Dunbar Reading & Writing skills Tutors and Dunbar Reading & Writing skills Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified teacher with Cambridge MA, PGCE & DELTA, with 30 years' experience of teaching in a variety of contexts including general secondary school English and Drama, GCSE, A Level, IB, and tuition at university and postgraduate level, including assistance with theses and similar.
I have considerable experience of TEFL/TOEFL and a successful record in teaching Cambridge FCE, CPE, etc as well as Business English classes for non-native professionals.
I recently returned to the UK from Spain for family reasons and I am new to the York area. I'm taking time out for a while to write that elusive million-seller or sitcom! Meanwhile I am a member of SfEP and work part time as a professional proofreader and copy editor. I am very happy to help groups or individuals with their academic needs.

Teaching Experience:
15 years in all key stages of secondary school education in England.
5 years Adult Education, TEFL and private tuition in the UK.
10 years teaching a British curriculum in an international secondary school in Spain at all key stages incl. GCSE, A Level and IB.
Group and individual EFL classes for children and adults, including Business English for professionals and TOEFL in an American-affiliated college.
I have an excellent record of success in preparing students for English and Drama exams - GCSE, A Level, International Baccalaureat and beyond - as well as for Cambridge First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency in English.
Amongst other notables, I was employed as personal tutor to the actress Rebecca Hall as a child and also to one of Tony Blair's sons!

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in a supportive approach and a friendly relationship, but without forgetting it's work: you're paying me because I can improve your (or your children's) future prospects.

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Personal Description:
I am a patient, helpful and responsible individual who enjoys tutoring students and helping them build confidence in their ability to achieve.

Currently my only available slot is Friday 5.30-6.30.

Teaching Experience:
I have 20 years experience working within a school environment, dealing with both primary, secondary age range and adults. I possess a Master's Degree in English together with UK Qualified Teacher Status.

At the moment I work as a Lead Practitioner in a local secondary school in the London Borough of Bexley. I am also tutoring Functional Skills English and ESOL.

I have marked AQA and EDEXCEL GCSE Language papers for the past 5 years, therefore I have excellent understanding of how the marks are awarded for each question in both papers.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that a key feature of effective teaching is balancing the pupils' success against the level of difficulty required to challenge them. Furthermore, I think to teach effectively you need more than good subject knowledge, something that develops with time and experience - professional knowledge and personal style. In my opinion, a teacher should give all the possible help to pupils to gain knowledge and become useful members of the society. Acquiring knowledge in a supportive, fair, friendly and not tense atmosphere is very important. A teacher should be a role model to students, who helps individual pupils to grow and deals with them in an objective way. In my opinion a good relationship between a teacher and pupils helps to overcome the difficulties that may arise during the learning process.

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Personal Description:
I enjoy teaching as well as learning. I have been a tutor/lecturer in schools of Art and Design/Architecture for over 12 years. I completed my MSc and PhD in Architecture and MA in Interior Design. I also completed a teaching course to get a PG certificate in Higher Education (PGcHE). I have had publications (book and journal papers) related to my research.

I am enthusiastic and passionate about education and hope that I will be given the opportunity to help.

Teaching Experience:
12 years teaching experience in five universities (including University of Sheffield, De Montfort, Portsmouth, Birmgham City and Coventry University) as a tutor/lecturer.

Tutoring in the following areas:

-Academic Writing: essay, report, research proposal, literature review, thesis/dissertation, proof reading.

-Study skills: how to read critically and how to write, reflect and make presentations, etc.

-Design as a broad subject (design process, presentation/rendering, technical drawing, model making, Design and Technology, Architecture and Interior Design)

-Art and Design/Architecture Portfolio (to help developing portfolios for university or job interview)

-Research Skills (methods, data collection, literature review and research proposal)

-Data analysis (qualitative and quantitative data), use of Excel and SPSS

-Painting and Rendering (water colour, acrylic, felt pen/markers, colour pencil and oil)

-Drawings (Basic drawings, technical drawings and perspectives)

-Model Making (physical models with different materials, including cardboards, paper, wood; computer Models, and crafts)

-ICT Skills/Software (Photoshop, AutoCad, SketchUp, PowerPoint, Excel, SPSS, Publisher)

-English (academic and general reading and writing, listening and speaking, IELTS)

Tutoring Approach:
I am a patient, positive, constructive and flexible tutor who is able to explain concepts in a way which can be understood by different individuals.

