Rhayader Study Skills Tutors and Rhayader Study Skills Tuition

Personal Description:
For over a decade now I have worked with a diverse range of students, engendering a passion for learning as well as producing tangible results. I prefer a flexible and dynamic approach crafted from an understanding that we are each upon a unique learning pathway according to our particular styles, aspirations, aptitudes and needs.

"Thank you very much for the great work you did with my daughter Sophie. She progressed from a 'C' grade to an 'A' grade in the space of 6 months and I would have no hesitation in recommending you to friends." - Billy, Bangor

Teaching Experience:
"The learning exercises were always set around my interest areas, making tuition both fun and effective. Following my sessions with Andrew, I have developed a more concise way of communicating. My writing now has more flow, which helps me say what I need to say." - Neil , Newtownabbey

I'm passionate about nurturing the potential of each student with whom I have the privilege to work. With over 8 years experience as a Learning Coach with countless individuals and groups, Diploma in Life Coaching as well as a successful university graduate (1st class hons in Philosophy) and additional Masters research degree in Developmental Psychology, I previously taught at Secondary school and most recently trained nursing professionals to pass their IELTS exams.

I am also a regular public speaker and workshop leader in the private health sector, delivering courses in areas from stress-management and communication skills, to self-care and personal development.

Tutoring Approach:
"Andrew was very professional in his approach to tutoring. My daughter gained confidence in her ability to understand her subject and to recall information using association techniques which proved very useful in her examinations."
Grainne, Randalstown

This coaching-based approach I take has proven highly successful. I approach each student and the sessions with an open mind to learn what I need to be of support.

Combining motivational coaching techniques, I offer a uniquely engaging, personally attuned service. The first lesson typically consists of a complimentary educational assessment (usually 30 minutes) to help identify key areas for improvement . All results can be shared with the parent/guardian. Based on this initial assessment, a 100% individual and tailored programme of learning is created. While encouraging the student to adopt high yet realistically achievable targets for their own education, I am also sensitive to the level of each student and what he or she is ready to adopt.

3 EXAMPLES OF HOW I HELP FOR LITERATURE-BASED TASKS:

1. Working from the question to the answer: appreciating and understanding key requirements of a question, and any relevant marking criteria.

2. How best to structure and qualify sentences so that the answer is complete and accurate.

3. Most effective study / revision / exam techniques such as mind-mapping, worked answers, memorising.


AREAS COVERED / WHAT TO EXPECT

My specialist subjects at all most levels are literature-based and the human sciences particularly philosophy, religion and ethics. Alongside these, I also specialise in 'study skills', offering a very personalised, tailored approach that incorporates motivational coaching on exam and essay skills, ensuring maximum value for investment of your time, money and effort.

**Upon request I am also able to provide emotional literacy around life skills such as: motivation, communication, self belief and concentration.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for tutoring Philip this year; he adapted well with you as his new tutor and enjoyed your approach to teaching.
"I would have no hesitation in recommending Andrew as a tutor. I found him to be polite, courteous, reliable, and accommodating."
- Doreen, Ballyclare

Subjects

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:
In terms of academic qualifications, I have an accountancy and finance background with further specialization (MSc) in Finance and Risk Management along with MSc Professional Accountancy. Throughout my educational years, I have been a distinction holder. During my MSc degree in UK as well, I have maintained my academic record. I can not only teach academic subjects but also assist research students in their research work as for the last three years. I am working on the dissertations as well as on the coursework for students.

I am teaching for the last 10 years to students who are pursuing accounting and business studies as their career. I also helped students for modules like Human Resource, Project Management, Process Management, Research Methods, Criminology, marketing and e.t.c.
I have done ACCA, CIA, CFE, CFC apart from this i am left with couple of exams of ACA and done CFAB. I have also done undergraduate and Postgraduate.
I am doing job since 2008 and also has an experience of working as:
Career Advisor
Course Coordinator
Teacher Assistant
Accountant
Marketing supervisor for marketing campaign in PHILLIP MORRIS INT.




IN ACCA I HAVE THREE WORLD OVER DISTINCTIONS

Teaching Experience:
I have experience of teaching all papers of ACCA even optional level.
I have experience of teaching Corporate Finance to Master level students of Aston University.
I have experience of teaching all the papers of Professional Stage Knowledge Module to ACA students.
I have experience of teaching all the papers of Certified Accounting Technician (CAT).
I also taught the undergraduate and Postgraduate students of Birmingham University, Aston University, Warwick University, Coventry University, Nottingham University, Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University, Sheffield University, Wolverhampton University, University of East Anglia, Hull University, Derby University, University of Glasgow and several others.
I have experience of teaching AAT subjects to the students as well as all GCSE and A-Level students .
I am also assisting students with any assignment they require. I done more than 1000 research papers and taught more than 500 individual students

Tutoring Approach:
I think for teaching one has to come to the level of the student and also one must be aware of the requirement of the specific paper with reference to exam I mean exam approach teaching is the best of all. I believe in quality of the lecture not the length of it.

