James

Since finishing my joint honours in English and History at Aberdeen University, I have been a part-time private tutor and a part-writer.

Reading and the creation of narratives have been my passions for as long as I can remember. Sounds cliché and trite, but it`s just the only way to put it. I am invested in literature and poetry: from epics and plays to sestinas and iambic tetrameter. I love to over analyse the creative process and I genuinely enjoy the debate that can be had with a student discovering a text or period of history for the first time.

As I`ve mentioned, aside from writing, tutoring takes up my full time. This is not just an add-on job for me, I am dedicated to ensuring that I help any tutee under my wing.

I don`t wear a suit: as a writer if I did it would just become crumpled in a matter of minutes, it is the curse of our kind. See Neil Gaiman for details.

If you`re interested in Creative Writing lessons, please consider that in the same subject band as English.

I`m not trained as a teacher and there are elements within my style of tuition that would not be considered conventional.
Still reading? Good. What I`ve just said is not a bad thing.

When it comes to English and History there are two things I consider fundamental.

The first is creating a meaningful dialogue which is centred around understanding rather than teaching the test. In total I have five years of study in English and History, and a broad experience across a lot of mediums. Approachability and respect is key in this regard, there are topics in the syllabus (depression, suicide, sexuality, morality and genocide) which are generally quite difficult to discuss in a large group. Especially to get a deep understanding of those issues. When I teach a subject, I cover the basics and the contexts, and only then proceed on to the complicated debates at the heart of these subjects. Often I`ve found this is what my students find most engaging and different. I`ve even had some students begin enjoying poetry: this is perhaps my best recommendation.

Secondly, I do not coddle any student and tell them they`re doing well if they`re not. I`m never harsh but I will always tell a student the absolute truth as I see it. However, I`ll also tell them what they need to do to improve. I am not afraid of the red pen and students shouldn`t be either. It was only by having all of my mistakes pointed out to me repeatedly that I was able to make serious progress at University.

Although I aim for a student to improve their grade, my main concern is outfitting my students with transferable skills* from both subjects. One of the most gratifying moments in this line of work was when a student told me, my help with their writing had allowed them to get into a coveted Art program.

Outside of the subjects themselves, my main selling point is that I can improve essay/writing style and research methods.

Availability: My availability is constantly changing, please be in contact to see if it suits you at this time.

I usually have space on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays.

Willing to travel: 15 miles

Experience: I have been tutoring privately for six years at Higher and Degree level and for the last four years I have also worked through a local company to tutor Nat 4/5 and Higher.

Recently, I have begun teaching regular classes at a local private school as the main English and History teacher.

I am also capable of converting to A-Levels, as I have kept up to date on both curriculum.

As far as I`m aware, most of my students (over 30 in the last two years) have either seen a big jump up or a reasonable grade improvement over weekly lessons.