Hornsey English Tutors and Hornsey English Tuition

Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Anna. I'm an author and a poet, I have had many poems published, won first prize in an international poetry competition (2011) and have also brought out two collections, which are on sale on Amazon. In 2015 I published my memoir A Hippopotamus at the Table. Set in South Africa in the 1970s. I'm about to publish my second memoir and published a book called Writing Memoir. How to Write a Story from Your Life in 2017. Formerly I taught memoir writing to small groups. I have a blog which is updated regularly with articles about writing, poetry, my travels and events.

Teaching Experience:
I taught in Adult Education at a variety of colleges for approximately 10 years (until 2000) - my main subject was Ancient Egyptian History - one of the colleges was Birkbeck University (University of London) I taught undergraduates. I ran a class for a number of years before that for City University on Ancient Egyptian History. For 6 years I taught Information Technology (seminars) at London Metropolitan University, to first year undergraduates. More recently (2000-2014) I worked in Criminal Justice delivering Cognitive Behavioural programmes to offenders and also on another programme supporting victims of violence.
I used to host language students for St Giles English Language school and also for a year taught TEFL one-to-one.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is Socratic in delivery, to draw from the student what they know, what their interests are and expand on that. I like to bring students to poetry, and know about poetry from a variety of cultures from Moslem (like Rumi, Omar Khayam) to French and Afro Caribbean writers. I think learning English should be broad and interesting and make people think. My teaching method is through a conversational approach, short written exercises for identifying strengths and weaknesses, building on strengths and working on areas that require a structured approach for improvement. Learning should be interesting and it should be fun.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher and former Headteacher of a successful school with significant teaching expertise at KS1 and KS2. I am also a qualified SENCO and have vast experience in SEN. I set high standards for all my pupils and help them to achieve academic success. I am able to offer tuition in English, Maths and Science at both key stages and tuition for 11+ and common entrance examinations. I travel to you by negotiation. I can provide excellent references on request from past and present clients who have achieved and continue to achieve success in their studies at all levels. I enjoy seeing my pupils make rapid progress and achieving a high level of academic success.

Teaching Experience:
I specialise in English, Maths, SEN, Entrance Examinations at 7+ and 11+ and tuition for pupils who need to catch up, lack confidence and skills and need support to improve. I have vast experience teaching within excellent local schools and I am currently a Headteacher in a large local primary school. I teach children on a 1-2-1 basis to ensure that they receive the additional input that they need in order to achieve. I specialise in assisting children who lack confidence in specific areas and I am able to assist these children in improving their skill levels within their own school. I can provide excellent references on request from many happy pupils and parents.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a patient and understanding tutor with the ability to communicate effectively with both adults and children. My aim is to ensure that pupils develop additional skills and increased confidence in their studies. I make my lessons fun and enjoyable for pupils so that they are able to enjoy learning and are keen to attend my tutoring sessions. I keep parents updated on their children's progress on a regular basis and encourage children to share worries about specific subject areas so that we can explore them together.

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Personal Description:
I graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2017 in Economics, and before that did a post graduate Mathematics masters at the University of Warwick. My academic credentials are very good, having achieved 5 As at A Level - the top marks, including 100% in various mathematics exams, when I took them in 2008.

If you are looking to apply to Oxbridge or another Russell group university, I can provide better tuition than someone who has not been to Oxbridge and does not know the system.

I have been tutoring Mathematics at all levels from GCSE to university for 3 years. I have also tutored English at GCSE level.

As my full time career I work as a consultant within Big4 consulting having worked for Parliament for 5 years prior. I am able to offer career guidance having worked both in consulting, banking and politics. My time in Cambridge means I can give guidance about Oxbridge applications.

I was also a school governor at Chingford Academy and as a result have knowledge of the current GCSE curriculum. My fees have not changed over the last 10 years I have been tutoring.

I hope you will choose me.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring Mathematics at all levels from GCSE, A Level and even university for 3 years. I have also tutored English at GCSE level.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is very student centric - focused on the needs of the student. If I believe theory is lacking, I will explain the theory in a comprehensive way. If I believe application is missing, I will go over many questions, guiding the student through them. I have a mix of my own questions and past paper questions that I use. As the exams draw nearer I will focus more on past papers.