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Personal Description:
I have a degree in Journalism and English and a Certificate in Education. I am able to tutor GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature, GCSE Maths, ESOL English Literature, GCSE Psychology and Media Studies to A level. I have given tuition to individuals and small groups of students at undergraduate level and offer friendly, relaxed lessons individually, or in groups up to two people, tailored exactly to what the pupil requires

Teaching Experience:
I have experience of one to one tutoring with both school and college students and adults, plus larger group teaching. I have been doing private tuition in my own home for ten years now and its better for students to come to me as its a pressure free environment.

Tutoring Approach:
I prefer to teach from my home:
My home is quiet and fairly minimalistic. Lessons are held in my offce and I have a computer and Ipad that students can use.

I use the first meeting to talk about any difficulties in learning the subject in a formal educational setting and discuss any specific learning difficulties you may have. We can chat about strategies to help you learn more effectively and I will work with you at a pace that suits you. I will also ask the student to complete a learning styles questionnaire.


To the best of my ability I try to make subjects interesting to young people and re-engage them. I also encourage students to bring along any work they may be struggling with so I can go through it with them. I can help you get to where you need to be. Please only contact me and purchase my details if you are genuinely interested in my services. No time wasters please. Please note if you require me to travel to you there will be a charge and it will depend on my availability.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified teacher of English with many years of study, research and training in some of the world's top universities. My qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in English Literature and the Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) in English. My Initial Teacher Training covered all aspects of English and all abilities in the 11-18 age range. My interests, of benefit to many students especially at university level, include Critical Theory, Classical Literature, and African Literature. I have guided many students doing research and proof-read their dissertations. I have also taken the official training for one-to-one tutors rolled out by the government to complement classroom teaching. I have been marking GCSE English Language and Literature exams for a number of years and served as Team Leader for the June 2013 exam series with Edexcel. Additionally, I mark A Level English Literature for OCR. In fact, I recently received certificates from OCR and from the Joint Qualification Council which oversees exams in England to recognise my contribution to examining. I am a specialist in the new (2017) GCSE curriculum with experience of teaching both the AQA and Edexcel exam board versions.

Teaching Experience:
My first teaching appointment came in 1988 in Cameroon where I taught English and African Literature, becoming an A Level examiner for the Cameroon GCE examination board in 1990. I moved to England in 1991 where I later took the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) leading to the PGCE and QTS, finishing my last year as Education Student of the Year in my university and receiving a national commendation for the quality of my work. I have since taught in different schools in Kent and Medway, preparing students for exams such as Functional Skills, IELTS, GCSE, A Level, IB and AEA. I have also given one-to-one tuition to looked-after teenagers under a government scheme as well as taught in a secure unit for which, in addition to enhanced disclosure CRBs, I was vetted over a six month period. My first long-term (over 3 months) supply position involved teaching GCSE English, A Level English Literature, and the IB. Most of my teaching has been in selective (grammar) schools. I have also given English lessons in my local community as part of an outreach programme organised for speakers of other languages by my church where I teach Bible Studies also. For the last few years I have always had KS3 to KS5 students whom I tutor privately. These students have have usually achieved or exceeded their target grades at GCSE and A Level.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to establish the needs of the students and carefully review all available assessment records. If the student is preparing for a special exam such as the GCSE, I would start by ensuring that the student is aware of the full requirements of the exam and establish a clear plan to cover these. Alongside any such programme, I believe in incorporating the fundamentals of English grammar which are sometimes overlooked in formal teaching settings. I like to build a good rapport with the student so that they are comfortable revealing possible areas of weakness that we could turn into strengths. I ensure that the student is given a clear structure for each exam task and then test the student to ensure that they are able to apply the strategies in exam conditions.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified and experienced tutor, based in Loughton and I can tutor in students' homes or online. I really enjoy tutoring as I find that my students make excellent progress which is very rewarding for me, too. Where required, I can provide references from previous students.

Teaching Experience:
I have 25 years' teaching experience (EFL/ESL, German and French) across all levels in colleges, local schools and as a private tutor.

Tutoring Approach:
My greatest strength is my ability to tailor my lessons to match students' exact linguistic needs - whether that means focussing on grammar, speaking ability, exam preparation or a combination of any of these for those who are learning for work and/or leisure purposes.

