Charles

I am an experienced tutor in Latin, Ancient Greek and English as well as an author and lecturer on literary and historical topics. I graduated with a first-class degree in Modern Languages from Hertford College, Oxford, where I founded the De Vere Society.

Tutoring Experience

In addition to my ten years as a private tutor, I have spent six years lecturing on Shakespeare in North America, becoming president of the Shakespeare Oxford Society in 1995. Venues there included Harvard, Yale, M.I.T., the Smithsonian, the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. On my return to England I spent two years as literary assistant to the poet and philosopher Nicholas Hagger at Otley Hall in Suffolk. I am co-founder of the Shakespeare Academy, a vice-president of the Royal Stuart Society, and was a trustee of the Shakespearean Authorship Trust for 25 years (1986-2011). In addition to lecturing at schools and colleges in the UK, I was on the Speakers’ Directory of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) for 10 years. My publications include Nell Gwyn: A Biography (Macmillan, 2005), Shakespeare’s Lost Kingdom (Grove, 2010) and Piano Man: A Life of John Ogdon (Simon & Schuster, 2014). I am currently writing a book on the psychology of Shakespeare entitled The Crown of Fire. In addition to my writing projects, I am currently tutoring for Gwynne Teaching as well as taking on pupils under the banner of my own agency, De Vere Tutors.

Tutoring Approach

In Latin and Greek most of my work involves preparing students for 13+ Common Entrance (all levels plus Scholarship). I also work with students at a higher level (GCSE and ‘A’ Level). My teaching is based on the philosophy of a rigorous grounding in grammar, which enables the student to develop an active grasp of the language, including translation from English into the Classical languages.

I try to make the lessons as interesting as possible by introducing students to Greek and Roman history and mythology, so that they have a basic understanding of the culture of these two great civilisations. I also aim to inspire them with a love of the tremendously rich literature written in both languages.

In English I teach students of all ages, from prep school to mature students, and focus on instilling a strong understanding of the grammatical and lexical foundations of our language as the basis of better, more expressive writing and greater enjoyment and comprehension of literature. Teaching students how to write well-structured, well-argued essays is an essential element of this approach. I particularly enjoy introducing students to Shakespeare’s plays and poems.

Many students come to me wanting to write and speak better English and learn the essentials of English grammar. Here, as elsewhere, I am happy to tailor courses to the individual’s particular needs.