Gourock Latin Tutors and Gourock Latin 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.

Subjects

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

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

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
Oxford graduate with more than fifteen years' experience as a private tutor and consistently excellent results in Latin, Greek, Classics and English.

Studied Classics at Oxford University and awarded an academic scholarship.

Earned a Master's Degree with Distinction in Latin literature at UCL. Awarded the Dean's Prize.

Since then, I have been working as an award-winning arts journalist alongside my work as a private tutor.

Teaching Experience:
Private tutor for fifteen years, with significant experience in private tuition of Latin, Greek and English at all levels, and excellent exam results achieved by my students.

*LATIN/GREEK*

Classroom experience as teacher of Latin at a prep school and teaching assistant for primary school Latin classes.

In-depth, up-to-date knowledge of the current syllabuses for Common Entrance, GCSE and A-level, as well as all major textbooks, including Oxford and Cambridge Latin Courses, Athenaze, Greek to GCSE, Shelmerdine, ISEB Common Entrance publications and other frequently used courses. I also have a wide range of my own resources.

*ENGLISH*

English tutor for ten years, complemented by working as an award-winning arts journalist. Through this work
I've personally interviewed several of the authors on the English syllabuses, including Margaret Atwood and Arundhati Roy. I have a particular love of bringing Shakespeare alive, and I have also extensively interviewed many actors and practitioners about Shakespeare's work, including Sir Ian McKellen; I love to feed this real-world experience into lessons, to show that learning English is not just about words on a page.

Tutoring Approach:
CONFIDENCE: I love seeing students gain confidence as they study with me, and passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm until they are as excited about a subject as I am. My main focus is finding something for them to enjoy within a given subject and building our learning around that.

TARGETED APPROACH: I find out the areas where the student will need the most help, then I plan my lessons carefully to address those areas of difficulty. I always try to build on the way the student has been taught at school, so that my tuition complements their school learning rather than clashing with it.

EXAM TECHNIQUE: I also ensure that we are always working on exam and revision techniques while learning. This includes helpful mnemonics, studying past papers and mark schemes, and ensuring we are engaging closely with the relevant syllabus to pick up as many marks as possible when it comes to exams.

TIPS AND TRICKS: I like to build routine into tuition sessions, so that the student knows what to expect in each session, which helps boost their confidence, and so that grammar which can seem strange and unfamiliar at first becomes second nature. I've got plenty of tips and tricks to help with the most difficult parts of grammar and syntax. It's useful to break things down into smaller chunks - for example, the large set texts can be daunting, but they become manageable when taken piece by piece.

Above all, my approach is to be friendly, patient and knowledgeable.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced qualified teacher (Certified Teacher-Directive 2005/36/EC) of Modern Greek language (native speaker) and Classics (Ancient Greek, Latin, Classical Civilization). My BA degree with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status, 4-year course) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA, Faculty of Philology), is in Greek & Classical Philology with a major in Linguistics, and my MA degree is in Educational Studies (with Distinction, The University of York). Most of my tutees are learners of Greek as a Foreign Language (Conversational Greek, Business Greek, Greek for Beginners, Intensive Greek), Greek as a Second Language, and BA /MA students at the University of Edinburgh (where I'm based) and other universities (via online tuition) who need help with Latin/Ancient Greek/Modern Greek for their undergraduate/postgraduate course. I also have significant experience in preparing tutees for GSCE in Modern Greek. In addition, I have worked on a plethora of GR-EN digital content translation/localisation projects, content creation projects and as a proofreader/checker for MA dissertations and PhD Theses.

Teaching Experience:
January 2012 - present
Freelance Tutor for Greek as a Foreign Language (Conversational Greek, Business Greek, Greek for Beginners, Intensive Greek) or Second Language, Latin, Ancient Greek.

January- June 2012
Lakeside Primary School, Clifton Moor, York, United Kingdom
Volunteer teaching assistant, York Students in Schools (YSIS)
This community volunteering scheme provided teaching opportunities that enhanced personal and professional development.

