Alva Maths Tutors and Alva Maths Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a full time A Level Physics and Mathematics teacher at a Tertiary College. We have about 50 students in each of years 12 and 13. 26 of our Physics students gained grade As at AS Level in 2006. 48% A and A* at A2 Level in June 2011. This is twice the Welsh average which puts us at the top of tree. 67% A*,A or B in 2012 in my class.Three of my students have won the Institute of Physics prize for the highest A Level marks in Wales with several gaining 600/600. I also teach A Level Mathematics (Pure, Mechanics and Statistics) and A Level Electronics. Previously I was head of Mathematics, Computing and Physical Sciences but I preferred teaching to administration so I returned to full-time teaching. I like to entertain and inspire! I am married with three children. I have a wide range of interests from sport to photography.

Teaching Experience:
25 years experience of Physics and Mathematics teaching at a Tertiary College and a Comprehensive School. Previously an examiner for most of the major examination boards at A Level and GCSE. Previously taught TaeKwondo and swimming.

Tutoring Approach:
Home based. Fully resourced. Private study.
On line teaching available using a multi camera system with real and virtual whiteboards.

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Personal Description:
I have an excellent rapport with young people, with 30 years experience as a Scout Leader.

Teaching Experience:
The last 16 years I have been girls and boys in Maths, Physics, Biology and Chemistry with exam achievements far exceeding expectations.
I previously worked for BT and was involved in training engineers and managers in utilisation of management information.

Tutoring Approach:
I have the ability to be able to explain complex things in a simple way.
Tutoring sessions are customised to the individual student's needs, with revision strategies to maximise exam performance.
I am very good at motivating students, being enthusiastic and making the subject fun and exciting.
The pace is customised to stretch the young people while keeping within their comprehension zone.

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Personal Description:
I am a software engineer graduated from University of Oxford (MSc), I currently work as a hourly paid lecturer at a University and a part-time teacher at sixth form college teaching Maths and Computer Science. I have several years of private tutoring experience for GCSE and A' Level. I have also tutored 11 plus maths for my own two daughters, who have gained admission at a selective grammar school.

Teaching Experience:
Maths: GCSE and A' Level
Physics: GCSE
Computer Science: A' Level

Tutoring Approach:
I adapt various teaching methods tailored to each individual pupil. I am a very a passionate and enthusiastic teacher.

I believe that exam practice is fundamental for success, thus I provide practice in answering past paper and mock exam questions to boost pupils knowledge and confidence.

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Personal Description:
I have worked with some 800+ children and have a pass rate of 91%. I recommend that children start tuition from near the beginning of year 5 and have a 50 mins-one hour lesson per week.

I am a regular contributor on 11+ website forums giving parents the benefit of my experience/knowledge.

In 2003 I produced a guide to 11+ success and have sold over 1500 copies to date.

I have been an adviser to publisher Nelson Thornes on the contents of their VR books which include the Bond range.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 21 years experience as a private tutor preparing children for the grammar school entrance exams (11+) and 11 years as a year 5 class teacher.

Tutoring Approach:
I carry out an initial assessment test which provides me with an accurate guide as to whether the child is a suitable candidate.

My aim is to familiarise my pupils with the different types of verbal reasoning questions they will encounter in the exam and teach them methods to tackle them most effectively.

As we approach the exam we concentrate on 'fine-tuning' i.e. concentrating specifically on any areas that need further attention and ensuring that the child is used to working at the required speed. Appropriate practice tests are done on a regular basis.

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Personal Description:
I am a retired Professor of Mathematics. I have the capability to explain even the "difficult" topics in a very simplified manner. I know how to communicate Maths.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 45 years of experience of teaching Mathematics. I have been teaching Engineering Mathematics to engineering undergraduates of various technologies like Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Chemical Engineering etc. I have also been teaching Business Mathematics to Business and Management Studies students. I have also been tutoring GCSE and A level students of London and Cambridge boards for the last 15 years.
My students have always been showing very good results.

Tutoring Approach:
In the first meeting I observe the students. I note down the weaker areas. Then I focus on those areas first. The students start picking after a very few meetings.

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Personal Description:
I am a native Chinese speaker from mainland China, and I have been living in the UK for more than 15 years, working as a Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and Chinese teacher at a independent school. I earned a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of Manchester in 2015. I have excellent teaching experience in Chinese at all levels, as well as in Maths (from KS1 up to GCSE). I have received positive feedback from my previous students, who have praised my patience, clear communication, and sense of responsibility. Additionally, I have worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in a secondary school, where I gained valuable experience supporting young people's learning.

