Not just with their homework, or carrying their groceries, or making a phone call, but helping to boost their sense of self worth by being a cheerleader; not through false flattery or adulation, but in convincing them that through hard work, focus and determination, they can conquer whatever difficulties hold them back at improving their skills in whatever they set out to do. This helps me in my teaching process - there is not one mold of teaching that fits everyone...it's important to be flexible in your teaching style without losing the underlying pedagogy of the subject matter. I have a great ear for languages and know four fluently, with another two at a basic level. Once you know one language, it's easier to learn another, once you start understanding the underlying rules of grammar that link all languages. I've also traveled a lot, and have lived for chunks of time in most of the countries whose language I speak. Language is not only a form of communication, it's about culture. That understanding of culture I could bring to the student I'm tutoring, to give them more depth of knowledge of the language. I've also been trained in the idiomatic pronunciation (diction) of these languages (I'm an opera singer) so I would be able to help the student pronounce the words with a more native-sounding accent. Finally, I've been teaching voice for many years and have worked with many types of students over that time, from all ages and backgrounds. This has given me a lot of experience that would transfer well to my tutoring. I look forward to working with Varsity pupils!

Singing, traveling, listening to music, reading, outdoors, sports, going to concerts, politics, languages