Information about Simone - Muswellbrook tutor

Personal Description:

Author and blogger, with three published novels and a fourth due in 2018. Currently working part-time as an AIN, but have staunch legal background. I worked as a paralegal and much of my work included drafting correspondence to counsel, clients, and various government agencies. I have impeccable spelling and punctuation skills.

I have recently trained to assist in adult literacy.

My mid-twenties crisis saw me completing pre-admission English literature at Sydney University, and I have undergone many creative writing courses over the years.

Tuition Experience:

I currently tutor three local school children from different families. Their ages range from six years to fifteen years.
I have lectured in creative writing at the U3A.
I occasionally give talks on creative writing.

Tutoring Approach:

I have the student read to me, or show me an example of their work at school in order to ascertain strengths and weaknesses. I also ask the parent/carer where they feel the student might be lacking. I bring along an article of interest (eg, animals) for child to read and answer set comprehension questions. As well as brief articles, I have student read a story or article, and I point out the different punctuation and why it used thus. I compare punctuation to the special effects in a movie in that it makes the scene 'come alive' and helps the reader create a picture in his or her own imagination.
I have a list of spelling rules and mnemonics to assist the child to learn, and some exercises in grammar and punctuation. I try to make the sentences fun for the child.
With older students, I have them read a passage and identify the clauses, phrases, metaphors, and other 'quirks' of English.
I am also able to assist in literary themes and imagery, if the potential student is studying a text in high school English.