Hartlepool Tutors and Hartlepool Tuition

Personal Description:
I have cisco webex software, zoom and skype, and am also DBS cleared

I am a highly experienced, enthusiastic and very versatile optical engineering senior lecturer/researcher, who gained a PhD from the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City University, London, UK in "Fibre optical temperature and strain sensors using fluorescent techniques" for measurement applications using the fluorescence generated from rare earth-doped optical fibres (e.g. Er3+, Yb3+, Tm3+ etc.). I also possess very good experience and knowledge of industry, with excellent complimentary skills gained from higher education - in particular industrial measurement, forensic analysis, quality control and statistical analysis. A BSc first degree in forensic science is combined with a further specialist MSc in engineering metrology and topped with a PhD in photonics - making for good, broad-based, multi-disciplined measurement science and analytical capabilities right across the scientific spectrum. I have a proven high degree of personal motivation, and am capable of working on my own initiative or equally as part of an effective team. In addition, I am able to communicate very well at all levels of hierarchy, with excellent skills developed in scientific report writing (journal papers, periodicals, book chapters etc.) and oral presentation (conferences, lecturing etc). I have over 50 publications to date in my field: 20 journal papers, 22 conference papers, 2 articles, 4 book chapters and other major works.

PhD thesis title:

"Fibre optic sensors based on fluorescence lifetime techniques for temperature and strain measurement"

Thesis submitted for examination for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
at
City University
School of Engineering

November 2002

Abstract

The author presents a thesis based upon the use of the fluorescent properties of rare earth doped materials. The thesis commences with a review of the current fibre sensor technology in the field, with special emphasis on those sensors designed for temperature and strain measurement. The use of the physical phenomena of fluorescence produced from rare earth doped optical fibre for temperature measurement is then introduced and explained in more detail, particularly with regard to utilisation of the fluorescence lifetime technique in such sensing, which is then compared to the other fluorescence-based methods for measuring temperature.

The recently discovered small strain sensitivity of the fluorescence lifetime is then introduced as a theoretical candidate for potential application to simultaneous temperature-strain sensing, using two different doped fibres in a single sensing element, and subsequently state-of-the-art temperature-strain discrimination techniques are then explored for the purposes of exploitation to dual measurement.

Results achieved from using the fluorescent lifetime approach for a range of rare earth materials are then presented, followed by further results obtained from combining the lifetime technique with Fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) for the first time. Also, the irreversible effects upon FBG performance after exposure to long-term high temperatures are explored.

Finally, there is a summary of the work presented in this thesis and the author's opinions on achievements made. Current trends in fluorescence lifetime-based sensing are discussed, both commercially and academically, together with projected work for the future.


DECLARATION: I certify that the above information contained in this CV is both accurate and truthful.

regards, DR DAVID.

Teaching Experience:
tutor in electronics, City University, London ≈ 4 yrs

Applied optics lecturer at University College Jubail, KSA ≈ 1 yr

undertook 1 yr PGCE Science (secondary) at Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK (taught in local secondary schools)

Lecturer in nanoelectronics on MSc Nanotechnology and MSc Innovative Technology at BITE ≈ 2 yrs

UK private tuition experience (various subjects) ≈ 20 yrs

was senior lecturer/researcher in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in both Malaysia and Thailand: I have spent the last 6 yrs teaching Fibre Optic Communication Systems, Fibre Sensors and photonics, and Optical Communication Systems to Masters level; + supervision of many undergrad, masters and PhD project students.

I was awarded a prize of £1000 from the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers (SIM), London in February 2000 to pursue my PhD research work:

Extra information:
Additionally, I can confidently programme in Sigmaplot, Excel, Tablecurve, MATLAB, Optisim, Multisim, Zemax, COMSOL, LABVIEW, Agilent Vee and all similar optical design software packages to control instruments, acquire data, analyse data, simulate and model.

Tutoring Approach:
serious,concientious,assessing continuously the students needs, receiving feedback, individual approach
setting quizes, tests, mock exams
either individual or small/large groups taken

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a French native and have been living in England since 2006. I studied and obtained my French degree at University in France. I have also completed a course to teach French as a Foreign Language.

Teaching Experience:
I worked two years in Northampton School for Girls as a french Language Assistant. During and since this time, I have also provided French tuition through Language Schools and privately for students and adults.

Tutoring Approach:
I focus on the speaking for the students to be able to use the language effectively, while integrating grammar, vocabulary, writing and reading. I use all sorts of documents (images, dialogues, flash-cards,...), either on printed sheets or interactively. When appropriate, I like to use sound materials as it is a good way to get familiar with the sounds and intonations of the language.