Firstly, the students needs have to be understood and then the tutoring phase will carefully outlined and tutees will be taught according to their needs. Questions will be encouraged throughout the session as these are important for higher understanding.

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Personal Description:
I first became interested in teaching through working as a private tutor with GCSE students, something I am doing since I finished my graduation, training to become a leader in the process. This made me realise I enjoyed working with the people in their learning process, and college experience confirmed tutoring/teaching as a career choice. My subsequent one year PGCE has served further to fire my enthusiasm and prepared me effectively to take responsibility for learners.

I have completed PGCE , a Masters and a BSc in Economics, level 5 Mathematics in Mechanics, numeracy level 1 & 2, Diploma in Computer Science & Application and I am a Certified Internet Webmaster Associate.

Teaching Experience:
I am teaching for last 5 years. In addition, I worked as a Teaching Assistant over two years.I have been privately tutoring primary and secondary maths, A level maths and Economics on one-to-one basis since 2003. My academic education and teaching practices have given me a good understanding of the curriculum and of what makes effective teaching.

Tutoring Approach:
I make a conscious effort to ensure I am not just catering for visual learners like myself, but try to see lessons through other learners' eyes. For example, to introduce pictograms to numeracy entry level class, I got the learners to create 'human pictograms' arranged by name length, pets, eye colour, etc. and then transferred that information as pictograms to the board. Kinaesthetic learners were thereby catered for in the physical movement and manipulation, visual learners in the pictograms created on the board and audio learners as we discussed and interpreted the graphs.

I have in particular come to understand the value of sharing learning objectives and success criteria with students. Knowing exactly what is expected and how they can achieve allow learners to focus more clearly on tasks.

I feel it is important to make learning interesting and creative, and one way to achieve this is using real life example; this allows learners to explore and understand situations and express feelings, thoughts and emotions. An example of how I have successfully used real life situation was with a GCSE class, working out the area of the classroom to decide the correct amount of carpet needed for the classroom. I gave the students measuring tape to measure the length and width of the classroom. They were incredibly enthusiastic and threw themselves into the task. They found this a fun, enjoyable and worthwhile learning experience, which enabled them to better understand the situation and empathise with those concerned.

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Personal Description:
I am a published academic author, educated to doctorate level, with twenty years' experience of teaching university students undertaking foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including both UK and international students.

I have extensive experience of working with students from a range of backgrounds, cultures and age groups, with differing interests and needs. I have worked with students with anxiety, mental health issues and learning difficulties, and understand the need to provide flexible learning to meet a range of access requirements.

I support both UK and international PhD students with every stage of the research journey, from designing research projects and conducting literature reviews, to developing writing skills, collecting and analysing data, and preparing for upgrades, vivas, or conference presentations.

Alongside teaching, I bring extensive expertise as a researcher, writer and editor. I have published academic work and proofread and edited reports, theses and assignments. This professional experience has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and skills to support not just students, but also academics with their publications.

For foundation and undergraduate students, I recognise that the variety of subjects, assignments and exams can feel overwhelming and overshadow the excitement of university life. My role is to help students build both their confidence and skills so that these challenges become manageable rather than daunting.

Each session is student-led, tailored to individual goals and needs. I provide support with planning assignments, structuring essays and exam answers, researching and conducting reviews of the literature, preparing for seminars and delivering presentations, as well as referencing and compiling bibliographies.

Teaching Experience:
My combined experience as a lecturer, private tutor, and researcher has led to a well-rounded approach to teaching and a deep understanding of academic expectations. Over the course of my career, I have refined my expertise through:

• Delivering lectures, seminars and tutorials across various social science subjects.

• Providing comprehensive feedback by marking essays, exams, dissertations and PhD theses. This has strengthened both my appreciation of academic expectations and insight into student needs.

• Supervising undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and participating in PhD examination panels, guiding students whilst encouraging independent research.

• Developing a range of teaching materials for diverse courses. This has included a core Study Skills module, which equips students with essential academic skills, such as:

- Researching and note-taking
- Structuring academic work
- Developing writing styles
- Mastering referencing and bibliography construction
- Delivering presentations
- Preparing for exams
- Reflecting on learning

Designing this module enabled me to evaluate, refine and build a comprehensive suite of study skills resources that I continue to use and share with my students in their academic journeys.