I also give each student, if they or the parents want it, activities to do which I will mark at the next session. This is like homework except I will try to make it more engaging and fun. None of my activities are generalised - I will base each on what the student requires. For example, in the past my activities have ranged from book work, to a problem solving puzzle to solve over the course of the week, to an essay, to even a relatively light exercise of reading any magazine article and giving a presentation on it.

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Personal Description:
Super-tutor with a 1st Class Masters from Cambridge University and over 14 years of experience.

I have tutored internationally for high-profile and UHNW families, but also work online with students on a weekly basis. My style is fun and engaging, with a focus on confidence-building as well as achieving academic results.

Teaching Experience:
- 1st Class B.A. (Hons) in Education Studies with English and Drama from the University of Cambridge, 4 As at A-level (English, Biology, Geography and Theatre Studies) and 11 A*s at GCSE.
- Over 14 years (4000+ hours) experience as a Private Tutor.
- Have tutored around the world, travelling with families and living with them domestically.
- Extensive experience with students suffering from dyslexia, petit mal, ADHD and anxiety.
- 100% success rate in improving GCSE and A-level students' performance by a minimum of 2 grades or to the top possible grade.
- Successfully helped students get into schools including Eton College, Harrow, Westminster, Kings (Wimbledon), Sevenoaks, Winchester, St Paul's Girls, City of London, Godolphin & Latimer, Francis Holland School, Harrodian, Sussex House and Putney High School, and universities including Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh and Georgetown, US.

Tutoring Approach:
I am the tutor who is also the friend, always working to ensure the child learns to love the subject and want improvement for themselves, not because I demand it of them. As a result of my time, I want the child to develop positively as a person as well as within the subject we are working on.

Firstly, I will always aim to find the areas the child is having the most difficulty with and break it down to its simplest form to help them understand. Once a child has understood the basic principle of what we are learning, I aim to push them as far as I can with their learning - my memory of the best teacher's I had at school were the teacher's who pushed me even further than I needed to go, and who gave me more knowledge and information than I needed to know. I then found that I entered my exams relaxed and confident, knowing that I had excess knowledge. Rather than learning just to answer set questions in an exam, I felt I truly understood those subjects.




TESTIMONIALS:
"Thank you for working so hard with Annabel. She has improved so much and genuinely enjoys all her sessions with you, which is a huge achievement for time spent doing maths and english in my view!"
Mother of Annabel (11+ Preparation)

"Lucy has been the best teacher ever and has taught me so much. If I pass any exams, it will be because of her awesome advice!"
Hana (11+ Preparation)

"I would like to thank Lucy for giving Julian such a thorough preparation so that he had confidence to deal with the tasks. His brilliant results are largely thanks to her help."
Mother of Julian (English Lit GCSE)

"Cecilia is deeply dyslexic and Lucy was able to take her from a modest level of writing to an A in English Literature. She was absolutely amazing, the best tutor my daughter ever had. Her ability to organise and simplify the work were crucial in achieving this result. But more importantly she was able to give Cecilia the self confidence she was lacking."
Mother of Cecilia (English Lit A-level)

"It was fantastic having Lucy here with us and she slotted into everything with such ease. She was a delight to have around."
Father of Etta and Artie (Year 2 homeschooling, domestic)

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Personal Description:
I studied English Literature at University. I can cater for all needs and abilities, as I can in the classroom.

I have always wanted to be a teacher and this has been demonstrated through my choice of work experience in year ten. I grew up with a passion for education and learning. I was educated at a state school and being of the new young generation I can relate to all of the trials and tribulations endured by youngsters having either experienced them myself or knowing someone who has. I can use my personal experiences to help and guide the students as well as empathise.

Teaching Experience:
I completed my PGCE in 2012-2013. I have taught in two schools and am now the Head of English in a school in RCT. I also mark for WJEC, both English Literature and Language papers.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching style would be firm but fair.
I would help them with certain aspects of their course which they were struggling with and depending on their age I would range with help in essay writing, essay style and approaches to writing essays. I would help guide them through the reading process and close analytical reading, as well as guiding them through the essay writing process.
I would be able to expand their knowledge of the books on the course and help them complete coursework.
I am clearly a strong English student as I have always achieved high grades at school and have continued to study to degree level.
I would be able to produce results to the highest of their capability and extend their knowledge of English.
Pupils would need to come to my house in Brynmenyn, but at the moment all sessions would be done through Zoom due to the pandemic.

