Wellington Reading & Writing skills Tutors and Wellington Reading & Writing skills Tuition

Personal Description:
100% Pass rate; 95% students secure a 1st/ Distinction at university level
100% Sucess rate; Dissertation/research report writing, secure 1st/ Distinction at university level
100% Success for MPhil to PhD upgrade and PhD submissions;
95% Successful Masters and PhD proposals
100% Pass rate at A levels; 90% secured A*and/or A - placed at leading UK universities.

I am a lecturer, assessor, mentor and trainer, having vast experience of teaching business-related subjects with a reputed university in the Northwest. I also deliver consultancy and research. I offer a stimulating learning environment that encourages students to trust their own opinions while foresting confidence for students to realise their full potential.
For Businesses; I deliver, Project management, Lean and Agile Process Development and E-commerce Management Training. That includes E-commerce Business setup from startup, Training on Supply Chain and Logistics, Branding, Multichannel Selling and Building a Global e-commerce business. In recent years, a few companies, I consulted have achieved over £1m sales turnover within a first financial year.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching experience of over 7 years in Higher Education, my students achieved extensive results and success rate by 100%. I am teaching and mentoring more than 50 students per year as a personal tutor. I have supervised over 45 Masters and PhD students for Research Projects until January 2017. On an average, my students obtained 72 percent (%) marks in assessments and dissertations.

I use and offer a fully equipped classroom near Manchester city centre for group teaching.
(PC, Flat Screen TV, White Board and WiFi to deliver lessons, training and presentations, accommodate up to 15 persons)

I teach subjects to Doctorate, Masters and Bachelor's Degree students. These courses are also being offered to businesses (Businesses please contact for more details).

----Subjects----

Supply Chain & Logistics Management
Operations and Information System management
Procurement Management
Project Management
Lean and Agile Manufacturing
Strategic Management
Marketing Management
Knowledge Management
Research Methodology* (see below)
Thesis/Assignment/Report writing guidance
Research Methodology (Complete research methodology within 2 hours)
----More----
Business Management | Business Law | Business leadership | Business statistics/quantitative analysis | Banking and Investment | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | Doctor of Commerce (DCom) | Doctor of Management (D.M., D.Mgt) | Distance learning MBA | Ethics: Business ethics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or corporate governance | Entrepreneurship | Executive MBA (EMBA) | International Business Management information systems | Marketing | Marketing management | Market research | Masters of Business Administration (MBA) | Operations management | Operations research | Organizational Behaviour | Organizational design | PhD in Management (PhD) | Ph.D/M.B.A (joint degree) | Research methodology | Risk management and strategy | Real estate management | Strategic Management | Supply chain management | Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) | Stock management | Inventory management | Procurement Management| Project Management | Logistics Management|

* I teach research methodology to Masters and PhD students, this include, Research Methodology Design, Data Collection, Data Analysis in SPSS and Nvivo. Data Mining, Writing Data Analysis results, Questionnaire Design, Hypothesis Testing, Parametric and Non-parametric tests.

Tutoring Approach:
I have made the immeasurable impact upon the lives of students as a lecturer, mentor and trainer. The skills and knowledge I deliver to students, substantially contribute and upgrade the student's ability to see the world critically. I aim to lend the belief in student's capacity to make positive contributions to society.


Testimonials
"Thank you for your help over the past few weeks with my remaining assignments, I now feel a lot more confident about writing essays and reports, and I am on track for a 2:1 with the results I have received recently.

I think your teaching methods are very good, particularly as from experience, other tutors tend just to write comments on your work on how to improve it, but this isn't enough if you want to really understand your work, which is particularly vital for a final year student (like me) who will be sitting exams in May.

However, by using a mixture of Skype and written feedback sessions, I have been able to not only achieve good grades but also build upon each assignment in preparation for the next.

As well as this, you have completely calmed my nerves about my work, particularly during the quality assignment that you helped me with back in January!

I would highly recommend you to anyone who may be in need of a tutor...

Thanks again!"
(Ms Liv, Dated 26/04/2014)

"He listens well and always put a positive spin on things. Before I met him I was very stressed with the amount of work, he was very reassuring which gave me a confidence boost."
(Tutee Ms M, 24/03/2013)

"he is not only a good teacher, but he was also a good friend" (Tutee: Mr M, 23/03/2012)

"I'm writing to you to thank you first for the effort that you did with me in preparing for the exam for MIS. I got 60 in the exam. So, that's why I would like to continue work with you in preparing for other exams this term."
(Tutee Ms D, 18/02/2011)

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Personal Description:
I graduated from Cambridge University with a BA in English Literature, and then from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, graduating with a BA in acting, where I was the recipient of the Noel Coward Scholarship from 2008-2011. In July 2011 I won the Michael Bryant Award at the National Theatre, for verse speaking and Shakespeare.

When I'm not acting or tutoring I can be found in the plumbing, plastering, kitchen or grappling with a cryptic crossword.

CURRENT AVAILABLE SLOTS: 9-10am + 10-11am Sundays, weekly.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a private tutor since 2008.

Currently tutoring students in: 8+, 10+ & 11+ preparation (all four subjects); GCSE Maths. Adult English and pronunciation skills.

Previously: English - KS1, KS2, 7+ (Successful entry to Highgate), 11+ (Successful entry to, Haberdashers' Askes Boys, Trinity, City of London School for Boys, Alleyn's, St Alban's), A Level (A at A Level English and Extended English). Maths - KS1, KS2, 7+, 11+, 13+ (successful entry to Oundle, Haberdashers' Askes Boys), GCSE (grade improved from D to A*). University application assistance (Successful entry to Durham and Oxford). English as a foreign language - including public speaking and native pronunciation and grammar for business professionals.

During my gap year I spent some time as a special needs classroom assistant, working closely with a child with Asperger's Syndrome. This involved facilitating the social and academic change between primary and secondary education on a one-to-one basis.

Also at this time I ran Welsh language games sessions for primary children in non-first-language schools to improve and encourage their use of the language outside of the classroom environment.

Whilst at secondary school I taught reading skills to children who had low reading-ages.

I wrote a thesis on the connections between Maths and acting whilst at Guildhall.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is tailored to the individual's needs; firstly finding ways of fully explaining a concept, then cementing them with useful and memorable material to build students' confidence. My main objective would be to aid the student in understanding not only the specifics of the work but also the broader aspects of it, which I believe provides a truer grounding in - and enjoyment of - a subject. By making the work useful and enjoyable, and by finding alternative and effective approaches to study, I hope that my tuition will shed new light on subjects for students.

