Kelty Tutors and Kelty Tuition

Personal Description:
I have a Doctorate in Languages and Literatures from La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and an MSc in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from RGU.

I love teaching and using my communication and interpersonal skills with people of any age, nationality and background.
I enjoy helping students achieve proficiency in the languages I teach, help them become confident communicators in writing, listening and speaking whether is for work, study or leisure.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching to people of various ages and backgrounds since 2009 at Aberdeen College, language schools (Aberdeen Courses) and as a freelancer.
I have experience in teaching students from schools, professionals from oil and gas organisations, and other sectors.
I have helped school pupils of various ages and levels in achieving high marks in exams such as National 5, GCSE and Highers.

I also have experience in preparing for language exams and University essay writing on various authors.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is based on the student's requirements and needs whether is for business, leisure or study.
Grammar, reading, writing exercises and developing listening and expressive skills are all at the core of my approach.
These skills are taught depending on the level and nature of the classes (business, academic or casual learning).
I am aware of all the difficulties of learning a foreign language, therefore I make sure that the students not only have an effective class but also an enjoyable time.
I make use of grammar books, exercises, audios, conversational topics, newspapers, magazines, games and more!

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Personal Description:
I am a postgraduate from the Documentary Photography course at Univeristy of Wales, Newport (graduated in 2000). I have worked as a professional freelance photographer since graduating giving photography classes, workshops and conferences to students of all levels and ages. I have extensive experience a reportage photographer, not only in undertaking magazine assignments but also wedding and portrait work. As a photographer and tutor I can offer an in-depth knowledge of darkroom practice as well as digital software editing(i.e. Photoshop, Capture One Pro, Lightroom), having worked both with film and digital media for the past 15 years.

Teaching Experience:
I have over ten years experience in giving photography classes and workshops to young learners (residential camps giving classes to children aged 11-16 years of age) and adults at all levels and abilities. I have taught an extensive range of photographic genres e.g Portraits, Studio Flash, Landscape, Creative Photography, Night Photography, Creating A Narrative(Reportage) and Wedding Photography.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to teaching is contextual and task based. I plan and work to the individual needs of the pupil(s), making sure that the classes are instructive, concise and interesting. I believe with these elements the student feels more stimulated and the information in the learning process is absorbed more easily. Above all I concentrate on the student's individual learning potential by giving them the confidence as well as positive and constructive feedback throughout the lessons. I can also use such tools as Skype and a whiteboard to provide online distance learning, when travel is not possible for myself or the learner.

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Personal Description:
I am an Italian citizen living in London since 1996 ; I came to London as a research student, sent by Rome University, to study and work for Westminster University.

Teaching Experience:
I have been a tutor for 24 years (I still teach Spanish/Italian to private students. I was a teacher in Italy (Spanish/English) and a bilingual assistant from 1996 to present in London (Pimlico School/North Westminster/Churchill Gardens/St. Vincent de Pau); I have a PGCE in MFL (Spanish/Italian/French) KS 3 and 4 and a Master in translation (English vs Italian and vice versa).

Tutoring Approach:
I do see each student/pupil as an individual and while teaching/tutoring I take into account their personality/skills/interests as well as age/sex/religion.

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Personal Description:
I am a Investment Modeller for an Enery Firm.I develop financial models to help the firm to make major investment decisions in the UK.

I am Msc, Finance from LSE and consider myself as a person who makes complex formulae simple.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught mathematics to the University, A Level & GCSE students. Most of them have done well and are thorough professionals in their respective fields. Most of them are software engineers.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe in making complex formulae simple. I do that by linking a problem to commonsense or everyday life.

So, there is no need of memorising formulae. Even if you forget it, just remember the story I told you to remember the formulae !

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Personal Description:
Hi, I`m Kevin, a friendly and patient full-time maths tutor.

After gaining 11 A's at GCSE (before the days of A* grades) and 4 A's at A level (Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry), and winning both of my school's mathematics prizes, I went on to study mathematics at uni. Since then I worked as both an Accountant and an Actuary before becoming a full-time maths tutor in 2012.

I am an intelligent guy, with the ability to break things down to their simplest forms. I'm also patient and a good listener, with the ability to understand the way someone else thinks about a problem. I think it's the combination of these qualities that makes me a natural tutor. Even before becoming a tutor, I experienced time after time, that when people had a problem understanding something, it was me they`d come to.


