Holmfirth Tutors and Holmfirth Tuition

Personal Description:
I am a highly experienced multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. I have performed in a number of ensembles, playing a wide variety of music, including classical, pop, jazz, folk, and Southern African music. I have composed and arranged over 2000 pieces, mostly for educational ensembles. I have a BA honours degree in Performing Arts (majoring in music) and a PGCE Music teaching qualification.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a classroom music teacher for over 25 years - 23 of them as a highly successful head of department at Bradfield Secondary School in Sheffield. I have taught GCSE and A Level music, and my students have consistently achieved well above the national average. I have also organised a large number of concerts, shows, and festivals. I was Classic FM's inaugural Music Teacher of the Year in 1999.

Tutoring Approach:
I have an inclusive approach to music education, encouraging all students, regardless of ability, to fulfil their potential. I consider it vital that students enjoy making music and I always make sure that their learning is tailored to their musical interests and educational needs. In terms of instrumental lessons I am happy for students to progress through graded exams but I am equally happy to design a progressive route that avoids the potential stress of formal assessment.
With regards to GCSE & A Level tutoring, I am offering personal tutoring in the following areas:
- Listening & Appraising: I have developed a huge volume of resources to help students with listening and appraising exam questions
- Composing: I can offer advice in how to approach specific composition briefs and I have a variety of resources designed to enable students to compose effectively using specific structures, styles, and methods. I can offer advice regarding compositions that students have already started, pointing out areas of concern and offering possible solutions, although the nature of my assistance is strictly governed by the teacher guidelines provided by the various exam boards.
- Set Works: I can offer tutoring in analysis and provide help with practice analysis exam questions.
- Performing: I can advise on choices of pieces and help with preparation, especially if the student does not receive private instrumental/singing tuition.
My GCSE & A Level music tuition covers all the recognised exam boards.

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified teacher with, with 25 years experience. I have worked in the state sector and in private education facilities.
I am committed to high standards both academic and in behaviour, I believe that my encouraging and student-centred approach is effective in this area.

I am experienced at teaching key stage 2 and 3, GCSE at AS/A2 level.. I have delivered these courses effectively and with successful academic results in my teaching career.
I am AQA examination marker for A level Psychology.
I am a qualified Psychotherapist.

Teaching Experience:
Over 25 years teaching experience, in secondary schools and colleges .

Tutoring Approach:
I am a highly experienced teacher who has worked across the educational spectrum. I am committed to high standards both academic and in behaviour, I believe that my encouraging and student centered approach is effective in this area.

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Personal Description:
I live in Olney , I am 63, female, and can supply references on request, as I have provided private tuition for many A level and University students. I was Head of Psychology at a local college for 12 years , and I have examining experience. I now also lecture in BSc and MSc Psychology while undertaking my PhD which is looking at interventions to reduce stress in students.

Teaching Experience:
I worked as a Psychology Lecturer at Northampton College. I taught AS and A2 Psychology , I also taught Access Psychology. All previous tuttees I have supported have attained A-B grades if they start with me early enough in the year. I now lecture at my local university in Psychology.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to tailor the method to the learner, I would aim to work through exam answers, but also to introduce all types of methods to help the learner take on the information. I very much focus on exam technique and how to maximie getting all of the available marks in the exams.

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Personal Description:
I am passionate about language learning and believe that languages contribute to intercultural understanding.

​"A different language is a different vision of life." - Federico Fellini, Italian film director​​

I am a qualified teacher and native German speaker from North Rhine-Westphalia, the central western part of Germany, and I relocated to England in 1991. I have been teaching German and English as a Foreign Language (IELTS) for the past 17 years in a range of educational settings (Primary, Secondary, Further and Higher Education) and online. Therefore I have been teaching students from a wide variety of backgrounds either for exam preparation, leisure or business.

I am a member of the Tutor's Association (MTA), Society for Education and Training (SET) and have Enhanced DBS Clearance (2021).

