GCSE/ A-level tutor available

[phoebepage]

Hi there, my names Phoebe and I’m a Cambridge undergraduate student, currently based in London and offering 1-2-1 tutoring to help prepare for CE, GCSE and A-level examinations. I'm patient, enthusiastic, and love working with students, helping them develop their ideas and hone the skills they already have. I speak fluent Spanish and am available to tutor History, English Language and Literature up to GCSE level, as well offering help with conversational Spanish up to A-level – especially helpful I hope with oral examinations fast approaching! I live in Wimbledon and am free to tutor at weekends as well as most days after school during the week. I look forward to hearing from you if you think my experience may be of help. Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to find out more. All the best, Phoebe

If you are at university then you won't be familiar with the new 1 - 9 specs for all the GCSEs. This means you won't be much help. The exam formats are vastly different from the ones you would have taken. What have you done to get up to speed with the English Language skill-set, for example?

It's "My name's."

Good spot.

Any answer to my questions ?

That’s very true, the 9-1 grading scale was introduced to better differentiate between the highest performing pupils but as far as I’m aware - speaking to current staff and fellow tutors - the skills and techniques that students will need in order to perform well has not changed. As to your earlier point about me not having sat exams under the new system myself, presumably by that standard any tutor who has taken exams before Summer 2017 ‘won’t be much help’ either? If you would like more information on the changes and how they may affect your child’s studies, the Gov.UK website provides an extensive report. I hope this helps. Best, Phoebe

You are wrong. The skill set in English Language, for example, is significantly different.

The A level specification for MFL A level has also changed as well. This year's cohort will the the first to sit the new reformed MFLs.

As to your earlier point about me not having sat exams under the new system myself, presumably by that standard any tutor who has taken exams before Summer 2017 ‘won’t be much help’ either?
Incorrect - most tutors who are still teaching in schools (or colleges) will have done training for the new assessments. Most tutors who are qualified teachers will have done training in curriculum design and how to prepare resources for new specifications rather than relying just on what they were taught themselves.

Interesting feedback, thank you. Is there a particular training course you have had good experience with?

The exam boards provide training for schools. Clearly you just don't know how these things work.

presumably by that standard any tutor who has taken exams before Summer 2017 ‘won’t be much help’ either?

Having taken the old (pre GCSE) 'O' Levels, 'A' Levels, BTEC Nationl Certificate, HNC and a couple of degree course and additionally having taught a variety of courses such as BTEC Level 3 and ECDL I probably can help.

Interesting feedback, thank you. Is there a particular training course you have had good experience with?

A PGCE perhaps? Also exam boards do good course specific short courses.

I live in Wimbledon and am free to tutor at weekends as well as most days after school during the week

But you are at Cambridge? Which College?

Okay thank you, I’ll have a look into those.

Yes - I’m living at home in Wimbledon at the moment because I’m taking a short break from studies but I’ll be back at Christ’s in October. Are you an alum or just curious?

I meant PGCE and CPD training.
The tutors association run short webinars for tutors but you may have to pay if you aren't a member.
Doing a TEFL type course may work for language students as this can provide more long term work over the Summer than GCSEs and A levels which finish exams by the end of June.
MFL oral exams for GCSEs and A levels have already started so may be too late for this year.