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Personal Description:
I am an experienced, multilingual educator with over 30 years of teaching languages and humanities across both UK and international settings. I specialise in Portuguese, French, and English, offering expert support for students at GCSE, A-level, university, and adult learning levels. My teaching combines academic rigour with creativity and cultural insight to help students achieve fluency, confidence, and excellent results..

Teaching Experience:
Throughout my career, I have taught in diverse educational settings, including UK schools, international programmes, and private tutoring. My professional background includes:

Teaching Portuguese, French, English Language and Literature, Spanish, Sociology, and Psychology

Serving as a GCSE speaking examiner for multiple London schools

Supporting relocation clients and professionals in mastering language for work, integration, or study

Teaching learners of all levels, from school-age pupils to adults and professionals

Designing personalised lesson plans that blend language, literature, culture, and practical usage

My students consistently achieve outstanding results due to my exam-focused strategies, interactive lesson delivery, and emphasis on building confidence.

Tutoring Approach:
I create a warm, welcoming environment that encourages active participation, critical thinking, and communication.
In all my lessons,

Prioritise oral fluency, listening, and cultural understanding

Integrate grammar instruction naturally within engaging, real-life contexts

Customise sessions to fit each student's learning style, pace, and goals

Provide regular feedback and practical assessments to track progress

Use a cultural and interdisciplinary approach that makes language learning meaningful and memorable

Whether you're studying for exams, relocating abroad, improving language for your profession, or simply learning for personal growth, I tailor every session to your needs.

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Personal Description:
I have been working as a highly successful English tutor since 2007. Additionally, in 2012, I worked three days a week in an independent girls' school in Exeter, providing one-to-one support for a girl in Year 9 and also taught English Literature to Year 7 & Year 13 classes. I live near Bridport in Dorset.

I have a passion for the written word and its performance in poetry and drama.

I have grown-up children and grandchildren, and am very interested in how young people view and contribute to the world in which they live.

I gained an MA (with Merit) in Postcolonial Studies from SOAS, University of London in 2015 and a First Class Joint Honours BA in English and Classics from the University of Reading in 1996.

I teach online via Skype and other platforms, often incorporating Google Documents. Skype has proved to be a highly successful way of teaching and I now teach across the globe using this medium.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a highly successful English tutor for many years. Most of my client base is private but I also work for a top London tuition agency. I am a highly experienced tutor and currently have students in English Language & Literature from KS 2 to 'A' level/IB. I specialise in 11+,13 + and Common Entrance exams. My students have been awarded places at many schools, including Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Sevenoaks, The Perse Cambridge, Magdalen School Oxford, Oxford High School for Girls and grammar schools in London.

I also work with undergraduates & postgraduates in various disciplines, providing guidance in the structure of their essays, particularly dissertations, and academic writing. In 2019, the two undergraduate students I have supported (at the University of Exeter and University of Edinburgh) have each gained First Class classifications, both in their dissertation and overall degree.

Additionally, in 2014/15 I tutored the complete AQA GCSE Classical Civilisation syllabus to a Year 9 student via Skype, who obtained an A as her final grade.

I also have experience in helping adults with their business English and have written marketing copy for the commercial sector.

Tutoring Approach:
When I tutor a student, I search for a 'tailor-made' way to help increase their self-esteem and confidence. This enhances the learning they already receive in the classroom. The study of texts offers student and tutor alike not only an opportunity to develop communication one with another but also insight into the life experiences of others, both in past generations and the wider world today.

I have helped numerous students to achieve higher than their predicted grades at both GCSE, IB and 'A' level and have many excellent references available. I work with students in the independent and state school sectors and with varying levels of academic ability.

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Personal Description:
Hi! I'm Nick, a 46 yr old graduate of Oxford University, where I studied French and German, and a postgraduate of the University of Manchester, where I obtained a Masters and Doctorate in English. I currently teach GCSE English in my institution, and also work in a university part-time.

At the moment I prefer online teaching, which I can do via Zoom, Skype or maybe other platforms.