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Personal Description:
I am a computer science graduate and have over 10 experience working within the IT sector as a programmer, Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Database Developer and then as an IT consultant. Having worked in at least 6 different companies including the NHS, I currently work with a major Bank as a Business/Systems Analyst and Data Architect. As an Analyst and Architect, I am very methodical and logical in my thinking, which always helps when breaking down a problem to people (students) new to the concept. I am currently also studying for my MSc in Data Science.

I'm a very friendly and caring person and have lots of experience of working and interacting with young people in an educational context. I am forward thinking and very creative in finding better ways to explain new concepts to students.

I have experience of working with 1st year to MSc IT students. This usually involves tutoring around concepts not well understood, tutoring to help you start/progress/complete complex assignment and dissertation/thesis.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored many students ranging from 1st Year to Masters students over the past 8 years leading to usually very positive outcomes. Over this time I have supported students on 3 undergraduate dissertations, 2 masters thesis and on numerous assignments and IT Topics.

Tutoring Approach:
I am very flexible and ready to adapt to make sure that each student gets the most of any teaching session. I understand the fact that each student is different with different pace of learning and understanding. It is with this that I take my time to understand the student in order to optimize the learning experience. I do encourage feedback from my students to make sure that they are happy with the learning.
I am flexible with the teaching session location and I do own my own transport. Also I am flexible as I can do online teaching. Using school text books or lecture notes/slides is my preferred approach as this does not conflict with anything that has already been taught to the student in school or university.

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Personal Description:
I love teaching !
People describe me as enthusiastic, skilled, engaging and reliable.

I have been a full-time tutor since 2004 and I cater for all levels, working with both young people and adults to improve their French. I also tutor Maths.

Teaching Experience:
Many of my students are adults learning French for pleasure or business. I help students preparing for their GCSE and A Level. I also run classes for home-educated children, including children with dyslexia or on the autistic spectrum.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor lessons to meet the individual needs of my students with a gentle and creative approach. I use a variety of "active-learning" approaches.

I love instilling my love of learning into my pupils and I always get results in a relaxed, enjoyable and rewarding way. Students progress rapidly as most of the sessions are spent talking in French, even with beginners. The objective is to make you feel confident in French. If you really want to learn, one-to-one tuitions are an effective solution.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I strongly believe that studying a foreign language is an incredibly enriching experience that can really widen and improve your world, at any age! I started learning languages when I was six and I will probably never stop.

Teaching Experience:
I started teaching Italian as a foreign language while studying languages and literatures at university. I kept teaching part-time for 3 years to students of various ages and levels until I graduated.
I then pursued a career in advertising: I worked as copywriter and trainer of new employees for 6 years. I had the opportunity to train new colleagues from all over Europe. I loved training so much that I decided to go back to language teaching, but full-time. I completed my teacher training at the London Italian Cultural Institute, where I achieved my TIAFL Certificate (Teacher of Italian as a Foreign Language).
I am currently working as part-time private Italian tutor in North London.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching is student-centred: this means that I plan lessons according to my learners' level, needs and interests.
Lessons are completely in Italian and are designed according to the principles of the communicative method, which makes authentic Italian material the starting point that will lead students to explore and discover the language in a spontaneous way.
You will be learning Italian and Italian culture through different texts and activities. My resources are the latest Italian learning text books, but also literature, songs, videos, articles and games.
Guided by the student's objectives, we will be working on all language abilities: speaking, writing, listening and reading, in order to promote a full and enjoyable learning process.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm an English teacher who also loves to learn. For fun I like to dress up as a Tudor and take part in Living History events. I also very much like to take my slightly dopey dog to the beach where I regularly need to prevent her swimming to France!

Teaching Experience:
My first experience of teaching was through home-educating my daughter from when she was 6 through to GSCE-level. I then went on to do a PGCE in Lifelong Learning (post-16 education) during which time I taught a range of business and tourism modules. Since completing my PGCE I have completed short-term contracts teaching English as a Foreign Language. Presently, I work part-time as an enabler for physically and/ or mentally disabled students in higher education and part-time as a private tutor.I have experience tutoring adult learners, home-educated students (i.e. delivery of full syllabus) and students who are at school but need additional subject help, for example with exam preparation. I currently teach English as a foreign language at a school in Cardiff.

