Jonathan

As a First Class Honours graduate with a degree in Ancient History, I offer tutoring in History, Classical Civilisation and Ancient Greek.

My passion for historical subjects began before GCSE and has continued to the present. I enjoy the interplay between different factions and leaders. Also, the study of context to compare and contrast events, people, and cultures adds another dimension to understanding historical situations. Research and analysis are my specialities, so I learned Ancient Greek and Latin to improve my insight into primary sources. In my free time, I continue to study new areas of history to further comprehend the global context of events.

Consequently, I am well-versed in various historical periods and regions, from ancient to modern. However, history is such a broad subject that you may have questions that even I cannot answer. If so, I endeavour to research the topic outside of the lesson time and get back to you with a satisfactory explanation.

Outside of history, my interests include reading, playing games and cooking. I have also lived, studied and worked in Japan and plan to return post-pandemic to teach English as part of the JET Programme. I enjoyed living in Japan and can’t wait to return as it’s a beautiful country. The food is excellent, and it’s fascinating to me as I love learning about other cultures and their history.

Tutoring Experience

Although I have other experiences, the two main ones that shaped my teaching style are my internship in Japan in 2019 and my job at the National Citizenship Service in 2018.

INTERNSHIP IN JAPAN

For my internship, I was employed at Ibaraki Christian University in Japan to teach English. I mainly taught university students, but I also tutored kindergarteners, high school students and adult learners. Therefore, I learnt how to vary my teaching style and tailor it to different students and skill levels. I had to adapt quickly to individual tutees, which was made even more difficult by the language barrier. It was an incredibly steep learning curve; however, through practice and helpful advice from senior teachers, I succeeded in improving my students’ grades.

When I wasn’t in the classroom, I held office hours to help with homework or practice their English conversation skills. Often these were one-on-one sessions, and frequently were students studying for proficiency tests. It was gratifying to see their improvements and hear they had passed. I enjoyed teaching in formal and informal environments, which significantly improved my skills as a tutor, especially one-to-one.

NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP SERVICE (NCS)

NCS hired me as a Team Assistant, where I took responsibility for a large group of 14 to 16-year-olds for four weeks. As I had to be available at any time of the day for emergencies during the two residential weeks, quickly responding to situations was essential. I was in charge of the group’s teamwork, learning and wellbeing for the period. These skills were put into practice when designing and carrying out a project that improved their local community in the last two weeks of the programme. I am happy to say that both groups I led completed their scheme and came to work together from strangers to teammates and friends. The course I led taught them public speaking, teamwork and life skills, and I was very proud of their progress.

Relevant Certificates and Qualifications:
- International Child Protection Certificate provided by ACRO
- First Class BA Ancient History including modules on Ancient Greek, Classics and Medieval History
- 3 A-Levels including History
- 13 GCSEs including Latin, Ancient Greek and History

Tutoring Approach

I feel that it is essential to adapt my approach depending on the student’s aims and area of study. Therefore, in the first lesson, we discuss your goals and current level of ability. Having done this, I adjust depending on if you are a casual learner or an exam student. If studying for a specific qualification, I focus on improving weaker areas and revision. I offer the first lesson free because it is merely to get to know you and answer questions. Therefore, it is often short. If applicable, I welcome parents or guardians to attend if they have any queries.

For students of History and Classical Civilisation, I prepare you for your exams but also give you an understanding of the broader context needed for the best answers. Tutoring on analysis, argument and essay skills is also provided alongside fact learning. History is a fascinating subject with many transferable skills, so I endeavour to cover everything you need to achieve your aims.

If you are learning Ancient Greek, I tailor the syllabus to you as well. One-to-one tutoring allows for a flexible work plan that focuses on improving the parts you find difficult. We can work alongside the school syllabus or revise specific topics in preparation for your exam. Whether working towards a test or simply out of interest, I provide comprehensive teaching made for you.

If you are looking for a calm, informal but academic atmosphere, you are in the right place. I maintain focus while avoiding stress, and your questions are more than welcome. Sharing my passion with all students, shy, outgoing, young or mature, is the goal of my teaching.