In terms of personality, I am very easygoing, kind, and highly responsible. Since moving to the UK in 2010, I have lived in diverse environments, working with students from various creeds and ethnic backgrounds. This experience has enriched my understanding and appreciation of international cultures and individual differences.

I enjoy travelling and experiencing new things. I have visited several places, including European countries (England, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Iceland, and Greenland), Africa (Cameroon), South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macau. I love sports, particularly swimming, yoga, cycling, hiking, and horse riding.

Teaching Experience:
I am an experienced and dedicated Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and Chinese teacher, currently teaching students aged 3-18, including GCSE, GCE/A Level,HSK and YCT(Youth Chinese Test) Chinese, at an independent school in the UK. With about 15 years of experience teaching Mandarin both online and face-to-face to non-native English speakers of various ages and levels in both China and the UK, I have developed a deep understanding of effective teaching methods and the ability to meet individual student needs.

As a private Mandarin tutor, I bring the same level of commitment and personalized attention to each of my students. My extensive experience has equipped me with valuable insights into creating engaging and effective lessons tailored to each student's learning style and goals.

In addition to my current teaching role, I have been a freelance Mandarin teacher since 2012, collaborating with several language organizations. I am also an experienced interpreter and translator, with over ten years of expertise in both written and spoken translation. My background includes working in various sectors, such as business (e.g., 2010 EXPO Shanghai) and education (e.g., translating articles and interpreting at international conferences).

Testimonials:
"I decided to begin learning Mandarin with Yifen over the summer for business and travel purposes.
Given that I was a complete beginner, I was heartened by the friendliness and professional nature of the lessons and was delighted by the flexibility of the lessons.
The way Yifen catered the lessons to my specific areas of interest was very encouraging. It meant I was able to cover a lot more relevant content in the short time I had with her.
Had I not had to move back to University, I would've liked to continue my lessons." Matthew, a former Student

''I had the pleasure of taking my first steps in Mandarin with Yifen. I found her very knowledgeable, understanding, adaptable and extremely flexible to my needs. Only when I travelled to China, I could really appreciate how valuable her teachings were. Before Yifen, I could not understand anything at all. After only a few lessons with Yifen, my ability to understand had greatly improved and I could even venture into dialogues with Chinese people and, lo and behold, be understood!

Yifen's approach is systematic and practical at the same time. She frequently tested my comprehension ability, and engaged me in dialogues, but also illustrated the building blocks of the language, touching on grammar rules and special usage, as needed.
She was always keen on answering any additional questions that might have crossed my mind. She was motivating and an inspiration and greatly boosted my desire to learn more about the Chinese language and culture.
Yifen is a joy to work with and I would heartily recommend her to anyone who wants to approach the study of the Chinese language with a solid, competent and inspirational teacher.

老师，谢谢'' -Fernando, A former adult learner

"Yifen has been my teacher for the past four years throughout my GCSEs and A-levels! She helped me achieve an A* at GCSE and helped me achieve my required grade to get into university! With a lesson every week I was undoubtedly able to rely on Yifen for the support I needed for my work and to achieve the result that I not only wanted, but needed. She would always write lesson reviews and summaries for me to look upon to further improve my learning of Mandarin, and even set me work to challenge me and to push my ability further. I'm so grateful for all the time Yifen gave up for me and definitely wouldn't have been able to adapt and progress my Chinese without her help! Yifen is so helpful, reliable and able to focus on anything you ask her to help you with and I would highly recommend her to anyone who would want to learn or better their Mandarin!"-Bethan, a former GCSE and A-level learner.

Tutoring Approach:
I make every effort to prepare lessons that meet each student's individual needs. I strive to create a comfortable learning environment because I believe a good atmosphere is crucial for learning a language and encouraging learners to speak. Lessons are carefully prepared, incorporating engaging stories and other materials, so you can learn Mandarin and have fun at the same time!

I believe that a good teacher is responsible for meeting students' needs. My work experience has reinforced my belief that it is essential to teach the students in front of you rather than just following a textbook. I endeavour to be an attentive listener, observe, and identify any problems that arise during lessons. This approach helps me find solutions and maximise my potential.

I am passionate about helping my students succeed and am committed to providing high-quality, individualised instruction. If you are looking for a skilled and reliable private Mandarin tutor who can help you achieve your language goals, I would be delighted to work with you.