Tutoring Approach:
I understand how important it is to have a supportive and patient teacher who is willing to answer any question any number of times until the student 'gets it' and that's what I am always prepared to do. I think learning should be fun and relevant to our lives and endeavour to carry this over into lessons. The exact approach would always depend on the needs and wishes of the student.

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Personal Description:
I am a qualified language teacher (French and Spanish) who became a professional tutor after the birth of my children.
I am passionate about making French and Spanish accessible and enjoyable to my students whilst giving them the skills which will help them achieve the highest grade at their examinations as well as the confidence to use the language effectively. A lot of my students achieve a higher grade at their examinations than the grade they were predicted.
I am a native French speaker and I tutor students of all ages, from students working towards their GCSE or A level examinations to undergraduates and adults wishing to learn French or Spanish from scratch or improve their existing competence in order to travel or have a more complete experience if they visit or live in France or Spain.

Teaching Experience:
Since obtaining my PGCE, I have taught languages in secondary schools for 13 years; French to A level and Spanish to GCSE.

I am an examiner for one of the country's leading examination boards and mark examination papers. In the summer I conduct speaking tests in schools for the A level examinations. This experience is invaluable when teaching GCSE or A level students.

I also tutor adults who have no previous knowledge of a language and want to learn French/Spanish for pleasure or to communicate more effectively on holiday. I also tutor adult students who are already very competent but who want to take their knowledge to a higher level.
I also tutor language undergraduates and students who need support or wish to improve their grades at the GCSE, A level and DELF examinations.
I started tutoring online two years ago and am teaching students anywhere in Great Britain but also abroad. I find on-line teaching a very effective way of teaching as I can share documents, play games, consolidate grammar using Powerpoints and videos, which enhances the way I teach.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly, very approachable, patient and have a good sense of humour and tailor my lessons to individual needs.
My aim is to build confidence in speaking and using languages by using a variety of materials and making learning enjoyable and rewarding whilst focussing on accuracy.
I make topic mats which help my students see what they need to know at one glance, or almost!
I systematically revise tenses with exam students and consolidate grammatical structures with Powerpoints and games, when appropriate
.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Chemistry teacher also an approved examiner for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. I have over 7 years of teaching experience in two of the best schools in the country over the private and state sector and also an experienced tutor over the past 15 years.

I do teaching and mentoring because I enjoy it the most. With an enthusiastic and energetic approach and by creating an interactive atmosphere, I encourage the students to work through the problems and understand the underlying scientific and mathematical principles. I believe it is important to push students and encourage them to do the best they can it evidently has worked in my experience with tutoring.

Teaching Experience:
I am a teacher of Chemistry and have had teaching experience over 15 years.

I have had a significant amount of tutoring experience during my time whilst studying. I found these sessions very useful in honing my teaching abilities and it gave me a good idea in regards to dealing with students who are at different academic levels and of varying personalities.

Tutoring Approach:
I promote a highly interactive paradigm to my teaching such that our sessions are more of an educated conversation as opposed to a lecture. In my opinion this promotes greater understanding within the pupil and allows for their interest to be maintained for a longer period of time through the session.

The way I teach will primarily depend on the student that I am with and the pace will of course vary accordingly. At the start of our teaching arrangement I will first of all attempt to gauge exactly what my student wants from our sessions and at what academic level they wish to ascend to, once that is understood I will plan our sessions appropriately to suit their needs. Furthermore at the start of each session I, with input from the student, will form a list of learning objectives for the session and will aim to achieve all of them effectively. This provides us with a list of topics covered and a good way to appraise what we have learnt.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hello, my name is Virginia; I am an Argentinean/ Spanish actress and tutor.

I came to the UK to do an MA at RADA in Writing and Directing for theatre. During the MA at RADA I wrote a one-woman show call "My Shrimp and I" that was premiered at the Lion and Unicorn during the Camden Fringe in August 2016.

I have also done private tutoring of drama and writing as well as acting and movement workshops.
I am very responsible and highly committed to excellence; I also have many resources to make a class interesting, dynamic and fun

• Degree: BA First Class Honours in Acting at National School of Dramatic Arts - Mexico (ENAT-INBA).
• Skills: Strong communication, organisation, creativity and adaptability.
• Languages: Mother tongue Spanish, fluency in English.