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Personal Description:
My background is in languages and performing arts. I began studying
English at age 8, French at 13, German at 15, and have been
self-taught in Spanish since age 10. I come from a family with a
long tradition in teaching and have always been encouraged to study
and learn, while at the same time inheriting and developing a strong
capacity to explain, train, and encourage.

Teaching Experience:
Since graduating from my Master's course in 2011 I have been working
as a self-employed language tutor in and around London and have
always received more than positive feedback from my clients. My
tutees' ages range from four to seventy-four and I constantly
endeavour to improve myself and adapt my teaching method to my
clients' needs.

Some client reviews:

David
21/03/2020
5/5 Rating

"I`ve been doing Romanian with Maria for a few months now,
initially face to face and now via Skype. I enjoy my lessons
a great. Maria has excellent teaching skills, prepares well for
the class, and provides me with good feedback. Aside from that,
the lessons are fun and I look forward to them. Would definitely
recommend."

Toni
20/09/2018
5/5 Rating

"Only had 3 lessons but I`m loving the way Maria breaks everything
down and explains it. She fills me with confidence by focusing on
the positive from the lessons. Thank you for everything so far :)"

John
14/05/2018
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor, already 2 lessons in and I am picking
up the basics quickly!"

Rebecca
01/04/2018
5/5 Rating

"Prompt, organised, professional and a great teacher!"

Arshad
22/02/2018
5/5 Rating

"Very professional tutor
Highly recommended"

Otis
26/12/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor. She is very knowledgeable and her
lessons are always well structured and enjoyable. She has a genuine
passion for languages which is evident in her thorough preparation
for each lesson. I would recommend Maria."

Polly
24/10/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria has been great so far!!!"

Tracey
22/05/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria is an excellent tutor. She is very punctual and happy to be
flexible with the times we can meet. She is very patience and her
explanations are concise and clear. I would have no hesitation in
reommending her."

Mihaela
14/11/2016
5/5 Rating

"Maria is a very punctual and organised tutor and my daughter is
making good progress. She is friendly and supportive and I would
definitely recommend her."

Phillip
31/03/2016
5/5 Rating

"Absolute great tutor, who was professional, personable and patient!
Highly recommended."

Evita
05/11/2015
5/5 Rating

"Maria is teaching German to me and my 7-year old daughter both had
no previous knowledge and I can suggest her as fast progressing
learning teacher. She is strict and well prepared. It`s been a
pleasure working with her."

Luke
23/08/2015
5/5 Rating

"Amazing tutor, highly professional and well qualified! worth her
weight in gold!"

Spiros
07/08/2015
5/5 Rating

"I THE LIKE THE WAY MARIA GOES THROUGH THE LESSON, AND SHE EXPLAINS
EVERYTHING, ALSO SHE IS ALWAYS ON TIME AND FLEXIBLE WITH THE HOURS
SHE DOES.
VERY PLEASED, THANK YOU."

James
20/07/2015
5/5 Rating

"Maria is efficient, focused and hardworking. My 14 year old
daughter enjoys her lessons with Maria."

Teresa
10/02/2017
5/5 Rating

"Maria tutors my daughter and me together in French. Maria is
extremely patient and we are enjoying her lessons. She is really
helping us."

Deborah
12/09/2016
5/5 Rating

"Very patient with lots of energy! Really good with my 6 and 7 year
old girls learning German."

Tutoring Approach:
Although I learned all my foreign languages through a rigorous method very much based on writing and grammar, I am happy to adapt my method to my pupil's needs. Personally, I believe that conversation is the key to becoming fluent in a language, but at the same time I do not neglect the importance of writing and reading comprehension. I therefore aim to split my lessons as evenly as possible between speaking, reading, listening comprehension, and writing assignments.

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Personal Description:
I am an arts enthusiast with incisive critical engagement skills and 16 years private tuition experience. I'm able to draw from a wide range of critical theories and approaches when analysing arts and performance related texts. A big fan of film, theatre, visual art, music, literature and comedy. I have taught up to MA level, have directed productions at RADA and currently hold the post of Contextual practice lecturer at Italia Conti Drama school.

Teaching Experience:
I hold an MA from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and Kings College and graduated from Royal Holloway in 2011 with the highest degree grade of the graduate year. I was approached by many of my co-students to advise them on essays and creative work and was employed by the Drama department to run workshops for prospective students. I'm now a professional theatre-maker, freelance drama practitioner and public speaking trainer. I have led workshops with a wide spectrum of people from ages 10 up to 75 years old and for organisations including BPP law school, RADA, Italia Conti, University of Bolton, Central Film school and UWL. Alongside tutoring I currently offer essay and dissertation guidance, proofreading and editing services. I also offer audition guidance and monologue tuition for actors and acting students.