Because I am passionate about language learning I am currently studying Italian and can relate to the challenges of language learning!

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience in teaching German and English as a Foreign Language (IELTS) with all my students achieving their set targets and 100% satisfaction. I cover all exam boards and levels. All sessions are tailor made to match the individual or group level. I cover the following exam strategies:

GCSE German:
• to revise key topics
• to extend your range of vocabulary
• to improve accuracy through grammar
• to develop confidence in speaking
• to create an idea bank for speaking and writing topics
• to tackle translations
• to practise mock exams in real time

A-level German:
• to acquire a diverse vocabulary and culturally appropriate idiomatic expressions
• to create language use (as opposed to memorised expressions)
• to improve translations through language concepts
• to gain a better understanding of essay writing
• to increase language fluency
• to practise mock exams in real time

IELTS test taking:
• to develop a broad vocabulary
• to obtain a good understanding of the English grammar
• to gain confidence in speaking
• to discover your unique approach to the Reading section
• to create an idea bank for Writing section 2
• to acquire language accuracy
• to increase speed in answering questions

Home education: German
Enriched learning: meaningful - personalised - flexible
Over the past years I have taken on more home educated students from around the world providing either exam support, a full curriculum or just short language experience courses. Working with my students has been very rewarding and enjoyable. I tailor my sessions to my students' interests and needs to promote confidence and uniqueness.

Tutoring Approach:
Your level - my approach - your success!

Effective planning on my part will determine your success in German or English as a Foreign Language at your pace. I pride myself in being patient, committed and enthusiastic enabling you to develop confidence in all four language skills (reading, writing listening and speaking) based on individual needs, learning styles and continuous progress.

Passing any exam can be stressful but you will be well prepared! We will focus on exam-style or past paper questions in order to check, practise and perfect your understanding and techniques. We will focus on relevant study skills necessary to pass the exam. Where appropriate I set and mark work, provide detailed feedback so that you can improve quickly!

I am hoping for you to actively participate during lessons, ask questions develop your skills and for you to have fun! Being successful in a language demands dedication and perseverance but most importantly the willingness to try out new things.

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Personal Description:
I have been teaching for the past eight years and am currently Head of Law and a teacher of Economics at a secondary school rated as outstanding by OFSTED. Previous to teaching I graduated in 2006 from Loughborough University with a BSc Hons degree in Banking, Finance and Management, I then worked for three years as a trainee quantity surveyor on a civil engineering project at the Olympic site in Stratford before training to become a teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy taking part in sports, especially track running and cross country.

Teaching Experience:
I am a teacher of A-Level Law under the AQA examination board. I am currently teaching both the old and new specifications for A-Level Law. I also teach both Year 1 and Year 2 Economics on the OCR specification A-Level. As well as preparing students for their exams, I am also confident as a head of subject in providing individual intervention strategies to supplement learning. I also have experience mentoring newly qualified teachers and students.

Tutoring Approach:
I consider myself an approachable teacher and am confident in tailoring the learning dependent on the tutees needs. As well as revising key concepts, I will also ensure students are confident in preparation for the exams by looking at analysis, evaluation and application techniques. Also, I feel it is imperative to spend time looking at exemplar answers and providing writing frameworks to best prepare the tutee for their exam.

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Personal Description:
My name is Fernando, and I'm a (European) Portuguese native speaker.

Born in Portugal, I moved to the London in 2010 and worked in education and safeguarding professional up to 2024. At the beginning of 2025 I moved up north and I'm now self-employed - mostly teaching online and doing interior design jobs whilst retraining in this area and overseeing/project management my new home renovation work.

I provide high quality private language tuition - listening, speaking, reading, writing & grammar - with consistently excellent results:

"What Fernando did was to start with my interests, which really made the lessons fun, and helped me to learn Portuguese more quickly!" Alex

Do you want to?
• Learn European Portuguese?
• Prepare for a Portuguese proficiency examination
• Pick up a few useful phrases for a holiday?
• Improve your business communication skills?