Teaching Experience:
• Guest tutor for the BA in Theatre and Dance, at the University of Cuernavaca, Mexico Jan-July 2014
• Facilitator for the Theatre Programme 'Curso de verano para públicos específicos', CONACULTA, Mexico City, 2013
• Theatre facilitator at Espiral School of Arts, May-Dec 2012
• English and Drama teacher at Primay School in Mexico City 2009-2011

Tutoring Approach:
I deeply believe that the best way to learn any subject is by enjoying it so I will find ways to make the lessons attractive, fun and dynamic, tailoring each class to the needs of the student.
As a Spanish tutor I can help students learn the language by engaging with the culture as well, in this way they can relate the words and the structure of the language in a more dynamic way.

I believe that as a Drama tutor I can help actors find and develop their skills as actors. I am a very passionate, disciplined and committed tutor willing to learn from the students as much as they can learn from me.

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Personal Description:
Qualified and experienced spanish teacher with primary school teaching degree from ausias march university in Valencia (Spain).
Available for private tuition, teaching Spanish.

Teaching Experience:
MORE THAN 10 YEARS TO ALL LEVELS

Tutoring Approach:
COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a Brazilian Translator, teacher and Interpreter with a background in Law and Enviroment Managment (which can bring something extra to the classroom) with a passion for languages.

Teaching Experience:
I have over 12 years experience teaching to all levels and interests. To groups, one-to-one or via Skype.
Lecturer at Aberystwyth University - Portuguese studies

Tutoring Approach:
I believe learning languages should be fun. I am very motivated and like to make sure my students "get out of their comfort zone", learn and have a good time. I use videos, books, movies, etc.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hi! I am a teacher of fine and creative arts with excellent teaching skills in drawing, painting, photography (including digital and traditional if you have your own darkroom facilities/equipment), Photoshop, textiles (including dressmaking and draping on the stand), 3D crafts (including metal work and jewellery making), and experience in teaching all of these skills up to A level. I have taught in schools for over 10 years and I have a strong record of achieving outstanding results and an in-depth knowledge of the curriculum all UK awarding bodies used at GCSE and A level. I am extremely passionate about art and I will teach you a range of exciting skills in a way which will be engaging and fun for you at the same time as enabling you to hit all of the relevant criteria and improve your grades in both your coursework and exams. I can also teach you how to use a sketchbook creatively and I have loads of great ideas for helping you to develop your style and bring an edge of uniqueness to your work. I am also available to support with portfolio development and presentation, including helping you create a portfolio for college, university or work, from scratch!

Teaching Experience:
I have taught in schools and colleges for 10 years including one of the top London schools. Over the years I have developed a reputation as a consistently outstanding teacher in my specialisms of photography, art & design. I also have experience of assessing exam work for awarding bodies, further enhancing my knowledge of art & design curriculum.

Tutoring Approach:
I am friendly and approachable with a fun and enthusiastic approach to teaching and learning. I will support you through every step of the way and guide you through each process in a fun and exciting way, helping you to make real progress and develop your skills in each process as well as explore new and exciting ways of developing your work.

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!'

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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.'

*

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:
Nurturing and calm individual who has experience working with early years upto high school age in a classroom setting. Degree in disability and inclusive practice.
Based in Cheshire and currently working in a primary school.

Teaching Experience:
Qualified TA for 10+ years. Huge amount of SEND experience, working 1:1, general class support, interventions and whole class PPA teaching.
Also taught first aid to children and adults for many years

Tutoring Approach:
Flexible approach depending on needs of the learner. We must build up a good working relationship and form the trust to get the best from them.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a professional, friendly and enthusiastic tutor. My focus is providing engaging and informative lessons to individuals and small groups. In my spare time I'm a sports fanatic; I play hockey and hold a black belt in Jujitsu.

Teaching Experience:
I graduated the University of Cambridge this year with a BA in Economics. My final year modules included microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, public economics and my dissertation, which statistically assessed the effectiveness of covid lockdown measures in the US and achieved a first class mark (placing me in the top third of my cohort). During my studies I tutored part time, teaching maths and economics.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching approach is problem and discussion based. This involves collaboratively working through problems and questioning students throughout their lessons to confirm and deepen their understanding. In essence, students get the experience of a Cambridge style supervision.

For example, several questions I often ask students to improve their writing are:
1) Would you say it out loud?
2) Would your teacher say it out loud?
3) Would someone a couple of years younger than you/without specialised subject knowledge be able to understand your argument?

For maths, my teaching heavily emphasises learning concepts from first principles to avoid unnecessary memorisation and confusion. We then cover a broad range of past exam questions to test all aspects understanding.