My research and publication experience has also provided me with a strong understanding of academic standards and requirements, and I use this knowledge and experience to provide the most valuable support for students.

Tutoring Approach:
I create a supportive, friendly, and practical learning environment where students are always at the centre. Drawing on my experience with diverse learners and teaching approaches, I adapt my methods to each individual's needs. This flexible style supports students to discover the strategies that work best for them, building both confidence and independence.

My sessions are professional and informative, whilst also enjoyable and relaxed. This creates a positive learning experience that not only strengthens student confidence but also leads to academic success. I provide reassurance to students about what they are doing right, whilst offering clear, constructive guidance to help them refine their skills and achieve their full potential.

My approach consistently delivers results. Past students have demonstrated marked grade improvements, successful PhD upgrades, and strong viva performances. More importantly, they have developed lasting skills and self-confidence in their academic abilities.

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Personal Description:
Ben is a Fully Qualified Art and Design Teacher who works as a secondary Art and Photography teacher. He also teaches fine Art and Photography at A-Level. He is a Highly technically and artistically accomplished Artist and Photographer. Ben has been quoted by professors at a university as a master of studio photography and a technical wizz in both digital and traditional post-processing.
Ben aims to spend time chatting with you in advance so that your time with him can be tailored to your needs and is much more productive.

In 2019, Ben started developing his teaching skills and enrolled with Teach SouthEast, one of England's top teacher training schools, which also holds an Ofsted Outstanding rating. The school is known to have a very high reputation for academic rigour and is a research-led teaching school. All of Ben's Mentors and subject tutors have commended on his extensive subject knowledge, especially in photography. Ben Graduated with a Qualified Teacher Status in June 2020 and is Fully Enhanced DBS check. Ben is now employed as a Secondary Art and Photography Teacher and teacher KS3,4,& 5.

Please feel free to contact me, and I would be happy to tailor a teaching package to your needs; I am experienced in AQA, Pearson / Edexcel, Educas and OCR exam boards. Or if you are an adult learner or amature professional just looking to advance your knowledge and skills whether it be Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, as i previously worked proffessionaly including business consutancy.

Ben was educated in Guildford and specialised in the expressive arts. During these years, his creative flare became more apparent.

Ben progressed onto doing a Foundation Degree in Action Photography at Truro College where he specialised in sports Extreme Sports, Natural History, Social Documentary and Events Photography following this he began to prepare for a more commercial direction. Ben still maintained his roots in expressive art during the foundation degree but also developed his technical skills thoroughly, and this has been commented on though out his professional and teaching life.

In 2009, he progressed on to Plymouth University to study for his BA Honours in Photography where he achieved a (2.1) During this course, he spent time intricately studying the history of art and photography, and Ben spent many hours mastering skills in studio large and medium format photography. He concluded the year specialising in colour film, Medium format studio photography and focusing mainly on portraiture, with a project called 'The Paradox of Perfect Beauty'.

This study challenges the ideologies of what is defined as beauty throughout art history, sculpture, and figurative representation. It critically analyses the standardised figures and body shape used in art as well as in modern-day commercial advertising, fashion and other types of portraiture.

Ben worked for 3.5 years at an Apple APR shop in Guildford so has a very in-depth knowledge of Apple technology and software and during this time taught people of all ages to use Apple computer something he still tutors to this day in.

I prefer to teach over a 2-hour basis, and this allows for focused study and practical time of guided activity further to this I will travel for a lesson but ask that travel expenses are paid.
Lastly, due to previous experiences, I ask that 50% of the total job is paid upfront as a non refundable deposits on acceptance of the agreed package. I ask this due to the fact I have to pay the tutoring site based on the agreed amount a fee.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring photography from many years to all different ages and abilities from young kid's to University and Mature Learners, I started my teaching with teaching English in Thailand and working as an assistant youth worker and having to teach different subject and activities. I have furthered my experience with children running children Holiday camps over the School Holidays.

Further to this I am a fully qualified secondary and college Art and photography teacher with 6 years experience in bot2h state and private settings. This includes nearly 2 years in a specialised school for student with ECHP's and Autism, ADHD, ODDand PDA
All my student have gained high mark some have, with my tuition jumped 4-5 grades.
At gcse 1 student in February or year 11 was predicted a 2 and gain a high 8 , another who had failed all other subject including English at gcse gained a B in A-level photography including an essay even though many including her self had written tem off.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a relaxed approach to teaching, trying to view someone's work objectively but giving prods and direction where needed. I like for my students to discover the answer themselves as this embeds the knowledge and allows them to master their subject. Upon realising that they can achieve and have mastered the skills needed, the satisfaction you see from them is the best part of the job. Every achievement is praised, and every downfall is considered not a failure but part of the learning curve.