Teaching Experience:
I always really enjoy teaching individual pupils at GCSE and A-level. I've had some great results in the recent exams - very proud of my pupils doing well, privately and at my school, and feel that I helped them achieve their best. I'm now looking to take on some more.

I have been teaching English in Higher Education since 2004. During this time I also taught an A-level student English on an individual basis, as extra preparation for Oxbridge entry - the student gained a place at Oxford. I've also taught two summer schools for visiting American students at the University of Manchester, and a first year university student privately last year.

I've been doing online teaching also over the last six months - there are real benefits!

I have experience with AQA syllabuses in French GCSE and English (Literature) GCSE and A-level (Gothic and Pastoral), and also OCR French.

I also worked for some years in the retail/hospitality sector, where I was an induction trainer, and had some involvement with NVQ assessment.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe the most important thing in teaching is to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where students are not afraid to ask any questions. I like to avoid overt formality, and make the teaching as enjoyable as possible. I'm very encouraging and positive, but within this will always offer constructive criticism when it's needed. I make sure sessions end with clear goals about what students need to do to improve - clear and achieveable goals, that I will check your progress with. I enjoy teaching a great deal, and will push you to achieve your very best.

For under 16s, I have a programme for teaching English, French, and German. This includes conversation, grammar, composition, and working with literature suited to the pupil's age range. It's flexible and pitched to any age and ability between 11 and 16.

I can offer teaching remotely - which I prefer at the moment.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Susie and I deliver personal, professional one-to-one and group tuition for adults face-to-face in Stevenage & online for English, French, Spanish and Italian. I am passionate about languages and I absolutely love sharing my joy for languages with others! Whether you want to brush up on your holiday phrases, pass an exam or move abroad, I can help.

Regardless of your language level, I will coach you to reach your potential and maximise your results, while having a great time learning. As a former student of the Open University, I fully understand the challenges of studying solo and of juggling work, study and personal life. I like to think of myself as a personal trainer for languages; I will be your guide, show you how to achieve great results, but I can't do the work for you. You get out what you put in; setting aside time to study or incorporating your learning into your daily life will be just as important as your lessons.

I offer the first 1-hour lesson completely free of charge and obligation. This time will allow us to get to know each other, discover your current level or start from scratch if we need to, as well as create a learning plan tailored to your skillset and interests.
Lesson plans can be adapted for Specific Learning Differences, neurodivergence or personal preferences; you can have confidence that I am never, ever going to laugh or be disappointed in your level. Everyone is welcome here.

My experience has taught me that confidence is by far the biggest obstacle on the road to learning a language, not aptitude, as you may think or may have been told in the past. I will be there to support you every step of the way on the journey, so you can stop worrying right now about not being good enough. Stop comparing yourself to others; you are unique and the only thing you need to focus on is your own journey.

I have a wealth of experience in exam preparation, in particular for IELTS & Cambridge FCE & CAE exams for English and GCSE & A-level for French & Spanish. Most of my sessions over the years have been delivering tuition to one or two students at a time, however I have run sessions for groups of up to 15 adults. Included within the price, you will receive exclusive access to all of our online teaching materials - accessible during your lessons and 24/7 for self-study to support your learning. I am a full-time tutor, so I offer very flexible hours for my tutoring services and I always endeavour to reply to all enquiries/ correspondence as soon as possible. I work as an independent tutor, as I like to guarantee you consistency, reliability and commitment to you.


Subjects taught:

- French & Spanish: KS3, GCSE, iGCSE, A-level (Spanish only) and adult tuition (beginner & intermediate).
- English as a Second Language (ESL/ ESOL students): All levels, including preparation for the following exams: Cambridge FCE, CAE, PET, IELTS General Training and Academic, PTE academic and ESOL access exams levels 1-3.

Since 2020, I have been teaching beginner Italian. I have a competent level of Italian, including a strong understanding of the grammar, which I use with my Italian friends and when travelling in Italy. If you are looking for beginner Italian for personal interest, conversation, casual use and travel, I can definitely help. I do not have any official qualifications in Italian, however my background in romance languages (Italian is a Latin-based language which, broadly speaking, I find to have a very similar vocabulary to Spanish with the grammar of French!) and my methodical nature means I would ensure that every lesson is thoroughly planned and carefully checked; I would never teach you anything I am unsure of, as this can be greatly detrimental. I am not available to help with exam preparation for Italian or to teach more advanced levels. My lack of qualifications in this subject and the fact that I am not fluent are the reasons that Italian lessons are offered at a lower rate per hour than my other subjects.

