Sadly, due to the coronavirus situation I have had to pause face to face tuition.
Don’t forget that I can offer online tuition if you would like to keep your studies going while schools remain closed. I am available during the day as well as some evening times and am happy to offer weekly or fortnightly lessons – just contact me for more details.
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A little combined history and grammar joke for Christmas!
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The reason I haven’t posted for quite some time is that I have been inundated by work!
Obviously I’m not complaining. Last year, in particular, was crazy and I ended up teaching every day of the week!
This year I have tried to be more sensible but it’s very hard to turn people away when I know that it’s not easy to find tutors in this area. This year I have quite a variety of students from the age of 8 up to 17 studying English Language and Literature, French and Latin. Proof reading hasn’t been quite so busy but I have spent any spare moments still working on the joint novel.
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Despite the reports that English grades have fallen this year, I am happy to report that my pupils have received good grades.
I haven’t heard from everyone yet so if you haven’t already contacted me to let me know your results – please do!
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Maybe this is how we should all be selling the notion of reading to youngsters??
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After all the excitement earlier in the week with the publication on Amazon Kindle of The Vispadjinn – the book which I have co-authored under the name Sherwood H Smith – it’s back down to earth now as pupils start to return after the summer break.
Just this week I have had 4 new pupils start and many more enquiries for later in the term. Once again this year there are many pupils wanting help towards the 11+ for Reading Boys. I notice that parents are seeking help earlier this year – by which I mean for years 5 or even 4, rather than year 6. It is good that parents are realising that improvements in English are built over time – it is not a matter of acquiring a body of knowledge.
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No apologies for recycling this post from earlier in the year. I am receiving quite a few 11+ enquiries at present so it’s very relevant.
Every year I receive many enquiries for 11+ tuition for Reading Boys. The exam includes papers in English, maths and verbal or non-verbal reasoning. I am always totally honest and tell people that I am trained to teach English but not maths. I actually did subsidiary maths at university ( we had to do a non humanities subject), but being able to do maths and teaching it can be two quite different things! VR and NVR both test intelligence and as such can really only be practised not taught. VR is helped by wide reading and general skills in English so can improve over time with tuition.
The level required and the competition for places seems to increase each year and so parents have to consider carefully their choice of tutor. Tutors who can offer both English and Maths are typically Primary school teachers who will not necessarily have taught at the level required for 11+ entrance. Secondary trained tutors will in general only offer 1 or 2 linked subjects – for example languages or sciences – not English and Maths.
This means that over the years I have turned away many pupils who ask for tuition in English and maths. This year for the first time I have agreed to ‘help’ with maths as well for a potential 11+ candidate. I have agreed with the parents that I will go through practice papers with him and we will continually monitor and reassess the situation. In the past it has been my experience that the level of maths in primary school pupils is fairly good and it is the level of English – particularly accuracy – that lets them down.
I’m hoping this will be the case and my maths skills prove more than adequate so I can stop turning away all these potential pupils!
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Every year I receive many enquiries for 11+ tuition for Reading Boys. The exam includes papers in English, maths and verbal or non-verbal reasoning. I am always totally honest and tell people that I am trained to teach English but not maths. I actually did subsidiary maths at university ( we had to do a non humanities subject), but being able to do maths and teaching it can be two quite different things! VR and NVR both test intelligence and as such can really only be practised not taught. VR is helped by wide reading and general skills in English so can improve over time with tuition.
The level required and the competition for places seems to increase each year and so parents have to consider carefully their choice of tutor. Tutors who can offer both English and Maths are typically Primary school teachers who will not necessarily have taught at the level required for 11+ entrance. Secondary trained tutors will in general only offer 1 or 2 linked subjects – for example languages or sciences – not English and Maths.
This means that over the years I have turned away many pupils who ask for tuition in English and maths. This year for the first time I have agreed to ‘help’ with maths as well for a potential 11+ candidate. I have agreed with the parents that I will go through practice papers with him and we will continually monitor and reassess the situation. In the past it has been my experience that the level of maths in primary school pupils is fairly good and it is the level of English – particularly accuracy – that lets them down.
I’m hoping this will be the case and my maths skills prove more than adequate so I can stop turning away all these potential pupils!
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Worried about your son or daughter missing lessons in their crucial GCSE/A level year? The snow need not be a problem.
Why not book a couple of Skype lessons with me? There is no obligation to sign up for a specific set of lessons or make a long-term commitment. Some pupils just require a couple of lessons to fill in material that they have missed at school due to weather closures or illness. Lessons can be tailor-made to suit your needs. Similarly, revision lessons can be arranged to focus on specific problem areas. I have experience with AQA and Edexcel GCSE English Language and English Literature. Skype lessons cost £25 per hour session and £13 for a half hour.
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Sue Smith Private Tuition 