; provide pronunciation tips in light of the phonetic and phonological rules of pronunciation; and, of course, provide access to those grammatical textbooks which perplex many students of the language.

Tutoring Approach:
To inspire confidence in speaking and writing, to encourage improvisation in language use and to stimulate interest in French culture and manners. My lessons aim to be fun as well as methodological, whether instructing school students for SQA/ AQA exams, encouraging casual learners or assisting university students in the finer points of grammar!

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced tutor with Honour Degree in English and Russian Philology, postgraduate Certificate in TESOL and PGCE. I am Russian but now I live in Hastings, East Sussex. I love languages and enjoy teaching. I've always got very well with all my students either children, teenagers or adults. I have an updated DBS check

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching at secondary schools, private and language schools in Moscow, at summer language courses here in England. I have tutored on one-to-one basis for more than 15 years through all my teaching career.

Tutoring Approach:
The teaching approach will be tailored to match the learning style and pace of the student.

Subjects

Personal Description:
My passion for teaching started in 2008, having qualified as a teacher at University in Madrid. After a pedagogic practice in an Secondary Bilingual School I moved to France, where I have recently graduated in French and Spanish Linguistics.

Last year I finished a master's degree in French Applied Language in the Sorbonne University and the Paris Trade Chamber, where I trained in didactics of Specific French (business, scientific, hotel trade, etc).

I'm a very enthusiastic teacher, able to find the talent hidden in every student.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching experience includes two years as a Modern Foreign Language teacher with Learnissimo, training individual from different sectors (enterprises as Danone, Tompress), three years in Primary and Secondary schools and a six months internship in the French Institute in Madrid.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching method for is based on tasks and the PPP paradigm (presenting a subject, practicing by repetition, matching or filling and producing in the context of a particular task). This approach allows the students to learn by practicing in their real communication situations and to progress in a very short time!

The type of materials I use are generally design by myself, using authentic documents as reports, conversation recordings, emails, hand outs and I also use general linguistics and grammar manuals and essays to support my research

Using a task-based approach, you will be focusing in particular missions and I will give you the tools to accomplish them and I will be designing a individualized programme from your personal or professional targets.

Basically, this is a very practical methodology based on learning by doing.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Never taken an exam? Worried about how to answer exam questions - then I can help you. I have over 25 years Psychology teaching experience and have been a Senior examiner/team leader for the A level paper for OCR for 20 years and an examiner for OCR GCSE Psychology. I also have taught and exam for WJEC/EDUQAS Psychology. I I offer individual tutoring which is tailored to your needs whether it is help with content or how to answer exam questions. I have a variety of resources that I can share with you. I have tutored many students individually and also ran revision sessions for an independent tutoring company.

I have taught OCR, AQA and WJEC specification.

Teaching Experience:
Over 25 years experience teaching 14 year olds to adults. Excellent exam results 68%A*-B grades and 89.5% A*-C grades.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor tutoring to the needs of the students. I also supply all the resources.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Does your child needs 1-1 support with English or Maths?

Is your child struggling to keep up with school-work or homework?

I can offer 1-1 support in a comfortable learning environment from an inspirational, patient and friendly teacher.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in a range of settings for the last seven years. Teaching children from Early Years to Sixth Form. I have tutored privately for over 10 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very intuitive to the learning styles of all children. I like to spend some time getting to know a child and how they learn so as when working with them, I can work on their individual strengths to develop their understanding of different subjects.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have an academic background in law and criminology, and more than ten years' experience working in the legal profession. I also have a full command of French, Spanish and Russian. I hold the Chartered Institute of Linguists' Level 7 Diploma in Translation, Russian to English (equivalent to a master's degree) and the Level 6 Certificate in Translation, Spanish to English ( equivalent to a bachelor's degree).

Teaching Experience:
I have taught English to Russian and Turkish speakers over Skype for seven years. I also have considerable experience of teaching French and Spanish one-to-one, both children and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I greatly enjoy tutoring and find seeing my students improve hugely rewarding. My approach is gentle and encouraging, with an emphasis on setting a thorough basic structure in place.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a 45 year old successful tutor offering classes in Spanish language and culture, French and English as a foreign language (EFL). I hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists for both Spanish and French which is a mark of recognition for my advanced language skills and I also work in Secondary schools in South East Wales on a supply basis.
I have a first degree in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) from the University of the West of England Bristol and a CELTA TEFL certificate to teach English as a Foreign Language. As a freelance tutor I am very focused on helping students fulfil their potential and I am constantly aquiring new innovative materials, espcially online resources which I feel will be of use to my tutees.

Teaching Experience:
As well as having a postgraduate degree in translation and interpreting from Alicante University, I have lived and worked in France for two years and Spain for twenty years, where had diverse roles both in business and in language schools. In Spain in particular I worked for many years in two private English Language Schools, the "Centro de Estudios Europeos" in Cartagena (Murcia) and "Studio 3" in Alicante. Currently I am tutoring mainly beginners level adults in Spanish, although throughout the year I have GCSE and A level students, who are always pleased to have extra support out of school.

Tutoring Approach:
Do you need individual conversation classes for GCSE? Would you like to know how to communicate effectively in Spanish or French for your next holiday? Do you have a language component of an undergraduate degree which you find challenging? I am the solution to your problem! Not only do I go though the class materials with you, I also pay special attention to homework correction and help with vocabulary memorizing techniques.
As a freelance tutor I am very focused on helping students fulfil their potential and I am constantly aquiring new innovative and interactive materials for my tutees, including apps and games which reinforce knowledge.
My approach to tutoring, in a nutshell, is to mix fun exercises with detailed understanding of the fundamentals of the subject you wish to progress in. Please get in touch and we can talk about your specific needs!

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am from Ukraine and because of the war had to leave my country with my wife, my daughter and my 3 year old grandson.
I am an active person interested in sports, particularly cycling. I love literature. My favourite writer is Haruki Murakami. I am fond of technology and computers.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching English, including Advanced level and English for specific purposes, for 29 years. I have Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency in English certificates as well as CELTA (grade B). A lot of my students successfully passed Cambridge First Certificate in English, Cambridge Advanced English and IELTS. Russian is my native language and I have taught it to people from many different countries.

Tutoring Approach:
In both English and Russian I apply communicative approach to lnguage teaching. Vocabulary and Grammar are presented, clarified if necessary, and then practised in meaningful conversations about real life, interests, ambitions and topics that are rellevant to students

Subjects