Richard - Handforth - Music

Methodology

As an educator in both Music and English language, I have already enjoyed a colourful career working overseas and in the UK for a variety of top institutions, including The British Council.

- Which subject(s) do you teach?

I teach Classical, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Music Theory, Music Composition, General Music at key stage 3 and GCSE, English as a Foreign language (EFL), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English as an Additional Language (EAL), English Key stage 3 and GCSE.

- Tell me about your qualifications.

I have a Bachelor of Music with Honours - BMus(Hons) from Birmingham Conservatoire and a PGCE in Secondary Education from the University of Central England with a specialism in Music. Regarding English teaching qualifications, I have a Trinity TESOL certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and the Cambridge DELTA. (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults).

- How much do you charge?

My flat fee is £25 per hour for English / EFL tutoring and £28 per hour for Music related tutoring.

Travel costs are negotiable if applicable, I allow pupils to pay either lesson by lesson, monthly or in blocks.

I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. There is no charge for cancelling if you do so with more than 24 hours notice.

- Where do you teach?

I live in Bramhall, Stockport but I teach all over Manchester, Stockport, and Cheshire East. This includes Bramhall, Poynton, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Heald Green, Hazel Grove, Didsbury, Burnage, Altringham, Wilmslow, Alderly Edge, Knutsford, Congleton, Prestbury, Disley, Bollington, Macclesfield, Whaley Bridge, Marple, central, South and North Manchester.

Because I am very talented in logistics, I can often avoid passing on travel costs by visiting a number of students in an area on the same day.

I also teach at home.

- When are you available?

I work a flexible schedule, so I am open to enquires regarding any times and days of the week.

- Which ages and levels do you teach?

All ages and levels are most welcome.

- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?

In Music: ABRSM, Trinity, RGT and Rock School Exams

In English: GCSE, Cambridge FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS, TOEFL and GMAT (Verbal)

- Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.

Online Students are most welcome, I have a lot of faith in this method of learning. Webcam is optional. I can take payments via Paypal.

- Do you have a personal message for students?

If you are looking for a friendly but serious teacher who believes in meeting goals, aims and targets then I will be really pleased to hear from you.

Experience

- What kind of experience do you have?

Over the past 13 years, I have worked in English language teaching in various countries in Asia, North Africa and Europe, this has included 5 years with The British Council working as a teacher and coordinator. I have also worked as a teacher trainer, delivering training courses in Morocco and Poland. Here in the UK, I have worked as an in-sourced music and supply teacher in numerous schools in both Birmingham and Manchester and I have worked on pre-sessional courses at Manchester University, delivering academic skills programs. Finally, throughout my working life, I have taught music privately and tutored in my different subjects.

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

Yes I do, I have a fully enhanced CRB certificate from Manchester City Council.

- Where and with whom did you train?

At Birmingham Conservatoire: my classical guitar teachers were Simon Dinnegan and Craig Ogden and my composition teachers were John Mayor, Mark Lockett and Andrew Downes.

Both of my EFL qualifications were taken in Spain through British Institutions.

- Do you belong to any professional organisations?

I belong to the General Teaching Council (GTC), the Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT,) and the Performing Rights Society (PRS).

- Tell me about some of your current students.

I have a wide range of students of all ages and backgrounds, and they are all great!