Sandra

Taking bookings for September ✓ 21 years experience ✓ Limited Places ✓ Taught 1000s of students ✓ Examiner Experience ✓ GCSE ✓ IGCSE ✓ 11+ ✓

Tutoring Experience

I am a fully-qualified English teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in education and over 21 years of experience in schools and as a tutor.
I am highly knowledgeable about the many different exam formats at all levels, and my tuition has been extremely successful in helping students achieve their target grades and above in their GCSEs and IGCSEs, with many seeing dramatic improvements.

My role as an English tutor involves careful assessment of each student and the adaptation of my lessons accordingly. I like to take a structured and logical approach, breaking things down so they are easy to understand, and then building them back up again. I find this method to be highly effective with learners of all levels.

I take the time to develop a rapport with my students and boost their confidence in their own abilities so that they gain the autonomy they will need to succeed. Through the use of careful questioning during the lessons, I help them understand that they can find the answers and produce high-quality work themselves (rather than always needing to be told what to do). As students come to realise their full potential, a real change can come about where they strive to do well independently of outside help.

Tutoring Approach

When I start with a new student, I use an array of materials to assess vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing skills. I then approach each lesson on a week-by-week basis, addressing areas of weakness as they arise, while following a general plan based on my initial assessment. My teaching style is very fluid, as I do not believe in following a set course that may suit one student but not another.

Many students feel relaxed and enjoy the lessons as I always aim to build a good rapport: I believe this creates a nurturing environment in which students achieve their best.

During the lessons, I use actual past exam materials as much as possible (supported by additional worksheets), so that students are able to become comfortable with their exam format and fully understand what is expected of them. I also like to pitch the material slightly higher than the student's ability, as it encourages them to push themselves further, and not remain stuck at a particular level.

Homework is available on request to supplement all the learning that takes place in our lessons.

I provide year round lessons except for two weeks during the Christmas break.