A bit about Kirsty J

I'm a teacher, coach and trainer and have been teaching English for over thirty years, both in school and privately and I love English literature and above all helping my students love it too. My favourite age group are teenagers , especially from 16-19 years of age, and I have taught IB, IGCSE, GCSE and A level, as well as assist my students in writing personal statements for University applications. I specialise in taking students on a voyage of discovery through English literature, helping them explore themes and understand the literary devices used by the authors to created meaning. I specialise in creating a warm, psychologically safe space for students to ask questions without fear of judgement and to help them arrive at better results than they ever expected. I begin with an introduction to the content and some open questions to the student to understand their level of understanding. I then look at a piece of text or a poem together with the student, using open and constructive questioning to elicit a response. I keep notes on literary terms and new vocabulary so the student is able to fully concentrate on the text in question. I conclude with a review of the material covered and the setting of some questions for homework. I believe learning should be fun and engaging, yet with serious objectives, and above all learner-centred. I first started tutoring about 25 years ago. I began by tutoring in English language for the Cambridge suite of language assessment ( Preliminary, First, Advanced and Proficiency) and then became a tutor for IB and GCSE and A level in English Literature. I have tutored all ages and levels but I specialise in tutoring adolescents especially those who 'hate' poetry! I love literature and have particular expertise in teaching 20th Century English and American literature. What I love most is the process of discovery with the student, as they explore the text. I am continually surprised by the nuances of interpretation and that, at 57, I can still find new meaning from texts I have studied for many years. I learn from the student as they learn from me. My teaching style is warm, empathic and encouraging. I believe everyone is capable of something and we all have gifts which are waiting to be discovered. I believe in academic rigour too; I am punctual and will correct work within the timescales promised. I have high expectations from my students, but the lesson is not about my needs, but about the students'; it is my job to lead them to the great results they aspire to. My favourite thing about being a tutor is meeting young people who are beginning their journey and need my help to get the results they are looking for. My experience can and should be utilised for the common good and when students tell me they enjoyed my class and understood the concepts this is extraordinarily satisfying. My teaching philosophy is to make people feel that they are in a psychological safe space and can talk about any ideas they have without fear of negative judgement. My students love my warm, empathic and engaging teaching style, my level of cultural knowledge and my use of other media in teaching such as music and art. I am highly organised and provide a calendar of date and subjects covered so students know exactly where they are. I believe one can only be respected if you give respect; I therefore show up on time and return marked assignments punctually. Steering my IGCSE English Literature students through their exams to almost all of them achieving A grades. One of my students going on to study English Literature at university and sending me a wonderful letter on her graduation day (with a First) telling me that she had decided to become a teacher because of me. I have a first degree, a B.A. (Hons) English Language and Literature (2:1) from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a Master's degree (MSc.) in Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology from the University of East London and a certificate in TEFL (grade B) from the University of Northumbria. I had a wonderful teacher at school who taught me to love books. I feel that teachers are remembered by their students when those students have long forgotten other figures in their lives and that a good teacher can make a difference to a life's trajectory. I wanted to be a force for good in other's lives while doing something I love.