Hello,
I am a CELTA qualified (by Cambridge ESOL) private English teacher with a successful track record of providing one-to-one
tuition for IELTS/FCE/CAE/CPE exams, as well as other ESOL, needs.
As a former academic myself, I also provide academic tuition at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in a range of subjects.
I have a standard (RP - Received Pronunciation) English accent, commonly known as 'BBC English'.
EXAM PREPARATION:
I provide targeted exam preparation for all the major ESOL qualifications (IELTS / First Certificate / Cambridge Advanced & Proficiency) and can advise on choosing an exam path to follow. Exam preparation can be intensive, or at a more relaxed pace.
I am also experienced in preparing clients for more specialised professional ESOL qualifications, such as the Cambridge ICFE for finance professionals.
ACADEMIC ENGLISH / ACADEMIC SKILLS:
I hold a BA and PhD from Cambridge (St. John's College) and have taught extensively at university. This means that I have the expertise to help you master sophisticated, elegant, formal English - which can be useful socially as well as academically!
I can also help you to research and write your essays (including dissertations), prepare presentations, and work on skills like critical thinking & analysis, as well as building and formulating arguments and structuring your thoughts. This includes advanced skills like critiquing scholarly literature. Naturally, I can also proofread a text that you have written yourself.
CONVERSATIONAL SKILLS:
Even quite advanced learners of English are often not as confident as they could be when it comes to their spoken English and feel frustrated that they can't express themselves as articulately, as quickly and with the same range of nuance as in their native language. This is particularly the case when their study of English was very textbook-oriented (or indeed mainly exam-oriented!). I offer conversational training in which we'll expand your range of vocabulary and expressions and correct any lingering mistakes so that you can express yourself with confidence.
I also offer specialised pronunciation/accent reduction training.
This type of lesson can also be useful for intermediate learners who are more focused on practical, everyday communication without studying for an exam.
CULTURAL TRAINING:
The English certainly have their quirks! Even those from other European countries can find themselves puzzled by certain cultural conventions on this green island of ours, never mind the confusion experienced by those from other parts of the world entirely. If you find yourself unsure about the more cultural aspects of communication in English or would simply like to enhance your sophistication in this area, I can provide guidance on all aspects of social etiquette and managing difficult situations.
ABOUT ME:
I was born, raised and privately educated in the Cotswolds and London before reading Philosophy and English Literature at Cambridge, from which I graduated with first-class honours. My Master's degree is in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art (London), where I commenced my PhD in the same subject before transferring back to Cambridge to complete it. I have done formal academic teaching in my specialist subjects at university but did not enjoy the institutional politics that plague elite institutions, so opted to develop a private teaching career instead, which I find much more enjoyable in many respects!
LESSON ARRANGEMENTS:
I will travel via public transport within central London; for those living further afield, we can agree a central location at which to meet. When emailing, please do mention the location where you would like to have your lessons, as well as your requirements in terms of potential days and times.
My rate is £30.00 per hour.
Would you be kind enough to email with a bit of information about yourself, your goals, and also the days and times on which you might potentially be seeking to have your lessons? The next step would be to organise an introductory meeting/trial lesson, free of charge so that we can both determine whether we seem like a good match.