My passion is building confidence and fostering resilient approaches to problem solving.

I specialise in tutoring Maths and particularly enjoy helping those students whose confidence in the subject has become a barrier to their learning and enjoyment of the subject.

Previous Students' Comments:

'Before I met Alex, as a dyslexic, I was academically unconfident and dreaded having tutors who had never really helped me before. Alex tutored me from Year 8 to 11 and she completely changed my attitude to studying, helped me develop my organisational skills and gave me a huge amount of confidence in my abilities. As I approached GCSEs she tutored me particularly in Maths where I was struggling with a D grade. Without her expert tuition I doubt I would have been able to achieve my A* in Maths.

I think Alex is an amazing tutor because she has an extraordinary talent for making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience to the extent I would genuinely look forward to our lessons. Alex was far more than a tutor to me, helping me through such formative teenage years. I consider her a friend.'

- Tally

'Alex is a truly outstanding and gifted tutor as well as a fantastic person. I have very much enjoyed being her student for over six months, and have not only learnt a lot due to her expertise and impressive knowledge but also grew to love English Literature because of the inspirational nature of her tutoring. Previously, I used to constantly struggle with my assignments since English is not my first language, however, after a few weeks of sessions with Alex my grades and confidence significantly improved. She has an ability to keep the lessons varied and interesting; always well prepared for lessons - she was kind enough to provide me with extremely useful books and personal notes. Her incredible dedication and hard working nature also deserves mentioning as she was willing to help me even in the evenings when I was panicking about coursework and the approaching exams. With Alex's assistance and firm confidence in my ability I have achieved a high A in my A-level English Literature and even a merit award in Extended English. I would enthusiastically recommend Alex to anyone who wants to succeed in their exams and learn heaps of interesting information.

- Natasza (Graduated with an MA from Oxford University)

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Personal Description:
I am a 38 year old data analyst, graduating with a 1st class honours degree in mathematics from a University of London, having worked as a Statistican, Data & Research Coordinator and now a Data Analyst. I believe learning is one of the most important parts of life and I thoroughly enjoy tutoring others and helping them with their learning. I am confident in tutoring my chosen subject of Mathematics and aim to improve others Mathematics skills.

Teaching Experience:
I believe I can help those struggling with Mathematics work of any kind and enjoy being given the opportunity to do so.

I have over 20 years of tutoring experience, and have taught a range of pupils, from young children and teenagers, to many adults, with different backgrounds, levels of English and completely different approaches and needs.

I have worked full time as a personal tutor and have also worked as a personal tutor outside of my main job. Levels I have taught at are; Key Stage 1, 2, 3, GCSE, AS and A2 Level, University level and Adult Math courses. I mainly focus on GCSE and A Level (Core/Pure and Statistics).

I have learnt to adapt my teaching methods to the individual and have a wide range of experience with different abilities.

Tutoring Approach:
I like to set my students homework to be completed by our next lesson as keeping up with Mathematics is all about putting in the practice of what is learnt in the lesson. Progress is made with all my students and their confidence regarding Mathematics has greatly improved. I aim to set targets for the student to achieve by the following lesson and concentrate on where the student struggles.

I like to encourage my students to ask questions if curious/unsure to aid their understanding as well as asking my students questions to ensure they are thinking about the subject and to check their understanding. I aim to pass on my knowledge and confidence in the Mathematical area. I am proud to have been a part of many pupils progress in Mathematics and general confidence, as well as their successful grades when tested in exams.

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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 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:
Hi! I'm an Oxford graduate with a 2:1 in English Language and Literature. I graduated in 2013 and went on to study an MSc in Psychology at Oxford Brookes, in which I achieved a distinction. I am now a published author, and split my time between writing novels and tutoring. Tutoring has always appealed to me as a rewarding way to put the skills that I learnt during my degree and masters to good use. Reading English at Oxford honed my critical thinking, analytical abilities and study skills, while my masters gave me experience in data analysis and conducting research. My day job as an author has also deepened my understanding of how to write effectively. I enjoy tutoring others and helping them to develop these skills too! In my spare time, I like to read and play boardgames. I'm highly experienced in teaching both in person and via Zoom, Skype and Teams. As well as tutoring, I also specialise in editing, copy-editing and proofreading academic essays, job applications and CVs, and articles. I offer creative writing coaching to writers of all ages.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring for over ten years and have worked with lots of students of all ages. Many of my students have worked with me through the transition from primary to secondary school, or through their GCSEs and on into their A Levels. I am particularly experienced in helping students to prepare for secondary school entrance exams, GCSEs, and A Levels.

I successfully completed an assessment for the selective tutoring agency Blue Tutors. During the assessment I had to demonstrate my tutoring ability to a trained assessor, who described my communication skills as 'excellent'.

In my final term at Oxford, I volunteered with Schools Plus, a program which runs after school tuition sessions for struggling students in areas of economic disadvantage. I spent half a term working with GCSE English students, tutoring them on an individual basis in the run up to their January modules. As part of the selection process for the program, I also attended tutoring training.

When I was in the 6th form (in 2009), I also volunteered as a classroom assistant in my school. I was working with students who were having difficulty with essay-based subjects like History and English. I worked with two students in their History classes, helping them to understand the work they were set in class and working through it with them. I had to use my knowledge of French to help one student who had not yet learnt to speak fluent English, translating the teacher's instructions for her and helping her with words she did not understand. Between 2009-10, I helped to run two after-school classes for Key Stage 2 pupils, one in Literacy and Art and another in Drama. This involved planning and delivering lessons to classes of about 5-10 children, and keeping them engaged with the topics they were learning through activities designed to both teach and entertain.

Tutoring Approach:
My experience of tutoring has shown me the importance of patience and respect in teaching. Especially in essay-based subjects, it is crucial that a teacher allows their pupils space to develop their own ideas, and respects their independent thought. Learning by rote has only limited usefulness: the best way to excel at a subject is to understand it, so I always explain concepts as fully as possible and move at the tutee's pace, making sure that they have properly grasped each concept or issue before moving on to the next. My Schools Plus training emphasised the idea that the goal of tutoring is to help a student to help themselves, enabling them to tackle problems rather than solving things for them. I think that this is fantastic advice, and it is a rule which I always try to bear in mind when tutoring.

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Personal Description:
A resident of Edinburgh for the past twenty years I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things myself. I am fairly well travelled, enjoy the arts and have a passion for working alongside others to help them achieve their goals.

I worked for 10 years as a professional actor with degree level qualifications in both Philosophy (Dundee University) and Acting (Queen Margaret University College).

