Tayport English Tutors and Tayport English Tuition

Personal Description:
I am an Italian citizen living in London since 1996 ; I came to London as a research student, sent by Rome University, to study and work for Westminster University.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a tutor for 24 years (I still teach Spanish/Italian to private students. I was a teacher in Italy (Spanish/English) and a bilingual assistant from 1996 to present in London (Pimlico School/North Westminster/Churchill Gardens/St. Vincent de Pau); I have a PGCE in MFL (Spanish/Italian/French) KS 3 and 4 and a Master in translation (English vs Italian and vice versa).

Tutoring Approach:
I do see each student/pupil as an individual and while teaching/tutoring I take into account their personality/skills/interests as well as age/sex/religion.

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Personal Description:
I am an MFL teacher with bags of enthusiasm and an immense passion for education and children. I currently work part-time in a secondary school in Surrey, and have previously in a Boys Grammar School in North Kent, as well as having enjoyed spells living in Quebec and Aix-en-Provence in the past. I find empathising with students easy, and have girls and boys between 6 years old and adult on my books. I currently tutor in French, Spanish, English, Maths and 11+ preparation.

In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, reading and cycling, having recently completed the London to Brighton cycle in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Teaching Experience:
I currently work part-time in a secondary school in Surrey, and have previously in a Boys Grammar School in North Kent. I have also done a year's supply in South Yorkshire, as well as in a primary school in France. I have held departmental and pastoral TLR positions at various schools, and have tutored for over ten years. References available.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to support students in their learning by being thorough, professional, but approachable. My effective tutoring in the past has helped students to feel more confident, happier and ultimately this shows in their results. I am often very proud of my students when they make progress in areas such as confidence, as well as ability.

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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 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:
My language learning journey started in the same way it does for most of us - at secondary school. I fell in love with the French language at an early age and went on to complete an honours degree in French Studies at the University of Birmingham. During my year abroad, I lived and studied in Montréal, where I took classes in French, Italian and Spanish at McGill University and also fell in love with the Spanish language and culture.

I am passionate languages and helping learners build their confidence and reach their language learning goals, whether it be for school, exam preparation, work or pleasure, and I aim to do so in a purposeful and structured yet fun way.

I firmly believe that anyone can learn a language and make progress, whatever their starting point might be.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten years` cumulative experience of teaching in secondary schools and I have taught French, Spanish, English Language and English Literature. As well as my work in schools, I have been working as a private tutor since 2012,

Over the past 20 years, I have also taught on many English as a foreign language courses to young learners in summer schools and also to adults for general and business purposes in Wiltshire and in North London. I delivered a course in English for business purposes at an Italian legal firm in central London.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe a positive working relationship between tutor and student is the cornerstone of a successful learning experience. I aim to make my students feel at ease and safe to take risks in order to build their confidence and experience success. I tailor lessons to each individual's learning needs and preferences so that the student is always at the centre of the learning process. I use a range of materials in my teaching including online resources, worksheets, games, speaking activities, and past exam papers where appropriate.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I'm an enthusiastic, reliable and dedicated teacher with a passion for languages. I am a Certified Tutor as recognised by Training Qualifications UK, who are OFQUAL regulated. I am also a qualified teacher with QTS and a TESOL.

I am a bilingual foreigner: born in Italy, lived in South Africa and moved to England in 2012. I am thus a native speaker of Italian and English, with a British/South African accent. I studied French from the age of 10 onwards, so I am a fluent French speaker.
In addition to the above, I speak GCSE-level Spanish.

Available in Brighton or online!

Teaching Experience:
Teaching in state schools and tutoring since 2012
I have taught MFL (French, Italian and Spanish) from Year 7 to Year 13.
I have tutored children as young as 2, working with gifted learners and SEN such as dyslexia and autism.
In tutoring I have focused on Literacy and Numeracy and Italian for beginners.
I have also taught English at 3 summer schools.
Since October 2018 I have been teaching English as a foreign language in several independent schools.
I live in Brighton working as an Adult Ed teacher and private tutor to a range of clients.

