Abigail S.

• Cambridge, english
• London

Hello! I'm Abi and I've just graduated from Peterhouse, Cambridge with a BA Hons in English. I left school with 11 A*s at GCSE (inc. Maths, English and Science); 2A*s and an A at A-Level; and my final year dissertation on the Postmodern novel was selected to be made available for consultation in the English Faculty at Cambridge.

            My approach to tutoring is to provide the individual attention and support that can often be overlooked in large classrooms at school.      I always like to ensure that the student has set academic goals, and that they are aware of how each lesson is working towards those goals so that they always feel like there is a point to the work they are doing. In order to engage, particularly younger, students, I like to vary academic tasks to get my students to approach the subject in different ways.     Particularly for tutoring older students, I like to encourage learning that is not only by rote (though that is a necessary part of learning!) but an intellectual approach that is critical and questioning of information and ideas. When Romeo says, 'Juliet is the sun', how far can we push our analysis beyond the fact that Shakespeare has used a pretty metaphor here? I find that this makes students really sink their teeth into their work, enjoy the subject more, and engage at a much higher level necessary for those top grades.     Lastly, I like my students to know that no question is a stupid question! I am a patient and flexible individual and will always be happy to help a student work through or around a problem they are struggling with.

            I enjoy teaching, particularly on an individual basis, a have gained a lot of experience tutoring across a range of subjects and ages.      My first job was at Numberworks'n'Words, teaching English and Maths to students between 6-16. As a tutor there, I learnt how important it is to set clear goals, to mark work constructively and to tailor and adapt the teaching to each individual student's needs. I went on to tutor privately, teaching English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics up to GCSE level, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to work with students on a one-on-one basis.      Additionally, I have also been a mentor to students aged 15-18 who are considering applying to universities. Especially for Oxbridge applications, I have experience with giving personal statement advice, holding mock interviews and marking practice admissions tests and would be happy to provide this service in addition to subject tuition.

            In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, drawing and learning new languages - I received an intermediate Spanish qualification while at university and I hope to become fluent in a year or two.