Rachel

I'm Rachel! I'm an enthusiastic and experienced English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher with a genuine passion for learning, language, and helping others succeed.

I’ve spent over a decade teaching in a variety of settings both in the UK and overseas, including 10 wonderful years in South East Asia, primarily in Vietnam and Taiwan. My love of travel and cultural exchange has also taken me to many other parts of the world, where I’ve continued to combine teaching with exploration and personal growth.

Now based on the south coast of England, I bring this wide-ranging experience into every lesson I teach. I’m passionate about delivering engaging, creative, and effective lessons tailored to each student’s unique needs and learning style. Whether you're looking for support with English as an Additional Language, help at KS3 or KS4, or a mix of both, I’m here to help.

I’m excited to be part of your learning journey and I look forward to helping you build skills, confidence, and a genuine love for English along the way.

Tutoring Experience

My journey in education began when I started coaching swimming at local pools while I was still in college. At the time, I had no idea this would lead to a lifelong career in teaching but over the years, education has become a true passion of mine.

While living in Taiwan, I worked for the British Council, where I gained a wealth of valuable teaching experience. Highlights included delivering teacher training workshops for local educators, teaching a wide range of students from kindergarteners to CEOs and completing the TYLEC (a specialist qualification for teaching English to young learners). I taught in both remote communities and urban centres, which deepened my understanding of the diverse ways people learn and the impact English can have on opening up opportunities.

After returning to the UK, I built on my EAL teaching experience by training as a secondary English teacher. I completed my PGCE in English and now work in a secondary school on the south coast of England, teaching both English and English as an Additional Language.

In addition to this, I recently completed an MSc in TESOL at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with Distinction. This course allowed me to explore current research and theory in language education while refining my practical skills. It has been a fantastic way to bring new depth and perspective to my teaching practice.

One of my favourite areas to teach is Shakespeare. Many students initially find his work challenging or inaccessible, but I love helping them overcome those barriers. During my PGCE, I conducted a research project on making Shakespeare’s plays more relevant to modern learners. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students go from confusion or dread to real engagement as they discover the power and relevance of his work.

Tutoring Approach

I strive to create a learning environment where students feel safe, supported, and confident to ask questions and make mistakes because I believe that’s an essential part of the learning process. Over the years, colleagues and mentors who have observed my teaching often comment on the friendly yet professional rapport I build with my students, and that’s something I take great pride in.

My teaching style is flexible, engaging, and highly responsive to individual needs. Thanks to my varied background, from classroom teaching in different countries to working with learners of all ages and levels, I’m able to draw on a broad toolkit of strategies to personalise each lesson. I especially enjoy one-to-one sessions, as they offer the freedom to tailor content not only to learning goals, but also to your interests and learning style. When students are engaged with the material, learning becomes more enjoyable and that’s when real progress happens.

I believe in a balanced approach: combining clear instruction and scaffolded practice with creative, real-world application. Whether that means bringing a Shakespeare scene to life, exploring persuasive techniques through current events, or focusing on speaking fluency through role-play and discussion, I aim to make every lesson purposeful and motivating.

In our first session, I’ll carry out a needs analysis to understand your goals, preferences, and any areas you’d like to focus on. We’ll then work together to create a plan that feels achievable and exciting.

If the lessons are for your child, I’ll work closely with you to discuss lesson content and provide regular updates on their progress. I believe open communication between tutor, student, and parent is key to ensuring positive outcomes.

Let’s get started. I look forward to supporting your learning journey!