There are some textbooks I have been using for the learners, such as:
Confidence Chinese Vol. Getting Started
Confidence Chinese Vol2. Living in China
Chinese Made Easy Book1, 2 and 3.
Standard Course HSK
Edexcel Chinese for AS
Edexcel Chinese for A2
Chinese Made Easy for Kids.
Youth Chinese Test(YCT)

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic and dedicated person that values family, and family values above all. I have a first degree in Actuarial science (Math and Economics) from City University, London, and have been involved with figures throughout my whole working career. I expect students to put their "best foot forward" and believe that with the right encouragement, any and all students can achieve.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten (10) years tutoring experience at all levels of secondary education, having dealt with several pupils over that time, on levels right up to A level math. I currently teach at a local secondary and have taught all key stages, including key stage 5, over the last 8 years.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that with the right environment and approach, students can be supplied with the confidence and skills to both be successful at exams at school and in later choices. This is achieved in a friendly and mutually respectful atmosphere.

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Personal Description:
I am a dedicated teacher of many years experience that enables me to understand and appreciate the problems that students have in learning a wide range of scientific and mathematical topics. I have worked extensively with young people and I have CRB clearance.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught biology at university for many years at all levels from foundation courses to final years honours. I also have extensive knowledge in teaching chemistry, physics and mathematics. In addition I have tutored my children for their GCSE and A-level examinations enabling them to go to university.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a personality that allows me to communicate with young people and appreciate their difficulties in acquiring knowledge.

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Personal Description:
A qualified teacher with a bachelors degree from the University of Warwick. A hard-working dedicated teacher of Maths currently head of faculty in one of the most successful schools in Nottingham.
Guaranteed to achieve the best possible results for all different boards in:
- GCSE
- AS, A2, A Level, etc.

My preference is for online tutoring but please get in touch if you'd like to discuss this further.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 10 years experience teaching maths in secondary schools in the Nottingham area. I'm currently the Head of mathematics at a very successful secondary school in Nottingham.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that for tutoring to be effective, the student must be motivated and have a desire to spend the time doing it. I take quite a relaxed approach and respond to the needs of the student dealing with any problems or difficulties understanding as they arise.

I prefer to work through a number of examples with the student addressing any misconceptions that may exist, before supporting them toward independent practice of questions around a given topic.

Above all, I want to create a relaxed atmosphere where the student can reach their full potential.

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Personal Description:
I am a hardworking, reliable and motivated student with a drive and eagerness to interact and work with people which will be achieved with this sales assistant job. I have currently completed my GCSEs last month and will now be able to focus on a job. The A-levels I aim to take and eventually the career I am pursuing requires a varied skills which I am certain I will be able to get from a job at your placement. I am a highly determined and persistent individual and take pride in the work I do.
I receive my GCSE results on the 24th of August 2017 however down below are the predicted grades of my core subjects.
• Maths - 8
• English - 8
• Biology- A*
• Chemistry- A*
• Physics - A*
• Business - A*

Teaching Experience:
The achievements and skills I have include:
• Two weeks work experience at a Primary School - 4-16th July 2016
• 9 months experience in tutoring a 2 young individuals for their SATs
• Team work- played on the Coventry and North Warwickshire Netball team for 2 years
• Communication- past employment gave me an opportunity to develop my communication skills with the individuals around me.
• Interpersonal skills - work in a Primary School meant I developed empathy and sympathy as I was most often put in charge of the Year 2 class and had to resolve fights and quarrels.

If needed I can provide a reference from the two young that I have tutored for the past 10 months.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to engage the child through fun and interactive methods. I am a strong believer in active learning so will ensure the child has a good time learning so that they do not just have to learn but they want to learn.
I am proposing a 1 hour tutoring session once a week on a Sunday (or any other day suitable in respect to the child) and in this sessions materials and past papers will be provided for the child including a calculator for the student. The sessions will be timed to ensure we finish on time and meet the deadlines of the individuals.

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Personal Description:
In the years 1998-2005 I worked in the IT industry. My responsibilities mainly covered administrating Operating Systems and troubleshooting computer networks in small to medium businesses. I spent most of my time working with customers troubleshooting problems. I found I had a natural talent in communicating with people in a respectful and considerate manner. It also led me to improve my customer service skills which I continue to find useful as a teacher at City College Plymouth.
I have been studying a Computer Networks degree (graduated 2014) and MSc Network Systems Engineering (finishing in March 2018) at Plymouth University.
I am enthusiastic and well-organized with sterling interpersonal and communication skills.

