Thea

I have recently achieved a first class degree in Spanish and Arabic (MaHons) from the University of St Andrews. I have a passion for languages, travelling and exploring other cultures and will always encourage others to pursue modern languages in their school career and beyond. I also believe, however, that a good grounding in English will help students to excel in many other areas, both in and out with the classroom. I love to read and so have always enjoyed studying English literature and my background in modern languages ensures that I also have a firm grasp on and am able to explain fundamental grammar which some students struggle with. After undertaking a TEFL course and spending my year abroad as an English language assistant in Spain, I am also well qualified English as a foreign language tutor.

Tutoring Experience

Throughout my university career, I have tutored Nat 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher English and Spanish students, helping my students to achieve 2 grades above that predicted by their school. After obtaining my 120 hour TEFL certificate, I worked for a year as an English language assistant for both primary and high school students in Spain, during which time I also tutored students privately in English language, working with students as young as 6 years old up to adult learners requiring English tutoring for work purposes. I also have experience of working with children with additional support needs both in my capacity as a language assistant and during my time spent volunteering as a teaching assistant at the Isobel Mair School.

Tutoring Approach

In my experience, the best way to learn is by making mistakes and then talking through how to rectify them in a relaxed environment so I provide students with a lot of example questions and chat through them. This allows me to see where the student is having difficulty and tailor the sessions to focusing on these issues. I also enjoy using visual aids which I find help students who struggle with traditional classroom-based learning. To me, listening to the tutee is vital as they themselves know best where they are struggling. As I myself have gone through these CfE exams and have studied foreign language for many years, I have, through my own experience, found many invaluable learning resources and know which sites are helpful and which to avoid. I will also assign a small amount of homework each week to ensure that what has been covered in that week's session is being consolidated in the student's own time.