December 2009- October 2011
"Neo" Educational Organisation of Secondary Education, Athens, Greece
Middle School and High School (Gymnasium and Lyceum) full time teacher
Latin & Ancient Greek Literature and Thought, Classical Civilization, Greek and Roman History
Student-centred and interactive teaching approach
Developing and designing lesson plans according to the Greek National Curriculum.
Monitoring student progress (summative and formative assessment)

2007-2008
Teaching practice - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

"Varvakeio", Experimental Lyceum, Athens
"First (1st) Experimental Unified Lyceum of Athens"
"Gennadio", Athens
"Anavryta" Experimental Lyceum, Athens,
"Agion Anargyron" Experimental Gymnasium, Athens
Arranging and developing lesson plans for middle school and high school grades.
Practice on teaching methods and strategies
Classroom management
Observing lessons
Teaching under observation

2004 -present
Self-employment- Private tutor
Greek as a Foreign Language (GFL), Greek as a Second Language, Ancient Greek, Ancient Greek Language, Latin, Ancient and Modern Greek literature, Philosophy, Writing/Study skills

Tutoring Approach:
Student-centred and interactive teaching approach.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Classicist with degrees from Cambridge (BA) and Durham (MA, PhD) universities and have been tutoring for over 10 years. My current work focuses heavily on Latin literature, as I am preparing to publish a commentary on Martial's twelfth book of epigrams, although I am equally able to offer assistance to students of classical Greek literature.

I am passionate about Classics and communicate this enthusiasm with my students, whilst helping them to achieve their goals - whether that be passing examinations or securing a place at the school or university of their choice. I hold an excellent track record for successful admissions and exam results.

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience in tutoring Latin and Greek at all levels: ranging from complete beginners to advanced university level students. I am very familiar with assisting students prepare effectively for GCSE and A-level examinations in Latin, Greek, and Classical Civilisation. I develop a set of papers targeted at the exam texts every year.

I also have a wide-ranging experience in providing tuition for the entrance and scholarship examinations for many major English Public schools. I have previously worked as a Head of Classics at a local public school and have a track record of students securing scholarships at leading schools, such as Eton, Westminster, etc.

For tertiary education, I have helped students prepare for their undergraduate examinations or university entry exams (both BA and MPhil). I have already had several students achieve their goals of getting to Oxbridge colleges. Beyond Classics, I have prior experience helping students with medical Latin, Mediaeval Latin and Koine Greek religious texts.

As well as helping students on specific courses, I have also had the pleasure of teaching Latin and Greek for individuals pursuing these subjects as a private interest.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tuition will of course largely be dependent upon the needs and ability of the respective tutee. For GCSE or A-level students, however, I believe that it would always be best to begin each lesson with a quick test on a point of grammar and vocabulary, and a literary stylistic feature (e.g. identifying a chiasmus etc.), since these formal aspects essentially underlie the series of unseen exams from GCSE - A-level. After this test, each lesson should focus on a text, ideally alternating each lesson with a text that is prescribed as one of the set texts for the respective exams with an unseen passage. This approach tends to produce the best results since the unseen passages give a true indication of the student's strengths and weaknesses and help the tutor to understand more easily what aspects need to be prioritised.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello! My name is Giacomo, I come from Italy and I am a third year PhD student in Roman Archaeology at the University of Leicester.I have a strong experience in tutoring and teaching at high school and university level and I'm happy to help with Latin, Ancient Greek and Italian.

Teaching Experience:
During the last two years I have been teaching different courses at the University of Leicester, acquiring a strong experience in dealing with students. In particular during this and last year I have been teaching Latin and Ancient Greek to first year students. In the last two months I also have been teaching Latin to the children of the Overdale Infant and Jr. School, as part of the Outreach Program of the School of Archaeology and Ancient History. Furthermore, since last year I have been working as one to one study mentor in The AccessAbility Centre of the University where I support students with learning disabilities. Finally, when I was still in Italy I have been giving private lessons of Latin, Ancient Greek and Italian literature to high school and university students for three years.

