Kian M - Tutors - Keystone Tutors

I started tutoring Latin in my first year at university, and since then have branched out and covered a range of humanities subjects. Most of my tutoring is still Latin, but I enjoy teaching a range of subjects, and have specific experience with the following:

• Latin for beginners, common entrance, GCSE, A Level (OCR), and undergraduate level
• Ancient Greek GCSE (OCR) & A Level
• English Literature GCSE and A Level (OCR and AQA)
• English Language GCSE (OCR and AQA)
• English 11+ and 13+
• History GCSE and A Level (Edexcel)
• Politics A Level (Edexcel)
• Oxbridge Classics Applications

Besides these, I have prepared students for interviews and entrance exams. I have helped students with English entrance exams for sixth form entrance to Westminster and Magdalen College school, and I tutor students more regularly for Oxbridge applications for Classics and related disciplines, including personal statement advice and mock interviews.

I'm from the fine city of Norwich, where I went to Norwich School. I studied A Levels in Latin, History, and Politics, and achieved A*s in all three. I then went on to study Classics at Brasenose College, Oxford. I earned the title of scholar after my first set of exams, and ultimately graduated with a 2.1.

I started tutoring in my first year of university, and have continued to do so until now. But my time at university wasn't purely characterised by study. I also worked part-time as a walking tour guide, which allowed me to bring my love of history to life. And I took an active role in the drama scene, writing a number of plays, directing a few, and acting in one. I took two of my plays to the Edinburgh Fringe, both extremely enjoyable experiences. I continue to write, now mainly in other forms, mainly short stories and travel writing.

Since taking a year out to travel, I decided to re-enter education. I now continue my passion for languages by studying a Masters in Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS, where I'm learning Arabic and Turkish, and by my part-time work as a translator (Persian to English).

Each student has their own story and their own needs, so I think the most valued approach to tuition is flexibility and adaptability. I always make sure what I am doing is of use to the student, and will often ask if there is anything that they would rather I covered, or any areas they need more help with. Often, therefore, my lessons may use the student's homework as a starting point, and I will focus on helping them understand the tasks they've been set.

Of course, students aren't always sure themselves what their weaker areas are. When that happens, my approach is fundamentally practice oriented. I get the student to do as much as possible in a lesson, often giving them a chance to explain concepts to me. I approach a session like a dialogue, more in the style of an Oxbridge tutorial rather than a lesson in school. This approach is unparalleled for producing students who are confident not only in their set content but in engaging with new content.

I enjoy writing, which I mainly do through a blog covering travel stories. I also enjoy visual art, and like to pick up the paintbrushes from time to time, usually with disastrous consequences (bad paintings I mean, not accidentally poking out my eyeballs.) I read. I keep up to date with politics and international relations, partly because I do part-time work translating for a news agency.