An experienced Dyslexia and ADHD specialist and English tutor for all age groups: primary, GCSE and university levels. Tutoring in Milton Keynes and online as well as all parts of the globe.

Find out more about David

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

  I developed an interest in teaching; especially working with students who may be struggling, when working for education institutes in Milton Keynes and seeing a sign which stated' If you have difficulty reading, please ask at reception. Due to this 'shock,' I enlisted in a university degree course to become a tutor and assessor of people with learning difficulties. On moving over to private tuition, I discovered that as an individual student, I could teach the pupil to their needs and how they learn. Since then, I have been honoured to see how my teaching has made such a positive improvement in their lives.

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

  The English language is an exciting subject for me as I enjoy seeing the confidence build in the student I am tutoring. Primarily, I teach English language and literature, from shortcuts to spellings to grammar requirements up to GCSE/IGCSE and university level. I enjoy discussing the forms of grammar and logically placing the student at the centre of the area of learning. If there is an area in which I am not a fan it is literature associated with Shakespeare; nevertheless, on countless occasions I have supported students studying GCSE, obtaining successful results.

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

  Two teachers inspired me to be a specialist private tutor.
  
  The first is my primary school teacher, Ms Moon, who showed that the first thing she did was to install confidence in the child before teaching.
  
  The second, Caroline Borwick, my tutor when attaining my dyslexia teaching degree, whose compassion and understanding of a person's difficulties made me realise that both are necessary for supporting students.

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

  The qualities required to be a good tutor; I already have.
  
  However, I continue to improve these qualities:
  
  · Impressive knowledge of the subject matter and continued professional development of curriculum and exam requirements.
  
  · Patience is one of the most important qualities, I possess.
  
  · Planning and organisation skills are imperative for keeping in order the students, and their tutorials and structuring the tuition.
  
  · Being flexible is essential as a private tutor. There are so many variables that might require a change of plans, such as cancellation of the session or working on something that the student needs, not already planned by me.
  
  · The way I communicate with the student is crucial, to assisting him/her in comprehending the teaching.

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

  A remark from a parent of an 11-year-old child some years ago, when thanking me, said 'You have taught …….. so that he will attain a higher level and met him as an equal'.

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

  The challenge facing me is with me all the time, explaining to some children's schoolteachers the strengths the child displays and getting them to accept this. However, I continue to do so with a smile on my face and a quick prayer.

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

  My passion is to encourage students to successfully learn the rules of the English language. I work on shortcuts to spelling, aiming to make all my teaching a multisensory way. I adore what I do and spend much of my free time teaching teachers in Uganda.

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

  As a consultant of over 30 years on learning difficulties, I am privileged to be asked on many occasions to tutor teachers both in the UK and abroad. It, therefore, provides me with the opportunity to identify the difficulties they experience with students.