One of many 5* reviews:

"My son was struggling with his AS level maths course having failed to keep up with the pace of new topics. We were fortunate enough to get Kevin to help him and there was a complete transformation of his confidence and approach to maths. Before Kevin's intervention my son had achieved U, D and E grades in various mock exams but in test papers before the actual exams he was getting results right at the top of the grade spectrum. I cannot
recommend Kevin too highly for his technical expertise in the subject or for his organised and sympathetic
teaching approach which was essential in my son's case. Kevin brought my son order and confidence out of confusion and despair"

Teaching Experience:
Since becoming a full-time maths tutor I've given after school help to over a hundred students with their GCSE and A level maths courses. I have also taught home schooled children, adult learners, International Baccalaureate and QTS.

Tutoring this many pupils on a 1-1 basis has meant I've become extremely familiar with the individual syllabus requirements of the main exam boards (Edexcel, AQA, OCR and OCR MEI).

Tutoring Approach:
Let me know what your aim is - whether it be to understand that topic/module you 'just cant get!', or to go through past papers, or to learn a whole course from start to finish, and between us we can agree the best approach for you, and prepare a plan of action to ensure you achieve your goals.

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Personal Description:
I currenrly have weekday availability 9am to 2.45pm.

I am a native English speaker with extensive subject knowledge of language, linguistics and literature and have been teaching English to students aged 3-73 for 20 years, both privately and in international language schools. My lessons are enjoyable and successful learning experiences which are diligently planned and professionally executed.

Teaching Experience:
8+
11+
SATs
SET Test
13+
GCSE Literature and Language (all boards)
IGCSE English as a Second Language
KET
PET
Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)
Michigan First Certificate (ECCE)
Cambridge Advanced (CAE)
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
Michigan Proficiency (ECPE)
City and Guilds (Levels 3-5)
Edexcel (Levels 3-5)
IELTS
TOEFL

*8+/11+/13+ ENTRY EXAMS

I provide tailor-made tutorials working on comprehension, writing and both group and individual interview skills.

GCSE LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE (ALL BOARDS)

My students routinely exceed their predicted grades. I can help non-native speakers access the curriculum whilst giving targeted grammatical explanations which develops command of written English.

EFL LESSONS

My EFL lessons cover all aspects of the English language, focusing on grammar, conversation skills and exam techniques. My students achieve a 100% pass rate. My IELTS students consistently attain the levels they require. One of my strengths is intensive coverage of all components of the IELTS examinations (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) and familiarising students with what to expect on the day.

Tutoring Approach:
I work hard to give my students an enjoyable and successful learning experience. I am dedicated, creative and thorough.

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Personal Description:
I am a fully qualified secondary school teacher. I have obtained my Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in French and Spanish, from King's College, London in June 2006.

Currently teaching in an independent school for boys in London, I am a native speaker and have been teaching secondary languages for over 15 years in both state maintained and independent sector.

I am also an Edexcel GCSE/IGCSE examiner and know the inside outs of the French GCSE expectations. I have taught the AQA syllabus too, as well as A level French (Edexcel and AQA).
This is an exciting opportunity for me to tutor motivated students and help them achieve their full potential.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching for several years, have had the opportunity to work in leading independent schools (Saint Paul's boys School; Lycée Français Charles De Gaulle (French Lycée), City of London school), and in the state maintained sector.

I am very familiar with common entrance examination requirements and experienced in preparing students to pass such selective entrance tests..
My experience as a MFL teacher provides learners with the best and most adequate support to meet the GCSE and A level requirements and pass with flying colours!

Tutoring Approach:
My most relevant skills are:
 An in-depth knowledge of French grammar, literature and culture gained from my own education and experience in France as a native speaker.

 Experience of preparing groups of pupils for their French A-level.
 A track-record of preparing pupils successfully for exams (GCSE and A-level).

 Experience of planning, preparing and delivering good quality lessons with a variety of resources, responding to the range of learning skills and abilities.
 Knowledge of the new examination requirements for language examinations at A-Level.

 Experience of tutoring pupils who are having difficulties in developing their language skills or assimilating new knowledge to enable them to overcome these and achieve high academic results.

I am confident that I can be an asset to your examination preparation/ languages learning.

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Personal Description:
I am the mum of two children and step mum to three more. I home educated my two children from when they were 12, and helped them to get 16 IGCSEs and GCSEs between them. One has since gone on to university following A levels at sixth form college, and the other has graduated from an art and design diploma with D*D*D*, the highest grade possible.

I have a degree in geography and topographic science, and I am very flexible when it comes to helping students to understand what they are learning.