I encourage mistakes, as these are the things we learn from, and I have a vast bank of resources to use that come from my everyday life as a teacher.

But the main thing is this is not a school, and we have fun!

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Personal Description:
Hi, I'm Ash! I am an experienced and approachable tutor, a husband and father, CRB and DBS checked, specialising in English, History, Theology, Philosophy, and Politics.

I hope I can help you out!

Ash
MA BA (1st Class Hons)

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2008, supporting students up to PhD level, and have taught courses for regional leaders in learning and skills development for young people and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I tutor A Level and university students, supporting learning and achievement with a thorough, helpful, client-centred approach, at home or in other learning environments.

Please contact me to talk about your learning needs.

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Personal Description:
Dr Sheraz is currently associate lecturer in Lincoln International Business school, University of Lincoln. He was previously Business Lecturer (Marketing & Project Management) at the Nelson College, London. Prior to his current appointment he was seminar teacher and PhD researcher in Value Chain Research Centre at the Kent Business School, University of Kent Medway campus. Before joining Kent Business School, he was a professional trainer and practicing aeronautical engineer at the National University of Science & Technology, Pakistan and Aviation Maintenance Organisation. He also served as Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan.

Teaching Experience:
• Module Leader - Marketing Principles, BTEC Level 5 HND F/601/0556 (Unit 4) at Nelson College, London, UK.
• Co-Lecturer on Project Management BTEC Level 5 HND F/601/1036 (Unit 42) at Nelson College, London, UK.
• Seminar Leader on CB313: Introduction to Statistics for Business (on BBA Buisness & Management programme) Kent Business School, UK.
• Quantitative data analysis support for BBA, MSc and PhD Students' Disserations Kent Business School, Canterbury and Medway Campuses.
• Lecturer for professional diploma in supply chain management at Professional Development centre at National University of Science and Technology, Pakistan(Top university in Pakistan)
• Provided MBA Dissertation supervision for over 10 graduate students of the University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.
• Curriculum Development Coordinator for Pre-Masters Business & Management at Centre for Advance Studies(CASE),Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an extensive teaching experience both at the undergraduate and professional level. As required, I would be happy to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate modules of both a research-led and a methodological nature.I am also aware of the importance of the pastoral care of students and take the role of tutor very seriously. I am experienced in liaising with colleagues to help students with a variety of problems. I was involved with undergraduate business students at Kent business school for tutoring and mentoring.

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Personal Description:
I have over 20 years' teaching experience. I am a retired A Level teacher but continue with private tuition. I teach both the OCR and AQA new specifications at A Level, in Philosophy, Ethics and Christianity, for Year 1 and Year 2. I have testimonials which show that most of my tutees go on to attain A grades. As a mother, I know well the anxieties which accompany these important school years. I aim for academic excellence, bringing out a student's confidence, alongside teaching important critical thinking skills and exam technique. If the student is willing to learn, higher grades are guaranteed.

Teaching Experience:
27 years tutoring privately; 15 years teaching in Further Education; OCR and AQA A Level mostly. I'm very familiar with the specification.
I can supply many testimonials ftom students upon request.
The latest one is from a student who came to me at a low C and attained an A* at OCR A Level 2025 (available on request).

Tutoring Approach:
I tutor by ZOOM mostly these days, as it so successful. Many of my past tutees I have never even met yet they have gone on to achieve As and A*s, last year one going to Oxford, another two to Newcastle... testimonials are available. I work very closely with the specification, using resources for each topic which I attach for the student before the session. I give detailed feedback on essays I set, which most find extremely useful. With other essays asked for, there is a small charge. I keep individual progress records e.g. weak areas etc to build on. I am also only a phone call or email away for students in between tutorials as this is an important element in confidence-building, I feel.

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Personal Description:
Are you bored about learning Spanish in a conventional way? about teachers who do not really care about your progress and interests?

I think that the best way to learn a language is making the student comfortable with dynamic and enjoyable Spanish classes. I will make a personal Spanish program for you, where I will adapt your interest (job environment, informal situations with friends...) to your Spanish level. I will prepare everything you feel could be interesting for the class.

I have always loved teaching, I have loved it since I was a teenager, whenever my classmates asked me to help them or even my sisters and I had to help them with their exercises solving the problem they had.

I am really hard working, friendly, very sociable and professional.

Lately, I have been also teaching online with IBERIS to student from different countries among the world. So, I find myself familiar with the latest technologies and programs related to the online teaching. Furthermore, I have a great interest in the international issues and different cultures. I really enjoy teaching and learning something new from my students make me feel better.