Tutoring Approach:
I will have a different approach according to the language I will be teaching. For Italian, I will use a communicative approach. This means that I will deliver just a minimum of grammar and I will use the target language as much as possible so that the student will learn the grammar implicitly. On the other side, since Latin and Ancient Greek are extinct languages I will use a more traditional approach. Nevertheless, also in this case I will try to alternate grammar with literature in order to help the student to get a broader perception of the ancient world.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am Latin and English teacher based in Oldfield Park, Bath. I have been teaching at Kingswood School in Bath since September 2019.

Teaching Experience:
I began teaching English to speakers of other languages in 2010 shortly after completing my CELTA qualification. Initially, I taught university students and young adults at language colleges in London, Perth and Sydney. In 2012 I was accepted onto the Teach First Leadership Development Programme, and began teaching English and Latin to students in a challenging secondary school in Chatham, Medway. In 2013 I moved back to London and began working in the Independent Sector, teaching Latin and Classical Civilization to GCSE and A-level. During this time I also privately tutored students for AS and A2 Latin examinations. Since September 2016 I have been working at a preparatory school, preparing students for the demands of Common Entrance and Scholarship Exams.

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring is all about relationships. If the tutor and tutee have a relationship based on mutual respect, they will work hard for one another, and good results will come naturally.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic student of classics and ancient history, very passionate about teaching. I have learned Greek and Latin in university, and enjoyed learning them very much. I want to share my enthusiasm for the topic and teach Greek and Latin to others. I have an MA in ancient history from Durham University, and have finished my PhD in the same topic at UCL.

Besides Greek, Latin, classics and ancient history, I am also familiar with Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Aramaic, Old Persian and Modern Persian (Farsi), all of which I can tutor as well.

Teaching Experience:
Taught for Greek and Latin at UCL from 2018-2021.
UCL arts and humanities outreach presenter
Tutored Modern Persian, classical Greek and Latin since 2016.

Tutoring Approach:
I always thought that languages are easy marks when I was at school. This remains true: languages are the easiest place for the student to get guaranteed marks in their studies - the problem is that people learn languages in different ways and this is where I can help. Through the years I have worked with many different students and know both the material and different teaching styles inside out.

My goal is to make the language not only an easy way to easy marks, but also a very enjoyable prossess. I see them as gateways into fascinating cultures and literature, and my students tend to agree.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I have tutored a wide range of subjects, most frequently Latin and Maths; I have wide-ranging knowledge but I am a rare specialist in Classical Greek GCSE. Perfect exam grade record - in my mixture of reformed and unreformed GCSEs I achieved 5 9s, 6 A*s and and A^(A**) in Further Maths. A* in EPQ. Centre assessed 3 A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Economics A Levels (Calculated grades were 2 A* and A in Further Maths). I am studying Economics at Durham University from September 2021.

Teaching Experience:
100% 9-7 GCSE Record for Tutees

Tutoring 12 students in wide-ranging topic and subject areas.

I have tutored GCSE Latin, GCSE Greek, and year 9 Maths.

Feedback from Faye and Iona Green (Grade 7 in Latin GCSE) (February 2020):

'My daughter has been having 1 to 1 sessions on a weekly basis since summer 2019, she wanted to do GCSE Latin in 1 year.

We cannot speak highly enough of William, he has taught her everything she needs to know in a way that is easy to understand, full of enthusiasm and always willing to help outside of the taught lesson. He sets homework when needed and marks this.

My daughter is feeling confident about the forthcoming exams because of the excellent tuition that has been provided.

I would not think twice about using William again for tuition in the future and would highly recommend him to anyone else.

Thank you William for all you have done.'

Feedback from Katie Lester (Passed GCSE Maths Equivalency Test for PGCE) (September 2020):
'Just wanted to let you know I passed the test! Thank you so much for all of your help, you are a fantastic tutor!'

