I can prepare students for all Scottish and English exams (as well as the International Baccalaureate), up to the BA. I also have experience helping students work on their Post-Graduate dissertation, and have worked with adult students.
I exclusively teach online, using a mix of Skype (or any other video sharing service, such as FaceTime) and the online whiteboard BitPaper. We can work on grammar exercises, passages, and past papers on the whiteboard, and after the lesson, I will send you the pdf of what we did.
In particular, I offer:
- Grammar revisions with appropriate exercises
- Exam practice, from GCSE/Highers to Honours level
- Essay techniques
- Translation techniques
- Literary analyses of passages
- Unseen practice (translating from Greek/Latin into English)
- Prose composition practice (translating from English into Greek/Latin)
One of our best tutors! High-quality profile, qualifications verified and response guaranteed. Déborah will plan your first lesson with care.
I have worked as a part-time Classics tutor at Edinburgh University since 2005, teaching undergraduate students Latin and Greek (from beginners' level to Honour translation courses) as well as Ancient philosophy, literature and mythology.
After I graduated for my PhD in 2009, I set up as a private tutor and translator, working one-on-one with adults as well as school or university students preparing for their exams (National 5, GCSE, Highers, A Level and university Honours levels).
I also have experience with teaching groups, as I teach business French for several Language schools (Simon & Simon, Cactus, Capital Business Languages), and adult classes in Latin, Ancient Greek, French and Philosophy for Edinburgh Council's Adult Education Programme.
I have taught over a hundred students, several of those for several years (especially adult learners). I have turned around many students' results, often helping them earn As and A*s. I am incredibly proud of each of them, and often get a bit teary-eyed when they email me their results!
I am very well organised and reliable. I always spend a lot of time preparing lessons so I can be ready to answer unexpected questions! I am also very adaptable, and enjoy working with various types of people, who have different motivations for learning. Tailoring the content of the lessons to the needs and abilities of the student is something that I always try to centre my work on. I have always received extremely positive feedback (and excellent exam results when applicable) from my students, but I also take criticism very well and am quick to change the content or rhythm of my lessons when I see a certain approach is not working.
I have a Licence ès Lettres from the Sorbonne University, and an Msc and PhD in Classics from the University of Edinburgh. I teach Classics, Classical Studies, Latin, and Ancient Greek (as well as French and Philosophy) from complete beginners to post-grad students. I'm familiar with both the English and Scottish syllabus.
For school students, I like to work with Past Papers, both to focus on exam techniques, and to see what they are struggling with, so I can provide specific practice exercises. For university students and adult learners, I like to work from a grammar manual, using the exercises to work on specific grammar points, as well as practice translation techniques working from literary passages.
I specialise in explaining difficult grammar, and I use different techniques, such as colour-coding, word-building and grammar exercises.
Perfect! Très attentive, perspicace, sagace, savante.
Isabelle is a very sharp and astute student. She has a very clear idea of what she needs to work on, and is very goal-oriented. Working with her is very motivating and enjoyable.
Perfect! Jess had an excellent first session with Déborah and is already looking forward to the next one!
Jess is a very intelligent and hard-working student, and lovely to work with. Our first lesson was very productive, and I'm looking forward to working with her more!
Would highly recommend Deborah. We first used her for my eldest daughter who was studying Higher Latin as a crash course in 6th Year, and she had only ever done Latin for one year as a taster in 1st Year at High School. The studying was carried out face-to-face either in our home or at Deborah's. She got an 'A'. We used her again for her younger sister, exactly the same circumstances, although all the tuition was done online and my youngest daughter never met her face-to-face. Again she got an 'A'. Both girls enjoyed their time spent with Deborah and there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever, which both girls would confirm, that their achievements in Higher Latin would not have happened without Deborah's ongoing support. If you're thinking about using her, don't hesitate.
Deborah did a fantastic job of drawing out my kids, easing them out of their self-consciousness about speaking French, laid out a coherent structure, and assigned/covered prep work in-between sessions.
I wish I had started with her years earlier, she improved their French dramatically.
Deborah is a fantastic tutor, she helped me through my Latin A Level to get my predicted grade this summer. Her calm and thorough approach sets your mind completely at ease and allows you to make the logical steps needed towards your goal (in my case, translation). She is a genuinely lovely and kind person who will tailor the lesson to your needs completely and does so with assurance, never losing faith in your abilities. I genuinely couldn't recommend Deborah highly enough!
- Bea, a very grateful A level Student x
I had French lessons with Déborah over the last year and I thoroughly enjoyed them. She’s a very patient tutor and is always happy to adjust the lesson plans to suit her student’s needs. Déborah was also always happy to share any extra materials that could help with understanding of a subject. I highly recommend her!
Both girls feel confident and are full of praise for the solid knowledge that they gained from you. They both said that they feel that they actually understand Greek better so they do not panic if they get an unknown word or sentence as they can apply the principles that you taught them. We cannot thank you enough for all your help.
Aidan was so pleased with your session last night, we would be delighted to book you in for a weekly session if you agree?
Thank you for all your hard work and time spent with Imaan. It was pleasing to see her report card and the significant difference she made in her french from the start of the year until now.
Thank you so much for today's lesson. THANK YOU MORE for your continued time, efforts, support and patience while tutoring Oscar.
Please know we are very BLESSED to have crossed paths with you.
First of all, a huge thank you for the outstanding tutoring that you have proved in Latin and Greek.
On Friday, we received an e-mail from W. A. offering Abigail a sixth form place.
On Wednesday, we also received intimation from W. School that they are also offering Abigail a place. But more than that, as Westminster were so impressed with Abigail's entrance exam and interview performance, they have also offered her a Queen's Scholarship.
We are ever so grateful for all the help you have given both Issy and Jamie over the years; it has been so much appreciated and you are a very gifted tutor; thank you.
Wishing you every happiness and success.
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