GCSE and A Level English and Classics Tutor with Personal Experience in Homeschooling and Self-Directed Study
I am a UCL Bachelor of Arts student, currently studying Comparative Literature alongside French. From the age of 15, I studied outside of the traditional education system for my GCSEs and A levels, with a combination of independent learning and one-on-one tuition.
The freedom I had meant I could find unique and personalised methods of consolidating information. However, I also had to learn to structure my learning in an effective way, which required both self-discipline and an enhanced curiosity about the material I was studying. I was therefore able to develop a balance between my passion for the content, and the academic and structural requirements of the syllabus.
In my lessons, I aim to pass on to students what I myself have learnt from independent learning. This means my particular focus is on discussing material in depth, particularly in adding clarity to the often abstract and heavy material in the humanities subjects.
I also prioritise making sure my students are aware of the structural nuances and requirements of exam boards, not only the material itself. I understand that a large part of receiving a desired grade is aligning one’s preparation with the expectations of the GCSE and A level systems.
However, I believe that this can be done not only through memorisation and regurgitation, but a genuine passion and interest in the subject. My focus in preparing sessions is on understanding my students’ learning style, and personalising the lessons that way. If this means a student has a preference for a more relaxed, casual atmosphere in which learning is easier with discussion, I take up a more conversational approach when dealing with the material, for example.
I encourage mixed media learning, like watching documentaries or reading articles alongside the factual information, as I find this deeper engagement results in the most successful academic output.
I also always make sure to integrate the necessary understanding of how to form ideas in essays, as I understand that explaining oneself can be intimidating especially in a high-pressure, exam context.
Outside of my academic life, I have a passion for literature, theatre, and film. I believe that a scholarly, analytical approach to one’s studies is a cornerstone of becoming a fulfilled artist, and this doesn’t have to begin at university level.
I have an international background, being from Moscow originally, as well as having spent a summer living in Paris. I have experience teaching English as a foreign language to Russian students of diverse ages, and with various goals.
A Levels: Classics A | English Literature A | History B
GCSES: Classics 9 | History 9 | English Language 9 | Sociology 9 | Russian 9