Feedback from Magdalena and Thomas Kurek (November 2020):
'Hi William. I had a parents evening recently and Tom's teacher said he is doing very well in math. Tom told me he feels more confident at school too. Thank you for your work with him.'

Feedback from Vivian and Cassidy Madziyire (February 2021):
'Your input so far has made a huge difference.'

Tutoring Approach:
Friendly, supportive, motivating, specification based work and focus on improvement through guiding through past papers.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Welcome! A freelance tutor and singer, I give "Personal tuition in the right key". I can help you get the highest grades in exams, and study in the "key" that best suits you. Like the right song choices, I often inspire my students to succeed.

- Which subject(s) do you teach?

French, Spanish, Latin, Ancient Greek, English as a Foreign Language, Creative Writing, Singing, Oxbridge Interview preparation.

- Tell me about your qualifications.

Master of Studies in European Literature (Spanish) from Exeter College, Oxford University;
Master of Arts in Classics and Modern Languages (French) from New College, Oxford University;
PostGraduate Certificate in Education and Qualified Teacher Status from the Department of Education, Oxford University;
Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (Spanish Diploma) from Salamanca University, Spain;
Advanced Certificate in Careers Education and Guidance from Canterbury Christ Church College;
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Level 5, CELTA equivalent, 140 hours) from EDI and i-to-i Volunteering.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts ("Working for 21st century Enlightenment")

- Where do you teach?

I teach online via FaceTime and/or Skype from my home and at students' homes. I live in Abingdon, in Oxfordshire, in the UK, and am prepared to drive up to c30 miles from home if online lessons are not possible, to include nearby towns such as Oxford, Wantage, Bicester, Henley, Reading, Newbury, Thame, Wallingford, Marlow ... I teach pupils online anywhere in the world, latterly in UK towns such as Northampton, Cheltenham etc. and abroad in Hong Kong, Russia, Kazakhstan ...

- Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.

I use Skype or Apple FaceTime. The video feed can be switched off at my student's request, or if it degrades the sound quality. Tests and exercises are sent to the student and returned to me for marking by email.

Teaching Experience:
- What kind of experience do you have?

Two years teaching Scholarship Latin and Greek in a local prep school (Cothill House);
Previously spent 25 years in the classroom in independent and state schools in the UK, France and Peru, teaching all ages;
Sometime Head of three academic departments (one of which I founded at Abingdon School);
c10 years one-to-one private tuition to all ages, latterly often online or through local agencies.

- Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate?

Yes - fully listed on the DBS update site.

- Where and with whom did you train?

University of Oxford, New College and Exeter College;
University of Oxford Department of Education;
Salamanca University;
Christ Church College Canterbury;

- Do you belong to any professional organisations?

I am a member of the General Teaching Council, the Association for Language Learning, sometime Chair of the Oxford Education Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Academy of St Cecilia.

Tutoring Approach:
"David has been tutoring our son via Skype for the last year, since his Spanish teacher said she did not want to put him in for GCSE Spanish as she thought he would fail. David has been marvellous with coaxing and coaching him and giving him confidence. Just the one to one attention has been hugely beneficial, and the bonus that "tech"� was involved, and that there was no time lost in driving to and from lessons has been a real godsend too. David is incredibly supportive and encouraging without being at all patronising, and really strikes the right balance to get the best out of his students. Can recommend unreservedly."
Mrs F, Gloucestershire,

"Our son has flourished under David's tutelage; the balance and content of homework and classwork has been very carefully gauged and enabled our son to progress rapidly, with great enthusiasm for his studies. The weekly reports David submits have been of immense value to us as parents trying to support our son's learning, as has the clear structuring, marking and regular review of work." Dr M. and Mr E.

"David has provided my daughter with an excellent grounding in Spanish prior to her starting the subject at school. He has guided her through the basics in a clear, thoughtful and well-informed way and has formed a very good relationship in which she has felt engaged, supported and motivated." Mrs W.