Tutoring Approach:
My methodology is tailored to the individual's needs. The first step is always for me to ask about the student`s experience, goals, fears and requirements. From there I will tailor a program that suits that specific person, bearing in mind also their age. I can help you prepare for an exam, a retake, or even a holiday abroad!

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Personal Description:
Dr Fouzia has been supporting students studying Bachelor's, Master's and PhD for over 14 years, across a range of UK universities (for example, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Warwick) and international universities (for example, Harvard, MIT). Thus, she has extensive experience in working with UK and overseas students, including students from China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and America. Her work covers the following areas: university pre-sessional courses, sociology, psychology, business, criminology, nursing, health and social care (both at college and university level), childcare, teaching, paramedical science, and beyond.

As an Examination Board Assessor, Fouzia has experience working with a myriad of examination boards, such as C&G, EDEXCEL, AQA, OCR, WJEC, NCC, CIE, ICAAE.

Moreover, her deep understanding of pedagogical principles helps guide her tutorship. Students can reach out to Fouzia out of lesson times via telephone, WhatsApp or email for any queries, progress conversations, target setting and more.

Teaching Experience:
Dr Fouzia offers face-to-face and online guidance for university students at all levels. Her work includes:

Professional editing and proofreading academic assessments for structure, style, logical coherence, clarity, and critical analysis
Proofreading of manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals.
Paraphrasing
Formatting
Reference management
Critical thinking
Critical appraisal of evidence and evidence-based practice
Research topic selection and identifying research gaps
Planning and structuring essays and dissertations
Shaping writing to make it crisp and concise, and reducing wording to reach desired word count
Guidance on report writing and creating PowerPoints for course work
Interpret and perform literature, systematic reviews
Research proposals across all subject
Data collection and analysis for both qualitative and quantitative methodology (manual and electronic analysis ie SPSS/ NVIVO).
Dissertation/ thesis design and methodology
Academic poster presentations
PhD Viva preparation
Time and stress management
UCAS applications
UCAS personal statements
Interview techniques and mock interviews for university/ employment applications

Tutoring Approach:
Dr Fouzia provides a personalised one-to-one service, meeting individual needs of students (incl. ASD, dyslexia, etc) which enables them to actively engage in their lesson, and boost confidence. She is punctual and offers a high standard service, and this is evident in the reviews received from previous students. Her holistic approach has resulted in excellent pass rates (Merits & Distinctions). In addition, being a lecturer, research supervisor, examiner, and interviewer, places her in an ideal position to support you or your child with medical school applications.

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Personal Description:
I am a native Chinese speaking fluent standard Chinese Mandarin and English, and have taught Chinese Mandarin for over 18 years in Birmingham, and currently work part time for a local mainstream school in UK.

I am also an experienced English and Maths tutor and a certified 11+ teacher and have a very good success rate with all of my pupils for passing 11+ tests, successfully grabbed places in local grammar schools and private schools, and achieving higher GCSE grades.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught Chinese Mandarin for over 20 years to students from different countries with diverse linguistic backgrounds in UK. I have experience in teaching Chinese at various levels including GCSE, A level and HSK. I currently work part time for a local mainstream school in UK.

I am also an experienced English and Maths tutor and a certified 11+ teacher and have a very good success rate with all of my pupils for passing 11+ tests, successfully grabbed places in local grammar schools and private schools, and achieving higher GCSE grades.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a patient, passionate and dedicated female teacher and have a track record of helping students achieve top grades and dramatically improve their attainment. My lessons are tailored to meet each student's need, interesting and motivating.