Teaching Experience:
I have been tutoring since 2008, when my son left secondary school to begin home education. Since then I have taken him, my daughter and three of their friends through eleven different subjects at GCSE level. Most were the harder IGCSEs, while a few were GCSEs.

Once they had moved on to sixth form college I began tutoring other children, both home educated and in the schooling system. I have successfully worked with a wide range of ability levels, from students who came for tutoring because they were afraid that they were going to fail in every subject, to A* students. I have a comprehensive knowledge of the syllabi of most subjects, particularly those in which I offer my tutoring services, and can flexibly work with students at any stage of their education up to GCSE exams.

In the past few years I have been working with students who have dyscalculia (whether officially diagnosed or not), and have had considerable success in helping them to pass their maths GCSEs.

Tutoring Approach:
I help students to find the places where they are stuck or not understanding, and first work with those. It often happens in school that students miss a key explanation, whether through absence or simply through the teacher not ensuring that they have fully understood before they move on, and from then onwards the effects of this will multiply. If they can put good foundations in place then they find that they understand far more than they thought they could, and they can build on this more quickly and easily than they ever thought possible.

My philosophy is that if the student hasn't understood what they are being taught, then it is up to me to find more ways of explaining it until they do. I am happy to work with home educated and school students, for extended periods or for just a few sessions leading up to the exams.

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Personal Description:
I have been involved in Education for over twenty years and I am especially passionate about the English Language, which is where my expertise lies. I graduated with a B.Ed (Hons) Degree in Education; English and Drama being my specialist subjects. I have worked as a Primary School Teacher both on contact and as a supply teacher where I gained extensive experience in all primary age groups. I also have experience in tutoring for GCSE English.

I have also worked aso a Private Tutor both in English and Primary Mathematics. (As well as other subjects in the curriculum) I am currently working for several teaching agencies on a supply basis so I am keeping up to date with any curriculum changes.

I have recently completed TEFL Course and have experience in teaching English as a foreign/second language; both with adults and children.

I believe in creating a positive and stimulating environment for learning and feel tailor made programmes are vital for the learner.

I see myself as friendly and approachable and I love nothing more than to see people achieve at their own pace.

My hobbies are Cooking, photography, walking and swimming. I love spending time with family and friends. I am also passionate about animals and their welfare.

Teaching Experience:
Oldbury Park Primary School 1993 to 1999 both contract and supply working full-time. I covered every year from reception to year 6.

1999 to 2004 I raised my family but continued to work as a supply teacher in a variety of schools as well as working as a private tutor.

2004 to present. I have been working as a supply teacher/tutor, teaching classes and groups of children and adults English and Mathematics. I have also concentrated on studying for my TEFL Qualification and have been teaching English as a foreign/second language. I have experience of tutoring in groups and on a one to one basis. I have also taught on a corporate level within a company teaching Spanish staff English.

Tutoring Approach:
I have a very positive and friendly approach to teaching and learning. lt is vital to create lessons which are fun, varied and tailored to match individual needs. I treat everyone, whether in a group or on a one to one basis, as an individual and fully encourage students to work at their own pace.

Learning most definitely should be an enjoyable experience for the learner and a rewarding one for the tutor. I am well organised and also believe in creating lessons, which have been well planned with aims and objectives as well as offering continuity.

Lessons should also contain a variety of tasks, which should include written, verbal and computer based activities to maintain enthusiasm.

Learning and knowledge equal self confidence and success.

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Personal Description:
Verified enhanced DBS check (March 2018): Clean and satisfactory.

Teaching Level: From KS2 to KS4 including GCSE.

Age group: any age, including adults.

Teaching Location: negotiable - wherever is most convenient for the student(s).

Rates:
• 1-1: £17/hr.
• Small groups: £10/hr/student. I am happy to teach up to and including 6 students.

My background:
After gaining 3 A levels (Pure Maths, Applied Maths and Physics), I worked as a Climate Data Analyst for the weather office for about 10 years where they sponsored me for my HNC Maths. I am also a financial technical analyst and have several years live trading experience. I have voluntary teaching experience abroad in refugee camps and orphanages. I also have teaching experience amongst friends and family.

Teaching Experience:
After many years of work experience, I am keen to pass on my knowledge. My teaching experience has been limited to friends and family and also to work holiday periods when I travelled abroad to teach in refugee camps and orphanages. I am keen to teach on a more permanent basis now.

