As a recent History graduate with experience of working in the British and Canadian Houses of

Parliament, I am well aware of the benefits of a good education. Good teaching has enabled me to

study at University College London, and afforded me excellent career opportunities in the world of

politics.

I believe education should be focused on instilling a pupil’s interest in the subject: I know firsthand

that pupils must be inspired by what they are learning: this is the most efficient method to

guarantee the best grades. Working towards an exam or completing coursework is far easier if you

are interested in your subject. In turn, being interested in your subject is far easier if you are inspired

by your teacher.

Preparation and authority in a subject is very important: Tutees can tell if their tutor is under

prepared. Equally, they can tell if their tutor is well-versed in the subject at hand. Enthusiasm will

often follow good preparation. A sense of structure is also important: inspiration and engagement is

good but each topic or module should receive the amount of time it deserves. After all, a pupil needs

a comprehensive understanding of a subject they are to be examined in. In order to follow these

basic guidelines, I ensure that I am well-read in the subject I am teaching: it is vitally important to

have a good understanding of secondary sources beyond the remit of the textbook. I am aware that

many tutees are time sensitive and maintain a regulated teaching schedule.

Pupils are naturally unique and respond different to a given stimulus. A significant part of being a

tutor is to understand the personality of those being taught.  I tailor my teaching methods to a

pupil’s way of thinking, to their strengths and weaknesses, and even to their attention span.  It is my

opinion that through being emotionally and intellectually sensitive to their pupils, the best tutors

will maintain a an excellent relationship and produce the best results. A visual learner won’t respond

to hours of lecturing and an oral learner won’t learn from a 500-page textbook. Flexible, tailored

tuition is the only route to real examination success. I prefer to engage in discussion with my

students rather than lecturing as this is the only style that encourages long-term intellectual

development.

Joe Greaney
Regency Tuition Tutor