Portugueses: Procuram melhorar o vosso nível de inglês falado e escrito?
Brasileiros: Vocês estão procurando melhorar o seu aprendizado da língua inglesa?

NOTE: At the moment I'm not teaching Brazilian Portuguese. I believe students should find a native teacher from the specific country they aim to visit/live. Any tutor can teach the grammar and basics, but in terms of speaking practice there is a real advantage to learn with a native speaker/tutor.

Teaching Experience:
My teaching methods are reinforced by my significant experience as a tutor, trainer, a college teacher, a mentor for young people, and a coach for adult learners. I am patient and dedicated in my approach, with and an unshakeable belief that my students WILL achieve their goals.

Tutoring Approach:
My teaching practice encompasses:
• A range of resources of the highest standard
• Fun and flexible materials such as music, film clips and games
• Thorough linguistic knowledge
• Tailored lessons to meet your learning needs
• Engaging and relevant homework
• Continuous assessment with ongoing feedback
• Cultural and historical essentials

It's important to me that the tuition experience is comfortable and convenient for you. Due to COVID-19 I've decided to only offer online tuition until further notice.

"I found Fernando really knowledgeable with excellent organisation skills. He was especially considerate about organising the tuition around my job" Ian

I teach all ages from beginner to advanced levels
• Book stand alone lessons: pay £25 (one hour lessons)
• Book 5 lessons and commit to 1 lesson per week: pay only £112.50 (get 10% off = saving £12.50)
• Book 10 lessons and commit to 2 lessons per week: pay only £212.50 (get 15% off = saving £37.50)
• Book 15 lessons and commit to 2 lessons per week: pay only £300 (get 20% off = saving £75.00)
• Book 20 lessons and commit to 3 lessons per week: pay only £375 (get 25% off = saving £125.00)

I'll be flexible in rescheduling lessons within same week/next week so long as these are canceled with more than 24 hours notice.

Lessons will be counted if failing to attend without any notice or less than 24 hours notice (aside from extraordinary reasons).

Failing to adhere to the original learning plan and not rescheduling within the expected period will mean you'll loose unused lessons as these will expire after the allocated weeks (5 and 10 lesson packs have a max learning period of 6 weeks; 15 and 20 lesson packs have a max learning period of 8 weeks).

Get in touch for more information about:
• Group classes
• English/Portuguese translation
• Proofreading Portuguese

Get in touch to book your initial lesson so I can assess your level and your preferred learning style (25-minute assessment for £20).

I look forward to learning together!

Fernando

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Personal Description:
I am a 25 year old PhD student in Spanish Literature at the University of Cambridge. I have a first class-degree in Spanish and German language and literature as well as an MPhil in Spanish literature which I completed in 2014. I have a range of experience that would make me ideal for teaching young people and adults from beginner up to A-Level standard.

Teaching Experience:
I have tutored Spanish to school pupils with learning difficulties at both beginner and GCSE level and helped them to significantly improve their performances.

I was also a group leader at the Villiers Park Educational Trust in Cambridgeshire, aimed at language applicants from less advantaged backgrounds. Throughout the week-long programme I was responsible for delivering a series of seminars as well as one-to-one tuition on subjects as varied as Spanish vocabulary and grammar, to cinema, literature and history. The programme was such a success that I have been invited back as a tutor this year.

Tutoring Approach:
I am available to give online tutoring to young people and adults in Spanish and German from beginner to A-Level standard. I can work you through the basics of the language or the more complex material for advanced students. I'm happy to teach any aspect of the language or culture you need. I am also available to teach in Cambridge city centre, where possible.