"My two children (ages 9 and 10) have progressed rapidly in their French learning with David. His lessons with them are focused and thorough, and his approach is patient and clear. He has great enthusiasm for languages and significant experience in teaching them, which show through in his lessons. My children both very much enjoy their lessons and are even happy to do the homework! David is also very helpful in working with us to find the best ways to support their learning between lessons. " Jenny T

"Dear David, Thank you so much for all your help and guidance when I applied for the Chaplaincy. It was good, too, to see you there when I went for interview" Revd. Michael P"

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Classics Graduate from St. John's College, University of Oxford. I have been teaching for six years now, both online and in person, one-on-one and for classes across a vast range of subjects. I focus primarily on History, English, Latin and Classical Greek, but I have experience teaching Maths, Sciences, and Psychology. I have extensive experience preparing students for the 11+/13+, GCSEs and A-Levels: my students consistently achieve the highest grades in public examinations, and admission to prestigious schools, including Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse and Winchester. Whether applying for school admission or public examination, I provide comprehensive courses that leave no space for the unexpected in a student's exams. I have experience across OCR, Edexcel, AQA and Eduqas exam boards at both GCSE and A-Level.

Many of my students have gone on to receive successful Oxbridge admission during their time with me, with three successful applicants in the last cycle alone. I've taught ages three to sixty-five, and am always excited to meet new students and work with various needs. I believe the student-tutor dynamic should be at the heart of a good tutoring set-up, and I have seen this proven in the excellent improvement and results of my past tutees. My students learn to love their subjects and develop a high quality of written communication and critical analysis.

I OFFER A FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION TO DISCUSS YOU OR YOUR CHILD'S GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR COURSE.

A little bit about my qualifications:
- Oxford Classics undergraduate degree.
- Four A*s at A-Level in History, Ancient History, Greek, Latin.
- 13 A*s at GCSE.
- Prizes in international essay competitions, including the National College of the Humanities, Fitzwilliam College Cambridge.

Please get in touch with any questions!

Teaching Experience:
Professional Experience
- Over five thousand hours of private tutoring experience, online and in-person, across Latin, Greek, Ancient History, History, and English at KS1-3, GCSE, AS and A-Level, undergraduate and for 11+/13+ preparation.
- Supported students aged 4 to 63, helping them to achieve their goals, including top grades at GCSE and A-Level, successful university applications (Oxbridge and Russell Group), and high performance in competitive exams such as Eton's King's Scholarship. Successful admission to Eton, Winchester, Charterhouse among others.
- Worked with tutoring agencies, who specialise in preparing high-ability students for Common Entrance, with a particular international focus, and an agency preparing students for IELTS exams as part of their applications to British universities.
- Taught English grammar and speaking skills to classes of international students at Oxford-based holiday camps.
-Specialised in tailored tutoring for disadvantaged students, including those with autism, dyslexia, and dementia.

Voluntary Work
- Latin Mentoring with Local Primary School
- led a partnership programme, creating videos and resources to introduce children 9-11 to Classics.
- Science Mentoring with Local Primary School
- tutored underprivileged children at Fen Ditton Primary School, running weekly science lessons.

Please get in touch with any questions!

Tutoring Approach:
As a student myself, I'm acutely aware of what works and what doesn't - my lessons involve getting to know the student, and building a rapport to bring the subject to life! I love working with the students I teach to figure out their best approach to each topic; I believe this is the route to achieving the best results. My lessons are highly interactive, involving active learning and recall, and making use of a variety of resources to best fit any individual's learning style. I tailor my courses specifically to my students' goals, whether entrance exams or public assessments, with a focus on weaker areas. Continual recap and revision play an important role in my lessons, as evidence-supported routes to long-term understanding. My students tend to enjoy my lessons, and develop a real love for their subjects! Having studied the languages for 10 years now, I have a full understanding of all the difficulties of Latin and Greek - whether prepping for common entrance or studying towards Classical GCSEs, I take my students step-by-step through everything they need to know. As a successful Oxford applicant, I'm also on hand to help with any application troubles - I'll be happy to read personal statements, give pre-interview test coaching and interview practice: just reach out! I am on call 24/7 to provide support, as well as marking homework outside of lesson time. With six years of experience teaching across all ages, I'm highly flexible and keen to work to each individual situation - please get in touch with all and any questions!