Testimonial from Ina:

"Thank you for all your help with my Film Studies, I ended up getting an A* and also an A* in Media Studies. so I got my place at the University of Exeter to study Management with Marketing, thanks a lot, I couldn't have done it without you!"

Testimonial from Nadia:

"Dean's tuition was fantastic! He is patient but he still pushed me to do my best. I am much more confident writing about drama and theatre. Dean made sure I understood everything we talked about which meant I didn't forget it in my exam and I ended up getting an A!"

Testimonial from Yin:

"Dean's guidance really got the best out of me and he pushed me to explore my arguments in my dissertation. He gave me very precise, useful feedback on my dissertation. He is very nice to deal with and speak to and I was so happy with him. He also increased my English vocabulary!"

Testimonial from Kevin:

"I was really unsure and didn't know where to start with my first A2 exams but Dean's help made everything much easier and I feel much calmer and more confident about the rest of my course. Thank you."

Testimonial from Anna:

"Dean tutored my daughter via Skype for her Film Studies A Level. He went out of his way to accommodate the times she was available as this varied greatly week on week, sometimes organising other commitments around her. He always asked in advance what it was she wanted to cover so he could prepare for the session and was very good at explaining things that she didn't understand in some of the films, looking at them in more depth and detail with her. He also helped her with exam technique and she felt that she really got a lot out of the sessions. She has ended up with A A B so she is pretty pleased with that."

Tutoring Approach:
I like to spread a love and enthusiasm for arts and humanities subjects with an emphasis on the potential for personal as well as academic development. I am an adaptive tutor skilled at relating the work to the student's own experiences, ensuring they establish their own academically applicable opinions, ideas and approaches. I'm a meticulous problem solver and am able to pinpoint areas that need attention, particularly in essays, coursework and presentation work. I'm a natural entertainer but always maintain focus on the task at hand, offering insightful, productive and engaging tuition sessions to my students.

I maintain an industry standard cancellation/no show policy, please ask for details.

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Personal Description:
I am a Primary trained school teacher with experience in both KS1 and KS2.
I am a mother with three children, one of which had learning problems as a KS1 child, and understand the frustration of the learner and anxiety the parent feels.

Teaching Experience:
Special needs teaching 1:1
1:1 private tuition
10 years Primary KS1 & KS2

Tutoring Approach:
I enjoy helping children reach their potential by being patient and understanding and helping my tutee's discover their most suited method and style for learning, in the area that they find challenging.
I teach using visual, auditory and kinesthetic methods, depending on my pupils learning style.

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Personal Description:
My name is Simon. I am 36 years old. I enjoy teaching and public speaking. I respond well to challenges and like problem-solving.
I really enjoy puzzles, such as Sudoku.
I love helping people to learn, whether this is to learn to in English or Urdu (a language I myself have learnt)

Teaching Experience:
I have many years of voluntary work experience in teaching English to children and adults whose first language is not English and also I have experience in teaching Basic Urdu to a few friends. I have completed a course in accelerated learning methods.
As I too have learnt a language I do understand the challenges people have when learning a language. This helps me in my teaching style and methods.
I believe that learning should be enjoyable.
I have recently completed a course for students of English and Urdu.
I am now looking for my tutees.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is that learning needs to be fun and enjoyable. I did not enjoy school because of the classroom environment so I want my tutoring to be different. I aim to adapt my teaching to the persons individual needs.

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Personal Description:
As a child, I learned by being told, by beatings, shaming and a strict examination system. As you can imagine I didn't learn much that I could later apply to my academic life. As a result, I became an inveterate learner, always interested in learning the next thing. At one point, the drive to learn was because I didn't see myself as being good enough. Later on, that drive became an interest in discovering my own abilities as well as about helping others. I have now learned so much about how not to teach that I have gained good insight into how learning happens. I am keen to ensure all my learners learn how to learn and understand how to apply what they discover.

Teaching Experience:
My background is in teaching, training and facilitation. I have over 25 years experience of teaching in different forms having worked within primary, secondary and further education settings. I am an NVQ / TAQA assessor and trained and assessed Parenting Practitioners and other candidates up to Level 5 in Health & Social Care. I have specialist skills in Personal Effectiveness subjects such as Report Writing, Speed Reading, Presentation Skills.

