Andrew

My specialist subject is Latin and I have been described as more Robin Williams than Mr Chips.

Because no one volunteers for extra Latin, a tutor is most likely called on to help in a specific area or for a short time. I see my job as being to identify where the problems are, find creative and fun solutions, and work with the pupil on the best ways to use those solutions on his or her own.

Everyone remembers their best teacher, and I was lucky enough to have been taught by two amazing Latin teachers. They made what I had thought was a dull and dead language, fun and lively. Past pupils may not recognise me (I used to have hair) but they do seem to remember my lessons.

I will work with the student`s own text books and also some supplementary materials to reinforce what may have been glossed over during a class. Sometimes it is just a case of bringing the words off the page and into everyday life that makes a grammatical concept understandable. I am happy to help with homework, exam technique, specific grammatical problems, set texts and comprehension. Preparation for Common Entrance is always popular.

Availability: I am available for private tutoring after school and at weekends

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: I am currently Head of Latin at a prep school just outside London. I am an experienced teacher of Latin up to and including GCSE level, both in the classroom and privately on a one-to-one basis

As well as this classroom teaching, I tutor 7 other pupils locally in London, from beginner level to GCSE.

A 12 year old boy who had been struggling to keep up with his classmates was referred to me for help. After a little probing, we both discovered where the gaps were, and with some more focused explanation and practice of the grammatical constructions, he caught up and went on to do well.

More recently I have been helping an 11 year old catch up in similar circumstances. Building a virtual arsenal of grammatical weapons proved successful in this case.

As well as my teaching role at the prep school, I am teaching a class of 8 and 9 year old absolute beginners at a bi-lingual school nearby. The challenges are very different, but equally rewarding when you see that "lightbulb" moment.

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