Roddy

Hello there,
I was a high school teacher of English & French for 25 years (1992-2016, and one year as English teacher in Belgium 1983-84 in a French-speaking school, in Wallonie, 30km South of Brussels.)
I have been tutoring- while I worked in high school, until now, 2025- for 15 years, with a great deal of success. I tutor in the student's home, or in libraries. I have 8 years as an EFL teacher in Hong Kong. As a result of studying the language, I speak also basic Cantonese.
I am a keen writer, Spoken Word Performer of poetry and drama, member of The Scottish Association of Writers, Federation of Writers Scotland. So I can help with any writing:-
discursive essay; personal-reflective; short story; poetry; novel-writing and drama; university dissertations, PhD theses, both undergraduate and post-grad, as I have proofread and edited both of these in the past.
I have fluent French, written and spoken.
PLEASE NOTE: weekly sessions are not totally necessary- so forthnightly, monthly, can also be arranged.

Tutoring Experience

As said above, I have tutored for 18
years. I have also been a writer since leaving university in 1984.
Testimonials are available from previous students and parents. I conduct regular meetings on Zoom or Google Teams for students. Also I attend students in their homes. I have also one EFL student ( at January 2025) whom I meet and tutor in Paisley Central Library.

I taught in 2 high schools in Highland Region Scotland, 4 in Hong Kong and many in the West of Scotland.

I have led writing workshops, have been in writing groups since 1985, have many examples of published work.

Tutoring Approach

I work 1 to 1 very well.
Zoom / Google Teams ( etc) Meetings ARE AVAILABLE.
I can however visit homes and conduct tutorials 1 to 1, depending on what students require.

Once I have identified areas of strength and weaknesses, I work on those areas which need most attention.

If you are a parent reading this, I have two children of my own, a young man of 31, and a daughter of 22. Both work full time.

Confidence-building is the most key thing I do. Most students lack confidence- and someone who listens very carefully to what they say! :)

Languages	English (British), French, Cantonese, Spanish, German, Filipino
Availability	Weekends, Weekdays (all times)
References Available	On File

Qualifications

Stirling University	1983	Bachelors	B A English & French
Strathclyde University, Glasgow	1993	PGCE	English & French Teacher
UWS Paisley Campus	2009	College	ECDL

Roddy's Feedback

Feedback	12
Published feedback	12
Unpublished feedback (Usually negative)	0

From Lynn

We had Roddy out three times. He pressured for more hours of tutoring and wanted to change the booked time 2 out of these 3 times. He also would sa... Read more ›

First of all, with the last tutorial I gave, I charged for one hour, but ended up working two hours, as Lynn's daughter was struggling to understand some very important but basic elements of the course.
I only changed the booked time once as a forced error on my part, for which I apologised. The other time was agreed, out of the 'three'… I have had a difference of opinion with my tutee's mother, and felt that there has been a considerable amount of pressure by txt, most of all long involved texts, which could have been discussed in the home. Also, the time was extremely limited,with a total of eight hours left of tutorial time, before the exam diet begins, and two major elements of the course have not even been touched on once: RUAE, and Critical Essay.
It was obvious to me, that there just was not enough time being given to tutorial, to allow these things to be addressed.
My manner is nothing if not approachable, communicative, and open. At no time have I been harsh in any way with either Lynn or her daughter.
Finally, the school has, in a most unfortunate turn of events, left her daughter in a very precarious position, without real support, as she has arrived last December from another education authority. Let me assure parents who read this, that I have done everything I could to help, and in an extremely small amount of time- three tutorials- I helped Lynn's daughter to complete a Folio piece, a short story, which is, as anyone would agree, a very difficult choice for Folio, and she has submitted this,on time.
If there is any I'll feeling on Lynn's part, I must say that I feel this could be in no small way, an expression of her deep frustration, in the way both education authorities have dealt with her daughter's situation. This has been a most unfortunate situation, and I am most sincerely sorry that she has felt the need to retaliate in this manner. Her daughter is an extremely nice and kind person. Perhaps a good long look at her own motivations would help Lynn to understand more, her frustration at the teaching establishment as it stands, currently.

First of all, with the last tutorial I gave, I charged for one hour, but ended up working two hours, as Lynn's daughter was struggling to understan... Read more ›

From Laura

Roddy is the ultimate professional and very focused on working with my son in a way that works for him. Roddy is serious about education, clearly p... Read more ›

From Lorna

Roddy has support my son through his English nat 5 and now his higher . I cannot praise him enough. His experience , knowledge of the curriculumn, ... Read more ›

Thank you so much Lorna!
That is so very kind.

From Alison

Absolute Pleasure Having Roddy Tutor My Daughter for her Nat 5 English in S4 she achieved a A in her Final Exams, Resulting in her being able to ta... Read more ›

Many thanks Alison for the kind words!
Caitlyn is a star. She deserves her Grade A, she worked really hard.

From Sarah

Where to start… I feel so lucky to have found Roddy as my personal tutor. I am at the beginning of my journey, and so far so good!
I am 37 an... Read more ›

Sarah, Merci Beaucoup! Très gentille!
Je suis si content de voir que tout va bien.
Santé!
Roddy.

View all 12 comments about Roddy ›

Rating from 2 references

Reliability

Trustworthiness

Professionalism

Subjects taught

First lesson is free!

English
Secondary	£25
GCSE	£35
A-Level	£45
University	£45
Casual Learner	£20

French
GCSE	£35
A-Level	£45
University	£45
Casual Learner	£20

Cantonese
Casual Learner	£20

English (Foreign Language)
Primary	£20
Secondary	£20
GCSE	£30
A-Level	£40
University	£45
Casual Learner	£20

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