Fully qualified Economics teacher and examiner with over 25 years teaching experience. A level, IB, Cambridge International A level, GCSE and Pre-U expertise. Tailored interactive sessions.

Find out more about Elisabeth

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I have been studying Economics for over 40 years having developed a keen interest in my teenage years. I went on to study it at university and work as an Economist for 20 years both abroad and in the UK. I re-trained as a teacher mid-career in order to fit in with my children so I feel that I have lived my subject as well as studied it! After having been a classroom teacher for many years, it is a different but equally rewarding experience to work with students on a one-to-one basis. Private tutoring allows the student to ask questions which they might not be comfortable asking in a classroom environment.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Economics is a great subject for really getting access to understanding society and the problems faced by individuals and governments. Everybody would benefit from some level of understanding about how the economy works and how it affects our lives. I really enjoy de-mystifying the so-called `adult’ world for students. I place great emphasis on making theoretical economics relevant to everyday news and ensuring that students are able to apply economic theory. Sometimes we have to deal with difficult topics in this subject such as poverty and inequality which do not always have easy answers.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I admire Economist who are able to make the subject thoroughly accessible despite the complexity of some of the issues. In this respect I am a great admirer of Professor Diane Coyle who has done so much to develop understanding of aspects of the modern economy.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor needs to be complementary to the work of the classroom teacher and provide reinforcement for the student. I always spend time listening carefully to a student’s experience of the subject so far to identify exactly what is needed to support their learning. I always offer a formal needs analysis driven by the student themselves. I will then create a programme of support that is specific to the individual’s needs and designed to build confidence. This requires careful assessment of the right moment to start looking at examination questions so that the student feels `yes I can do this’.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Many years ago, I visited the Soviet Union as it then was and spent two weeks crossing it on the Trans-Siberian railway. At the end of the trip, I had sold my jeans, my watch and various of my other possessions for what seemed like a very large number of roubles, enough to fully finance my trip. This gave me a vivid understanding of the difference between a free market and a command economy which I have never forgotten. Stories like these allow me to bring Economics alive for students.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Economics is still seen as a male subject despite the considerable success of female economists in recent years and even Nobel prize winners. I would love to see more girls taking Economics but I also like teaching boys so that I am able to give then a slightly different perspective on the subject which I hope they appreciate.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I enjoy teaching enormously which is why I have continued to teach my subject after retiring as a classroom teacher. I particularly enjoy teaching trade and allied to that Economic Development. I have spent considerable amounts of time in less developed countries and had the opportunity to observe economics in many different circumstances. The questions which Adam Smith asked in his seminal work `The wealth of nations’ are still so relevant to the world today.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof?

  I am a Superprof because I am dedicated to improving understanding of Economics for anyone who is interested enough to want to know. I have many years of teaching experience and I believe I know how to make this subject accessible for students at different levels. I always take care to tailor my sessions to the specific requirements of my students. However, I have also worked as an examiner and understand assessment requirements from the examiner’s perspective.