Catriona Tollick

I graduated in 2024 with an MA from the University of Glasgow, and am currently studying for my MSc in Play Therapy at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Experience
I have 7 years of experience working with children as a Pupil Support Assistant for Fife Council as well as a TEFL Level 3 Qualification. I have worked with children of all abilities including those with behavioural or additional support needs. I have tutored high school students and adults both for SQA exams and UK Citizenship English Tests and have had excellent feedback from my students who all achieved their desired grades/results.
Methodology and Lesson Dynamics
I believe that it is best to get to know the student and their strengths and use these to help them improve their skills. I use a very relaxed approach where the student feels no pressure to get things right the first time, and I will try and help them build their confidence as well as teaching them the skills.
English as a Forgein Language
For adults looking to pass the UK Citizenship English test, I use the test as a baseline of what to cover. As these tests are based on common language usage, I tend to have a small lesson at the beginning of the session, and spend the rest of them time in conversation. Conversational practise is one of the best ways to improve language skills as it allows the student to use the context of the words they know, and hear how English sentences are built and phrased.
Conversations are also beneficial for children learning English, however depending on age and ability, I will use a range of language games to help improve their skills, while also making the sessions enjoyable and exciting.
Maths
Maths sessions will be very focussed on the students current school work, and what they feel they they would like to improve on. Many students struggle with maths because they have not been taught in a way that is easy for them to understand, and so I will aim to work with the student to find a method that works for them. Maths can be very frustrating and stressful when you don't understand it and so I think it is important to create a safe and relaxing environment where there is no pressure on the students, and they can work at their own pace to improve their skills.