James Willard

My lessons are structured around what each student needs, rather than following exactly the same format every time. I’ll usually begin by finding out what the student already understands and identifying the areas they are finding difficult. From there, we can work through the topic together using clear explanations, examples and questions.

I like to break complicated topics down into smaller, manageable parts rather than simply giving students the answer. Depending on the subject, this might involve explaining a concept, working through an example together, practising questions, or discussing how to approach an exam question. I’ll encourage students to try things themselves while being there to guide them when they get stuck.

For subjects such as History and Geography, lessons can include going through key events, concepts and case studies, developing understanding of cause and effect, and practising how to construct strong written answers. For Maths and Biology, I can focus more on understanding the underlying concepts, working through problems and identifying gaps in knowledge. By helping the students to find their own ways of understanding and remembering information, it brings longer lasting benefits than just trying to force knowledge into their brains.

I also have experience teaching salsa dancing, to large cohorts with wide ranges of abilities. This taught me the importance of adapting explanations when something isn’t immediately clear and making sure students are comfortable asking questions.

Most importantly, I want lessons to be friendly and low-pressure. Making mistakes is part of learning, and I’ll work with students to understand what they are struggling with and find an explanation or approach that works for them.