In addition, I find myself as an entrepreneur. So, I would be constantly improving the classes and working hard to personalize the classes as much as possible depending on the goals and the Spanish level of every student.

Teaching Experience:
Regarding my teaching experience, I have at least 2 years teaching Spanish in different public and private institutions around the world.

I began teaching Spanish as a volunteer in my university on 2015. I have always had a great interest in different cultures and languages. I really admire people who travel and work around the world, so in 2015-2016 I decided to teach Spanish voluntarily during the whole course (9 months) to those international people who came as an Erasmus to my University. I felt really comfortable helping them improving their Spanish while I was learning a lot from them too.

After this academic course, I made my luggage and I went to the USA for the whole summer. I was motivated and interested in the American lifestyle, so I decided to try my best three months working at Morey´s Piers as a chef while I was working as a native Spanish teacher in my second job at the Christian academy for 3 months in New Jersey.

As soon as I finished my stay in the USA, I came back to Poland where I continued my last year of university through a bilateral international agreement at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences. I was studying while I was working in 2 different institutions as a native Spanish teacher. On the one hand, I was working as a tenured Spanish native teacher at the "IBERIS online academy" for one year. On the second hand, I was working as support Spanish native teacher at the "Gniezno Institute" during the same academical year.

In conclusión, the last 2 years from 2015 I have been working as a native Spanish teacher in 4 different places, at the University in Spain, at Christian´s academy in the USA, at IBERIS online academy and Gniezno institute (Poland). And right now, I am working privately in Scotland.

Tutoring Approach:
Among the qualities a teacher should have, in my opinión would be dedication, passion, patience, and teamwork.

A teacher must dedicate a long time not only to the classes, also preparing the ideal program for the classes in order to satisfy the language needs of the student or student group.

Furthermore, a teacher must be highly passionate to motivate each student making the learning enjoyable and useful at the same time.

The patience is another important quality as each student needs their own time to understand and develop the knowledge. We are treating with people and everyone is different. It is really important to personalize the teaching in each case.

The communication among the students is as important as the proper teamwork between the professionals on the institution in order to give the best service to our students and help growing altogether the academy.

I think that the best way to learn a language is making the student comfortable with dynamic and enjoyable Spanish classes. So far, I make a personal Spanish program for my students, where I adapt their interest (job environment, informal situations with friends...) to their Spanish level. I also prepare everything they feel could be interesting for the class.

I like making the classes as enjoyable as possible in order to keep the students happy and motivated. In fact, I work with practical and useful material made by my own. So, my classes will be based on a practical Spanish according to the student's needs, I want them to feel motivated and happy. If not, I will not be satisfied at all.

The classes will focus on talking and practicing mainly, as a language is learned speaking and practicing a lot. But of course, we will have a good base of grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and listening too.

The classes must be as efficient as possible!

Are you ready to start with useful Spanish and enjoyable classes?

Say goodbye to the boring classes and let´s start learning useful Spanish having a good time.

Let´s get started!

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Personal Description:
I hold two master's degrees: one in Conflict, Governance, and Development from the University of York in the United Kingdom and another as an Executive MBA from Dauphine University in France. Additionally, I obtained my bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature.

As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), I bring 22 years of extensive experience in the development sector, working effectively with public, private, and international organisations across multiple countries. In the United Kingdom, I worked with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Council, Documentary Production, and Members of Parliament's offices, as well as roles in the private sector.

Teaching Experience:
I am a native Arabic speaker and an accomplished Arabic instructor with a strong focus on achieving student objectives. Currently, I engage in part-time teaching and training.
I possess over 15 years of experience in delivering lessons that are tailored to the interests and needs of students and clients. I am knowledgeable in standard instructional principles and modern methodologies for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, including individuals from English, Turkish, Indian, Italian, and German backgrounds. This extensive experience has provided me with the requisite qualifications to effectively plan courses, implement diverse teaching theories and methods, and facilitate communication. I am adept at managing both administrative and instructional responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism. Furthermore, I have strong capabilities in English-to-Arabic translation.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is both SMART and holistic, taking into account the cabapility and cultural sensitivities of each student. I strive to be friendly and responsive, maintaining an authoritative rather than authoritarian demeanor. My teaching style is customized to meet specific objectives and can be either formal or informal, especially when working with students under 18 years old.

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Personal Description:
Dedicated educator qualified in the UK and Australia. Passionate about working with young and adult learners. Strong commitment to individual development of each student through fostering positive learning experiences. Effective communicator across cultures and age groups. Taught in Sydney, Australia, Krakow, Poland and London, UK.