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Personal Description:
My name is Montserrat, I am a native Spanish speaker and I was born and grow up in Sant Pol de mar Barcelona, (north of Catalunya). I have got 1 daughter. I`ve been living in England for 15 years and now I live in Hitchin.
I studied at College in Barcelona where I obtained qualifications to teach Spanish to foreigners.
Over the last 15 years, I have developed a passion for teaching Spanish to foreigners. I already ran Spanish language classes while in my native country, and when I came to England, I started to give Spanish lessons on a one to one basis then and I run Spanish courses in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.
I give Spanish lessons via Skype to some distant students and I really enjoy this way of teaching.
I am running a several after schools clubs in different schools around Hitchin.
If you would like to read my Curriculum Vitae and a list of references in United Kingdom, please feel free to ask.

Teaching Experience:
YOUR LESSON IS TAILORED ON YOU
Every Spanish lesson is customized on student progress, purpose and needs. I offer a high level of flexibility in terms of timing as I am available to give out lessons every day from 8 am to 11 pm weekends included. If you can't have your lesson in the same day every week I can arrange your lessons time by time at your convenience.
Students receive all the stuff they need to study Spanish (grammar, exercises, practice) in advance and there is a hard job behind that. If you study Spanish with me you don't spend a penny to buy books, audio-videos or other stuff.Also I run a After school club for kids.

Tutoring Approach:
I teach Spanish by developing written materials according to an individual learner`s needs.
I use materials of different types in order to make each lesson interesting and beneficial, including videos from Spanish websites, audio tracks, dictations and games.
Each lesson is usually divided into two sections: the first one is dedicated to study some new grammar and the rest of the lesson is focused on speaking, listening and comprehension exercises to help the student`s proficiency improving day by day.
An important component of my lesson is the "free conversation", where the students tells me what they have done in the last few days. Very useful are also my "driven conversations", based on newspapers articles or other writings, on different topics.
This way my students have the opportunity to learn about Spanish culture, politics, food, traditions, history etc.
I always give all my students homework to be done independently.
LESSONS PRICES AND PAYMENT TERMS
Children groups,(minimum of 3) age from 4 to 11 years old are £5 per hour and I ask 4 weeks in advance.
I charge £ 18 per 1 hour lesson or £ 25 per 90 minutes lesson at my house.
I offer discounts for families and groups.
I prefer to be paid monthly in advance but if you struggle to pay monthly I can accept payment lesson by lesson.
If you can't attend a class, please advice 24 hours in advance and I will offer you to re-arrange your lesson for another day.
If you miss the lesson and you haven't canceled it in advance, you will be asked to pay for the missed lesson.
You can pay my lessons cash, via cheque, pay-pal or bank transfer. If you need a receipt for your payment, feel free to ask.
For lessons at your house I will ask you a petrol refund.

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Personal Description:
Capable and committed to providing the right kind of support and service every step of the way through your learning experience.

Teaching Experience:
I have several years of on-line tutoring experience, and I am a wizard in English.

Tutoring Approach:
I specialize in individual, one-on-one tutoring - a customized approach based on each student's need, personality and learning style. That means with every session received my full and undivided attention will be given to guide and monitor progress and to give feedback every step of the way. With targeted, personalized attention, each student can negotiate challenges, master skills, and gain confidence. And a student's belief in their capacity to succeed is so often the key to improved results.

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Personal Description:
I am a mature experienced and patient tutor of children and young adults as well as adult learners. I enjoy getting students to do their best and supporting their own musical style and interests as far as possible. I enjoy encouraging the shyer or less confident students to do more than they think they can and achieve successful outcomes.

Teaching Experience:
Piano and theory 25 years private tuition ages 7 - 16 and adult beginners.

Young adults with Special Educational Needs, Brixton College.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe musical education is a vital part of developing the mind even in people who aren't particularly musical. It is also a welcome creative outlet for life and helps students develop other skills. I give my students my complete attention and get god results.

