Proofreading, essay writing support, preparations for Dissertation and larger projects, A Level and University Assignments

Find out more about Lue

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I have loved stories, both writing and reading them, since a young age. I love the way we are connected to other cultures and time periods through the stories we tell our children and each other. Since I started tutoring, I have wanted to do more than simply teach grammar and the english syllabus. I want to share my passion for literature, film, drama and poetry. I think it's a pleasure that is innately human. It builds bridges and teaches empathy. When you find the right book, it is just the best thing and I really believe there is the right book for everyone.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I find the best way to learn English is through each student's personal tastes. I am always excited to learn new things and work with my student's to develop lessons that reflect their interests. The topics I have used to teach both English language and literature have included: science fiction, anime, fantasy, horror, romance, young adult fiction, vampires, sports, science, environmentalism, film, food/cooking, travel, new technology, fashion, history, geography, music, feminism, business.
  The topics we tend to cover include: characterisation, story structure, literary techniques, understanding context, genre, form/medium, creative writing, comprehending texts, compare and contrast, persuasive writing, exam preparation/techniques, mark schemes.
  
  For English learners, we also cover grammar (this reflects the level the learner is at), reading, writing and presentations. Though I design this around their interests and needs.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I have lots of authors and film directors that I admire: Angela Carter, Paul Auster, Akwaeke Emezi, Ottesha Moshfegh, Philip K. Dick, Greta Gerwig, Ridley Scott, Guilermo Del Toro - I could go on.
  
  I had incredible English teachers at my school. They taught me how life changing books can be, and guided me through story after story. I definitely look up to them.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Offering something that a student's school teacher can't. I think there is something unique about working 1-1 with a student and I think that it's so important to design lessons that work with their learning style, as well as their interests. Each student has different needs and a good tutor knows how to adapt to these. I also think that kindness is important too. Students often feel embarrassed about needing a tutor or about struggling with a subject. I like to listen to their concerns and build their confidence - I've found that students tend to be much better at English than they realise and their main obstacle is gaining confidence. I like to work in conjunction with their teachers at school, offering something that adds to their learning experience (rather than competing with their current teacher).
  
  I think a lot of this is also true for adult learners: trying different teaching styles, working with their needs and lifestyle, and building confidence.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was in primary school I struggled academically. I found it hard to focus in class (since I wanted to be running around outside), until one day we began studying Greek Mythology. I found the stories so engaging and interesting that I enjoyed going to school more and more, just to hear about these gods, goddesses and heroes. I started excelling in my English classes because of this passion, which then spread to my other classes. By the time I took my GCSE exams years later, I received 9 A*s and 1 A. If I hadn't had that one teacher or if I hadn't found that one story that really grabbed me, I might never have done so well at school. This is something I have witnessed time and time again in my students over the years. Often they come to me failing English and then by the time they sit their exams, it's their best exam result!

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I went to a state school in a poorer area of London and although I got into a Russell Group university for my Bachelor's, I was incredibly out of place among the other students who all came from the best schools in the country. The first term of my BA I thought that I had made a horrible mistake, I thought that I wasn't as smart as the other students. But by my second term I realised that the other student's weren't smarter than me, they'd just had extra help at school. Once I got used to the rhythm of university, I soon found myself debating in seminars as confidently as anyone else. In fact, I went on to do a Master's in Literature!

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I am particularly passionate about creative writing and have written two full length novels. Creative writing is something I like to do with my students and which they tend to really enjoy. It allows for them to play around with words and characters, themes and meaning, and to understand how stories are built from the inside. These are always my favourite lessons.
  
  However, I also love teaching film, science fiction/fantasy fiction and science subjects (for example, climate change).

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I really care about my students. Not just how they excel in their studies but also about how they are coping outside of their studies. If they are teenagers, I want to help them feel confident and passionate in other areas of their life - It's scary and strange being a teenager! If they are adults, I like to find ways to support their hobbies, passions and interests - adapting our lesson's to suit their needs. Afterall, adult learners often have to juggle work and parenting alongside their studies, so I want the time we spend in lessons to be as valuable as possible.