Harrie

Experience

• GCSE Classical Greek

• GCSE Latin

• GCSE Italian

• GCSE RS

• A Level Classical Greek

• A Level Latin

• A Level Philosophy

• English as a Foreign Language (EFL)

I have experience both in classrooms and in 1:1 tuition. Universities I have taught at include: a foundational Latin course for the University of Leuven in Belgium, LUISS Guido Carli, The European University of Rome and the Rome University of Fine Arts. My clients have included a government-employed neurology professor, a ministerial economics advisor, a monseigneur in Vatican City, CEOs and one MP and minister in the Italian government. Overall I have about 5 years experience teaching in the British, American and Italian curricula. My experience with British students has mostly focused on GCSE and A level preparation. I have also taught the SAT exam, both maths and reading parts.

Biography

I grew up here in London and fell in love with linguistics as a teenager. I took A levels in Latin, Ancient Greek, Hebrew, RE and German and decided to attend Heythrop College, a specialist Philosophy and Theology College and Jesuit Seminary formerly based in Kensington. I graduated from there with first-class honours and with an elective focus on the scriptural Semitic languages; Aramaic and Quranic Arabic specifically. I then studied for a master's in Classics at UCL, an institution I had long admired for its international ethos, and submitted my thesis on the historical phonology of the ancestor of Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. I then decided to move country and lived for around three years in Rome (a beautiful city about which I still feel I have very much to learn indeed!). I taught English and Latin there to private students as well as at various universities and colleges.

Personal Approach

My teaching style focuses on cultivating a relaxed atmosphere while providing as much support and positive encouragement as possible; no subject is difficult if a teacher makes the student genuinely feel that it isn't difficult. In terms of my academic method, I make use of several mnemonic devices and techniques (such as the Anki program) that I have honed and developed in the course of my teaching career in order to optimise the learning process. With an accelerated pace of memorisation, students often see substantial progress in just a few lessons.

More than anything else the principal key to my student's success is, however, that teaching is my life's great passion and something which I genuinely enjoy. I constantly remind myself that my clients have taken the decision to hire me in order to achieve a specific goal; my students' achievement of that goal is, at the end of the day, my principle professional priority.

What I do when I am not tutoring

My main hobby is language learning (which is honestly actually where I get half my teaching ideas and methods from: I am a bit of my own didactic guinea pig). I am fluent in Italian and have a B2 knowledge of French, German and Spanish. I have also tried to study and sometimes struggle to make sense of Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek and Sanskrit (obscure I know but undoubtedly a very interesting language!). I also play (and often blunder and lose embarrassingly at) chess and having lived in Rome I am obligated to enjoy a good museum and art gallery.

Testimonials

''We were impressed by Harrie's vast knowledge and his ability to teach students with different educational backgrounds and knowledge of the Latin Language. One of his greatest assets is his ability to interact with people of all walks of life. He possesses the uncommon skill of providing genuine support to whoever requests it of him. His level of enthusiasm is also readily apparent within the classroom and through the direct guidance he provides to those who seek his assistance.'' (MA Theology student)

''Together with my colleagues, I was able to appreciate Harrie's excellent professional preparation, combined with his honesty and fairness. He carried out his duties with seriousness, always presenting himself with punctuality to the lessons and showing great attention to his students.'' (2nd year Economics student)

''An amazing teacher because in addition to his preparation for classes he has a great sense of humour which really helps you to learn. With Harrie, you will actually learn while never getting bored'' (1st year law student)

''Thanks to his excellent teaching I passed my exam with flying colours. Harrie is definitely an excellent teacher, very well prepared, attentive and very effective in transmitting his knowledge'' (Medical professional who had to sit an English test for work)