Teaching Experience:
Exam season is always a great time for a little confidence boost and skills brush-up. I have worked with adults in improving spoken and written English for UK degree entry level. I have also worked with college and university students in the Middle East (UAE) to train science and drama education in both Arabic and English.

For several years I have visited schools in both the public and private sectors delivering reading, drama and science communication classes.

I have regularly taught 5-15 years drama in private classes and enjoy working with pre-drama school entrants of all ages in working on giving the best entrance audition possible.

Tutoring Approach:
I am confident at creating a structured approach that works with a pupil's own strengths and needs to provide a tailor-made package for learning.

Ideally I meet with each student to discuss their learning needs, current level and expected outcomes.

Although it is important to push the boundaries of learning, it should always be a workload that is both manageable and individually tailored.

People learn best when they are enjoying themselves, so I try my best to make learning fun and interactive.

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Personal Description:
Hello
I'm moving to North Somercotes, Lincolnshire late August and will be taking on new students to start ready for the academic year in September.

As an experienced tutor, specialising in Primary Education and Secondary Education. I have experience in teaching Maths and English for all abilities including S.E.N.. My experience also includes 11 plus, both CEM and GL. Which would be particularly relevant for those students sitting the 11 plus in Buckinghamshire and entrance exams for the Bedford Schools.

I work with students providing a supportive environment where areas of possible weakness are identified and strategies developed ensuring the students self esteem, confidence and love of learning are enhanced.

Teaching Experience:
5 years experience within the education system at secondary schools, working as past of the senior leadership team. Have tutored adults and children, to improve confidence and self esteem, reinforce knowledge, to meet national curriculum expectations, successful completion of the 11 plus and entrance exams, S.E.N. and English as a foreign language.

Tutoring Approach:
Hello

As an experienced tutor, specialising in Primary Education I have experience i teaching Maths and English for all abilities including S.E.N.. My experience also includes 11 plus, both CEM and GL. Which would be particularly relevant for those students sitting the 11 plus in Buckinghamshire.

I work with students providing a supportive environment where areas of possible weakness are identified and strategies developed ensuring the students self esteem, confidence and love of learning are enhanced.

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Personal Description:
I am a positive and highly motivated Teacher, who believes in providing support for pupils to gain the key skills necessary to reach their full potential and to be successful. I am also a SEND specialist. I am knowledgeable and passionate about the develpment of people and my subject areas tie directly into this. Psychology, Health & Social Care and Child Care and Early Years Education courses. With my knowledge on memory I have an excellent record of supporting students with revision and exams and enabling them to go onto their GCSE, A'Level, vocational level 2, 3 or 4 courses and desired university courses. I provide high quality support for students with coursework on vocational courses in order for them to achieve their potential and to go on and be successful in their chosen careers.

Teaching Experience:
Psychology Teacher GCSE & A Level
Health and Social Care level 2 & 3,
Psychology Units on Foundation to Higher Education courses
Child Care levels 1,2 & 3
Child Development and Early Years Education Level 3 with practicing knowledge of applications of outdoor learning
ACCESS to HE / Nursing/ Midwifery
Secondary Maths & English
SEND Specialist
Trauma informed
EBMH

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring for exams is to focus specificly on the paper that the student is sitting. The content, how to answer exam questions, memory techniques, revision tips, taking into account all learner styles.


I love Psychology, Health & Social Care and Childcare and Education and really enjoy teaching these subjects so my enthusiasm motivates my students. I typically teach within schools but tutor one to one and also small groups either face to face or electronically. My teaching methodology tends to focus upon the needs of the student/s but would always begin with gaining an understanding of the students current knowledge and any gaps in learning. This ensures they are completely up to date on their understanding of the subject. I work in line with the current specification of what the student is learning and revising for or creating coursework for. I set work for students each session to complete for the following session and give them feedback to ensure they are progressing each time. This is measurable and graded. I also look at tasks they have been set by their school/college and support them with planning so they fully understand the requirements that are needed to gain the best grades they can achieve. I ensure I am available throughout the week with some online support via email and can be contacted via skype also at an additional cost.

Study skills tutoring: I provide this as an agreed package where I am your child's 'exam buddy' for a period of time. This involves me supporting your child through a stressful time in their lives. I help them to plan their time and create revision timetables, plans, resources and so on. I would check in with them on agreed days/ times via skype to see how they are doing with their studies and revision on the lead up to exams and assessments and help to support them through this. I provide this for students working towards any assessments such as 11+, GCSE's A'Levels and any other level 2 or 3 courses. This is a holistic educational support service for a fixed period. My Pug 'Tiggy' often joins in with the skype for younger students which can support them in keeping it fun and interesting and help them to stay on target. I also include anti-stress resources, stress busting techniques, basic mindfulness skills, breaking down stress barriers worksheets, tips and discussions. The study skills/ exam buddy package is charged at a rate dependent upon requirements.

I provide online tutoring with email support throughout the agreed period with a monthly phone call.

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Personal Description:
I am a philosophy student at Roehampton University. I am from the South Downs in Hampshire, where I lived until I was 18. I have been studying here in London since September 2017. Back home I am the oldest of four, and this had enabled me to be able to understand how to make learning fun for a wide range of ages, as our ages vary from 8 to 20 years. My hobbies include playing football, listening to music, and reading. I was previously employed as an after school nanny so have a DBS check that is valid.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching assistant every Wednesday for an academic year at the infant school in my home town.
Shadowed History department at my secondary school the year after I left.
Working as a nanny I had to help the boys I looked after with their homework. They were 6 and 8 so was helping them learn very basic skills.

Tutoring Approach:
I have always been naturally able to write especially well, and am enthusiastic about the subjects I study. I have found it easy to pass on this enthusiasm for learning to younger people, and I especially am able to connect with younger kids on tasks they would usually struggle to find fun. I am basically happy to tutor any subject at GCSE level apart from maths, science (natural, computer, etc). Social sciences are my particular strength.

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic tutor who has a degree and NVQ level 5 in Youth and Community Worker with 11 years post qualifying experience educating hundreds young people informally and outside of the classroom in groups and 1-2-1 in all sorts of different locations. I have a Level 3 teaching and assessment qualification. I have very good Maths and English having used them to study to degree level and in Youth Work Management. I have an active interest and knowledge in History, Geography and Religious Education having studied them to A-Level meaning that I am very knowledgeable in each of those subjects. I am a highly competent musician and sports person with Grade 5 in piano and music theory and having coached Football, Badminton, Tennis, Chess, Table Tennis.