Subjects

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teaching Experience:
Personal statements

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

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

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

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

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

French
I teach French to A level and

I teach Classical Greek to GCSE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subjects

Personal Description:
Ciao! I'm Esmond. I'm a writer, composer, director and artist, and prizewinning History finalist at the University of Oxford, with experience of a broad range of learning environments and teaching styles, and substantial industry experience in music and the creative arts. Deeply passionate about my subjects, I'm dedicated to each of my students and enthusiastic about sharing the joy of learning with them. I tutor History, Music, History of Art and Latin to A-Level, IB and equivalent, and English, Design and Technology (Graphic Design route) and Maths to GCSE/IGCSE. I also provide mentoring, including guidance on personal statements, submitted work, admissions tests and interviews, for students applying to study History and related subjects at both Oxbridge and other universities. More broadly, I work with students at all levels to develop essay writing, research, problem-solving and study skills.

Currently a final-year historian at the University of Oxford, I hold both academic and music scholarships. I attained a Distinction in the First Public Examination, ranking equal fourth across the University. Besides history, my degree has also involved considerable interdisciplinary work in the visual arts, literature, music and folklore, and substantial language work in Latin, French, Italian and Middle English, in which I have research-level proficiency. I have A-Levels in Music, Latin and History (all above 90%), an AS-Level in Maths (A), and 11 A*s at IGCSE and GCSE. I have extensive knowledge of a broad range of history, music, art and literature, with particular expertise in the medieval, Renaissance and early Modern periods, the eighteenth century, the European folk revival, and - in music - post-tonal and contemporary composition, although I also teach more broadly, including on modern topics. I share details of and blog about medieval and Renaissance Italian art, drawing on my own photography and travels in Italy, at Treasures of Renaissance Italy.

My teaching in Music and Design and Technology is further underpinned by extensive industry experience in music (as a composer, director, producer and singer), graphic design and the creative arts more broadly. I produced and artistically directed my first opera production, Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, in 2016, with an international cast of singers from several leading British and European conservatoires, and I'm currently Artistic Director and co-Musical Director of the semi-professional early music and early opera ensemble, Theatron Oneiron, which I founded as a first-year undergraduate. As a freelance composer, my compositions have won competitions at a national level and been performed by such artists as the BBC Singers. I'm also a classically trained, semi-professional singer, currently a Choral Exhibitioner in the Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford, and formerly a Choral Scholar at Guildford Cathedral and Exeter College, Oxford, and member of the Iken Scholars among many other ensembles; and I frequently perform as a recitalist and as a soloist in oratorios and opera productions. I previously studied both piano and violin. In art and design, my experience encompasses both artistic and technical drawing, product design, poster design, and production design for the stage, and my work includes an award-winning scaled model and card model kit of Guildford Cathedral.

Teaching Experience:
I have substantial experience of a range of learning environments and teaching styles, including home education, project- and inquiry-based learning, the Oxbridge tutorial format, and classroom-style teaching in both the private and the state sectors.

I worked as a Teaching Assistant at Chelsea Academy, London, in 2013-14, as part of RGS Guildford's Outreach Scheme there. I have led and assisted classes for year groups and ability levels from Year 7 to GCSE and top to bottom sets, and previously provided mentoring to Oxbridge applicants. More recently, my experience includes one-to-one tutoring in humanities subjects, English as a Second Language, and Music Theory. I have further developed creative and effective coaching and teaching methods in the course of work as both a musical director and stage director, and clear and engaging communication of content and ideas through seminar talks and presentations in the course of my own studies.

