Helen - Twydall - Music

Methodology

I have been teaching English for over twelve years and have been a professional classical soprano for ten years. I have a lot of experience with C/D borderline pupils, dyslexic students, and those who really dislike English, all with success.

- Which subject(s) do you teach?

I teach English (GCSE, A level, and KS3) and most styles of singing (I specialise in Classical and Musical Theatre).

- Tell me about your qualifications.

Ba(hons) English Literature and Cultural History (First class)
QTS Secondary English
PGDip Classical Performance
PGA Classical Performance
MA Vocal Studies (Royal Academy of Music)
AdvDip Opera Studies (Royal Academy of Music)
LRAM Vocal teaching diploma

- How much do you charge?

£30 per hour
Discounts for siblings or double lessons can be negotiated

- Where do you teach?

I teach in the student's home, although I could teach from home in special circumstances.
I live in Medway and am willing to travel to Maidstone, some areas of Greenwich, Eltham, Dartford, Swanley, Tonbridge, Ashford, Chislehurst, and parts of Bromley.

- When are you available?

Evenings, weekends, and some weekday afternoons (not Thursday).

- Which ages and levels do you teach?

All ages for singing, although I prefer to teach ages 11 upwards.
I specialise in 11-16 English tuition, and can teach any age from 16 onwards for A level.

- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?

GCSE
A level
ABRSM and LAMDA singing examinations

- Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.

I can tutor for essay writing and university entrance exams remotely over Skype or just via email.

- Do you have a personal message for students?

I am friendly, honest, understanding, and try to make lessons as fun as possible. My aim is to help you to not only improve in order to pass exams but to enjoy the subject as a whole. With English, I want to enthuse you to enjoy reading and writing for its own sake and not just to pass an exam. Literacy for life is important and your skills should be transferable to many other areas of your learning and career, not simply one exam. I am passionate about English, Music, and learning in general, and hope to cater the lessons to the individual.

Experience

- What kind of experience do you have?

Twelve years English teaching experience
Ten years Singing teaching experience (individual)
Thirteen years Singing teaching experience (choral)

- Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate?

Yes

- Where and with whom did you train?

As a secondary school teacher, I completed a year on the Graduate Teacher Programme under Redcar and Cleveland council; only 11 candidates were selected to train "on the job" rather than completing a traditional PGCE. This meant that we were employed by a school as unqualified teachers and taught a full school year's worth of lessons rather than a few shorter placements.

As a singing teacher, I trained on the LRAM course while I was studying for my Masters degree at The Royal Academy of Music.

- Do you belong to any professional organisations?

NASUWT

- Tell me about some of your current students.

I am currently starting up again after maternity leave (I have two small children) so, as yet, I have no private pupils, However, before my first child was born, I was highly in demand as an English teacher and taught between ten and twenty private pupils each week for hour-long sessions.