John

Highly experienced English teacher offers face-to-face or online tuition for ages 10-18 (Ukiset, ISEB Common Entrance & leading HK/UK boarding schools entry, IGCSE, A'Levels, IB Diploma, IELTS & Duolingo)

Who I am:

I left my hometown of Manchester, England in 1990 to join the Japanese government’s Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. I spent over a decade in Japanese middle and high schools, teaching English as a Foreign Language and later taught Business English and English Conversation (英会話) to adults.

I came to Hong Kong in 2001 and first taught phonics in local primary schools, then taught local and Mainland children at AMG, a famous tuition centre in Central. I see my teaching role as promoting learner independence as well as understanding between all cultures and traditions through the medium of English.


How I Teach:

I reach learners at whatever level they are at, seeing their strengths as well as their weaknesses, then fill in any gaps in understanding and knowledge. Students learn best when they are supported and treated as individuals, non-judgementally, and with patience and empathy. My learners feel supported and grow in the confidence that comes from meeting the goals they have set themselves.

I research each language skill and literature text students study at school. I help students understand the specific historical and cultural contexts of literary texts, suggesting how works relate to students, personally, here and now. After lessons, I challenge students to use their new skills and knowledge to tackle challenges ‘on their own’. I make materials tailored to students’ needs and backgrounds, teaching empathy and understanding of global issues and human diversity. I ask learners to actively think about their world and their place in it.

I specialise in teaching children from aged 8-18 English as a First, Second and Language, as well English Literature. I believe that you can only give what you actually have, and I possess a deep love of stories, both real and fictional, as well as English language poetry and drama, all of which I endeavour to pass to my students. Clear writing is essential, and I specialize in teaching how to structure more elegant, coherent essays and stories. All good writing comes from reading good role models; after showing students what makes great writing, I challenge them to produce good writing themselves.

About Me:

From 2001until 2023 I was a senior tutor at AMG Ltd. in Language and Literature for students aged 8-18, where I taught UKISET, IDAT, ISEB 11+ and 13+, SSAT, (I)GCSE, HKDSE, IB, SAT, NAPLAN, IELTS, LSAT and many other Australian and Canadian curricula. I gained extensive experience in successfully helping prepare students to enter top British private schools, including scholarships for Benenden, Eton, Harrow, Winchester and Wycombe Abbey, as well as schools and universities in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. I have helped a generation of young Hong Kongers reach the schools of their dreams through drafting clear, accurate personal statements.

In my first lessons, I learn what the student enjoys reading and their level of comprehension so I can supply interesting, relevant lessons in which they will learn more vocabulary and how to analyse a text. I also help students develop their creative writing through structured prompts and clear models.

For older students I focus on essay techniques and literary techniques, including how to analyse language and structure in texts. For those students preparing for IELTS, we cover all the areas of the examination looking at past papers and best practice.