Tutoring Approach:
My approach to tutoring is to build confidence in the student by ensuring they get the right knowledge, guidance and a lot of practice! Most people can understand, but due to lack of motivation, discipline and procrastination, they end up creating psychological barriers. Simply committing to a tuition session will help focus the mind. My job will then be to make sure the student gets the knowledge, guidance and practice they need to build their confidence and hence to succeed.

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Personal Description:
Welcome to my profile!

I have obtained my Law Degree LLB (Hons) from Wolverhampton University. In addition, I have obtained a Certificate in Social Science from Brunel University West London. I completed the Bar Professional Training Course in Cyprus since 2012 and I am currently practising Law in Scotland as a European Union Lawyer. I have been working for one of the biggest international based law firms in Cyprus as a Senior Associate and Head of the Corporate Department.

In the interim while working as a lawyer, my thirst for knowledge and to better myself I studied Accounting and Book keeping - LCCI. I have completed the course with a Distinction grade in all of the levels (Elementary, Intermediate and Higher).

I can assure you that apart from my academic qualifications and eight years of experience as a lawyer, my interest in Law goes far beyond the material that I have been taught. I like exploring, being updated and learning new areas of law, cases and legislation.

Greek is my native language. Despite Cyprus being my country of origin, I have been living in the UK since 2007 and I am fluent in English.

Teaching Experience:
For the past eight years, I have been tutoring students of various ages.

I have worked with students by assisting them with their homework and their yearly exams. In addition, I have been teaching Greek to students who are interested to learn Greek from scratch.

Finally my experience in law is giving me the confidence to help any law student with their Assignments, Dissertations and re-sits.

Please contact me with a brief explanation of your requirements for an accurate quotation.

Tutoring Approach:
Teamwork is the key work of my approach to tutoring. We work together step-by-step in order to come in a successful outcome. I use my experience and knowledge in order to simplify the difficult areas of law in a simple way of understanding.

I can teach you any module of your choice. In addition, we can improve together your study and organisational skills. Furthermore, I can assist you with the structure of your Assignments and review your Assignment by making comments.

Some people are doing better because they do things differently and they do the right things right. Let's work together.

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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:
I am a PhD candidate at Cardiff University, where I research contemporary forms of subtitling. I have a Master's Degree in Translation Studies - for which I received a high Distinction and Best Postgraduate Dissertation - and a Bachelor's Degree in French and Spanish - for which I was awarded First-class Honours and an Excellence Scholarship. I have also been awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in recognition of my teaching contributions at Cardiff University, where I have taught undergraduate French and Spanish language, history, and culture for four years.

I have lived in both Toulouse, France and Barcelona, Spain, where I was able to immerse myself fully in French, Spanish, and Catalan language and culture respectively. My passion for languages has very much informed my choice of career so far, both academic and professional.

I know from first-hand experience that learning a language has the most profound impact, giving the learner an insight and a pathway into entirely new cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. This is an experience that I have been fortunate to have for myself, and therefore wish to help others to discover for themselves.

Aside from work, I am a keen athlete and photographer. I spend most of my free time swimming, doing sport, or adventuring with my film camera in hand.

Teaching Experience:
I have amassed a broad range of teaching and coaching experiences in recent years. These include, most recently, preparing and delivering seminars on Spanish and French language, translation, and culture to undergraduate students at Cardiff University. This has entailed gauging and adapting to the varied abilities of an entire cohort, producing learning materials that will guide and challenge different students appropriately, and providing bespoke, individual feedback to ensure each student's personal development. I am currently performing this teaching role face-to-face, but had until recently done so online due to the pandemic. As such, I feel comfortable engaging with my students in either setting.

I am also employed as a mentor and tutor for students enrolled in an online translation course on the Futurelearn platform. This course attracts thousands of students from around the world, and so gives me the opportunity to teach and to facilitate discussions between individuals with a fascinating range of perspectives, experiences, and abilities. Again, this role requires me to find a balance between delivering a general syllabus at the right pace so that every student is challenged and fulfilled, and, simultaneously, taking the time to adapt and engage with people on a personal, one-to-one basis. Building on this, I have also tutored talented young research students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds through the internationally acclaimed Lumiere Scholarship Programme.

I am a Fellow of Advance HE (formally the Higher Education Academy), a not-for-profit organisation which trains and awards educators in contemporary teaching methods and theories, and which is universally reputed across the higher education sector. The portfolios that I have produced and the training that I have completed for these awards has honed my investment in centring EDI in my teaching practices; my primary focal points have been accessibility, student transitions, and digital literacy.