Tutoring Approach:
Being a private tutor used to be the preserve of only those with the highest qualifications and the greatest experience. Now all that's changed.

However good a tutor is, the learner needs to be astute in order know if the tutor is a good match for her / him. Importantly, making the right choice can be complex.
Here are three tips to help you decide if I am or someone else is right for you. The following tips describe how I teach and how I will enable you to be an independent learner.

1. Look for a tutor who can teach you how to learn
Here's a funny thing… learners study a subject, sometimes for months and years and can come away with no long-term memory of the underpinning principles of the subject. As disturbing, they have no ongoing understanding of the subject. They are unable to apply what they tried to learn. This is easily resolved by clearing up past issues with learning. In Applied Scholastics it is now well known that if as a learner, you are helped to do so, you can learn any subject. This is central to how I teach.

2. Look for tutors who understand the main barriers to learning and can help you overcome them
There are three main barriers to study. They relate to confusion over an idea, missing out critical steps and having unclear ideas about the subject under study. Gaining a day to day facility with overcoming those barriers is key to effective and efficient study. I use these methods to help my own reading and study. I will introduce them to you so that you can use them too.

3. Look for tutors who can help you find the information you need so that you keep expanding your own understanding of the subject

Sometimes, a learner during a course of study will find that s/he wants to give up. Have you ever experienced this? Whenever that happens it is because there is something - an idea, a symbol, a form of punctuation, the use of a word, or something else - that you did not understand. Without the proper factual information on this and without the correct knowledge of why and how this happens, the learner will struggle. Without knowing what remedies to apply, the learner will give up.

When you study, you are investing time and energy. In this case, money too. If you want to discover more about how you learn, what your barriers to study are and how to understand more, you will benefit from being an independent learner. That will repay your investment.

Those three critical points should help you decide if I could be right for you. They briefly describe the way in which I would work with you and enable you to be an independent learner.

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Personal Description:
I am a positive and motivated teacher who wants to inspire children to challenge themselves, achieve more and be happy, confident learners. With the right approach and attitude to learning I believe that all children, no matter what ability, race, background or gender can progress and achieve their goals.

Teaching Experience:
Over the past 14 years I have been lucky enough to teach in 3 fantastic schools. I have had experience working with a range of different learning needs, abilities and styles.

As well as teaching I have also busied myself tutoring and have gradually built up a broad repertoire of experience. I have worked with a range of different levels, abilities and needs. I have a solid understanding of the primary curriculum and the skills required to progress through each Year group.

I have an in depth knowledge of the skills and demands needed for 11+ as well working with children to develop their basic reading, writing and numeracy skills.

In addition to this I have taught children with Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD as well as other specific learning needs.

Tutoring Approach:
As a tutor I would say I have a positive, patient and calm style. I understand the barriers children can come across whether it be memory, processing, concentration or anxiety. It is important to try and make learning relevant, memorable and enjoyable-this way the children are more likely to retain information if it is a meaningful experience for them.

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Personal Description:
I have over 15 years teaching experience, the majority of my work has been at secondary level, where my specialisms are Drama, English, English Literature, Film studies and History. However, I also have extensive experience in primary education where I have taught across the breadth of the curriculum.

My preoccupation with academia was nurtured at a competitive Grammar School, RGS Worcester, a top school with high expectations. I went on to acquire a first class degree. I remain now, as I have always been, a high achiever.

I also work in the creative arts, as actor, tutor and director, inspired by performance art in all its forms. My current artistic interests include revising classics, puppetry, theatre in non-traditional spaces, and working as a freelance drama consultant to help smaller scale theatre companies realise their artistic aims and consolidate their working practices.

Recreationally I enjoy martial arts, exercise and the outdoors. As an avid reader I am particularly drawn to epic literature and sprawling worlds, beguiling first person narratives, comparative religious and spiritual studies, psychology, philosophy and history.

Teaching Experience:
Secondary Level Education:
- I worked for 6 years as a secondary school teacher, delivering Drama and English lessons, including GCSE and 'A' level, from year 7- year 13.
-I devised and delivered a formal curriculum to teach Year 9 Drama (in line with Key Stage Guidelines).
-Extensive experience in coursework, marking, moderation and exam preparation.
-On 2 separate occasions, following Ofsted observations, I was given an 'Outstanding' classification (the highest classification).
-Quantitative end of term reports always placed my classes amongst the highest in terms of achievement and student retention.

