Lessons & Services
My role as a qualified English tutor involves careful assessment of each student and the adaptation of my lessons accordingly. I like to take a structured and logical approach during my classes, breaking things down so they are easy to understand, and then building them back up again. I find this method to be highly effective for students of all ages.
As a supportive and experienced teacher, I take the time to develop a rapport with my students and boost their confidence in their own abilities so that they gain the autonomy they will need to succeed. Through the use of careful questioning during the lessons, I help them understand that they can find the answers and produce high-quality work themselves (rather than always needing to be told what to do). As students come to realise their full potential, a real change can come about where they strive to do well independently of outside help.
When I start online tuition with a new student, I use an array of materials to assess vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing skills. I then approach each lesson on a week-by-week basis, addressing areas of weakness as they arise, while following a general plan based on my initial assessment. My tutoring style is very fluid, as I do not believe in following a set course that may suit one student but not another.
During the lessons, I use actual past papers from 11+ & 13+ entrance exams, or GCSE/IGCSE papers specific to the student’s exam board (supported by additional worksheets). In doing so, students are able to become comfortable with their exam format and fully understand what is expected of them. I also like to pitch the material slightly higher than the student's ability, as it encourages them to push themselves further, and not remain stuck at a particular level.
To achieve the best results, I teach my students the following key skills:
Comprehension
• Retrieve relevant information from a passage
• Write clear and fully-developed answers to comprehension questions
• Assess how much information is needed to gain the marks for each question
• Recognise and express the nuances of a writer’s language choices
• Learn to work under timed conditions
Writing Tasks
• Understand how to use a wide variety of literary techniques in creative writing
• Fully develop characters and settings in a detailed and realistic way
• Use advanced punctuation and sentence forms in all writing
• Handle a variety of writing formats (narrative, descriptive, letter, article etc.)
• Appreciate the value of careful checking
Multiple Choice Examinations
• Approach multiple choice papers the right way and avoid the pitfalls
• Match answers to the text so as to avoid a hasty, incorrect answer
• Successfully complete all styles of verbal reasoning questions
• Practise cloze & shuffled sentences tasks
• Be aware of frequently-used punctuation and spelling errors
Interview Practice
I also conduct mock interviews with students where I prepare them for the wide range of questions they may be asked, and also show them how to express themselves in a natural and engaging manner.
Lesson Times
• Morning classes Monday to Saturday – particularly suitable for international or home-schooled students
• Weekday afternoon/evening classes – limited places remaining
• Intensive summer classes from June to September - ideal for final preparation for entrance examinations
Lesson Fees
1 Hour: £70
(other lesson lengths arranged to suit individual needs)