Graduate in Philosophy and Linguistics providing personalized English tutoring for students in Australia.

Find out more about Eva

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

  I became interested in teaching English around 7 years ago. It was when I started to share my love of language learning. I also developed an interest in tutoring English after I completed my degree and found that I loved writing. I recognised that many students struggle with writing and were looking for ways to develop their skills.

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

  I love to discuss language, writing, style, and ideas. What I enjoy most is working with a student to gain clarity on their ideas, to write to discover what it is they want to say, and then to work to express it on paper. I also absolutely adore working with young learners. I really value using play as a means to develop a love of learning and literacy skills.

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

  I've had a few role models over the years. Teachers in High School inspired me to dive into my creative interests. Later, at university, I was inspired by faculty members who cared deeply about their student's experience, and who were committed to sharing great ideas.

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

  Listening with patience. A good tutor gives the student space to figure out their own ideas, giving them time and listening closely to what the student is trying to communicate. Almost more importantly, I think a great tutor finds out what a student is passionate about and centres their learning around that for a while. Sharing the love of learning relies on the tutor's ability to lean into what the student is interested in.

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

  During my days at school, I expected my work to be top quality straight off the bat, meaning that I would usually hand in a first draft. This led to disappointment when I received low grades and I started to avoid my English studies.
  However, with support from my teachers, I learnt that the first draft is never the final piece. Writing needs re-writing, more re-writing, and lots of practice.
  The process of reviewing, editing, and improving my work helped me to hone my writing skills. Soon enough, my ideas came more easily, more clearly, and I found that I could explore depth in my writing. When I wrote the words would flow.

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

  A challenge I faced was finding clarity in my writing. I could get ideas on the page easily enough, but when it came to communicating them, I needed to spend a lot of time re-writing the ideas so that I could express the nuance and detail I wanted to communicate.
  Nowadays, I face the challenge of prioritising my writing and making space in my life to be creative.

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

  I have a passion for overcoming obstacles and showing people how much they can surprise themselves. I love language, I love words, and I love writing. Above all that, I love that flash of a moment when a student grasps something they've been working on, or the moment of realisation when something that was once uncomfortable or difficult becomes enjoyable.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions)?

  I care deeply about the student's learning experience. It is vital that the student finds joy in learning and discovers ways to be creative in their studies so that they may develop sound learning skills to carry them into life.