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Personal Description:
I have a Bachelor degree in Music. I finished university 2 years ago (The Sage Gateshead). My majors were music production, composition and vocal.
My journey with music started when I was 7 years old. I was in a music school for almost 10 years, learning piano, vocal, music theory, harmony and having choir classes. The same age I started singing and playing piano at my local church.

Teaching Experience:
Teaching children from age 6 to 14 for almost three years. I gave group and private classes teaching not only English, piano and vocal but also music theory and harmony.

The last year I was working in a language School teaching english and in a kindergarden teaching english and Music.

Tutoring Approach:
Private, online classes.
I always prepare the classes depending on your level and your needs.

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

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

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

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Personal Description:
I am currently teaching as a Visiting tutor at University. I teach Interior design for the commercial environment

Teaching Experience:
I have worked across level 4,5 and 6 Interior design
I can give portfoilio reviews or teach core skills such as space planning and design and concept
I can also support your academic journey and review and feedback/trouble shoot your projects
I have experience in Marking and essay writing
I can teach technical drawing related to interior design
I can teach perspective drawing

Tutoring Approach:
Passionate and patient

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Personal Description:
I am an energetic and ambitious final year university student with five years of experience in tutoring. Italian is my first language but I am also fluent in English (IELTS level C1).
I have been an exchange student in 2016/17 in England and I obtained my AS levels. The year after I went back to Italy to complete my studies and gain the Italian Diploma di Stato, in which I scored 82/100. I was then back in England to obtain the A-level qualifications and I am now studying at University.

Teaching Experience:
I have 5 years of experience with both children and adults, both face to face and online.
My lessons are very interactive and engaging, and they are all customized based on students' needs. Tutoring is a real passion for me, so I do my very best for each student to reach his or her full potential.

Tutoring Approach:
My methodology is quite structured, but I easily adapt to students' styles and preferences.

99% of the students who come to me want to learn how to talk to people, so I am used to this request. I help them achieve this by ensuring that they know their grammar inside and out, and by supporting them with their speaking alongside it. The more we build on the grammar, the more we can build on the speaking, simultaneously. I have personally designed 4 levels of speaking, so the activities vary based on the level the student is in and build up smoothly.
For students who are interested in long-term tutoring, I often recommend a textbook to use along with my slides. I also make use of WhatsApp to send recordings if the student is struggling with pronunciation.

Most people appreciate the importance of knowing some basic grammar before they can practice speaking, and they are open to trusting me to fill in their knowledge gaps first. Once that's done (usually after 5-6 sessions if you start from zero), I introduce them to my "level 1" speaking practice, which is about describing a picture or something that they can visually see, in short, disconnected sentences. "Level 2" would be to try and get that speech to flow a little bit better by using pronouns and particles to avoid repetition. "Level 3" would be to add a bit of made-up background to that picture. For example, if they see that the table is laid but an object is missing, such as cutlery, they can try and think of why that could be (e.g. the man forgot to put the cutlery on the table). "Level 4" will involve describing procedures or things that they can partially visualize, or that are completely abstract, for example, describing every single action taken to make a cake, or talking about a past holiday. Lastly, "level 5" involves debating about current issues or picking a topic, establishing that we have two different opinions, and the student has to try to convince me of theirs.
These "levels" vary from person to person but it provides at least an idea of how the speech develops alongside the grammar, which is present in every session.

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Personal Description:
I am a professional Mathematics tutor. I have Master's degree in telecommunications. I also have professional Finance and IT experience

Teaching Experience:
I have done tutoring in different subjects, mainly maths and physics in different countries and to students from different backgrounds, nationalities and languages.

Tutoring Approach:
I understand students' areas of weakness and am able to find the potential problems in their way of learning and start from basics if required. While I make a friendly atmosphere with the student, I maintain a level of discipline in the work.

