Catherine

PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT CURRENTLY TAKING ON NEW STUDENTS!

Hello, I’m Catherine Clarke – usually known as Cat. I’m a friendly English tutor and corporate trainer working internationally online or in people’s homes or business premises in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, England area (corporate training further afield can be negotiated). I have over fifteen years’ experience of tutoring English and I have both Cert. Ed. and the Adult Literacy Subject Specialist qualification.

I work with adults and children, offering tailored lessons at a time to suit. Take a look below at the services I offer.

• GCSE / iGCSE English Language and Literature
• IELTS – improve your reading, writing, and speaking and listening scores
• Functional Skills at all levels
• Everyday English for beginners
• Business English – brush up on your vocabulary, learn to write better articles, reports, etc. and have an experienced eye proofread your work
• English conversation
• International Baccalaureate
• English for pre-GCSE children – prepare for SATS and practise the skills essential for future GCSE work
• Proofreading

In my years of teaching, I have worked with people with a variety of abilities, experiences – and fears. You can be confident that, with me, work is always negotiated and there’s never any such thing as a silly question! I will tailor classes to suit your needs, whether you’re just starting out, need to brush up on your study skills or are working towards a qualification. Evening sessions and Saturdays available.

My rate is £25 per hour for face-to-face teaching or £20 per hour for Skype / Zoom / Microsoft Teams, etc. sessions. Payment: cash, BACS or PayPal. Discounts available for block bookings.

I also teach small group GCSE Booster courses locally.

References available

Tutoring Experience

I have over fifteen years' experience of teaching both adults and children. I began in adult community education teaching everything from the basics of the alphabet to English GCSE equivalent qualifications (the National Test and Functional Skills). I also taught study skills and engaged in learner support, which enabled me to gain experience with people with a great variety of needs. Some of the organisations I worked for are Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service, Nottingham College, Derby Adult Learning Service and the WEA. After completing training in teaching the new GCSE, I began to work for myself, teaching GCSE, English as a second language and pre-GCSE skills / SATs / Common Entrance Exams with younger students.

Tutoring Approach

I teach both in students' own homes and online (£5 less than in-person rate).

I believe in tailoring lessons to meet students' needs. As I am not following a syllabus, I am able to be flexible and responsive. However, I can teach to a given syllabus, if required. I am always willing to amend my lesson plans, etc. if something urgent arises.

I am also aware that some students may be nervous about accessing English lessons so I try to be sensitive and empathetic. I love my job as I get to meet people from all over the world and with a wide range of life experiences. My aim is to help them to enjoy the lessons as much as I do!