Yanan

My subject specialisms are Biology, Maths, Chemistry, and Chinese Mandarin. I also tutor combined sciences up to the GCSE level. I started tutoring in 2009, and have worked with over 100 students and had over 3000 hours of teaching.
I adopt a structured approach and provide individually tailored strategies to help tutees develop a productive framework for learning and exam preparation.

Having completed a BSc in Biomedical Sciences and 4 years of PhD research training in Medical Imaging (using MRI to assess cancer therapy), I developed a passion for science. I motivate students to appreciate the real-life application and impact of science. I encourage students to unravel the ‘so what?’ question, in the hope of expanding their interest and understanding of science.

As a native Mandarin speaker, I help learners enjoy the language not only theoretically but also from a cultural perspective. Examples include traditional customs, current or emerging cultural phenomena and conversational styles.

As a tutor, I aim to help the tutee:
• Fill knowledge gaps to build a solid foundation.
• Learn to
o build knowledge systematically;
o enjoy learning and problem-solving – making it fun and effective.
• Build confidence and independence.

In my spare time, I enjoy art and craft, Chinese calligraphy, cooking and reading.

If you are looking for a fun and productive learning experience, feel free to get in touch - I look forward to working with you!

Tutoring Experience

I have 15+ years of tutoring experience, with 100+ students aged from 4 to 18+ in the following subjects:

• Biology
o GCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), IGCSE (Edexcel), AS/A-level (AQA, Edexcel A Salters Nuffield / B, OCR A / B Salters)

• Chemistry
o GCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), IGCSE, AS/A-level (AQA, Edexcel, OCR A/B Salters, IB Diploma, Degree Foundation Level)

• Mandarin Chinese
o Beginner, GCSE (AQA, Edexcel), HSK 1 - 4

• Mathematics
o Primary, GCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR), IGCSE (Edexcel), AS/A-Level (AQA, Edexcel, OCR A)

• Combined Science
o Primary, GCSE, IGCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

• Reasoning (11+)
o Non-verbal reasoning (GL, CEM), verbal reasoning (GL)
o Candidates received offers from St Paul's for Girls, St Paul's School, St Paul's Girls' School, City of London School, City of London Schools for Girls, Godolphin and Latymer, Francis Holland School, Putney High School, Latymer Upper School, South Hampstead High School, Highgate School, Lady Eleanor Holles School, King's College School, Dulwich College, Haberdashers' Boys' School, Magdalen College School, Westminster School (13+), Winchester College (13+)

Tutoring Approach

For academic subjects -
• Explain key concepts following relevant syllabus.
• Guide tutee to understand, apply and reinforce key concepts via interactive example activities and question practice.
• Review topic-specific exam questions to build an effective and independent revision method and exam practice techniques.

For language (Chinese Mandarin) -
• Learn the phonetics and usage of Pinyin.
• Apply Pinyin to learn words and phrases by themes.
• Guide the tutee to develop an intuitive understanding of basic grammar and apply the knowledge to construct a sentence.
• Implement taught content via speaking and writing tasks during and after the lesson.
• Audio-record all lessons to facilitate independent revision and practice.