A bit about Amanda S

I am an experienced tutor of English. I have taught in a variety of environments ranging from a mosque to a public school, state and language schools, as well as home schooled students. This has been for over 15 years and I have a very high pass rate. I have taught English from KS3 to degree level, as well teaching English as a second language and tutoring for business language and the IELTS exam. I can also teach for entrance exams and the 11+. I like to engage and motivate students by building confidence, which is often lacking, for a variety of reasons. I am familiar with all the exam boards and formats: AQA, EDEXCEL, OCR, WJEC. Exam technique is also very important -so exactly what the questions are asking. I also hope to make learning enjoyable on the way. I have also worked on the NTP programme and as an academic mentor to level up skills in a secondary school, that have been affected by the Covid outbreak. This has included work with students with special educational needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your requirements and we can work on getting you the results that you deserve. English Language and Literature and English as an additional language. I usually discuss the perceived issues that a student has, focussing on the specifics that they feel is most difficult for them. I then make a measurable and tailored plan of work that we can do together. This is done outside of the lesson and delivered in manageable chunks each week, until the student feels comfortable with the skill set.. 2007 I have a particular interest in the short story and poetry - but am an avid English buff in general. My favourite thing is when I encounter anyone who has the same interests. However, most of all I love to see my students succeed and reach a point that they didn’t think they would get to at the onset of tuition. I also really like working with young adults full of optimism for their future. Enabling and motivating. I encourage the student to use best practise methods to answer exam questions. This can take time- but with the aid of acronyms and other methods to assist with technique-I usually find this successful. I also like to encourage creativity as this can be overlooked-but I know how to get the juices flowing which can be encouraged with specific methods. My teaching is a mix of humour, expertise and focus. I believe in the mantra that anyone of any age can achieve success in English with the right help and encouragement. It can be even just for pleasure. Never be defeated and I will help my student’s to achieve this. I really enjoy the one to one experience. It is an opportunity to establish a good working relationship with a student that can build over sustained periods of time, and which can engender a greater chance of success than just being taught at school. It helps to give the student encouragement, confidence, specific feedback and a place to focus. I have been told that my teaching style is fun and that students lose their lack of confidence that can be as a direct result of the classroom environment- stemming from having to speak aloud in a class, or feeling uncomfortable because they are perceived as stupid. Having the opportunity to feel appreciated and heard, can make a huge difference to success. I also like to bring on very able students who have the potential to achieve even better results. The learning relationship between us is key to a successful outcome. Initially I wanted to share my very specific knowledge of English Literature. This has now extended into all aspects of learning English. Enabling students to succeed is a gratifying experience especially when students succeed in achieving their objectives. I also like being around youthful optimism! Getting a student who had never been in school to achieve top grades in GCSE Literature and Language-despite severe dyslexia and school phobia. Secondly, getting another student with an aversion to English achieve a place at Cambridge on the strength of his English results and the personal statement that we worked on together. GCSE English Language and Literature A level English Literature BA Hons English Literature 2:1 Post Graduate Diploma Merit CELTA AQA EDEXCEL OCR Year 7 upwards to undergraduate IELTS WJEC I love writing poetry and prose, and really enjoy going to the cinema with a particular interest in indie films. I also enjoy good food, travel, and long walks with my dog Mimi and my grandchildren. I am also brushing up on my piano skills!