My greatest skills are in building professional relationships, communication, building self-confidence and social skills, developing motivation and this is what I have been doing for over 15 years for hundreds of young people that I have met as a Youth Worker.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 15 years informally educating young people through qualifications and certifications.
I have over 9 years experience of teaching youth work and assessing it.
I am a Functional Skills tutor at Level 1 and 2 in English and Maths.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach is student centred - focused on the students strengths and development points and work alongside the student to build confidence and trust so that the student can excel. My style is quite relaxed yet challenging for the student so that the student engages and to increase the students enjoyment and understanding of the material and why they are learning it. My approach is very thought through and meticulous, carefully considering: personality and learning styles as well as the preferences of the student. I provide a lot of explanation and am able to explain things in many different ways.

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Personal Description:
I am a friendly encouraging professional teacher with a BA Hons degree in English & Spanish with Art History;. I have over 25 years experience teaching in schools, adult education centres. I am a Specialist SEND tutor/ Learning Mentor, 11+ entrance exams and IELTS for overseas students, private colleges. I regularly teach private companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, INEOS, Santander Bank .
On line and in person. Although If I have to travel cost may differ.

I thoroughly enjoy seeing students develop and improving their knowledge. I am a specialist in preparing you for the IELTS exam for Australia and the spouse visa for the UK.
Together we see your progress. Regular assessments and feedback are available.
Good IELTS results achieved with overseas students who want to enter UK universities . International doctors who need IELTS score 8/9.T I teach on -line using Teams or Zoom.

Teaching Experience:
Over 25 year experience teaching at various levels, from entrance exams at primary to university IELTS and degree level Spanish.
I have recently taught adult English to Chinese graduates at Grant Thornton's Accounts company.
I provide professionally recognised materials that comply with exam requirements.
I have supported many adult learners with English as a second language.
I presently teach Academic Skills for various universities including LJMU, Liverpool University, Manchester Univ. and many others.
Specialist Mentor for SEND students.

Tutoring Approach:
I listen carefully to your requirements and tailor make a course to suit. I use multi media materials including. past papers, exam practice and listening podcasts for GCSE and A Level, .etc... I will direct you to good learning websites.
- I give clear goals for each session .
- Continuous assessments and feedback.

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Personal Description:
Down to earth person, yet methodical and detail oriented.
I believe education and languages are the bridges that can link people from their current circumstances to better opportunities, leaving no one behind.
I am passionate about grammar and reading, I love taking pictures, travelling, watching independent movies and going for exhibitions.

Teaching Experience:
After my Master's in History of Art and a Bachelor in Culture Heritage, I worked for a multicultural organisation that supports foreign women originally from disadvantaged backgrounds; I taught Italian to the adults and helped the children with their homework for one year.
After moving to the UK, one of my first jobs was teaching art classes to pre-schoolers and giving Italian speaking and reading lessons to two children whose parents are bilingual.
In July 2021 I completed the CELTA qualification to teach English as a foreign language and from August 2021 to March 2023 I taught art classes to disadvantaged children in a local Community Centre in South East London.
I am currently teaching English for Everyday and ESOL in an Adult College.
I am also experienced in teaching elderly people how to use Zoom and applications that are part of the Microsoft Office package.

Tutoring Approach:
Relaxed at the beginning: I need to understand why the person wants to learn that specific subject and what outcome they are determined to achieve.
Once this has been established, I become passionate about results as much as the client: their achievement is mine too.
I take pride in what I do and would be available for extra & flexible support to boost confidence if needed.

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Personal Description:
I enjoy tutoring because I value my students' ideas. See below for the most important parts of this page, results and feedback.

I am an Oxford graduate (English language and literature, first class) and a qualified English teacher, have a PhD in English literature, and have been tutoring since 2013. My specialism is A-level English literature.

Please get in touch for online English tuition, particularly if you are or your child is

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2027/28
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

Also get in touch if your child is no longer doing English literature at school but wants support in continuing to read, think about, and discuss books.

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a double first in English language and literature, winning the prize for the best performance in English finals at Mansfield College, and the college essay prize. At school, I was awarded eleven GCSEs at A-star and three A-levels at A.

As well as tutoring, I have worked as a researcher, a copywriter, and a proofreader. I have also completed a PGCE in secondary English at the UCL Institute of Education, the highest-ranking college of education in the world ('QS World University Rankings'), during which I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools, and received A's for my master's-level assignments. I recently completed a PhD in English literature at the University of Buckingham.

As well as English tuition at any level, I can help you or your child with the following:

• Oxbridge entrance (the admissions process, practice interviews, etc.)
• Essay surgery - how to structure and write an essay
• How to revise - note-taking, organisation, making connections, committing to memory
• Grammar, punctuation, and style (a.k.a. 'usage and abusage')
• Speech writing and public speaking
• Proofreading and redrafting essays
• Suggested reading and resources, including access to my library of 'TES' resources
• Creative writing
• How to annotate, analyse (and enjoy) English literature - sometimes known as 'close reading' or 'practical criticism'
• If you'd specifically like written feedback on your writing - more like a correspondence course - then I can also provide that.

In my spare time I enjoy writing, walking, cycling, and photography.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD.

During my teacher training, I taught all age groups at two west London secondary schools.

While at Oxford, I was part of an 'e-mentoring' scheme to help candidates from schools without a history of Oxbridge applications.

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature.

A selection of feedback and testimonials:

2026:

Cara, a parent, September: 'I cannot recommend Josh highly enough. He was absolutely instrumental in helping my son achieve the English grades required to pursue his dream of studying in America. Throughout the entire process, he was incredibly easy to work with and brought a wonderful sense of calm and kindness to every session. He is excellent at setting clear, structured tasks and holding students accountable for their progress, but he always does so with a gentle and supportive demeanor. His unique balance of academic rigour and encouraging mentorship completely transformed my son's approach to learning. We are incredibly grateful for his guidance and would recommend him to any parent looking for an exceptional educator.'

A student, August: 'Such an awesome tutor. I found myself needing some extra help in the way I communicated my ideas academically as I'd missed an entire year of essay practice (took up the subject VERY late in year 12). Josh as a tutor didn't just make up for lost teaching, but genuinely made me love my texts through witty conversation and critical angles I hadn't thought about. Despite teachers saying I wouldn't achieve higher than a B grade, I ended up getting an A*, which I think is absolutely a testament to the tutoring I received-- I couldn't have done it without him, and couldn't recommend him more.'