Tutoring Approach:
My own teaching style is greatly influenced by my own fruitful experiences of home education (to age eleven) and the Oxbridge tutorial format. I prioritise the greater scope for intellectual flexibility and curiosity, intrinsically-motivated learning, and heightened freedom to range across subjects and pursue individual topics in greater depth according to each student's interests characteristic of both of these learning environments. I combine these foci with rigorous, comprehensive attention to exam syllabi to ensure that teaching and learning remain carefully targeted towards my students' desired grades in any traditional summative assessments such as school entrance exams, GCSEs or A-Levels.

All my tutoring is student-centred, guiding and facilitating my students in their own learning, in contrast to traditional teacher-centred instruction. I work with each student to tailor lessons to their individual learning style and priorities (whether understanding subject material, exam content, or honing particular skills such as analysis or argument). I place particular emphasis on developing a deep-seated passion for learning in my students and on encouraging them to think independently, critically and originally. I am, moreover, dedicated to seeing tangible improvement in each and every one of my students and will always put in extra effort to achieve this end.

Subjects

Personal Description:
A highly enthusiastic, dedicated, and accomplished teacher with 22 years of experience in secondary education, specialising in Modern Foreign Languages, including German, French, and Spanish. Having a Master's degree and already holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, I combine strong academic credentials with extensive classroom expertise.

Throughout my career, I have consistently secured positive outcomes for students by building strong relationships, fostering mutual respect, and creating engaging learning environments that inspire confidence and achievement. Passionate about language learning and committed to delivering outstanding German teaching, I strive to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.

With a proven track record of collaboration, professionalism, and high expectations, I am now seeking a new opportunity where I can contribute my skills, experience, and enthusiasm, and quickly become a valued member of a successful teaching team.

Teaching Experience:
With 22 years of teaching experience, I have developed a highly adaptable and student-centred approach that recognises and responds to the unique needs, strengths, and learning styles of each individual. I am committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By tailoring teaching strategies and providing personalised support, I consistently promote engagement, confidence, and academic success.

Tutoring Approach:
As a teacher, I adopt a constructivist approach to learning, designing and adapting lessons to meet the diverse needs, abilities, and interests of my students. I encourage learners to actively engage with new knowledge, think critically, and take ownership of their learning journey. By fostering independence, resilience, and self-reflection, I create an environment in which students develop the confidence and skills required for long-term success. This personalised and student-centred approach has consistently resulted in high levels of engagement, strong academic progress, and excellent examination outcomes.

Subjects

Personal Description:
As a tutor proficient in Greek, Maths, Latin, History, and Geography, my approach is tailored to foster a deep understanding and appreciation of each subject. I emphasise a balanced methodology, combining traditional techniques with modern educational tools. For languages like Greek and Latin, I focus on immersive learning through reading, translation, and conversation, enhancing linguistic and cultural comprehension. In Maths, I prioritise conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills, ensuring students grasp fundamental principles before progressing to complex topics. History and Geography lessons are interactive and analytical, encouraging students to explore historical events and geographical phenomena through discussions, maps and multimedia resources. My tutoring style is adaptive, student-centered, and aimed at cultivating critical thinking, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.

Teaching Experience:
With five years of experience in teaching History, Geography, Latin, Maths and Greek, my educational approach is both comprehensive and dynamic, designated to cater to diverse learning styles. I integrate a variety of teaching methods, from traditional lectures to interactive activities, to engage students and foster a deeper understanding of each subject. in History and Geography, I encourage critical analysis and contextual thinking, using maps, primary sources, and multimedia to bring the past and the world to life. For Latin and Greek, I emphasise immersive language practice, including reading classical texts and conversational exercises, to build linguistic proficiency and cultural insight. In Maths, I focus on developing strong foundational skills through problem-solving and logical reasoning, esnuring students are well-prepared for advanced concepts. My goal is to create an inclusive and stimulating learning environment where students are motivated to explore, question, and connect the dots across disciplines.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is centered around creating a personalised and engaging learning experience for each student. I believe in understanding the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of my students, which allows me to tailor my teaching methods accordingly. I use a variety of instructional strategies, including hands-on activities, real-word applications, and multimedia resources, to make learning both relevant and enjoyable. By fostering a supportive and interactive environment , I encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and develop a deeper understanding of the material. My goal is not only to help students excel academically but also to instill a lifelong love for learning and curiosity about the world around them.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Masters student at Swansea university. I did my undergraduate in Classics achieving a 2:1, I also won the Alfred Moorhouse award for most proficient at Latin and Ancient Greek in the year. In my spare time I love to exercise and play video games and spend time outdoors!

