Cicely

I have recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Chinese Studies. I speak English, Spanish and Mandarin and have lived in Taipei and travelled extensively across Mainland China. I am a friendly and enthusiastic teacher and look forward to working with you!

Tutoring Experience

I have experience tutoring a variety of age ranges and levels. I have worked as a private tutor teaching English language and literature to students in Hong Kong for a year. I also have experience tutoring primary and secondary school students in the UK across a variety of subjects.

Tutoring Approach

I always adapt my teaching styles to the needs of the student and feel it is important for students to communicate their needs and what methods work for them: tutoring is a collaborative effort and it is crucial that the student feels supported. I constantly remind my students to ask questions or for further explanations when they are not sure about an idea. Lots of my sessions are discussion-based and I always encourage my students to offer their own opinions and ideas, which helps them to build confidence and trust in their own abilities; this translates particularly well into speaking and writing. I am a big believer in the power of reading as a way of learning and always encourage my students to read outside of classes, particularly in the digital age where our attention spans are so dominated by our phones and media. I believe reading inspires imagination, creativity and further fluency in the language.