Alexander

(NB: Block discount available.) I'm friendly, supportive and results-focused. Educated at Oxford, Yale and UCL, I'm a career academic (PhD etc.) specializing in developing students' essay technique and arguments across a wide range of content. My specialist subject backgrounds are in History and Classical Civ.; I have strong additional interests in RS, Sociology and Psychology through my research; and I have a long-standing interest in English Literature, which I have recently begun tutoring as well.

I'm an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with excellent student feedback. I took my PhD at University College London. My first degree was a Double First from Oxford and I also spent a year at Yale pursuing research as a Fulbright Scholar. I received a major essay prize from the University of London. In my professional life, I publish and lecture internationally while running an academic research centre.

I live and breathe the skills of academic writing every day, and I take pleasure in helping students to transform their own work by learning how best to develop and articulate their thoughts.

On a very practical note, for those who will be paying my fee, I offer a reduced block booking rate of £50 per hour on bookings of 6 hours or more.

Tutoring Experience

AS & A Level (UK & International), IB & OIB
The majority of my private tuition is for students at various ability levels who are working towards university. I have tutored students taking a wide range of UK-based AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC modules; students abroad taking Cambridge International modules; and a mix of IB + French OIB modules at international schools. I cover History and Classical Civilization, going from Ancient Greece to the twentieth century, and also English Literature, RS, Sociology and Psychology. (I have also covered IB Geography along the way.)

The great majority of my tutees see a measurable improvement in their work, often turning Cs and Bs into A/A* grades, with a direct effect on university entrance prospects.

Because of my academic experience, I know what kinds of intellectual skills a university is looking for. So in addition to helping a tutee to get the grades they need, I'm frequently told by parents or tutees, later on, that the skills I helped to hone are continuing to pay off further down the line.

University
I have several years' teaching experience at university level. Besides my current role, I've previously taught as a Lecturer in the University of Birmingham, at first-year through to MA level. I've also taught university courses at various levels (again from first-year to MA) in history and classics at Yale, UCL, Royal Holloway, St Mary's University College and Roehampton University.

I tutor university students in History, Classical Civilization, English Literature, RS, Sociology and Psychology if there is no conflict of interest with my professional role. These enquiries sometimes come at a relatively late stage but it's usually possible, with shared commitment, to improve on the level of work significantly. The sooner I'm involved, the more I can do. Please note, though: this is an ethical service and I don't sell essay drafts or plans. University students have occasionally asked me to ghost write their work, which is not what I do. The point of good tutoring is to help a student think and plan and write for themselves!

Subject background
History and Classical Civ. are my original disciplines but I have developed an advanced professional interest in the contribution that RS, Sociology and Psychology can make to research and writing. As a result of this interest, I've been absorbing a lot of religious/philosophical and social science subject matter in recent years, applying this material in my own work as an academic and tutoring across all these disciplines very happily. I also have a long-standing interest in English Literature (one of my A Levels), which I have maintained over the years and for which I've recently begun to tutor.

GCSE / IGCSE
I occasionally tutor at this level, which I also enjoy, if I'm available.

Tutoring Approach

I focus from the beginning on helping students to understand exactly what's expected of them by an exam board in order to get the grades they're aiming for. I cut through the mystery of how to answer questions and get straight to the heart of the skills and essay techniques that students need to have.

The main ingredients in strong written work are a mix of clear argument, supported by good structure, with effective use of evidence and scholarship, and good writing. My tutoring focuses on helping students to maximize these skills.

I do not aim to replace classroom teaching or private study but to add value. This usually focuses on close examination of a student's written work, to provide much more detailed feedback than you can typically get through school or university. Ideally, a student will prepare a series of pieces of written work for a series of tutorials, or alternatively send work that they've done for a teacher, and I will have an in-depth discussion with the student about each piece. As the tutorials unfold, a student can implement new techniques and ideas, and see the improvement for themselves, and we can build and hone different areas as the individual student needs.

Sometimes, I might agree with a teacher's advice but provide a level of support in getting there that a teacher doesn't have the time for. On other occasions, I find myself helping students to move beyond some fairly basic techniques they've been given, and to find more effective ways of structuring their work. Whatever the case, I will always offer my own view, from my own experience, so that the tutee has my input as an independent, supportive, expert guide.

The vast majority of a student's marks will come from written work - and being able to articulate oneself effectively in writing is a powerful skill for life. Please note, though, as I mentioned earlier: this is an ethical service and I don't sell essay drafts or plans. The point of good tutoring is to help a student think and plan and write for themselves!

I'm available to teach via Skype, WhatsApp and Meet.