Lauren

The best feedback I get from students is that my lessons are inspiring, interesting and great fun! I conduct lessons in a variety of ways to suit the learner; my exercises are innovative and build on prior and new knowledge to culminate in a more holistic comprehension. I also combine syllabus content with relevant cultural, political and social references, as I believe it is important to always situate learning within different contexts. This aids understanding, and in turn, enhances memory and recall.

While I am personable and upbeat in my delivery, I do take commitment to lessons seriously. I embody an eager, go-getting attitude – without being over overbearing – which leaves a positive impression on students (yes, even the most dubious!), nurturing and fortifying their natural qualities and embedding self-belief in their capacity to acquire and retain new skills. I adjust my communication methods based on the student’s own personality and interests, varying animation, pace and language to best suit their individual style of engagement.

Availability: I am currently very flexible, with options to tutor a variety of daytimes, evenings and weekend slots. Due to my hours as an Associate Lecturer, my schedule remains quite fluid, so I would be able to arrange sessions ad hoc each week to suit the student’s availability, or we can find a time to stick to every week, if that is the preference.

My tutoring sessions would be based on the student’s needs and aims; I would plan a schedule across any number of weeks and the student, or the student’s parents/guardians, could make stipulations and set milestones which would be incorporated as much as feasibly possible within the timescales. I am extremely flexible in terms of pace and direction, and would be happy to focus on passing specific exams, improving grades or attaining the top-bands, primarily in GCSE, A-Level and Degree, however I would investigate and prepare for any other types of qualifications of similar or corresponding levels. I am equally happy to work towards developing personal/professional projects or improving general comprehension and ability. For every hour of paid tutoring, I would commit up to one additional hour of preparation and evaluation in between sessions, in my own time. This is essential for students to get the most out of our time together, and to ensure there is significant progression overall.

Willing to travel: 10 miles

Experience: I have experience in teaching a wide range of ages and abilities. I am an Associate Fellow with the Higher Education Academy, which is a recognised teaching qualification in universities, and my current English and Creative Writing teaching is at undergraduate degree level, aged 18 plus. I have also conducted writing workshops with young people in KS3 and KS4, and I tutor my thirteen-year-old stepson in English, so I have become quite adept at engaging with tweens and teenagers! I occupy an instructor position at my swimming club where I am a volunteer coach, responsible for children aged 5 to 16. I recently completed a course in Safeguarding and Protecting Children with the UK Coaching organisation, and I also hold an ASA Assistant Swimming Teaching qualification, having taught preschool to adult, non-swimmers up to competition level. I also have a current DBS certificate.

Whilst some of my experience is not specific to English or writing, acting in a teaching capacity cultivates transferable – or ‘soft’ – skills, such as resilience and determination, leadership, the ability to motivate others, and time-management and prioritisation. My specific – or ‘hard’ – skills, acquired through my degrees and teaching/tutoring experience, include: essay planning, writing, redrafting and editing; research methods and conduct; close reading and analysis of classic and contemporary fiction and poetry; engaging with and applying critical theory; developing literacy across comprehension, grammar, syntax and structure; professional writing across the different fields of academic, business, copy/content, technical and creative, the latter includes the writing of short fiction, novels, poetry and creative non-fiction, such as travel writing, memoir, biography and nature writing, for both journalistic articles and book-length projects. I can also assist and advise on career progressions in terms of perfecting application forms, CVs, proofreading, and improving self-promotion by enhancing your writing style and delivery.