Alice

English Literature PhD student and experienced university tutor.

Basic info:
Zoom tutoring ✓
Tutoring in public spaces such as in Sneinton, Nottingham city centre, Sherwood, Mapperley and West and East Bridgford ✓
If you are not sure if I will tutor in your area, please ask!
Tutoring in private homes in the above areas ✓
Tutoring at my own home x
Education level: PhD (in progress)
Qualifications: Undergraduate degree, awarded First. MA, awarded Commendation.
Recent profession: PhD student and English Literature Postgraduate Teaching Associate

Hi, I'm Alice! I grew up in Birmingham but studied English Literature in Glasgow and Belfast, so I've had a very interesting and edifying time exploring different locations in the UK! However, it was great to return to my hometown and one of my greatest passions is engaging with new students and discussing literature and language characteristics. I have a first class degree in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, and a Masters degree (with Merit) in 'Poetry & Criticism' from Queen's University, Belfast. Further to this, I embarked on my critical PhD in Poetry & Criticism in 2018 with the University of Birmingham (environmentalism and contemporary poetics). (I am now in my sixth year). Relatedly, I also taught as part of the English in the World module at the university in 2022: contributing to a module for first year English Literature students. This module encompassed aspects such as Shakespeare, Shakespeare's impact upon the wider world, literature and human rights plus literature and technology. As a side-line, I am also keen on Film & TV and Cultural Studies, and I will use whatever resources available to me to enhance the experience of my students and rehabilitate alienated learners via myriad routes of literary and cultural engagement.

Please note:
I have a 100% 5 star rating from my students.

Tutoring Experience

I am passionate about English teaching and mentoring, and I have extensive experience both of private English Literature tutoring and delivering English tutelage in formal classroom settings (in standard education scenarios and for Higher Education settings). In 2017, I worked as an Academic Learning Mentor and Librarian at Joseph Chamberlain 6th Form College, in Highgate, Birmingham. I managed the college's Library and recommended literature to students, as well as offering ad hoc literature, language and creative writing workshops -- plus one-on-one tutoring to boost A level grades. I also worked (from April to July 2017) as a Teaching Assistant at Mansfield Green E-ACT Primary Academy in Aston, where I supported Years 3 and 5. Over this year, I gained a panoply of experience to support my original ambition of becoming an English teacher. I then revised this career plan to an intention to qualify as a postgraduate teaching associate with a critical PhD. I am comfortable teaching a variety of age groups and I also have experience teaching English as a foreign language to an adult learner in Spain (as part of an Au Pair placement in 2013). I am an experienced tutor on First Tutors.

Tutoring Approach

I believe that the teaching of English Literature can be massively enhanced by using a diverse variety of supportive literature, plus by responding sensitively to the passions, interests and personality of each student. I believe that teaching should be a two-way dialogue: that often, children who perform badly in English, or who feel apathetic toward the subject more generally, simply have not been helped to discover the literature which appeals to them. This method is the quickest and no doubt the most personally enjoyable conduit to acquiring fast-paced English skills in any setting. In addition, my tutoring is precise and target-based (using a steady but manageable stream of small homework tasks, with the added option of regular progress reports for parents). I expect all my students to leave my tutelage with an expanded vocabulary and a stronger grasp of elegant grammar usage. My students will also gain a renewed interest in English both as a school or university subject or as an extra-curricular pastime. Please do drop me a message to find out more!

Please note: Crosses next to my qualifications on the profile demonstrate that the company does not yet hold copies of my degree certificates. This is pending due to their being filed elsewhere and will be fixed ASAP. Thank you.