Teaching Experience:
English as a Foreign Language teacher (2005 - current)

• Thoroughly, holistically and continuously analysing individual needs of every student and creating a learning programme to meet their needs
• Working with adults and young learners one-on-one and in groups
• Assisting students in integrating into the British culture by providing systematic practice of speaking in various social scenarios
• Consistently providing students with homework and extensive feedback on their speaking and writing skills

• Subjects:
- English for Specific Purposes (e.g. English for scientists, medical professionals, psychologists, educators, businessmen, accountants, geologists, UX designers, interior designers, engineers; marketing, branding, and HR professionals)
- ESOL - English + cultural integration
- General English
- Business English
- English for Academic Purposes
- IELTS General and Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- A2 Key exam (KET), B1 Preliminary exam (PET), B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency
- OET - Occupational English Test

• Teaching methods used:
Content-Based Instruction, the genre-based approach, Task-Based Language Teaching, Text-Based Instruction, Situational-Language teaching, the Audiolingual Method, Communicative Language Teaching, the Direct Method, and Total Physical Response

Academic writing and study skills tutor (2016 - current)

• how to structure: essays, reports, and presentations
• grammar, style, coherency and clarity of written work and presentations
• how to reference sources correctly
• how to make the most out of the writing cycle: first draft, research, proofreading, editing and seeking feedback
• time management and study skills strategies

English language tutor (2016 - current)

• Working with learners aged 5 - 16 years old one-on-one and in small groups
• Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2): phonics, reading comprehension, broadening vocabulary, writing skills, handwriting practice, communicating clearly
• Key Stage 2 (Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6): writing stories, information reports, persuasive writing; practising a range of grammatical structures
• Key Stage 3 (Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9): engage with rich literary landscape; imagine stories and rely on facts to compose fictional and non-fictional texts
• Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and Year 11): practising recognising and effectively using a wide range of literary techniques
• The Perse Prep School Cambridge Year 3 (7+) Entrance Test preparation
• Year 3 (7+), Year 5 (9+), Year 6 (10+) and Year 7 (11+) - preparation for Entrance Examination - English
• Mentoring learners on how to build relationships with peers at school and how to work cooperatively with peers and teachers
• Updating parents on their child's progress

Art educator (2015 - current):

• Working with adults and young learners
• Drawing and painting techniques: portraiture, figurative, landscape, cityscape, and still life
• Experimenting with art genres: realism, impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, cubism, abstraction, conceptual art, minimalism and relational art
• Clay sculpture
• Watercolour, acrylic, oil, pencil, charcoal, ink and mixed media techniques
• Art history and theory
• GCSE Art and Design - exam preparation
• A Level Art and Design - exam preparation
• A-Level History of Art - exam preparation

Russian language tutor (2011 - current)
• Absolute beginners, intermediate and advanced level learners
• Lessons for adults and young learners: focus on speaking skills, memorisation skills, accurate pronunciation, reading comprehension and writing skills
• GCSE (9-1) Russian - exam preparation
• The Test of Russian as a Foreign Language - test preparation


English as a Foreign Language Instructor (January 2023 - current)
The University of Cambridge
• Classes for learners with beginner - advanced levels of English to practise speaking in work-related and personally-relevant situations

ESOL Teacher (February - March 2025)
Orchard Park Community Primary School
• Worked with adult learners to practise speaking skills in a range of social scenarios

EFL Teacher (February 2025)
GL-Abroad
• Taught English to learners aged 12 - 13 years old
• Incorporated Cambridge-related cultural knowledge in a gamified form

EFL Teacher (July - August 2019)
International House London, Ellesmere, UK
• Taught English and art to learners ages 8 - 16 using project-based learning

Casual/Relief Teacher (July 2017 - July 2018)
NSW Department of Education, Sydney, Australia
• Taught visual arts, English, history, geography, PE, drama
• Worked in primary and secondary schools

Classroom Teacher (October - December 2017)
Chatswood Intensive English Centre, Sydney, Australia
• Taught: art, English, ICT and music to students aged 12 - 18 years old

Russian Language Teacher
BigWorld Pty Ltd (August 2013 - September 2017)
• Taught classes to learners with beginner and intermediate levels of Russian

Tutoring Approach:
• Using visual and audio material to accelerate learning
• Catering for a diverse range of learning needs in an interactive way that promotes students' engagement
• Analysing individual needs of students and meticulously tailoring lesson plans to address these needs
• Consistently providing students with homework and extensive feedback
• Assisting students in their careers

One-on-one lessons

30 minutes (under 8 y.o.): £25; 5 lessons: £115 | 10 lessons: £225
45 minutes: £35 | 5 lessons: £165 | 10 lessons: £315
60 minutes: £45 | 5 lessons: £210 | 10 lessons: £400
90 minutes: £60 | 5 lessons: £285 | 10 lessons: £540
120 minutes: £80 | 5 lessons: £380 | 10 lessons: £720

Please, enquire about group lessons as the rate will depend on the number of students in the group, on the location of classes, and on learning objectives of the group.