A student, August: 'I had the pleasure of being taught by Josh for my A Level English Literature studies in 2024, and I couldn't recommend him more highly. He was an exceptional tutor who played a huge role in improving both my confidence and ability in the subject. He provided outstanding support across every aspect of the course, from analysing poetry and developing sophisticated interpretations to preparing me thoroughly for my exams. His explanations were always clear and tailored to my learning style, making even the most challenging texts much easier to understand. Hence, I was awarded an A* and am now thriving at the University of Bristol!'

A student, August: 'I wanted to thank you again for all the lessons and help, it really benefitted me overall and I can without a doubt say that you were a great teacher.'

A student, August: 'I'm happy to say I got an A in English and got into my firm choice uni (Edinburgh).'

A student, August: 'I wanted to say a massive thank you as I got an A* in English Literature! I couldn't have done it without your guidance and feedback - you really helped me and my concepts excel. I'm very excited to pursue literature and hope that one day I'll be able to inspire others as you've inspired me. :)'.

Diana, a parent, July: 'Josh is a first class tutor. I saw him inspire my daughter with new ideas and as a result she was accepted at Cambridge where she graduated with a starred first. He taught her to think outside of the box and was filled with endless suggestions. Not only is he extremely clever, he is so kind and gentle. My daughter regards him as the best teacher she's ever had.'

Kate, a parent, June: 'We are so grateful to you for your endless patience and how you supported [G.]. The way you ran sessions with him prepared him so well not just for the A level paper but also for this year.'

A student, April: 'As usual- thank you for your creative sessions- my assignments, and my writing, have received such grades because you inspire me to be uninhibitedly creative, which is a long process after four years of formal academic writing.'

A student, February: 'Very personalised lessons, focusing exactly on what you need to improve! You can tell Joshua loves what he does and has a genuine interest in helping you get the best grades.'

2025:

A parent, November: 'We would also like to mention how much [S.] has benefited from your lessons. Her confidence in English has grown significantly, and she has always enjoyed your classes. Thank you so much for all your guidance, support, and patience. We truly appreciate everything you have done for her'.

A student, August: 'my exams went amazingly, and I got just 3 marks short of an A* in English! I'm so happy with my grades […] Thank you so much for all your help, I really couldn't have done it without you. Also, thank you for making sure I had the most fun I've ever had studying English! I will miss our sessions a lot, and thanks again!'

A parent, August: '[L.] got an A and is absolutely thrilled!!! Thank you so so much for all your help.'

Kate, a parent, August: 'Thank you so much for all your support for [G.] this year -you were amazing. […] he only dropped 1 mark on the […] Hamlet paper!'

A student, June: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

Kate, a parent, December 2024: 'We're so pleased [G.] is enjoying his sessions and seems to be really motivated to read widely in between sessions, is making useful structured notes (which he didn't do before) and his confidence and awareness of what he needs to do when essay writing is really building. Thank you!!!'

Eleni, a parent, December 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that [D.] received an offer […] today! She is super happy! […] I wanted to thank you again as [D.] found your sessions incredibly helpful and inceased her confidence during the exams process.'

*

A-level results, August 2024:

'I wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you for all the help, support and inspiration you have given [E.] over the past year. You have not only given her the technical advice and support to help her make the most of her essays and exams, but more importantly you have helped her keep the love of the subject alive. I know a big part of the reason she is so excited to study English at university is because of how much she has enjoyed your conversations, and how you have helped her to consider texts in a way that the rather narrower scope of teaching at school does not allow. I am so very grateful to you and I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into her sessions - thank you so very much. […] You've been so great, and any other student/parent would be lucky to have access to your teaching.'

'I have just opened my results and am happy to confirm that I am off to Bristol this September with an A* in English! I just want to thank you again for making this possible.'

'I got an A in English, and will be going to Exeter, so mission accomplished. I wanted to thank you for all your help, not only for helping me to get what I needed, but for giving me back my confidence and enjoyment of the subject in the process.'

'Just to let you know [I.] got her results this morning and achieved an 'A' in English. We are over the moon […] Thank you again for all your help with the English, it's much appreciated.'

'thanks for your help this past academic year! Got two A*s in English and Philosophy'.

'I got a B and I was accepted into my firm university (Durham) which I am very happy! Thank you for all your help and support.'

'I was really happy to receive […] A in English Literature […] I secured a placed at my firm university. I will be studying English Literature at Durham University this September and I am very excited! Thank you so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it!'

'i got into Warwick with […] an A* in English!!!!! I am very happy :) Thank you for all your hard work, wisdom and wit over the last year or two'.

'Thank you so much for all your coaching and advice that you shared with [L.], it made such a difference to his confidence leading up to his exams. He is (as are we) delighted with his English result.'

'an A awarded in English […] so she is off to her first choice of Edinburgh University to study History of Art and English Literature.'

'Results day went well and I'm going to the university of Kent. Thank you so much again for all the time spent helping me to prepare for my exams it means a lot I'm very excited to continue my English literature journey.'

*

A student, June 2024: 'Thank you so much for being the most amazing English teacher! It has been an immensely rewarding and interesting journey exploring so many books […] I have learnt so much from GCSEs to continuing with more amazing literatures in A-levels'

A student, June 2024: 'I […] wanted to say thank you for the tremendous help you have provided with the English content throughout the A level period. The resources that you provided for me were quite helpful in refining my knowledge in many areas of the syllabus so thank you very much.'

A student, May 2024: 'I've just received the results for my english coursework and wanted to thank you for all the help and feedback!!'

A parent, February 2024: 'your help has kept her love of the subject and her enthusiasm alive and I can't thank you enough for that.'

A parent, February 2024: 'You were such a huge help to [S.], we will always be very grateful to you.'

Kath, a parent, February 2024: 'We would both like to thank you for all your invaluable help, especially all the helpful feedback on the coursework essay. [S.] has definitely learnt a lot and grown in confidence, especially in her knowledge of Twelfth Night.'

A student, January 2024: 'I just wanted to let you know that I got an offer from Oxford! Thank you so much for checking over my personal statement and all the help that you have given me since GCSEs. I really enjoy our sessions every week, the discussions keep me constantly creative and thinking.'

A parent, January 2024: 'Thank you as always for all your continued help and support for [E.]. I know she gets a tremendous amount from your sessions and I'm very grateful.'

A student, January 2024: 'Just emailing to let you know I did get an offer from […] Cambridge yesterday so thank you so much for all your help! It is really appreciated and I'm really looking forward to starting my degree in October!'

A student, December 2023: 'So thank you so much again for all your help; your insights have been very useful and I have really enjoyed talking about literature with you.'

Tara, a parent, November 2023: 'you are really helping [R.], he is becoming much more confident. Thank you so much'.