Lessons are conducted on zoom, where we can share our screens to work through problems together as a team. We also use bitpaper, a premium online interactive whiteboard.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I, Ms Soo Jung, am an exceptionally effective Physics and General Science educator and motivator. I have over 12 years of providing individualised student-centred instruction across a range of curricula, ages, language levels and abilities. I care deeply for the academic and emotional wellbeing and development of my students, both inside the classroom and in a personal tutoring environment. Over the years I have empowered my students to take responsibility and control of their learning so that they have managed to truly achieve their full potential.

Teaching Experience:
2019 - 2021, Jakarta Intercultural School, Indonesia: Physics/Science/Chemistry Teacher
2016 - 2018, Australian International School, Vietnam: IB DP/IGCSE Physics/Science Teacher
2015 - 2016, Branksome Hall Asia International School, South Korea: IB MYP Science Teacher
2010 - 2015, Shanghai Singapore International School, China: Physics/Science Teacher
2008 - 2010, Dulwich College Shanghai, China: Science and Korean

Tutoring Approach:
My primary approach to tutoring is to provide an emotionally safe and supportive learning environment that augments and develops the students existing knowledge and understanding, by ensuring a solid comprehension of the conceptual basis of Science in general and Physics in particular. I actively engage my students with the material being covered so that they feel passionately and enthusiastically involved with the process of knowledge creation.
I believe that every student has access to a unique perspective and skill set that they can employ when attempting to solve new problems, in unfamiliar situations and they are strongly encouraged to show resilience and perseverance especially when creativity, critical thinking and reflection are required. Overall my tutoring approach places the student at the centre of the education process, supported by a kind, caring protective framework.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Hey! I'm Elena, a native Russian speaker living in the South-East of England with my family. I've been deeply passionate about teaching English and Russian since 1996 when I started my own language school in Russia. The joy of running my school led me to explore languages and cultures.

After moving to the UK, I continued teaching English. When my daughter was born, I faced the challenge of teaching her Russian in an English-speaking environment where even Russian kids speak English. Determined to make it work, I dove into innovative techniques for teaching Russian as a foreign language. For the last 12 years, I've been successfully teaching Russian to school-age children and adults. I'd love to help you on your language-learning journey!

Teaching Experience:
Over the years, I seamlessly integrated teaching into various jobs I had, catering to diverse age groups-from school-age children to adult learners.

I've enriched the educational journeys of thousands of students throughout my career, a source of immense pride. Thanks to my guidance, students have not only excelled in school exams but have triumphed in entrance exams to prestigious Russian and Russel Group Universities. Many have propelled their professional journeys to new heights. Notably, some of my students have mastered English to such a degree that they secured admission to the Academy of Foreign Intelligence-a feat known for its formidable challenges.

I have over 25 years of experience in teaching English as a foreign language and 12 years of experience in teaching Russian as a foreign language. I offer the following tutoring:

- Teaching English as a foreign language to school-age and adult learners on a 1-2-1 basis and in small groups
- Teaching Russian as a foreign language to school-age and adult learners on a 1-2-1 basis
- Preparation for GCSE - Russian
- Deliver tailored courses for businesses e.g. Business English
- Preparation for TOEFL and IELTS
- Preparation for the Life in the UK Citizenship test

Tutoring Approach:
As a dynamic and performance-focused tutor, I provide engaging lessons that are tailored to the individual's goals and needs. My priority is to teach students how to speak and understand the language, ensuring significant progress within just one month.

My comprehensive language tutoring includes the development of speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. Additionally, I offer insights into the culture and traditions of the country, providing students with a holistic understanding of the language. I use modern techniques and a wide range of resources to ensure the steady progress of all my students.

I am pleased to offer both one-to-one lessons and small group sessions online.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am an experienced software engineer in financial industry focusing on building low latency trading and risk applications. I have experience in programming in Java and Python and can well-versed in multiple programming languages like c++ and R. I also have experience in using RDBMS/SQL and nosql.

I am also capable in system design and architecture. I can share my best practice in building complicated applications and this can help on tackling coding assignments and final year projects. Also for data science programming in python and handling large volume of data becomes crucial and I am able to provide fruitful advices

Teaching Experience:
I have experience in teaching/mentoring university graduates and adults with interests in programming and data science topics.

Tutoring Approach:
Instead of having boring lectures, I will provide hands on sharing in programming thru:

1. pair programming
2. troubleshooting and debugging skills
3. understanding of data structures and algorithms for example time complexity and space complexity
4. performance tuning tips
5. career advice for high bar software engineer positions (e.g. investment banks or FAANG like tech firms)

Subjects