Edmund Ben

Please don't hesitate to email with any questions you may have.

I am an ex-Head of English, with many years' experience of individual tutoring, both direct and online. I teach very successfully at all levels from Primary KS2,Common Entrance, through GCSE and A level (my particular specialisms) to University and Adult Learning.

I make learning fun as well as effective. I am both highly-qualified academically and sympathetic to learners' detailed needs. I am very skilled at solving educational problems with both children and adults.

I appreciate that building students' personal confidence as well as subject competence, is necessary for them to attain good grades. This view is grounded on the coaching of my own five children, one of whom recently achieved a first class degree and another three A*s at A level.

My love of language and literature is infectious. Helping students of all ages to a systematic and sympathetic approach to accurate reading and writing, and to the study of poetry, short stories, novels and plays is a particular strong point.

Friendly and outgoing, my ready sense of humour (and a wide range of stimulus materials) makes my lessons relaxed as well as focused. I am successfully teaching several 10 year olds at present as well as students of 19 and above. For the younger ones, I am good at keeping things simple as well as fun. I often split an hour lesson into two, since a five-minute break midway is often a great aid to concentration!

Tutoring Experience

My central subject areas are English Language, English Literature, and English Language and Literature. In these areas, I am very familiar with the GCSE AND A level syllabuses of most examination boards, including AQA, Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC. I am thoroughly versed in all all aspects of assessment.

I can offer special expertise in the following areas:

• Handwriting
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Proofreading
• Orals and pubic speaking
• Essay planning
• Writing in practical genres
• Reading programmes
• Multiple choice and other comprehensions
• Summary writing
• Linguistic analysis (e.g. of transcribed speech)
  
• Stylistic analysis
• Critical interpretation of poetry, novels and plays
• Dissertation planning
• Preparation for interviews
• Revision programmes
• Examination technique
• Study skills
• Filing work and paper management
• Drama (I have taught Theatre Studies A level)
• Managing moderate dyslexia and dyspraxia

Tutoring Approach

My love of language and literature is infectious. Helping students of all ages to a systematic and sympathetic approach to accurate reading and writing, and to the study of poetry, short stories, novels and plays is a particular strong point.

Friendly and outgoing, my ready sense of humour (and a wide range of stimulus materials) makes my lessons relaxed as well as focused. I am successfully teaching several 10 year olds at present as well as students of 19 or above. For the younger ones, I am good at keeping things simple as well as fun. I often split an hour lesson into two, since a five-minute break midway is often a great aid to concentration!

Whatever their age, my approach to coaching is closely tailored to each student's individual needs:

• An Initial review of exam and syllabus aims, and assessment of existing skill levels and knowledge base (often with input from school).

• A resulting list of key areas needing support.

• An agreed study plan, matched to any exam timescale. The study plan is flexible and student-centred, appropriate to the age of the pupil.

• Progress along this clear way forwards can then be regularly monitored, with constant feedback for both pupil and parents, often in a brief chat after each lesson.

In this way a student moves forwards confidently, in gradual stages, towards independent control of their own learning.

Marking of work, which can be emailed between lessons, is included in the lesson fee, and I make myself am available at all times for telephone or email consultation.