Subjects

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Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach the following subjects:
11 + tuition
Maths (KS2 & 3)
Common Entrance Preparation
Latin (Common Entrance)

Tell me about your qualifications.
B.A. (Hons) (2:1), French with English and Latin as subsidiary subjects, University of Leeds, 1967.
P.G.C.E. with special reference to TESL, University College of N. Wales, 1970.
M.A. in General and Applied Linguistics, University of Exeter, 1977.
Member of the Institute of Linguists, 1982, with distinctions in all examination papers in German.
Certificate in the Teaching of Children with Dyslexia, May 2005, Direct Learning Ltd, Eastbourne. (More information about this certificate can be found at http://www.dyslexia-teacher.com/certificate.html). This short course was essentially an introduction to the problems faced by dyslexic children and teenagers and was not an in-depth study of specific methodological approaches to overcoming dyslexia. The insights I have in the field of dyslexia come from personal experience of working with children/teenagers with reading problems and my knowledge of linguistics.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have a wide range of experience giving me a broad perspective on educational issues. This includes:
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language in the German Federal Republic (Gymnasium Bergkamen & University of Cologne)
- Teaching German & French to A-Level in the maintained sector
- Teaching German & French to A-Level in the independent sector
- EFL Teaching at the University of Plymouth and the Suzanne Sparrow (Plymouth) Language School
- Home tutoring - especially 11+

How much do you charge?
The fee for each hour of tuition is £20.00 for individuals on a pay-as-you-go basis payable in cash or by cheque. Reduced rates apply (see below) for groups of up to four pupils taught together.

Group Tuition:
Pupils fare best on a one-to-one basis. Under special circumstances I am prepared to undertake group work at reduced rates depending on the number of pupils. No group will usually exceed four in number.

Text Books:

While I have a wide range of teaching materials at my disposal, parents/students should expect to buy essential workbooks themselves. Parents/students can place orders for materials directly through me at a discounted rate.

Cancellations:

If it becomes necessary for you to cancel a lesson, you should give at least 24 hours’ notice. Otherwise, except where the cancellation is due to an emergency, the full fee remains payable. In the case of frequent cancellations teaching hours will be re-allocated to other students.

Where do you teach?
Individual Tuition: Individual tuition normally takes place in the pupil’s own home.

Group Tuition: I can offer group teaching at an agreed venue or at my own address .

I tutor in and around Plymouth, including Saltash, Plymstock, Yelverton, Ivybridge and Cornwood. I no longer teach in Torpoint, Bere Ferrers and Bere Alston for reasons of accessibility.

When are you available?
I am available for tuition from 1.30pm to 9.00pm and week days. Because of the high demand for personal tutoring, I operate on a first-come first-serve basis. I do not offer teaching at the weekend.

Tuition continues during school holidays by mutual agreement. I take a three-week holiday break, usually in August/September. I will discuss changes to these arrangements as the need arises. In the case of 11+ pupils, who will be sitting their examination in the January immediately following the Christmas break, I am happy to rearrange lessons to fit in with family arrangements so that they receive their full complement of lessons before the exam.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
KS 2 & 3

Do you have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I am CRB checked and registered as a teacher with the Greater Teaching Council for England DFE Ref. RP69/11470

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
I am able to offer a proof-reading service in English, German (A-Level) and French (A-Level) and offer advice on essay construction and content. Communication can be by email or Skype. Students should bear in mind that this work makes heavy demands on time and can entail considerable expense. It is essential, therefore, to define the task carefully in advance.

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
Member of the Institute of Linguists (1982) with distinctions in all examination papers in German with a special reference to translation from German to English in the linguistic field. I am also registered with The General Teaching Council for England.

Where and with whom did you train?
See 'Qualifications' above.

Tell me about some of your current students.
Currently I am heavily committed to teaching pupils preparing for the 11+ examination and KS2 SATS. I am also tutoring some pupils aged 9 and 10, who have difficulties with learning to read.

Do you have a personal message for students?
Personal tuition provides enormous satisfaction for both teacher and student - far beyond what can normally be expected in the pressurized atmosphere of the classroom.

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION
In a one-to-one or small-group situation tutors are able to adapt to individual students’ needs and learning abilities. Individual needs can be addressed directly and the most appropriate methods of instruction can be used.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING
In a busy classroom and in response to peer pressure many pupils lack the confidence to ask questions when they do not understand - and especially if they do! One-to-one tuition overcomes this fundamental problem by helping to build up a student’s confidence and thus to promote long-term academic success by re-enforcing classroom concepts.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
In many cases students do not achieve their full potential because they have acquired ineffective study skills. Private tutoring allows students to develop good study habits at their own pace, to learn new techniques and to improve their performance in school and in public examinations.