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Personal Description:
A keen third year BSc Chemistry student approaching the final year. I'm a hard working individual that is willing to help students who are trying to achieve great results in their exams

Teaching Experience:
I have worked as a tutor where I use to teach Chemistry and Biology students. I have a lot of classroom based experience and have worked at Kumon tutoring center

Tutoring Approach:
It is very vital that a need of a student is understood and helped them in every possible way. I like to teach the content in full depth with homework provided to the students and some exams practice

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Personal Description:
I am an Australian who lived in Spain for 20 years before moving to the UK as a permanent resident.
I studied Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, worked as an artist for several years before deciding on a career in the catering industry.
I worked as a cook/chef for a few years before moving to Madrid, Spain to teach English to students of all ages and work as a part-time tour guide/manager for an English company.
I also do Spanish/English translations and am currently writing online educational material.
I teach online English for a Polish company and offer private tutoring in Spanish, EFL, Creative Writing and Art.

Teaching Experience:
20 years English teacher to native Spanish speakers, online classes to people of all nationalities.
Private tutoring in Spanish to all ages and arts and crafts to 3-12 year olds..

Tutoring Approach:
My classes are catered to the students' needs. I tend to prefer teaching young children with a more dynamic, creative and hands-on approach, incorporating various mediums such as art and crafts, story writing, plays and puppetry and simple film making.
However, if the student requires help with homework or exam preparation, then the classes are catered to those needs.
I am friendly and accessible and kids seem to respond well to my teaching techniques. :)

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Personal Description:
I am British, and living in Hampshire. I am a qualified secondary school teacher in the UK (QTS, PGCE), and have taught Mandarin Chinese full-time in both the state and private sectors in the UK, at two schools leading the country in their Mandarin provision. I have passed the highest level exams in Mandarin Chinese (HSK level 6, and Advanced Speaking HSKK), and have lived in China for six years. I have just completed a Master's degree in the field of applied linguistics.

My Education background is as follows.

2016-2017: University of Southampton
- MA English Language Teaching.
- Specialism in motivation in online learning.
- Distinction level pass anticipated. To receive certificate in November 2017.

2014-2015: CfBT; University of Hull
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), with PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education).

2002 - 2005: University of Durham
- First class honours degree: Politics BA.

1992 - 2002: Portsmouth Grammar School
- A levels: French A, Spanish A, Politics A, History A,
- GCSEs: 6 A*s. 3 As.

Teaching Experience:
2017 - 2020: LSI Portsmouth English Teacher
- Taught Exam preparation courses (IELTS, CPE) to foreign students.

2015 - 2016: Whitgift School Mandarin Teacher.
- Taught Mandarin and French to secondary school students aged 11 to 15 at one of the top schools in the UK.
- Offered a permanent contract at the school.

2014 - 2015: Bohunt School Trainee Mandarin Teacher (School Direct Salaried).
- Learned from Outstanding teacher at 2014 TES School Awards Overall
School of the Year.
- Taught Mandarin and French to secondary school students aged 11 to 13.

2010 - 2014: Guilin University of Electronic Technology (Guilin, China). TEFL English Teacher.
- Taught English to Undergraduate students majoring in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language.
- Prepared students for the IELTS examination.

2008 - 2010: Caterpillar Inc (UK). Purchasing Specialist (Graduate Trainee)

2007 - 2008: New Dynamic Institute (Chengdu, China). TEFL English teacher.
- Taught small groups of professionals in middle and senior management, both conversational and Business English, in an English training school.

2005 - 2007: Thames School of Languages (Huizhou, China). TEFL English Teacher.
- Taught primary and secondary school students aged 4 to 18 in an English training school.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is based on my own experience and academic research in the field of second language learning.

- I aim to foster and maintain motivation, through relating all topics directly to my students' everyday lives, experiences and opinions; and through providing instruction which is tailored to students' requirements.
- I aim to make my students feel comfortable through helping them to feel relaxed and providing as much linguistic support as is needed.
- I aim to increase my students' linguistic knowledge through using resources which are at a level just slightly beyond the student's current level, so that they are comfortable, but challenged.
- I am to promote skills development through developing comprehension skills (reading and listening), but also productive skills (speaking and writing).