Teaching Experience:
My qualifications:
Open University (2013) - 1st Class BA (Hons) Modern Language Studies
Open University (2012) - Diploma in French (Other)
Open University (2012) - Diploma in Spanish (Other)
150-hour TEFL/ ESL master course, accredited by ACTDEC
Understanding IELTS, British Council (6-week course)
Understanding language, University of Southampton (4-week course)
Cultural studies & modern languages, University of Bristol (4-week course)
Dyslexia & foreign language teaching, Lancaster University (4-week course)

Tutoring Approach:
What you can expect:
Your first 1-hour trial lesson completely free (although there is a fee to pay to UK Tutors, which we can discuss in your enquiry)
A flexible approach & lessons tailored to suit you.
A specialist in young adult and adult pedagogy.
Flexible tutoring, Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 9am-3pm.
Responses to all correspondence within 24 hours (working hours, otherwise next working day).
Development of all key language skills - reading, listening, speaking & writing.
Follow my recommended course or cherry-pick the topics you wish to cover for specific purposes.
Gain confidence with conversation for real-life essential situations, not just in a text book
Exam preparation and study tips.
Discover the culture surrounding your chosen language too; music, film, festivals, celebrations & traditions.
Learn modern colloquialisms, idioms and sayings that will impress the natives
Exclusive access to all of my online teaching materials, accessible in class and at home for self-study.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teaching assisstant have experience working in schools like Wybourne primary
And montbelle primary school.
I have up to date DBS

Teaching Experience:
I have a 5years experience working with children from all age groups
In primary schools .

Tutoring Approach:
I normally teach children in my house .I work with children starting from age group
5 onwards and teach them to pass the enterence exams.
I normally access the level the child needs to work and make individual action
Plan for each child .

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Personal Description:
I am an English teacher and tutor with 20 years of experience of teaching one-to-one and in classrooms to children of all ages and adults. I have taught children from aged 3, and classes of adults with up to 75 students! I teach all levels from beginner to proficiency. Full CRB certificate, MA Applied Linguistics, BA Hons Modern Language Studies.

Teaching Experience:
Southgate and Barnet College of Further Education, London
September 2013 - June 2014
• CAE Advanced English

English Support and Study Skills Tutor - South London College Woolwich London
October 2009 - September 2013
• English Support
• Pre-sessional English
• Study Skills
• Business English
• Exam Classes: IELTS, FCE, KET, PET

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - University of Westminster London
July 2011 - August 2011
• Pre-intermediate TEFL teacher (summer school)

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - Shakespeare College London
March 2009 - October 2009
• Upper Intermediate and Advanced General English
• IELTS

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - Lite College Bayswater London
January 2008 - March 2009
• General English
• Beginners to Advanced

Sales and Office Manager - Log World 134 South Street Romford
May 2005 - January 2008
• Liaising with customers and companies worldwide
• Responsible for sales and the efficient running of the office

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - East London School of English Whitechapel London
February 2004 - April 2005
• Beginners to Proficiency
• IELTS
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - English for Kids Guadalajara Mexico
January 2002 - January 2004
• TEFL teacher for children aged 4-18

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - IBM El Salto Mexico
February 2003 - August 2003
• General English Intermediate course for Management
• Responsible for course design and materials

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - International Language Academy London
September 2000- September 2001
• General English all levels
• IELTS
• Business English

Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - Southwark College London
May 2001 - September 2001
• ESOL Tutor
• Course Design and Planning

Tutoring Approach:
I like to make my students feel comfortable and make the lessons enjoyable and fun while challenging enough to make the student feel that they are progressing. I design activities which are varied, interactive and engaging. I enjoy teaching using a variety of methods comprising all the four skills and can promise very impressive results.

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Personal Description:
Are you bored about learning Spanish in a conventional way? about teachers who do not really care about your progress and interests?

I think that the best way to learn a language is making the student comfortable with dynamic and enjoyable Spanish classes. I will make a personal Spanish program for you, where I will adapt your interest (job environment, informal situations with friends...) to your Spanish level. I will prepare everything you feel could be interesting for the class.

