Information About Oliver - Knightsbridge teacher -

(26 reviews)

Personal Description:

Hello!

I am a recent graduate from Cambridge University, where I studied French, Spanish and Latin. I am a very strong linguist and writer, from a family of linguists, who enjoys engaging with students and working out the best way for them to understand new ideas (and have a good time doing so).

I am well travelled and I spend a lot of time with friends who aren't English (particularly French) so I know what it's like to learn a language not just at school but in the real world: by listening, concentrating, building confidence, and speaking.

I have always had an impeccable academic record (for example: 2 major scholarships to Charterhouse, 11 A*s at GCSE, 4 high A*s at A-Level) and I have a sound understanding of the various syllabuses. Something else important which sets me apart from the crowd is the fact that I have always known how to play exams and get good results. This is a knack which not everyone has!

It's not always about exams - some people want to learn languages to be able to speak them rather than just to get a certificate. I can help here too, with a flexible, personalised approach. In this scenario we would be free to focus on specific weaknesses and learn through interesting media.

Latin is a bit of an exception, obviously… Very few people can actually speak it!

Please do get in touch with me.

Teaching Experience:

I have hundreds of hours' experience tutoring students at GCSE, AS, A-Level and beyond, in English, French, Spanish and Latin. I have also taught Latin as an after-school activity for primary age children (7-11), and have tutored others of a similar age in a more general capacity. In addition, I have coached for entrance exams and interviews, and taught English as a foreign language: all in all, a wide range of student ages and teaching remits. Those whom I have taught have always been extremely happy with my services.

Teaching Approach:

I love language and I try to pass this on at all levels. Students often seem to lack self-confidence in their approach to languages, and this is somewhere I am able to help. It could be a young student struggling to get to grips with GCSE Spanish listening, or an A-Level or higher student who needs help making his or her analysis of Virgil's Aeneid more sophisticated and informed. I relish every point along this spectrum.

It is, of course, essential to review past papers and study the specific requirements for a given exam; however, this is not everything, and I believe that there are some more general principles which help across the board. For example, writing technique (essay structure and argument, for example) is an essential tool not limited to a particular section of a particular paper. Another importan**Contact Detail Removed**ment of language study is translation, a skill which is often overlooked but which I believe is one of the best ways to improve every aspect of competence.

If the teaching is not academic - that is to say - not for a specific exam, my approach is slightly different: more free, more flexible, more fun! It would depend on the student and their tastes, aims, strengths, etc.

My cancellation policy is as follows: if a student cancels a lesson within 24 hours, 50% of the lesson is due to be paid; if within 3 hours, the full fee is due.