Teaching Experience:
For the last four years I have been teaching IT, Maths and Engineering at the college, delivering lessons for levels 3-5. Alongside teaching I have achieved my certificate in Award in Education and Teaching and currently I am undertaking level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very happy and proud delivering my knowledge and demonstrating my skills to others. However, I plan my lessons taking care to follow best practice and deliver using active learning strategies and differentiate effectively through a variety of means. I encourage and support students with walking through problems using probing Socratic questioning to give them the opportunity to find the solution(s) themselves.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I am a teacher of Design and Technology- main area is Product Design/ Graphic Technology but I also deliver Resistant Materials and Engineering. I have good (with outstanding features) teaching skills and subject knowledge. I have worked in the education sector for 10 years and have been teaching in schools since 2013.I have an in-depth understanding of my subject specifications and have a history of achieving good results.

Teaching Experience:
Prior to teaching I studied Graphic communication and then Graphic Design and Illustration at university. My journey into education started as a behavior and academic mentor helping those with barriers to their learning. I later developed my passion and skill to become a qualified teacher of Design and Technology at secondary level.

I have also taught KS3 Math (lower ability groups), GCSE Media studies and GCSE Engineering.

I have also worked with Engineering Development Trust and directed many students to apprenticeships post school education. I have strong knowledge and understanding of the forth industrial revolution and skill sets that will benefit the next generation in the working world that they will enter.

I currently work as a Design and Technology Teacher, specialising in Technical drawing. I am very familiar with AQA, Edexcel and OCR syllabuses. I also mark GCSE coursework and exams for the AQA exam board.

Tutoring Approach:
Learning is a personal journey. I am strong at scaffolding and differentiation of work. I like to work with students who want to build on their knowledge through a style which works best for them. Sometimes I could do mock papers, sometimes it could be activity based learning, other times it could be going over and improving what has been done at work (for example, coursework improvements).

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Personal Description:
I am currently a 3rd Yr BSc Discrete Mathematics (Maths & Computer Science) undergraduate at the University of Warwick with a predicted grade of First.
Mathematics has always been a passion of mine because I love the problem-solving aspect of it and the useful applications it has to the real world. Maths is far more significant than most people think, since most of us use it in our everyday life, yet they lack the proper understanding of certain concepts to solve various unseen problems.
As a result, I believe that Maths provides students with an effective way of building mental discipline and encourages logical reasoning and mental rigor. Also, mathematical knowledge plays a fundamental role in understanding the content of other school subjects.
My approach of gaining a full understanding of the content and completing several practice questions proved to be extremely rewarding since it allowed me to successfully attain a GCSE Excellence Award (achieved by the top 5% of the cohort) as well as obtaining over 90% in all of my Maths A-Level modules.
Most importantly, I want to pass this curiosity and enthusiasm onto my students to unlock their true potential, alongside utilizing my 1 year of teaching experience, in order to make Maths more enjoyable for them and consistently adapt my tutorials to address any of their weaknesses to ensure they are resolved asap so that they can truly appreciate what they are learning.

Teaching Experience:
1 Year at Secondary School teaching students aged 9-15.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to making learning effective is simple:
1) Presenting and delivering the content in way that is easy and enjoyable to learn, since it is proven and from my experience that this is the most beneficial and quickest way for students to learn.
2) Ensuring that my students are understanding the content comfortably instead of simply memorizing it. I will do this through constant interaction, whilst working through countless exam-style and unseen questions with them to ensure that they can apply key concepts of what they have learned.
Together, this will guarantee that my students are not only well-equipped for their upcoming exams, but by solving more complex unseen problems, it will make the exam questions seem easy in comparison so that my students can effortlessly achieve the highest possible grade.
Each session, I will spend a small amount of time highlighting some weak areas from the previous tutorials, so that we can discuss how to improve as a way of tracking progress. After this, I will run through some example questions and ask students to explain their ideas and their thought process on solving the problem as if they were teaching it to me, which will truly demonstrate the student's ability on how well they have understood the topic. Throughout the session, I am more than happy to answer any questions/ queries from the students regarding anything they have learnt, in order to maximize their knowledge and confidence in the exams.

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Personal Description:
Well, my teaching approaches vary based on the needs of the pupils and therefore the number of the pupils that consist in the classroom. I shall highly recommend that constructive and indirect teaching approaches are used.

