Hannah

Hi! I’m Hannah, and I’m an English and History GCSE, A Level and Degree tutor. I have recently completed my PhD in English Literature and have served as a university teacher (GTA). I have a First Class Degree in Ancient History and a Distinction in English Masters. I have five years of experience in tutoring within a classroom environment and one-to-one through my work at the university and as a private tutor. I consider myself an avid reader and adore learning, and I always aim to make my sessions as comfortable as possible. I have taught students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and autism, as well as many second language English speakers, so if additional help is required in those areas, don’t hesitate to let me know the specifics so that I can adjust my teaching!

Tutoring Experience

I have experience in private tuition for the last five years, and have previously taught on both BA and MA courses for English Literature as a Lecturer.

Tutoring Approach

I centre my approach around intuitive learning. My students get the chance to control their own learning by deciding on historical topics or creative writing pieces, which teaches them personal research and close reading skills. For history in particular, I encourage them to explore areas that they want to know more about, and teach them essential critical thinking skills in a way that suits them. I am entirely flexible with my approach to learning, and want my students to feel fully at ease within their lessons. I am also very passionate about fostering a love of reading in my students, and will happily provide a miniature book club for them, which involves choosing a book of their liking and introducing them to the concept of analysis whilst still keeping it very enjoyable. This teaches students how to search for complex themes and issues within texts without sticking to often unapproachable books that are chosen in school settings.

My approach to teaching for exam subjects mainly involves assessing a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and using this to their advantage by ensuring I work to both. I will provide them with support on how to answer essay questions, create revision cards and tactics to help maximise their revision time, and ensure that they are confident in answering anything that exams throw their way. I will teach them highly effective revision methods that they can employ within our lessons and at home, and will make sure they never leave a lesson without understanding something. I will offer them refresher sessions every once in a while so that they can discuss how they are feeling, what they are struggling with, and what they are confident with. From there, the lessons up until the exams will focus on ensuring that every avenue has been explored and that they are fully prepared for their exam season - often, exams are down to memory, but I like to ensure that a thorough understanding of the subject is achieved and that they feel happy and confident. Providing current exam questions as well as optional ‘homework’ of practice exam essays will allow them to feel at ease once the real exam arrives.

I can also help with university choices, writing personal statements, and guiding the writing process of university essays. From first hand experience, I am aware of the big jump from A level to University, and you are not often taught the correct techniques on how to write essays in school curricula. This will provide a massive head start and ensure confidence, and grades, are maintained throughout future studies.