Paula, a parent, November 2023: '[M.] is always delighted with your teaching. You are asking questions no one else does. My husband and I see her grow academically after every session with you.'

Liz, a parent, October 2023: 'Thank you so much for all the work you have done with, and the kindness you have shown, [E.] to date. She really enjoys her sessions with you, and you've helped keep her enthusiasm for English very much alive. I'm so grateful.'

Kim, a parent, August 2023: 'I cannot tell you how happy we all were and your help was clearly instrumental in that. Not sure if he told you but he got 12 points above an A* and it was his best A level result!'

A student, August 2023: 'I really enjoyed our lessons and think it has really helped prepare me for the Oxford style tutorials.'

A student, August 2023: 'wanted to let you know I ended up getting an A* in English, thanks so much for all the help!'

Mark, a parent, June 2023: 'Many thanks josh for your help this year. [E.] has said to me it has really helped, you started assisting her at a time when she felt behind her class mates for the whole of the first year, having switched to English half way through term one.'

Melanie, a parent, June 2023: 'Thank you so much for all your time and effort with [T.]'s English literature. She really enjoyed your sessions together and it really boosted her confidence and inspired her to think more deeply and critically about the texts. It also confirmed that she is happy and excited to study a literature based course at degree level.'

*

A-level results, August/September 2022:

'[L.] came home from university yesterday to attend her school prize giving ceremony, and this morning as she was leaving she asked me to let you know that she won a special prize in English […] Until last night, she wasn't aware of any of her awards, apart from her scholarship, so it was all a lovely surprise. Furthermore, the essays she wrote in her A level English exams have somehow found their way into her teachers' hands; they told her, with beams of pride , that the three marks dropped overall were actually in her *non exam* assessment, so 30/30 in all questions across all papers under exam conditions, something she had never achieved before. She had admitted to me in the aftermath of the exams that when she was writing her English papers she had really enjoyed the process, her thoughts flowing pretty effortlessly on to the paper. But she had also worried this stream of ideas might not be fit with the mark schemes. […] she […] wanted you to know about her prize, as she thought you'd be pleased, and she also wanted to say thanks one last time for your inspirational teaching that led to it.'

'I got AAA* for my results much higher than my predicted! particularly for english'.

'[G.] got an A star in English. And is off to Oxford. […] Thanks so much for everything - you were honestly amazing and really helped her get there'.

'[L.] got 3 a stars and an A star as well in her EPQ. Her highest marks were in English Literature ( 197/200)'.

'I achieved 4A*s in my Alevels - one being in English Literature. My teachers also let me know that I got full marks in both the exam papers'.

'[T.] smashed English Literature, A* […] she is absolutely over the moon . Thank you so much for all the work you put in with her !'

'I got a D[distinction]2!!! […] I got full marks on my PI!'

'I got an A* in English!!! Thank you so much for all of your help I wouldn't have been able to do it without you!'

*

A student, January 2023: 'Just wanted to let you know I got an offer from Cambridge, thank you so so much for all your help.' And Kathryn: 'You were such a great help to [E.] in her preparation for the Cambridge application and interview and we were all delighted when she was offered a place this week. Thank you for all the support you gave her.'

Shaun, a parent, January 2023: '[E.] has found the sessions really very helpful (and has enjoyed them!)'

Guifang, a parent, December 2022: 'From what I hear from [S.], she really enjoys her discussions with you, it's really one of the highlights of her week.'

A student, November 2022: 'I'm extremely happy to tell you that I received an 8.3 for the literary review […] Thank you for explaining to me what a literary review is […] I remember whilst working on it I was so worried about my grade, but it appears I've survived.'

Deborah, a parent, September 2022: 'a huge thanks again to you for all your work with [S.]. I know he has been in touch to let you know that he got 9s in both English Language and Literature. He was over the moon - well beyond his best hopes, so thank you again for being instrumental in helping him attain those grades.'

Karen, a parent, August 2022: 'Both my girls really like your way of teaching and talking to them, they feel really listened to and respected for their opinions (as well as respecting yours obviously), so thank you :)'

Helen, a parent, July 2022: 'Thanks so much for all the help you gave [J.], he really benefitted from the sessions he had with you.'

Tara, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all your help and patience - I think you have been brilliant for her confidence. She found English exams really very difficult before she started talking to you and it's amazing to see how much calmer (relatively speaking!) she has been going in to her A level English papers. Whatever the result, her sessions with you have definitely helped her to enjoy English again and I'm really grateful.'

A student, June 2022: 'This is incredibly insightful and thought provoking feedback. Thank you so much.'

Mei, a parent, June 2022: 'She found your lessons very helpful and always remarked to me how much you went the extra mile for her ; looking up and sending on links to whatever you'd been discussing. Much appreciated!'

Marguerite, a parent, June 2022: 'Thank you so much for all you've done for [T.] in the past year . […] you are a very talented teacher.'

Monica, a parent, June 2022: 'You have been an absolutely wonderful tutor to [L.], and how time has flown since she first met you! […] Many a time she has needed someone to talk to, not so much about AO1-5, but rather about the beauty and burden of literature and life. You have always been willing to do that, and she is richer for it.'

A student, June 2022: 'Thank you for teaching me for the last year; I have enjoyed our lessons and I feel I have grown as an English student, with thanks to your teaching.'

A student, April 2022: 'I received an 8 for my essay!! I want to thank you for your tutoring on Keats and Wordsworth- I wouldn't have gotten such a grade without it!! […] I learned tons because of you.'

Ngozi, a parent, March 2022: 'Thanks for everything that you're doing for [G.] - it has been very helpful.'

A student, February 2022: 'Really, thanks so much. Was such a good and efficient service. Your feedback looks really good and I'm going to implement it today. […] Thanks again for doing this on such short notice'.

Deborah, a parent, October 2021: '[S.] said you make it really fun - he said at school his energy goes down in English lessons and with you it goes up! So that is praise indeed from a teenage boy!'

A student, August 2021: 'I got the A grade ! I'm so pleased, thank you for all the help and the essays really paid off :).'

Monica, a parent, July 2021: 'As would be expected from his first class qualifications, Josh is extremely intelligent. However, in my opinion, he has a a very particular advantage over others of a similar academic background, namely his ability to exhibit an authentic interest in the ideas his students express. He is always kind and encouraging, but without sacrificing rigour; this approach has had a hugely positive impact on my daughter when speaking, writing and reading. Furthermore, Josh has introduced her to a range of authors, poets , films and philosophical thought, thus enriching her far beyond the school curriculum. In the future, my daughter will undoubtedly look back on her time with Josh with both fondness and gratitude. I have no hesitation in recommending Josh as a tutor'.

