Samantha

I have 2000+ hours of tutoring experience for the UK's premier tutoring agencies as well as residential appointments overseas.

I am also work as a writer and narrative designer for video games, and university lecturer teaching academic writing and interactive storytelling. I continue to tutor when I have spare capacity. I previously worked across journalism (BBC, Guardian, Politico) and theatre.

I specialize in study skills, exam preparation for English (Literature and Language) history, French and German. I also teach Oxbridge entrance for Law, Languages and English (LNAT, ELAT, MLAT). My specialism is teaching essay-writing from Key Stage 3-5 to PhD level and have had extraordinary results with students who have struggled to master this in school or with other tutors. I also specialize teaching postgraduate art history, theatre studies, and interactive media. I have EFL experience and am adept at supporting students whose native language is not English.

I pride myself on making tutoring enjoyable and inspiring for students of all ages. My preference is for teaching online. However, for older students (16+), I will teach out of suitable public locations in central London where possible. Younger students can be taught at my home office (I have appropriate DBS clearance for this) or at your home address if it has an SW postcode. This is exceptional however, and online lessons are the default.

I teach writing technique to PhD level and provide coaching, editing and proof-reading services for anyone writing for publication. Most of my students are GCSE level and above, but I also prepare exceptional younger children for entrance examinations such as 13+.

I studied law at the University of Oxford with legal studies at the Universities of Paris and Munich, and am fluent in French and German. On graduation, I worked as a corporate communications consultant, where I was responsible for training heads of organizations in writing and interview technique for international press and broadcast. My clients including the Royal Opera House, Girls' Schools Association, Prince's Teaching Institute, and the Government of Monaco,

On completing studies in journalism at City University, London, and intellectual history at Bard College, Berlin, I worked internationally as a freelance journalist, English teacher and translator. My work has appeared for the Guardian, BBC World Service, Bookforum, and the International Journal of Governance.

I was formerly art editor of Germany's leading English-language magazine and am a member of the German Federation of Journalists. I received my MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London in 2013 and was invited back to teach in 2016.

Tutoring Experience

2017-present
Lecturer in acadmic writing and interactive narrative design, University of London

2015-16
Residential placement in Moscow as English, French and homework tutor to two children, 10 and 13, preparing to enter the UK system

German tutor to 11 year-old preparing to enter German school system.

2014-14
Individual tuition in essay writing and exam technique; Graduate Diploma in Law (BPP Law School); LLB Law (London School of Economics); GCSE and iGCSE English Language and Literature; A/AS Level History (OCR, EDEXCEL) Common Entrance (13+) History, Geography, Religious Education (Eton); Key Stage 3 English and Mathematics; German for adults
Class tuition in English Language and Literature at Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A/AS Level

2012
Individual tuition in essay writing and exam technique; Bachelor of Laws (Birkbeck); PhD Economics (University of Manchester); AS Level History, Politics and Economics
EFL classes (various levels) at Oxford language schools

2010-11 EFL teacher, Berlin
EFL tuition to German BSc Business students, including IELTS preparation
Course leader, intensive EFL residentials for adults (intermediate and advanced)
Course tutor, Professional Legal English - mixed and in-company classes to leading Berlin Law firms
Individual English teaching to professional lawyers
In-school English language intensives for mixed classes of secondary school students

2009-11 EFL and English-German translation teacher, Berlin
Professional legal English specialist, providing in-company courses to leading German law firms; as well as in-school classes to German advocates, judges, notaries and law students
German-English translation classes for small groups of adults

2005-6

Oxbridge entrance mentor and tutor, providing mock interviews and feedback (Law, History and French)

2003-4 English teacher, Paris
Teaching English to French professionals, including secondary school English teachers

2002-3 Mentor to Oxford University Access and Target Schools students

Tutoring Approach

My approach benefits from years of experience as a private tutor and teacher of English as a foreign language, as well as my background as a publishing writer and communications professional.

Schools and universities increasingly focus on content without adequately preparing students to use their knowledge. As a tutor, I address this by focusing on skills training. I work with students to develop (and stick to!) manageable revision and coursework schedules. I take the stress out of the revision period by breaking it down into easy-to-follow stages, and provide students with a 'plan of attack' tailored to the syllabus and to the individual.

I encourage a passionate, confident and playful approach to learning, seeking out the point of entry that makes the subject come alive for each student. Combining supervised practice with creative challenges, I provide students with the tools needed to become independent thinkers, and promote healthy practices for lifelong learning. I have tutored students from both state and independent schools in the UK, including 13+, KS3, GCSE and A Level, as well as teaching at university level and mentoring students applying to UK universities.