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Personal Description:
I welcome children into a positive, stimulating environment, where each child is valued and can learn effectively. I am proactive, ambitious, have a sense of humour, honest, enthusiastic and conscientious of others as well as a valued team member. I believe that effective learning happens when children are inspired, motivated and challenged in a positive environment where they feel happy and praised. I have a desire to promote reading for pleasure and I love to tell stories and listen to children read. I also enjoy teaching mathematics, problem solving and making learning fun. In my spare time, I enjoy pilates as well as going for walks and socialising with friends and family.

Teaching Experience:
I have 8 years of qualified teaching experience with whole classes and 1:1. I have experience in both England and wales so have a strong m knowledge of both national curriculums. I have lots of experience working ALN children and differentiate lessons to meet every child's needs!

Tutoring Approach:
I like to develop positive relationships with children I teach and therefore I enjoy engaging with children through their personal interests and humour. I find out which areas each child requires improvement before setting a range of activities to develop their learning. I address the VAK (Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic) learning styles of children that I teach and use a creative approach to teaching. I like to assess individuals through games to increase engagement and encourage independent learners, aiming to increase self esteem and confidence.

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Personal Description:
** Qualified teacher and examiner with years of experience. Proven exam results for SATs, GCSEs, A'levels and IB. 100% pass rate for the Eleven-Plus **

I graduated from Lancaster University with first class honours in English language and literature, I was also awarded the Pendle College prize for linguistics. I then went on to complete my PGCE at St Martin's College. I gained qualified teacher status at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

I have always had a passion for education and this has enabled me to inspire and motivate my students. I have achieved high results with pupils in previous years and most students progress an additional two grades after tuition. Some students achieve higher progression and have been known to gain three grades higher following tuition sessions.

I teach GCSE English language and literature, A'level English language and literature and the eleven-plus. I also have experience teaching a wide range of curriculum subjects with great success and results. In addition, I tutor students for the SATs exams and previous students have had excellent results, often the top of their year group.

I regularly help students prepare for entrance examinations and have 100% rate in this area. The schools I have previously helped pupils gain entry to are: Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Bury Grammar School, Manchester High School for girls and Bolton School. I am familiar with the CEM and GL Assessment specifications.

I am fortunate to teach students both in the UK and in many parts of the world. I currently teach students at the British School in Voorschoten (Netherlands) and at the British School in Shunyi (Beiijing) in addition to students based in the UK. Furthermore, I am able to offer a range of subjects to my students including: English, French, Classical Civilisation, Spanish and History.

Previously students that I have taught have gone on to Oxford and Cambridge in addition to Russell Group universities. I have also helped students prepare for the Oxbridge tests and the writing task on the BMAT exam (BioMedical Admissions Test).

I am a versatile, professional and friendly tutor who will work hard to help students achieve their full potential. I believe strongly that education changes lives.

I am currently a postgraduate student at the University of York (Mphil by distance).

Teaching Experience:
10 years working at secondary schools in Lancashire.
Over 10 years experience as a private tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly, dedicated and enthusiastic in my approach to tutoring students. I create bespoke resources for my students, tailored to their individual needs. Homework after sessions is always set to help consolidate learning and develop feedback for improvement.

I always go beyond the usual expectations of students, I aim to offer tuition support between sessions to help students progress.

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Personal Description:
I am currently a graduate student in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. As a curious and driven learner, I am eager to teach what I have learned, as well as learn from those I teach.
I specialise in teaching Biology, Math and English until GCSE level, and as a fluent speaker of Mandarin I am also able to teach the language to younger students. I am able to teach both GCSE and those working towards the International Baccalaureate (IB). Scored 42 points doing the IB in Singapore myself, having done Higher Level Maths, Chemistry and my favourite- Biology. I was a Triple Science (I)GCSE student, scoring above 90 in all subjects, and tutored 2 IGCSE students myself as a Senior in high school. As a university newspaper editor and columnist, I love to write and communicate science, therefore am inclined towards teaching the sciences and English, but am also open to teach Maths, Chemistry and Mandarin.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked with Oxford Tutors since October 2019, until the pandemic took its stride. I tutored briefly while studying in London for my undergraduate studies (Imperial College London). I tutored math and chinese (mandarin) to younger students during my last two years of high school in Singapore.