Guifang, a parent, July 2021: 'I have know Joshua for 2 months and He has been supporting my daughter excellently through her GCSE courses, helping her to achieve a 9 in predicted grades. From this, Joshua has always been very serious with the work, needless to say, always punctual and gives detailed homework feedback. I know him to be a wonderful tutor to my daughter.'

Susan, a parent, May 2021: '[T]hank you so much for all your help with [N.] […] [N.] found your lessons extremely helpful which enabled her to enjoy and understand English in a greater depth […] it was excellent tuition . Thank you'.

Jamal, a parent, May 2021: 'Thank you Josh for all your efforts, you have greatly assisted [S.] in better understanding English Literature as whole.'

Zahed, a parent, May 2021: 'We are grateful for all your help and support. We are in no doubt that [A.] has improved a lot in English Literature under your guidance.'

A student, May 2021: 'I just got my coursework back and got an A in it. Just thought i should let you know thanks you!'

Margaret, a parent, March 2021: 'Thanks for helping [M.] to improve her English understanding. She really enjoys her lessons and chats!'

Chris, a parent, March 2021: '[R.] is benefiting immensely from your lessons and is definitely getting more confident in expressing his thoughts in writing! Thank you.'

Amanda, a parent, December 2020: 'Josh has really helped join the dots, encouraged a depth of questioning and ways to interpret and compare ideas, extracting and bringing fresh meaning to narrative styles and creative use of language. Josh has been a great support and steered [R.]'s confidence to look more thoroughly and develop a greater understanding all round. Josh has a kind, approachable style and encouraged [R.] with debating aloud and suggestions for further reading which all continue to be an invaluable help and inspire greater confidence in approaching exams and further reading in future!'

A student, December 2020: 'He helps focus my understanding and makes sure i understand the topic we are learning before moving on. Josh will make sure to ask you questions throughout the process and is always ready for your ideas even if you think it's wrong. He will set homework but makes sure to switch it up each week to make it more interesting and gives his feedback to help me understand what i need to do to improve.'

Diana, a parent, September 2020: 'Josh worked with my daughter for her A Level in English Literature. He was outstanding with his ideas and expanding her critical thinking. He went above and beyond to develop her analytical skills and as a result helped her obtain an A*. He is an absolutely lovely, gentle but dynamic and reliable tutor who has a rare ability combine his academic achievement with a natural talent for teaching. A real gem and we cannot thank him enough.'

A parent, September 2020: 'Joshua is an excellent tutor with great communication skills . He is very patient , helpful , approachable and takes time to explain everything clearly to my daughter . Joshua has been able to breakdown and explain in full detail all aspects of the A Level content.'

A student, June 2020: 'it's been great being taught by you, I've learned so many critical thinking skills in such a short space of time.'

A parent, March 2020: 'I can't thank you enough for everything that you've done for her - you've been the best English teacher she's ever had and she has loved her time with you.'

Tutoring Approach:
I try to combine three things that I want my students to do, which are three forms of thinking: speak about complex ideas, read high-quality material, and write essays for which they will receive detailed feedback. For obvious reasons, lessons are weighted to speaking, and homework to reading and writing.

Speaking

Pedagogy's holy grail is measuring progress, which is difficult in a classroom and impossible in a lecture. Happily, the tutorial system allows this to occur continuously and efficiently via dialogue. Can a student re-express an idea they have heard or read in their own words? If the answer is yes, they have probably understood the idea. Hence the constant questions!

As well as understanding the ideas of others, speaking is essential for students to develop their own. I love the quotation from the novelist E. M. Forster, 'How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?' We improve the quality of our ideas through the process of articulating them.

For my part, a fair amount of what I say is explaining the meanings of texts. This might sound obvious, but great works of literature are complex, so, to understand their meaning, one's own interpretation probably needs the support of others' prior interpretations.

I sometimes like to break the question of a text's meaning into two: What is it about? And what is it really about? Answering the first question is comprehension, a necessary first step. To answer the second question is to understand. In 'A Streetcar Named Desire', for example, Blanche goes to live with her sister in New Orleans. She expresses a strong dislike of her surroundings and is frequently associated with images of water. She declines mentally and is eventually taken away. So what's the play really about? Blanche is a Romantic idealist who is disappointed with her life but still tends to imagine things in their perfect form. The play is about the human soul conceiving of things being as good as they could be (as if cleansed by water), reaching for the conception, and failing to grasp it - shuttling back and forth, in other words, on the streetcar named desire.

One thing I frequently encourage is making the link between those oft-cited elements of a good essay, themes and quotations. These are not unrelated ingredients, they are the text itself viewed from different distances. A theme (the desire to be cleansed) is a wide shot, and a quotation ('the land of the sky blue water') is a close-up. So the student of English has to practise their ability to zoom in and out.

Another way I try to support my students' studies is by making connections between the texts they are reading, which in my experience doesn't happen that much at school. Particularly at A-level, there are often many fruitful connections between the half-dozen or so texts being studied: the Romantics were devoted to Shakespeare and Milton, the Gothic is an aspect of the Romantic, the Aesthetic Movement drew on particular strains of Romanticism, etc. When these connections get made with reference to particular writers, they are no longer just isms. They make the material deeper and easier to understand at the same time. Towards the end of their school careers, students of the humanities should be able to get the sense of taking part in 'the Great Conversation that began in the dawn of history and that continues to the present day' (Robert M. Hutchins).

Reading

I regularly give my students PDFs of high-quality secondary material pitched at their level or just above it. Explanatory notes, commentaries, and essays can help with understanding, particularly when it comes to context. (And all exam boards have assessment objectives relating to historical context.) To know that a text was written during a particular period and what characterised that period is to have a mental scaffold that does not limit movement but frees it. In studying the humanities we are studying human culture, and no one can do that without a bit of structure. It also helps when thinking about texts in relation to each other - when writing a comparative essay, for example. I like to think of honing in from context to text, e.g. Romanticism (late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries) > William Blake (1757-1827) > 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' (1794) > 'The Tyger'. (What's 'The Tyger' about? There's a question!)

In my experience, knowledge acquisition operates according to the Matthew principle, named after a verse in the Gospel of Matthew: 'unto every one that hath shall be given'. In other words, the more you've got, the more you'll get. Every time you learn something about Romanticism, the greater will be your understanding of the poetry of William Blake. Your internal bookshelves expand - more connections, greater understanding. Reading secondary material is obviously 'extra', but it works to enhance students' understanding of set texts rather than crowd them out. Homer Simpson said, 'every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain', and we laugh because it's not true. You can't fill up a brain, so the cliché about people's (particularly young people's) limitless potential is true. Every time you learn something new, you enrich your contextual understanding of everything else you have ever learnt. '[E]very moment is a new and shocking / Valuation of all we have been', as T. S. Eliot puts it in 'East Coker'.