I have always loved teaching, I have loved it since I was a teenager, whenever my classmates asked me to help them or even my sisters and I had to help them with their exercises solving the problem they had.

I am really hard working, friendly, very sociable and professional.

Lately, I have been also teaching online with IBERIS to student from different countries among the world. So, I find myself familiar with the latest technologies and programs related to the online teaching. Furthermore, I have a great interest in the international issues and different cultures. I really enjoy teaching and learning something new from my students make me feel better.

In addition, I find myself as an entrepreneur. So, I would be constantly improving the classes and working hard to personalize the classes as much as possible depending on the goals and the Spanish level of every student.

Teaching Experience:
Regarding my teaching experience, I have at least 2 years teaching Spanish in different public and private institutions around the world.

I began teaching Spanish as a volunteer in my university on 2015. I have always had a great interest in different cultures and languages. I really admire people who travel and work around the world, so in 2015-2016 I decided to teach Spanish voluntarily during the whole course (9 months) to those international people who came as an Erasmus to my University. I felt really comfortable helping them improving their Spanish while I was learning a lot from them too.

After this academic course, I made my luggage and I went to the USA for the whole summer. I was motivated and interested in the American lifestyle, so I decided to try my best three months working at Morey´s Piers as a chef while I was working as a native Spanish teacher in my second job at the Christian academy for 3 months in New Jersey.

As soon as I finished my stay in the USA, I came back to Poland where I continued my last year of university through a bilateral international agreement at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences. I was studying while I was working in 2 different institutions as a native Spanish teacher. On the one hand, I was working as a tenured Spanish native teacher at the "IBERIS online academy" for one year. On the second hand, I was working as support Spanish native teacher at the "Gniezno Institute" during the same academical year.

In conclusión, the last 2 years from 2015 I have been working as a native Spanish teacher in 4 different places, at the University in Spain, at Christian´s academy in the USA, at IBERIS online academy and Gniezno institute (Poland). And right now, I am working privately in Scotland.

Tutoring Approach:
Among the qualities a teacher should have, in my opinión would be dedication, passion, patience, and teamwork.

A teacher must dedicate a long time not only to the classes, also preparing the ideal program for the classes in order to satisfy the language needs of the student or student group.

Furthermore, a teacher must be highly passionate to motivate each student making the learning enjoyable and useful at the same time.

The patience is another important quality as each student needs their own time to understand and develop the knowledge. We are treating with people and everyone is different. It is really important to personalize the teaching in each case.

The communication among the students is as important as the proper teamwork between the professionals on the institution in order to give the best service to our students and help growing altogether the academy.

I think that the best way to learn a language is making the student comfortable with dynamic and enjoyable Spanish classes. So far, I make a personal Spanish program for my students, where I adapt their interest (job environment, informal situations with friends...) to their Spanish level. I also prepare everything they feel could be interesting for the class.

I like making the classes as enjoyable as possible in order to keep the students happy and motivated. In fact, I work with practical and useful material made by my own. So, my classes will be based on a practical Spanish according to the student's needs, I want them to feel motivated and happy. If not, I will not be satisfied at all.

The classes will focus on talking and practicing mainly, as a language is learned speaking and practicing a lot. But of course, we will have a good base of grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and listening too.

The classes must be as efficient as possible!

Are you ready to start with useful Spanish and enjoyable classes?

Say goodbye to the boring classes and let´s start learning useful Spanish having a good time.

Let´s get started!

Subjects

Personal Description:
Edouard was born and educated in England. He has resided in Canterbury, Leeds, Oxford, London, Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Oswestry. He gained five 'A Levels' (AAABC) at Notre Dame 6th Form College (Leeds) before attending Oxford University where he obtained Degrees in Philosophy and French. He proceeded to do Postgraduate studies in London where he was semi-resident at the British Library (1993-1998).

He has been a widely published author since 1999, being the author of dozens of essays and monographs in Philosophy, Comparative Literature, Poetry and Psychology. He is co-author of the self-help book 'Reading in No Time' and author of the forthcoming publication 'French in No Time' (2020). He is a member of MENSA, the BAJ (British Assoc. of Journalists) and A3M (Academy of the 3rd Millennium). He is currently editor of the 'Nobel Prize Collection' for Living Time Books.

