Masters graduate offering support online in analysis, essay writing, structure and more

Find out more about Aalisha

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

  I developed and interest in literature when my family and I moved to Syria for a year when I was 10 (before the war began). There was very little to do because I couldn't speak the language, but my mum bought the first Harry Potter book and started reading it to us. Immediately, I was hooked on literature. From then on, I read anything and everything I could get my hands on.
  
  I found out I was good at English in general around my GCSEs when I just understood the characters, motivations and themes. I think I became interested in tutoring when I helped a friend create her GCSE notes on 'Of Mice and Men,' and realised I could help people make sense of their texts.

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

  My topic is quite broad. Anything from English Literature to Creative Writing to breaking down essay writing to analysis. Because of this, I typically discuss anything and everything with my students. A lot of the time it's led by them, but I so really enjoy asking questions that help pick apart the topic in their minds. Deconstruction is so useful when you're trying to come up with an idea for an essay or a novel.
  
  For what I don't particularly enjoy discussing... probably grammar. It can be complicated and sometimes a little boring to go through. Even I get confused by the rules sometimes.

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

  I don't think I have one particular role model. I think I've been inspired by an amalgamation of people; my mum, teachers, friends, writers, the people that disagree with me. All of it has shaped the kind of writer and person I am today.

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

  One of the most important qualities in my opinion is having the ability to adapt your teaching style to suit the student. People learn in such different ways that if you can pull from different experiences or tools, it's only going to make you a more responsive and effective tutor.
  
  After that, I think patience is important. It can be tough when someone isn't getting it, or they're bored, or they don't really want to be there. Part of my job is to try and push through that a little without getting annoyed or want to give up. It's not always easy, but patience is so key to both me and my student enjoying the session.
  
  Finally, enjoying the subject. In my opinion, there's nothing more dreary than having to learn from someone who doesn't like what they're teaching.

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

  During my Drama A-Level I was really struggling to write an essay for the mocks. Every mock I handed in would come back with a low score (and I was more than a little concerned that bad scores would reflect badly on me in some way or another. It wasn't the easiest thing to overcome but I've managed to do it now).
  
  But every mock was getting a low score and I couldn't figure out why. One day, something clicked and I tried a new structure. Suddenly the essays were coming back better and better. It was such a cool feeling because I realised that every essay had a pattern, and if you could solve the pattern, you would be able get better.
  
  I took that lesson with my into my Master's. It was science-based and I'd never done anything like that. But I handed in a few essays, saw what worked and didn't, and adjusted my work till it was to a standard I was happy with. That seemed to do me well, because I passed my degree with a Distinction - something I am very proud of considering I'd never written science-based essays before that year.

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

  How varied it can be. English is subjective - tastes, preferences etc. Especially when it comes to creative writing. Having people realise that their writing style is uniquely suited to them and some people may not like it - but that's ok - is a challenge sometimes.

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

  It sounds cheesy, but I enjoy helping people make sense of something and realise it doesn't have to be difficult. Whether it be plotting or pacing a story, understanding the structure, or how to analyse a poem. I really do enjoy helping people develop the tools to break things down into manageable chunks and work through it so they feel confident in what they're doing.

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

  I've got quite a lot of different experiences from my life that I can draw from that allows me to empathise and connect with people. It makes being a tutor easier, and sometimes it makes really interesting conversation with my students. And a good chat is a lot of fun every now and then.