Sonja B

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

London School of Economics, Psychological and Behavioural Science

South Hampstead High School

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Love Learning Tutors

Primary & 11+

Common Entrance: 11+ English, Verbal Reasoning

GCSE: English Literature, English Language, Psychology, Economics, Religious Studies, History, Russian, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, French, Mathematics

A level/IB: English Literature, Psychology, Economics, EPQ

SKILLS

Certified Mental Health Peer Supporter

Competitive debater

Editing – opinion editor (and contributor) at LSE’s student newspaper

Languages: English (Native), Russian (Fluent), French (Conversational)

INTERESTS

Passionate about psychology, economics, and politics – elected President of LSE’s Psychology Society

Avid reader – co-founded and acted as Secretary of LSE’s Literature Society

Creative and personal writing – currently blogger for LSE Student Blog

Sports: Ballet (Above Grade 8 equivalent), Modern Dance (Grade 8 equivalent), Taekwondo (Green Belt)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Academic Tutor, South Hampstead High School

Tutored GCSE students in Religious Studies and English Literature

English as Foreign Language Teacher

700+ hours of teaching English as a second language to 7 students of different ages over Skype.

Designed a creative, less traditional way of teaching through focusing on applying basic grammar skills to reading comprehension, character analysis, and natural conversation, resulting in improved fluency.

Volunteering with Ukrainian refugees to teach them conversational English

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Some of my fondest memories of school centre around brilliant teachers – ones who took time to explain things to me in a patient and engaging manner, and ones who made me even more passionate about subjects I already loved by challenging me further.

Having been a tutor of English as a second language for over 5 years, I’ve found it really gratifying to be on the other side of this interaction. Being able to help students gain confidence by adapting my teaching style depending on their strengths and weaknesses was definitely the most rewarding aspect of the job!

As an older sister, I’ve also had lots of informal experience explaining concepts in a way that makes sense – whether through using analogies that my sister related to, or through giving simple, memorable examples. In tutoring, I take a similar approach, aiming to make my explanations as clear as possible, as well as focussing on exam technique and cultivating effective revision skills (using the insights I’ve gained from my psychology degree!).

Having recently finished school, I have first-hand experience of the stressful environment that goes along with exams so it’s important for me to put students at ease as well as giving them the skills they need to be proud of their accomplishments.