Mara

I graduated from the University of Cambridge with a high 2.i in Theology and Religious Studies and the Sheikh Zayed Prize for Islamic Philosophy (2005). I love history, philanthropy, cricket, current affairs, philosophy, politics, art, music, cooking, and my friends.

Tutoring Experience

I have been a private tutor for twenty years, teaching undergraduates, Oxford and Cambridge postgraduates, GCSE and A-Level students and immigrants from the Polish, Korean and Bengali community in the following subjects: English (Language/Literature; also SEN and as a foreign language), History, French, Latin, RE, Geography, Mathematics, Sciences - as well as supervising dissertations and preparing students for exams.
I worked as an English/Maths teacher in Shewula, Swaziland, teaching 73 AIDS orphans;
I have considerable experience as an EFL and IELTS teacher, particularly in running intensive two week courses for French exchange students. Additionally, having taught many students of different nationalities, I understand the challenges involved with coming to a new country, learning its language, its people and its culture.

Tutoring Approach

When someone requires a private tutor, they are obviously not getting what they need from their school or academic education. Firstly, working closely with the student, I assess their individual needs. Together, we work out a programme which is going to aid their concentration and ability to learn, and stick to that programme: I believe that structure is essential in order for any student to achieve. I provide out a series of lesson plans which are interesting, mentally rigorous and fun, and require that one assignment pertaining to the subject at hand be completed per week. I do not expect the student to progress at a particular rate, for that imposes undue pressure upon them to perform to a particular academic standard, causing stress and mental exhuastion - which is often the reason that they require additional tutoring in the first place. Finally - and perhaps most importantly - I am available to my students in a pastoral context; I believe that helping to dispel fears and anxieties, both latent and observable, are a key to academic success.