Teaching Experience:
Edouard has taught pupils from KS1 to Postgraduate Level in the UK and abroad. He undertakes an equal amount of group-teaching (lecturing/seminars/classroom) and individual tutoring (mentoring/coaching/private tutorials).

He has taught in Switzerland (Geneva, Basel), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin, Munich), Italy (Milan) Poland (Krakow, Warsaw) and Slovakia (Bratislava). He is a native English speaker and also a fluent speaker of French and German.

Edouard is highly experienced in teaching children and adults with special educational needs - including Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Autism, Aspergers, Pathological Demand Avoidance), ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and other developmental conditions. He is quoted as saying: "Everyone can learn - it doesn't matter how differently we do so!"

He specializes in tutoring for GCSEs, A Levels, Entrance Exams and assistance with Dissertations, Essays, Theses & Coursework.

Tutoring Approach:
Edouard has explained his approach to teaching in the following way: "With every person that I teach, whether they are before me as an individual or as part of a group, first of all I take time to observe the way in which they learn - their own particular mode of processing information. Then, once I have understood their learning processes - be they visual, verbal, concrete, mathematical, or a combination of these - I customize my own teaching approach to that student's optimum mode of intake. This usually goes a large way toward maximizing their learning experience. What I find is of vital importance in the learning journey - and which is largely responsible for making it successful - is identifying with crystal clarity the exact goals which are to be attained. I make sure that my students do not lose sight of their goal and I make sure that their 'will-to-achieve' stays at a top level throughout the educational process. Without a goal, motivation falters".

Edouard specializes in enabling his students to apply 'Advanced Learning Techniques' in the mastery of their learning goals. These include: visual reading skills, memory techniques, thought-mapping, accelerated learning and the use of 'progress planners'. Through his publications and courses he has enabled thousands of students to achieve their dreams already. - Could you be next?

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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:
Ive been teaching since 2000, my career started at durham university as a lecturer for education and ICT. I then went on to teach secondary ict then secondary english. I now teach Computer Science.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught mainly English and Computing for over 20 years.
My strengths in English are definitely Creative writing, and I have obtained an MA in Creative writing. I have taught KS2 - KS4, mature students and undergraduates at university .

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly and approachable and would concentrate on building relationships with my students as well as teaching them relevant skills in their particular subject.

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:
Sorry, I only tutor online. I have a few spaces available for students from June 2025.

Hi, my name's Alan and I'm a friendly, approachable and hardworking tutor, having now tutored full-time for three years (part-time for 24 years alongside my teaching career).

Teaching Experience:
I have taught since 2002 in a range of secondary schools, as well as primary provisions, GCSE evening and weekend schools and both online and face to face for individual tuition from Primary level (Year 2) to Adult learners. I have been Head of Department for English and Media and also responsible for whole-school Literacy, including working with students who required extra support in moving from KS2 to KS3. I have taught English Language and Literature at most levels, English as a foreign language, Media and Film Studies and Study Skills, amongst other things. I have full QTS in the UK as well as Europe and a full, clean, updated DBS available.

Tutoring Approach:
I take a very technical, scientific approach to teaching English and Literacy - looking at each area of development in turn and working towards mastery. For GCSE, I offer an approach that is designed to meet the requirements of the mark scheme without too much stress: students find my approach easy to access and engaging, using both official and my own personal resources. Students receive the PowerPoint of notes at the end of each session for revision purposes and I often use low-stakes testing to revise and review key areas of learning. I also regularly set and assess via exam questions to further check understanding and ensure students are making progress.

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Personal Description:
Engineering Graduate First Class. 20+ years of experience in IT and software. Experience in banking, software testing, project management.

Teaching is my hobby. I have worked with UK students and also from students from India. I am open for online lessons for students from any country.

Teaching Experience:
Tutor for primary school students. Software testing trainer. Experience in assisting various software technologies and certification.
I have successfully sent 11Plus students to top grammar schools.

Teaching is my hobby. I have worked with UK students and also from students from India. I am open for online lessons for students from any country.

I have proven and successful eleven plus experience.

Tutoring Approach:
Classroom, online, at home. Objectives set as per strengths, weaknesses and goals.

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