Teaching Experience:
Not much actually.

Tutoring Approach:
Constructive and indirect approaches are the two best approaches for my pupils to learn.

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Personal Description:
I am a second-year student at Imperial College London studying Physics. Tutoring has always been my calling. I am an eager and responsible individual with a passion for maths and physics. I am on a mission to be able to help other students and kindle the same excitement in them. I believe a tutor should be flexible in their teaching methods and be able to create a friendly and comfortable environment with their students where all their misconceptions can be cleared and questions answered with real progress tracking.

Teaching Experience:
I have worked at Premier Tuition in London and from there on I have been tutoring online and getting amazing feedback from my tutees. Parents trust me to be able to give their children a gentle push in the right direction. I specialize in maths and physics and I have also previously been a Science Ambassador at my Sixth form college.It has now been 3 years since I have started tutoring and I have no intentions to stop anytime soon!

Tutoring Approach:
My methods are simplistic but get the job done. I believe that explaining concepts with a clear background of where this information comes from helps students grasp information a lot quicker and I have experienced this being skipped at school myself. I am very versatile and can tutor 1:1 or in small groups. In addition, I am personally available 24/7 to all my students and give hands-on homework help throughout the week as I am fully committed to my students' progress. I am also keen on building a strong relationship with the student's parent so we can discuss progress and things your child is struggling with. For that, I usually suggest a call once a month to have a detailed discussion on your child's progress and test results.
I also have the first meeting with my student and a little assessment (verbal or written) to judge which level they're at and what I can do to help them best. That is done free of charge.

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Personal Description:
I was born in Glasgow, and attended The Glasgow Academy. I have travelled to over 50 countries, and explored new cultures and languages. I have a degree in Chemical engineering, holding a PGCE in secondary Maths. I played cricket for 2 years with Scotland.

Teaching Experience:
I explore critical thinking with my students, and encourage them to be logical and systematic in their approach to answering questions. I am also an experienced GCSE external examiner. I have worked in Africa and the Gulf countries for 10 years, teaching the equivalent to GCSE mathematics.

Tutoring Approach:
I like students to take the lead and set their own targets. My job would be to guide and modify any planning laid out. Furthermore, I will integrate English into solving higher level context based questions pertaining to real life situations. Master the basic skills with practice and slowly develop the art of solving problems. This will allow students to use the same method to all subjects.

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Personal Description:
Hello! I am passionate in teaching, and helping people improve whilst feeling more confident in their studies. Having recently completed my higher exams I hope to help people get through the challenging material with the freshest strategies and tips possible. I'd like to label myself as patient, chillaxed, reliable and friendly. Equally, I love to learn and challenge myself, something I hope I can project to whoever I'm teaching.

First lesson will be 50% off, of course, so you can see whether I am the right tutor for you.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored twice before, once in nat 5 maths bringing their prelim score of C to an A, and also in higher maths taking them from a fail in the prelim to a B.
I also help do paired reading with the younger students in my school as well as being the Maths Ambassador where I'm helping hold study supports for higher and national 5s as well as aiding students in classes.

Tutoring Approach:
Although I have strategies and methods to many different question types in either maths or chemistry, everybody has a specific way they like learning so I aim to be adaptable and inquisivitive to see how I can tailor the lessons for whoever I'm helping so they can learn best. There's no benefits in being overbearing or strict or expecting the world from someone, rather I prefer to be encouraging, patient and understanding to how hard some sub-sections are of each subject and working at a comfortable pace for the tutee. I'll also of course be happy to make regular reports or tell the tutee's guardian of their progress!

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Personal Description:
I hold a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with QTS and PGCE from the University of Birmingham. My background in engineering has provided me with a strong foundation in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry, and I am passionate about sharing this knowledge with students. I am dedicated to helping students build confidence and achieve their academic goals through personalized support and structured learning.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience tutoring students in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry at both KS3 and GCSE and A Levels. My focus has been on creating a supportive and engaging environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring challenging topics. While completing my teaching qualifications, I have gained practical classroom experience, developing and delivering lessons that cater to different learning styles and abilities.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring style is student-centered, focusing on understanding each individual's strengths and areas for improvement. I tailor my lessons to meet the specific needs of the student, using a combination of theoretical explanations, practical examples, and problem-solving exercises. I aim to make learning interactive and enjoyable, ensuring that complex concepts are broken down into manageable steps. My goal is to build the student's confidence and foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

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