Tutoring Approach:
It is both fulfilling and enjoyable to help others realise their potential. During class, I typically first unravel important concepts to ensure the student grasps the topic well, avoiding rote memorisation, before assessments are provided. People describe me as friendly, encouraging and approachable, and I hope this demeanour makes my student feel at ease whilst bringing out his/her own enthusiasm and excitement for the subject. My patience is endless, especially with experience teaching my three younger sisters in Maths and Biology.

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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.'

*

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!'

*

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.'

*

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.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a current A-Level student, studying Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Business at sixth form. I want to help students achieve their academic goals, and I believe I can work well with students at a variety of levels. I believe I am friendly and approachable and I want to motivate and empower students to help them become the best that they can be.

Teaching Experience:
I currently work as a teaching assistant at a primary school, and I have taught and worked with children up to the age of 15, having experience in teaching at GCSE level and below. I have mentored younger students at my school for several years, and have also worked with family friends and relatives. This has mainly been in English, Maths and Sciences.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is tailored to each individual student depending on their particular strengths and weaknesses. I set clear and simple tasks with steady progression and try to always make it fun and interesting, as I believe learning can be a process of enjoyment and a source of satisfaction. I find out what they struggle with, and help them iron out any issues they have in the subject. I ensure I cater and adapt towards their needs specifically, as I believe it is important that they are gaining a full personalised experience from tutoring.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a student studying Biomedical Science in the University of Sunderland with an integrated placement at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. I have a passion for teaching Maths, Science and English as they were some of my favourite subjects in school, and since it hasn't been very long since I've left my secondary education, I am well versed in those three subjects, science to a further level due to my degree. I hope I can be of help to all students, as I have a very specific methodology of teaching, personalised for each student, and will be happy to have the student's input too. I love teaching, as for me it's something to help the younger generation and support those who need my help.

Teaching Experience:
I teach English, Science and Maths right now to a couple students, however, some of my students have now reached University and no longer need my help. This means that I have space to take in more students for these subjects, though I can teach a range.
I have experience in teaching those younger than me in my school days, where I headed an afterschool session once a week for those who needed help with anything they were taught throughout the year. I also made sure they were prepared for exam season, making sure that they focused on exam papers, and learning and revising through making mistakes with those questions, rather than making notes.
I have helped students with improving their musical talents as well, as I have played the piano and learnt singing to a high level (Grade 8 Piano and Grade 7 singing), and this helped me learn better communication with students as well as their parents.
I also work part time in the NHS, this allows me to be amazing on time management and I am incredibly hard working. I wish to support my students in every way I can.

Tutoring Approach:
I have been taught online as well as helped students online with interview preparation. I found it incredibly fulfilling and much easier than travelling around to places, which can be difficult with those with big workloads or don't have much time during their day. I have taught online during the weekends, as it is much easier to fill up time and space, and think it is the best case scenario for everyone. However, I do understand that doing tutoring online might seem like a waste of time, but I feel as though online tutoring can help students concentrate for longer as they have the ability to do it in their own home.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have spent my life learning languages and have a degree in English and Spanish and other university level qualifications in French. I currently teach GCSE English Language at a local further education college and have recently moved to Bedfordshire and am interested in taking on some tuition classes at weekends and evenings. I do have experience of tutoring online as well as face to face.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 6 years tutoring experience with a great deal of success in both GCSE level and Scottish Highers courses in English, French and Spanish. I originally qualified as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language in Barcelona originally and have been developing linguistic and teaching skills ever since.

Tutoring Approach:
With regard to my approach to tutoring, I always put my students' requirements first and use these to dictate my lesson planning. Normally, I am working with a student towards an exam and part of my role is assisting the students to prepare for the exam and develop appropriate methods for tackling each question. As part of an initial needs analysis, I like to establish any gaps in knowledge that need to be worked on so that the student has the best preparation possible when taking their exam.

Subjects