My approach to teaching centres around patience, clarity and adapting the lesson to the individual student. One of the main advantages of one-to-one tuition is that there is no need to move on simply because the rest of a class is ready to do so. If a student needs more time on a particular idea, we can spend that time; equally, if they have understood something quickly, we can move on to more challenging material.
Where possible, I like to work through topics in a carefully structured progression, beginning with the underlying ideas and building towards the more difficult and exam-style questions. The resources I have developed over the years are particularly helpful here, as I can choose questions of an appropriate level and gradually increase the difficulty as the student progresses.
I’m also very happy to revisit topics as often as necessary. Understanding is more important than simply getting through material, and I would much rather spend additional time securing a topic properly than move on while there are still gaps.
I am also happy to push students if I feel they are capable of working at a higher level. Many students underestimate their own ability because the pace or style of their school lessons does not suit the way they learn, only to find that, once they begin one-to-one tuition, they are capable of much more than they had realised.
Finally, I strongly believe that the greatest progress usually comes when regular tuition is combined with some independent work between lessons. I am therefore happy to provide targeted practice or homework from my own resources, particularly where a student would benefit from consolidating a topic before the next lesson.
