Tinotenda G

I believe every learner is capable of achieving high grades, especially in this internet era. Sometimes students fall short because traditional schooling doesn't equip students with effective study methods they can explore. Traditional schooling cannot cater for the learning needs of each and every individual in a class. I initially try and expose learners to various study methods they can use, to help them identify which ones work best for them, even long after a tutor is done with them. I try to expose learners to methods such as flashcards and online flash card tools such as Anki, teaching concepts back to a tutor, Youtube videos, and active recall to name a few. I try and re-teach concepts students may have missed in class, from first principles in a fun and interactive ways. And after all the teaching is done I expose them to various questions, from textbooks, past papers and revision guides. Although past papers are an important study tool, I endeavour to clarify concepts, so that students can answer any question that comes their way in their final exams. Getting students to enjoy their subjects is also a bonus for me:).

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I tutored children from an underprivileged area, during some of my free weekends. I tutored science subjects mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Last year during my gap year, I started tutoring two children (one-on-one), in the same science subjects. I mainly tutored during weekends and holidays. I did sometimes give some homework for the week if this didn't clash with their school homework timetables.

I generally use the first lesson to understand which areas a student is weak in, and they would like to emphasise during our sessions. Prior to a lesson, I go through the subject and exam board syllabus to understand the learning objectives required of the students, by whichever exam board they use. (Syllabi may also vary slightly between years) I always prepare lesson plans in advance, and I emphasise on common misconceptions students encounter in particular topics, as examiners test these a lot. I endeavour to deliver interactive lessons, with a few problems to solve, to test a student's understanding. This is a general lesson plan I follow, but I ask students for feedback, so I know whether this method works for them or if they'd like to try something different. In some lessons, I ask students to teach a certain topic to me, to gauge whether they've understood a topic.

I am familiar with IGCSE, GCSE examination boards and A levels. I am open to being exposed to any other boards, as science is universal.

My most notable achievement has been a student I took on last year, over a six-week period (weekend only). We managed to raise her from a biology average of 40% to an examination mark of 66%, and a mathematics average of 42% to 57%. Her teachers were pleased with the notable improvement she made in this short period of time.