Judy

I work as a lecturer at the University of Manchester, and also very much enjoy tutoring, giving students extra help to not only understand but to thrive and take pleasure in their studies.

I have four years of experience as a lecturer, a PhD in Social Anthropology, an MA in Social Anthropology (Distinction) and a BA in Philosophy (2.1). I also have A-Levels in History, English, Religious Studies and Politics. As such, I know very intimately how to get the hang of an unknown topic, prepare for an exam, and plan, structure and construct an argument in essay form.

I am offering tutoring in Anthropology to PhD level, Sociology and Philosophy to degree level, and History, English Literature, Religious Studies and Politics to A-Level. I am also able to teach students of any humanities subject from pre-GCSE up to degree level how to write a successful essay, with sound wording, structure and argument.

Tutoring Experience

I have been working as a lecturer for four years, and prior to that was working as a graduate teaching assistant, both at the University of Manchester. I have also got five years of tutoring experience.

As a lecturer, I have designed, delivered and assessed many different undergraduate and postgraduate courses. I have supervised 30 undergraduate and four postgraduate dissertations, and have been an academic advisor for many undergraduate students. I have immensely enjoyed helping my students improve their confidence, knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of their studies, and essay writing skills, markedly. With my support, as well as their own hard work, many of my students have been able to make academic achievements they had previously thought themselves to be incapable of, and graduate with excellent degrees.

As a tutor, I have worked with individual students over a period of several months, a term, and even a full school year, helping them improve confidence and results in several subjects. I have also helped students revise in a structured, focused and productive way with only a few weeks to go before their exam. I have, finally, given students detailed advice with their coursework over several drafts.

My tutees have all given me extremely positive feedback, and told me how they and their teachers have noticed a substantial improvement in their performance in all of the subjects which I have helped them with. They have also told me that they enjoy, and even look forward to their sessions with me, which is always wonderful to hear! For my part, I enjoy teaching, and find the process of exploring ideas and helping students gain understanding, insight and confidence in their subject very rewarding.

Tutoring Approach

My approach is friendly and conversational, creating an atmosphere in which the student can feel excited and engaged in the learning process. Fundamental to my approach is the belief that in order to truly take something on board, you must not only understand it but must understand the reasons WHY, in order for an item of knowledge to become something that you own and can use. This ability to own and use the knowledge that you accumulate is critical for real learning.

Moreover, in order for a student to gain an appreciation of the reasons WHY something is the case, the learning process must be based on dialogue. My lessons are dialogues, in which the student's participation is just as active an important as my own. This means that by the end of a session the student has not only increase their knowledge and understanding of a subject, but their confidence in and enthusiasm for that subject as well. That my tutees find my lessons enjoyable, as well as informative and helpful, I believe is due in part to this dialogical technique which allows them to actively engage with their learning.

This said, I think it's important to treat each student as an individual with individual needs, so always tailor my delivery to each student and their specific circumstances. I negotiate and create an individual method that best suits each student, that is informed by their learning requirements as well as by my experience of tutoring.

Please note that if it will take me over half an hour to travel to your house, I may have to charge for the time and expense involved.