Thanks to my love of sports from a young age, I have over a decade of coaching experience, ranging from football and rugby to ultimate frisbee. While not directly related to academic learning, I have always found a valuable crossover in the dynamic between player and coach and that between student and teacher. Both involve accepting (and, I believe, finding the joy in) the responsibility you have for guiding and shaping someone else's growth. This is an aspect of teaching and coaching that I have always found hugely fulfilling and rewarding.

In my time at university, I have occupied a number of wellbeing- and support-related roles. I believe that a focus on mental and physical health is essential in any educational setting.

Tutoring Approach:
As I have alluded to, I believe in the value of engaging with students on an individual level. By adapting different teaching methods and elements of the relevant content according to the learning style and existing knowledge of the student in question, you can always find the best approach to the subject matter for them personally. In my experience, this leads to a fairly free and engaging learning environment, while also maintaining a necessary level of proximity to the syllabus.

Most importantly, though, this approach means that the student is more likely to genuinely enjoy their learning. In education as in any area of life, the best results come when you love what you do.

Subjects

Personal Description:
Have been tutoring face to face for the past 5yrs. Hands on and very relaxed atmosphere

Teaching Experience:
5yrs face to face

Tutoring Approach:
As above
Cannot supply references but can supply many reviews

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am certified and freelance Interpreter, I have worked extensively with the English and Greek language professionally, translating for publishers, editing and everything encompassed within the publishing industry.
I have studied Int'l Business, BA 1994, I am a certified interpreter and I love to teach, and I do so with methods that entertain and provide experiential learning for all levels. I value receiving feedback from my students to understand each person's individual and specific needs and I personalize the teaching accordingly. I do freelance Interpreting and have language experience professionally translating for publishers, editing and creative writing, publishing and advertising, lecturing and giving seminars

Teaching Experience:
I have taught English and Greek in a private school setting for three and 5 years respectively. I teach by different creative ways for interactive experience. I value receiving feedback from my students to understand each person's individual and specific needs and I personalize the teaching accordingly.

Tutoring Approach:
I love to teach, and I do so with methods that entertain and provide experiential learning for all levels. I value receiving feedback and proceed.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a seasoned professional with a Master's degree in Business Administration, complemented by a Chartered Accountant certification. With over 13 years of diverse experience in both the business sector and academia, I bring a unique blend of practical industry knowledge and teaching expertise. My career has been characterized by a commitment to leveraging financial acumen, strategic thinking, and educational prowess to drive organizational growth, empower students, and contribute meaningfully to both corporate and educational landscapes.

Teaching Experience:
About 13 years teaching experience

Tutoring Approach:
Online or face to face

Subjects

Personal Description:
I am a highly-experienced French and German teacher with over 15 years in the classroom, teaching both languages to Oxbridge entry level.

I believe in giving pupils the tools to manipulate language for themselves and to feel confident when communicating orally or in writing. My lessons are tailored to the individual and for those taking GCSE or A Level examinations, there is a clear focus on improving exam technique and working on individual skills and exam papers.

Teaching Experience:
I have taught at a wide range of schools, from comprehensive to grammar schools and from this, I have gained a wide level of experience of supporting pupils with different needs. My pupils and those I have tutored have consistently achieved very good outcomes in public examinations.

Tutoring Approach:
I tailor my lessons to the needs of the individual pupil and in our initial meeting, I will establish the areas where we want to work on together.

My lessons are interactive and I make use of authentic materials and assessment materials to practise the different language skill areas.

Subjects

Personal Description:
I'm passionate about photography and the opportunities it affords for creative storytelling. I have a particular affinity for photographing 'the inbetween', unloved spaces sometimes referred to as liminal space.
Based in the northwest of England.

Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching A Level Photography (at an Ofsted OUTSTANDING college) for the past 12 years and have most recently undertaken a Head of Department role with responsibility for all creative subjects, including Fine Art, Graphics and Textiles, in addition to BTEC Art & Design.
I have a track record of helping my students to achieve excellent grades whilst allowing them to create highly personal projects.

Tutoring Approach:
I believe that there is a form of photography to suit everybody, regardless of experience or access to equipment and software. I believe that successful outcomes and therefore high grades result from a willingness to 'get out and take photographs' and a enthusiasm to be experimental in how those images are edited/presented.
Students must be willing to engage in independent study/research and to act upon constructive feedback.

Subjects