'A' level Education:
-I taught for 6 years at 2 different Further Education Colleges. I taught English Literature, Drama and Film Studies 'A' level.
-Students were offered extra-curricular tutorials to help them achieve their desired results according to their own set of educational needs.
-I emboldened students for university entrance with interview techniques, UCAS procedures and university level preparation.
-The coursework I devised with students for their final A2 Drama and Theatre Studies was picked up as an exemplar of excellent practice, and is still used to this day by Edexcel examination board.

Primary:
-I devised a range of workshops, and delivered these to selected primary schools. These workshops raised literacy levels, written and oral communication. They were delivered to year 4, year 5 and year 6 students.
-My work with Redditch Borough Council as Literacy and Outreach Officer earned me an 'Outstanding personal Achievement Award'.

Adult Education:
-I've worked with young people trying to get back into education following exclusion, this involved working with charities like CentrePoint.
-I often work with adult learners re-taking their GCSE English.
-Postgraduate students have sought my help in the past, particularly International Students looking to improve the precision of their essays.

University Level:
-Delivering Theatre and Drama lectures, seminars and workshops to students at university level, including The University of Birmingham, University of Worcester, University of Bristol, and University of Warwick.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring involves the mutual balance of 2 equally important intentions: a sensitive awareness of what a student needs and establishing a conducive rapport.

I have a flexible communication style, informed by exposure to hosts of different students, I am adaptable and responsive, a necessity built on the recognition that effective learning can only happen when tutor and student understand each other, and are mutually inspired.

At first, my focus with a new student is to provide gentle provocations on different aspects of the subject matter- a process which allows me to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie, also allowing the student to start seeing the subject matter from varying perspectives, and to extend their range of problem-solving and communication strategies.

My approach always depends on the specific needs of the student, most commonly students ask for:
-Information building and comprehension
-Essay writing technique
-Filling in historical/ social/ political or cultural context to areas of study (particularly at 'A' level)
-Response to examination questions
-Improving literacy level, reading and comprehension, grammar (particularly at primary level)
-Extending and developing powers of expression

You will find me a generous tutor, I am not a clock watcher, it does not matter, for instance, if a class runs over. I will work hard for you between lessons, marking, researching, and developing new lessons and academic exercises. My tutoring style is tempered by profound understanding and experience of examination board and national curriculum requirements. Moreover, my many years working as an educator entailed the need to develop a flexible range of teaching strategies correspondent to the varying learning preferences of my students.

Some recent feedback:
'I wish you had been my tutor before, I feel a lot more confident'
(Chitra, GCSE English, Adult Learner)
'Great attitude and rapport with my son very engaging'
(Sarah, mother of 'A' level; Film and Studies student)
'We are delighted to have Chris helping my daughter and her friend with the written exam In the last few weeks of their Drama and Theatre `A ` level. Inspiring, flexible, fun -knowledgeable about the plays, their history and context- he is a fantastic tutor.'
(Felicity, mother of 'A' level Drama and Theatre Studies student)

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Personal Description:
Hello, I'm Leanne and I've been an English lecturer for 20 years. I aim to instil in every student the confidence, knowledge and mindset to succeed and excel with their English.

English is my passion - I love everything about the language and love to share my passion with my students. My students come from all over the world - Europe, China, Japan, Pakistan, Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UK. Although I teach all aspects of the English language, I am a specialist in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language.

I'm extremely patient, professional, friendly, honest and committed to ensuring all of my students succeed and make excellent progress. I go beyond what is expected to ensure my students exceed all expectations.

I am a native English speaker with a clear accent.

Teaching Experience:
For the last 20 years I have worked as a permanent English lecturer at a large further education college in Birmingham City Centre.

My main role has been to teach English to speakers of other languages and to improve these students' skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, from Pre-Entry to Level 2 and IELTS.

I am very experienced with lower level English language learners where English has been a second or third additional language.

Tutoring Approach:
I aim to make learning English an enjoyable and rewarding experience through a variety of different teaching and learning styles.

I understand that every learner is completely unique. We will work together to create a bespoke learning plan at the start of the learning journey and monitor progress on a weekly basis to ensure that all objectives are met or exceeded.