Writing

Speaking and reading are in a concrete way preparation for writing. If you think and make notes while speaking and reading, by the time it comes to writing an essay, the question should not be about what to say, but how to arrange the things you want to say. So annotation is an important skill. It's a bit like getting 'in the zone' for a sportsperson - students must practise getting there and staying there. I model the annotation process something like the following.

Read with a pencil in your hand. What makes you underline? Something fires in your brain, so that you have a response - you spot a developing theme, you're reminded of another book, you agree or disagree, there's a word you don't know and need to look up, you like the way a sentence sounds. It could be anything. Read until you've underlined twenty words or sentences. Work out the three or four connections between the things you have to say, and you've got a paragraph plan. Work out the main thing you have to say, and you have a thesis for your essay, which, as you aim your paragraphs at it, will accumulate force.

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.
When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in their exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better. Finally, it is possible that as we enter the AI age there will be a revaluing of the humanities as against STEM, since the one thing AI will never be, by definition, is human.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello! My name is Vicki and I am a fully qualified primary school teacher with over 12 years experience teaching across key stage one and two in Lincolnshire schools. I hold QTS and an enhanced DBS certificate.

Teaching Experience:
During my career I have been a literacy specialist and tutor for 11+ entrance exams. I have taught whole classes, intervention groups and tutored on a 1:1 basis.

Tutoring Approach:
Tutoring is the perfect opportunity for me to get the most from your child, Working one to one gives me the privilege of being able to tailor and personalise my tutorials to your child's learning style and ability. I am able to assess for next steps in learning in a way that the classroom environment often does not allow and I can develop your child's confidence where it really matters and challenge and extend where needed.

Currently, due to Covid restrictions I am tutoring through Zoom and Bitpaper.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello there! 🍁 I'm a friendly Canadian who's made the UK my home. Teaching English is not just my profession; it's my passion. Over the years as a volunteer, I've had the incredible opportunity to work privately with students from diverse corners of the world - South America, Europe, and, of course, back home in Canada. These experiences have deepened my love for helping others learn English, whether it's their second language or they're looking to polish their reading and writing skills in their first language.

What truly inspires me is working with adults who, for various reasons, have limited reading and writing skills. Witnessing their journey of learning and improvement is a real privilege. It's incredibly rewarding to see someone gain confidence in their abilities and open up new opportunities for themselves through language.

But it's not just adults I've had the pleasure of teaching. I've also worked with children, including my own little ones, to give them a head start in their schooling. Preparing them for the early years of school, and making it fun and engaging, is something I find truly fulfilling.

Whether it's guiding someone to discover the joys of reading or helping them express themselves more confidently in writing, or deciding to learn English, I'm all about making learning an enjoyable and enriching experience.

I'm here to help you on this exciting journey!

Teaching Experience:
Teaching English is not just my profession; it's my passion. Over the years, I've had the incredible opportunity to work privately with students from diverse corners of the world - South America, Europe, and, of course, back home in Canada. These experiences have deepened my love for helping others learn English, whether it's their second language or they're looking to polish their reading and writing skills in their first language.

I have also taught in Private School environment and but have chosen to work with students privately.

Tutoring Approach:
In my tutoring sessions, I prioritize practical learning approaches and concepts to foster a nurturing environment for both children and adults. Understanding that learning English as a Second Language presents unique challenges, I tailor my methods to meet the individual needs of my students, ensuring they grasp English not just theoretically but in real-world applications. By incorporating everyday scenarios, interactive exercises, and engaging material, I make learning English accessible and relatable. My goal is to build confidence and proficiency, allowing students to use English effectively in their daily lives and achieve their personal and professional goals. With patience and encouragement, I guide each learner through their journey, celebrating every milestone towards mastery and confidence in the English language.

Whether they are learning to read + write, learning for early years school preparation, or learning English.

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Personal Description:
Hello, All!

It is my passion to pass on my knowledge to others enriching them and helping them understand concepts they may find hard. I can simplify difficult meanings and I am extremely patient and persistent. I am easy-going, responsible and trustworthy. I am very professional that respects his tutees and take knowledge seriously.

Teaching Experience:
I am a personal and group tutor for more than 15 years. I have taught pupils, students and adults of all ages and most subjects. I have also worked in educational institutions.

Tutoring Approach:
I adapt to my pupils and students' psyche and learning traits and I simplify hard concepts.

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Personal Description:
I am an enthusiastic and supportive tutor who is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. I strive to create a positive and relaxed learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and asking questions. I am patient, understanding, and committed to making lessons engaging and accessible, regardless of a student's starting point. Seeing students gain confidence and achieve their goals is what motivates me the most. As a young tutor with 2 years tutoring experience, I aim to build strong relationships with my tutees and provide the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed. As someone who sat their GCSE exams over 3 years ago, and A-Level exams over a year ago, I have a good understanding of the exam boards and the techniques students need to demonstrate in the exam to get the top grades. Having been through the process myself recently, I know how crucial it is to not only understand the content, but to apply this content to exam questions. Through targeted practice and frequent feedback, I can help students avoid common mistakes and develop effective exam techniques to achieve their desired grade.

Teaching Experience:
I have experience tutoring A-Level students in History, Sociology, and Philosophy & Ethics in both one-to-one and small-group sessions. The same goes for GCSE students studying History and Sociology. My role involved planning lessons tailored to individual learning needs, developing students' subject knowledge, and teaching effective exam techniques across Edexcel, AQA, and OCR exam boards. If the subject you are studying is not assessed by these exam boards, do not worry! I am a fast learner and can quickly study what examiners are looking for in exams. I regularly monitored progress, set achievable targets, and used active recall and exam-question practice to address gaps in understanding. My support has helped several students improve by two to three grades, including students progressing from C to A and B to A*. In addition, I have worked closely with teachers to develop learning resources, mark and moderate A-Level and GCSE assessments.

Tutoring Approach:
My tutoring sessions follow a clear structure to meet students' individual needs. Before we begin, I like to have a conversation with the student, either over messages or on a video call, to get to know them better and understand what they would like to achieve. This gives me the opportunity to identify areas where they may be falling behind, topics they find challenging, and the type of support that would benefit them most. From there, I can create lessons that are tailored to their needs and help them build their confidence in subject knowledge and exam practice.

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