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Personal Description:
The vocation and passion for teaching, which is both selfless and an act of self-care, have always influenced my education and work experience. After completing my university studies in Philosophy, I obtained a Master's Degree in Teaching Italian to Foreigners at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and then I moved to Coventry in order to start a Master by Research on Renaissance Studies at Warwick University. Thanks to my teaching experience, also related to football and yoga, I'll be glad to help you to improve your Italian language skills.

Teaching Experience:
Italian Tutor at The Percival Guildhouse (Adult Education School in Rugby).
JANUARY 2020 - PRESENT

Italian Tutor at Leicestershire County Council
DECEMBER 2019 - PRESENT

Italian Language Teacher at CPIA3 Rome (public school for adult education).
DECEMBER 2018 - MAY 2019
Evaluation: "Excellent".

Cultore della materia (Subject Expert, University Teaching Assistant) at the Chair of History of Modern Philosophy, Roma Tre University.
OCTOBER 2018 - SEPTEMBER 2019

Collaboration with the History of Philosophy course held by Professor Mariannina Failla, within the Roma Tre University Bachelor of Science in Philosophy (academic year 2017-2018).
MARCH 2018 - MAY 2018

Tutoring Approach:
My didactic approach mirrors my calm, reflexive and friendly personality. Since emotional is the crucial component in learning a foreign language, I always establish a welcoming and relaxed environment, allowing you to feel free to speak and make the mistakes necessary to improve your Italian language skills.

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Personal Description:
Hi, I am a Confucious Institute certified professional Chinese Teacher(CTCSOL Certificate). I graduated with a master's degree (Merit) in Education from the University of Glasgow in 2019. I used to be a teacher teach HSK in Mandarin School in Glasgow Kevin Collage to a wide range of students. Since moving to Belfast, I've already accumulated more than 1000 hours online mandarin tutoring experience, along with 5 star reviews from all of my students. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills which helped me to earn praise from students and students' parents.My goal is to make sure my students love learning Mandarin!:)

Teaching Experience:
I am a Confucious Institute certified professional Chinese Teacher(CTCSOL Certificate). I have recently graduated with a master's degree (Merit) in Education in the University of Glasgow, which is outside my home country. For this reason, I have significant cross-cultural experience. In my home country, I had an internship in a Creative Teaching Program. My position was the teaching assistant for foreign teachers who were teaching children. Children loved me and were fond of playing with me, which helped me to earn praise from my teacher and students' parents.One year ago, I was a teacher, teaching primary/secondary students and adults (HSK) in Kelvin College Mandarin School in Glasgow, I developed excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Now, I've moved to Belfast and become a full-time online Mandarin Tutor. I already have 1000 hours online tutoring experience and gained 5 star reviews from all my students. Across all of these activities, I have managed my time efficiently and been consistently punctual. I am able to turn the classroom into a fun and engaging environment.

Tutoring Approach:
For online lessons, we can use Zoom or Skype. I use HSK textbooks (level 1-6) to custom make each lesson based on my students' needs. HSK is the official standard Mandarin proficiency test used in China for non-native speakers. If students wish to find work or study in China, taking offical HSK tests will allow them to do so. I will also prepare homework for every lesson (if preferred) and give my students feedback on their homework. My Mandarin lessons will help my students develop their Mandarin speaking, listening, reading, writing and thinking skills. By thinking skills, I mean to improve how students structure sentences and how they reply to questions in Mandarin. I will also send the Powerpoints and video recordings to students after each lesson so that they can practice it after every lesson.

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Personal Description:
I teach Polish & Art.

Online tuitions available.

I have two passions in life. The first is creating and nurturing art. The second is working with students to help them create as well. My love of art started at a very young age, I was constantly drawing, painting, sewing.
I studied Arts in college followed by a Masters' university degree in Psychology Education.

Teaching Experience:
- Carried out online courses for age 10 - adults
- Private language and art lessons in person
- Teaching Assistant

Tutoring Approach:
As a tutor I will work on developing your own personal art style, understanding colours, values and perspective. I will help you discover your imagination and at the same time teach you how to work with references.

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