Leo

I am an Oxford English graduate with diverse interests spanning from Beowulf to James Baldwin. I have a particular interest in feminist literatures. I don't just teach English--I also teach Classical Civilisation, which uses many of the same skills, and Maths up to secondary level.

Tutoring Experience

I have 2 years' experience tutoring state school students through their Oxbridge applications and A Levels, including running mock interviews and tutorials. I have taught children literature 1:1 at both primary and secondary level.
I also have experience teaching children with special needs (SEMH, ASD, ADHD) at both a primary and a secondary level.

Tutoring Approach

My style is totally student-centred. I've taught teenagers who need a push to reach Oxbridge level, and I've taught children for whom Guess Who is the most valuable teaching tool. I use the student's interests as a jumping-off point to explore a wide range of texts and stimuli.
When teaching English Literature at a higher level, I believe that the transferable skill of close reading is paramount, especially when tutoring for exams that will contain an unseen component. Wider reading is an important part of this, as it helps students to develop a sense of where a text sits in a broader canon--a sense which is lacking in today's mainstream curriculum. If the course allows for it and a student has literary interests, I follow the University of Oxford's example and take those individual interests into account when planning sessions. With Classical Civilisation, this approach fosters a familiarity with a broad range of texts in the subject, leading to a stronger understanding.