Lessons with 2 or 3 learners are also possible, please enquire.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a foreign qualified Barrister and Solicitor with 2 years post call experience since graduating in the UK.I have practice experience within government public policy advisory, Corporate and commercial law as well as financial operations with a focus on pension fund investments.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught young students within Nigeria.

Tutoring Approach:
Friendly, engaging and challenging whilst also tailoring teaching methods to student capabilities.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I live in Edinburgh with my husband, two sons and our dog. I have had a varied career path, starting as an English Language teacher working in Italy, London and Edinburgh for ten years. In my early thirties I decided to start working as a theatre director and moved to combine EFL teaching with theatre work. Since 2005 I have also worked as a university teacher and have developed a strong skill-set in study skills teaching.
I enjoy reading, hill walking and gardening and home cooking.

Teaching Experience:
I am a highly experienced teacher and have worked in education for over twenty-five years. I have worked part-time as a university lecturer for fifteen years across undergraduate and post-graduate programmes and have particular skill in developing students' study skills and supporting reading and writing development. I can tutor students across a range of arts and humanities subjects to develop the skills they need to succeed at university.

I also have experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language to all levels from Begnner to Advanced levels including preparation for Cambridge exams and IELTS.

Tutoring Approach:
I am a friendly and reassuring tutor and I really enjoy getting to know my students and taking time to ensure that they feel comfortable and clear with what they are learning.
I am highly organised and punctual and like to be well-prepared for the sessions I deliver to ensure students get the most out of our time together. I usually set independent work between sessions and mark prior to a session so no time is wasted. I am happy to teach students in my home or at their home.

Subjects

Personal Description:
PLEASE SEE 'TUTORING EXPERIENCE' BELOW FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS PAGE, THE RESULTS AND FEEDBACK

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

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

• Preparing to take A-levels in 2026/27
• Doing coursework
• Working on the basis of continuous assessment, mocks, etc.
• Or planning to do / doing an English degree

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

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

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

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

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

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2013, teaching English at all levels (including degree level), as well as A-level religious studies and classical civilisation. I have taught AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas, and CAIE (Cambridge International), and am constantly familiarising myself with the new texts that my students are studying. I have experience helping students who have autism and ADHD. And I am interested in the role of generative AI and large language models in education, not to write students' essays for them, but as research assistants for students and teachers alike. It is of course important that students do not get the likes of ChatGPT to write their essays for them, among other reasons because they will not be able to do so in the exams. Tutoring is well placed to discourage this, since it has always been my practice to ask my students many questions about every essay they write.

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A student, June 2025: 'thank you very much for all the sessions! It has not only boosted my confidence in English literature but they really reminded me of how much I love the subject. It's always a pleasure to discuss nuance readings of the texts, and it has been a great help leading up to my exams.'

Charlotte, a parent, June 2025: 'Thank you so much for all your help and support for [L.]. We are so grateful for everything you have done with him and wish you all the best.'

Ann, a parent, June 2025: '[Z.] has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons with you and has gained so much from your guidance. We're very grateful for all the support you've given her.'

A parent, May 2025: 'Thank you so much again for everything you've done to help [G.] prepare for these exams - he has really enjoyed his sessions with you and he and we really appreciate your support'.

A parent, May 2025: '[N.] just received the below. It's an A* if the grade boundaries is same as last year. She couldn't have done it without your help. We really appreciate it.'

A parent, February 2025: '[S.] is really enjoying studying with you and has gained a lot of confidence in English. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you put into teaching.'

A student, January 2025: 'thank you ever so much for your kindness and creative encouragement the past months. What is very special about you as a tutor is that you have never told me "what to write". Instead, you have asked me questions about my work that have led me to discover what I truly wish to write'.

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

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

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A-level results, August 2024:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.'

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

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

At Christ College, Brecon, I ran two series of seminars, for sixth-formers studying RS and English literature. In English we covered 'The Tempest', Gothic literature, Pat Barker's 'Regeneration', 'Jane Eyre', Wilfred Owen, and 'The Canterbury Tales'.

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

Speaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reading

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

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

Writing

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

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

A lot of learning (and life) is about noticing connections, so getting into the habit of doing so is something like learning how to learn. If a student has developed this habit, they shouldn't really have to think 'What shall I write?' in front of a blank sheet of paper or screen. The content of the essay will be a sort of emanation of prior thinking.