I tutor in English from ages 4-adult.

I provide exam preparation for English SATs, 11+, ESOL, Life in the UK, IELTS and GCSE English.

I can tutor in your home, in my home or online via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

I also offer a proof-reading service for school, college or university essays and assignments.

Grade 1 tutor in teaching observations.

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Personal Description:
A calm and patient teacher, with a child centred approach

Teaching Experience:
27 years experience in the primary sector

Tutoring Approach:
Able to cater to personal needs and uses a variety of approaches to cater for different learning styles

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified Primary Teacher experienced with making Primary English and Maths fun!
Primary English and Maths coaching.
Maths for fun, Creative Writing for Children and short Summer courses.

HALF TERM ENGLISH /MATHS COURSE



Lessons available one to one or online.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught Primary English and Maths, violin and piano to pupils from 5-75 years of age. I am a former Head of Department .

Tutoring Approach:
I have a nurturing and encouraging approach, building confidence.
I love making maths fun and engaging children with Creative Writing projects.
My pupils love my lessons!

*HALF TERM MATHS/ENGLISH COURSE - A FEW SPACES STILL AVAILABLE *

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Personal Description:
I hold a High Second Class Upper Law Degree from the University of Cambridge and am a designated prize winner (Five Stone Chambers Prize).

Teaching Experience:
I have two years of tutoring experience of law.

Tutoring Approach:
I will provide a structured and organized lesson but with sufficient room to explore certain issues together.

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Personal Description:
Outside of tutoring, I enjoy photography, baking, wildlife gardening, health and fitness, including swimming and woodland walks, as well as spending time with family and friends.

I'm very proud of my daughter and three young grandchildren who also share my interests in photography, forest adventures and baking!

Since becoming a vegan, I have enjoyed creating a wide range of delicious meals which are also enjoyed by family and friends!

I am also passionate about wildlife conservation and have initiated campaigns in my local area to conserve areas of habitat for wildlife. For example, two years ago, I collaborated with local schools and councillors to stop the felling of 43 healthy trees at a historic green space in the town centre.

Teaching Experience:
I am a PGCE qualified teacher in Primary Education, specialising in Special Educational Needs, with 15 years of school teaching experience.

I chose to reduce my hours as a school teacher five years ago so that I could focus my attention on my tutoring business full time.

My main areas of expertise are English and Maths, where I can quickly diagnose a student's tuition needs and plan personalised lessons to help them to reach their learning targets.

I have taught many students with a wide range of learning needs, including learning difficulties such as dyslexia. For example, I recently tutored a boy with moderate dyslexia who was in Year 6. During this time, his confidence in his abilities in English increased significantly to such an extent that his grade increased from below to the above expected levels in Year 9.

I embrace all opportunities to keep up to date with developments in the National Curriculum by continued research in the public domain as well as attending training webinars and conferences

Since becoming a Private Tutor 20 years ago, I have helped over 1000 students to increase and exceed their grades in Maths and English Lanuage and Literature, sometimes by up to three grades.

I have also successfully coached adult learners for Functional English and Maths tests from Level 1 to Level 3, as well as students who speak English as a second language, for GCSE and IGCSE English and Maths exams.

Additionally, I tutor students in entrance test preparation skills for the 8, 11 and 13 plus exams.

I am always extremely proud of them when they exceed their predicted grades in their exams and gain entry into their chosen independent school.

Here are some recent reviews:

`Thank you Tina for helping me to take a long way in a very short time. My English was grade 2 at the beginning of the year 11. With the support from Tina, I have achieved grade 5 in both English Language and Literature. Thank you so much.`

`Tina`s teaching style allowed me to learn at my own pace and she always had a clear plan for each lesson.`

`She is patient and thought provoking, encouraging her students to `learn to learn`, rather than reproducing someone else`s ideas.`

"My daughter`s confidence in English has dramatically improved in both herself and in the classroom, thanks to Tina."

Tutoring Approach:
I would describe myself as a friendly and inspiring tutor who works with students in a calm and encouraging way.

I have been fortunate to teach in a variety of learning contexts, including nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges, which has enhanced my ability to adapt my expertise to a wide range of differing tuition needs.

I believe that by engaging with each student on a cognitive level, I am able to establish a positive rapport with them.

It is very rewardingl when I see a 'light bulb' moment happen when a student seems to glow from feeling a renewed sense of understanding and achievement.

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