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored online before with a student from Hong Kong in Ancient Greek. Also I taught kids in Tanzania about their rights and sanitation for 10 weeks.

Tutoring Approach:
When it comes to learning languages repetition is key, but this can also be fun. I aim to help you learn through repetition and practice, the benefit of this is the more you retain the more it makes sense causing learning to become fun rather than troublesome.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi all, my name is Jack and I am currently a finalist undergraduate at Oriel College, University of Oxford studying for a BA in Literae Humaniores (Oxford's name for Classics) hoping to help people stay on top of their education during a time in which education has been incredibly unstable for many.
I have 3 A stars in my A levels in History, English Literature and History, a mark of 100% in my Extended Qualification Project and 12 a stars in my GCSEs
I have an offer for postgraduate study at Newcastle University starting in September 2023.

Teaching Experience:
Having tutored for four years, I specialise in teaching students of all ages and abilities in Latin, Ancient Greek and wider Classical studies. I have also extensive experience in tutoring History and English to a GCSE standard. Beyond pure academics, I am a successful Oxbridge application tutor, specialising in personal statements and interview preparations for most humanities degrees.

I have tutored all of the UK examination boards (WJEC, AQA, OCR and Pearson), as well as Cambridge Pre-Us. I also am experienced in both GCSE and iGCSEs.

I also have a tailored adult learning programme which is flexible to both students ability but also the part of the Classical World in which they are most interested.

Tutoring Approach:
With my years of tutoring experience, combined with the skills I have developed at Oxford, I am confident in helping my students acquire an in depth understanding of their subjects. I use a range of interactive approaches to tutoring, providing personalised guidance to my students to allow them to reach their full potential. Through a combination of wider language work and a focus on examined content, I believe any student is able to access classical languages. With good, personalised tutoring, I believe these so called "dead" languages can be brought back to life, inspiring students to great success no matter their aims.

With adult learners in mind, my approach tuition is to get to grips with some original texts as soon as possible, since this is why we learn Latin and Greek! Language is the key to unlocking the ancient world and too often classical language teaching misses this, deep in its lexicons and grammar primers. I aim to correct that, by teaching grammar and language skills alongside getting to grips with some of the biggest names of the classical world.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm a French student living in Edinburgh. I just graduated 2 licences, one in Film Studies and on in English literature. I also just finished 3 years of prep school. During those years, I was prepared to go into the highest French literature school. I specialised my studies into cinema during those 3 years. Therefore, I can teach everything related to art, literature and subjects that are close to it.

I'm really kind and like to know the people I'm teaching to. I like sports (Handball mostly), music (did 10 years of music school), reading and going to movies.

Teaching Experience:
I already teach music to younger students in my music school (4 years).
I used to tutor students thanks to a tutoring program in my prep school. (3 years)
I coached younger players during my latest handball years. (2 years)

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring depends on the age of the student. For example, for my youngest students, I like to play games to make them learn.
I don't mind repeating myself and know how to explain things in different ways.
My approach is to make increase skills by yourself by unlocking or deblocking things you thought you didn't understand.
I also give advices on how to review your course and learn your lesson. I'm great at giving advises for essays as I had to wrote one every week during 6h, during my prep school.
For every language's subject, I favour speaking and listening to oral comprehension in order to increase your skills.

Subjects