When it comes to giving students feedback, I keep in mind one of the best incites I heard early in my PGCE: attend to your students' writing as you would a piece of literature. This way, the marking progress becomes analogous to the writing process. What are all the things that could make this essay better? And is there a connection between them, i.e. what's the main thing this student needs to focus on? (I usually give feedback using comments and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word.)

Why study English?

It has been said that 'If you can think, and speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly', and I think that's right. Learning how to construct and articulate good arguments is learning how to impose ideas on the world. To the extent that English is about feelings, it is about their articulation, and there is a great deal to learn about how feelings have been and can be articulated. Moreover, because English is the medium of instruction in all other subjects, command of it confers a freedom to range through the history of ideas and discriminate between reliable and unreliable, including online. Language is a prerequisite for thought - doing English properly is learning how to think better.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified and GTCS registered primary teacher of over fifteen years. I have considerable experience across all ages and stages and have extensive experience working with children with additional support needs, both in a classroom setting and 1-1 tutoring. I have a proven track record in delivering excellence and in supporting learners with a range of needs.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for 10 years across all stages of the primary curriculum. I have experience of working with children with a range of additional support needs in the classroom and 1-1.

Tutoring Approach:
I try to make my tutoring sessions fun and interactive, using a mixture of ICT, games while maintaining a focus on formal written methods. I have experience of tutoring both maths and language and working to support learners needs such as hearing impairments, ASD and dyslexia.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Having tutored for 12 years and been in mainstream education for the past 9, I am more than ready and willing to work with young people who are in need of a variety of different approaches:

- Stretching and challenging the most able
- Going back to basics with exam content
- Handwriting
- Organisation
- Revision skills and independent learning

Teaching Experience:
Qualified teacher (secondary)

Most recent tutee Results
Student 1: GCSE Spanish - Grade 9
Student 2: SATs 101 / 102 / 102
Student 3: GCSE English Language-Grade 8
Student 4: GCSE Spanish - grade 6
Student 5: GCSE French (current)

Tutoring Approach:
There is no right answer to "what is the best approach" - my first session will always be one hour to formulate a plan based on the requirements of the parent(s) or carer(s), to meet the learner in question, and to come up with a plan of action based on a variety of factors. This will incorporate target grades in school, achievements so far, existing attitudes to learning amongst other things.

Subjects

Personal Description:
10+ years of teaching psychology and a lead examiner.

As a dedicated and passionate teacher, I'm excited to help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential! My approach to learning is centred around creating a positive and supportive environment where you feel comfortable expressing yourself and sharing your ideas. I believe that every student is unique and deserves a personalised learning experience that caters to their individual needs and learning style.

Why choose me? Perhaps you're struggling with Research Methods? Need help improving your evaluation skills, fluency in essays, or creating a strong line of argument? Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content you need to recall? I guarantee that I can make Psychology simple, manageable, and much more enjoyable!

I focus on developing essential exam skills, including essay writing techniques and the maths skills needed for Research Methods. Beyond academics, I help students strengthen critical thinking and other valuable life skills. As a qualified coach, I also support students with organisation, time management, and strategies to manage academic stress.

My lessons are fun, engaging, and interactive, with materials and activities tailored to suit all learning styles. I'm highly qualified in supporting students at all levels, from those at risk of underachieving to high achievers aiming for grades 8/9 and A*. Each lesson is built on evidence-based teaching strategies, ensuring effective, results-driven learning.

Sessions are delivered remotely, last 1 hour, and are suitable for students studying GCSE Psychology or A-Level Psychology, AQA or OCR. Let's work together to unlock your potential and achieve your dream grades!

Teaching Experience:
I have over 10 years of experience teaching A Level Psychology, during which I have consistently helped students achieve strong outcomes. As the lead teacher for small group interventions, I successfully supported students in raising their grades through evidence-informed strategies. Additionally, I have over 9 years of leadership experience, working with teachers across multiple subjects to enhance their classroom practice and improve student achievement.

Additionally, I have been a lead examiner for 9 years whilst examining for two exam boards from GCSE to A-Level within the UK and internationally!

Tutoring Approach:
My lessons are fun, engaging, and interactive, with materials and activities tailored to suit all learning styles. I'm highly qualified in supporting students at all levels, from those at risk of underachieving to high achievers aiming for grades 8/9 and A*. Each lesson is built on evidence-based teaching strategies, ensuring effective, results-driven learning. I focus on developing essential exam skills, including essay writing techniques and the maths skills needed for Research Methods. Beyond academics, I help students strengthen critical thinking and other valuable life skills. As a qualified coach, I also support students with organisation, time management, and strategies to manage academic stress. Sessions are delivered remotely, last 1 hour, and are suitable for students studying AQA GCSE Psychology or A-Level Psychology.

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