Dedicated and qualified classics tutor with eight years of experience and glowing reviews!

Find out more about Harriet

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

  Classics (particularly classical languages) became a passion of mine while I was still studying at school! When I left university, I couldn't bear to leave it behind, and I was also keen to share new ways of approaching the study of Latin and Ancient Greek with students who were struggling.

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

  Teaching Classics is undeniably a privilege - some never have the opportunity to study Latin or Ancient Greek, and for others, it is compulsory in the early years of secondary school. This means that I get to work with students who all approach the study of classics in different ways - some are disillusioned and bored, and others are hungry for more!
  
  I absolutely love to teach languages - and not just to teach them, but really to bring them to life. It's crucial to me that our time together is fun, and that you actively look forward to meeting again and building your skills!

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

  My language teacher for my undergraduate degree really changed the way I viewed learning ancient languages. For him, there is a "magic" in the way languages come together, and I really try to emulate this wonder and curiosity when I teach.

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

  Reliability, dependability, a passion for the subject and a sense of humour!

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

  An anecdote to illustrate how far you can come from early struggles with Ancient Greek or Latin: Having studied Ancient Greek at school for a year, I put up my hand in class one day to ask what "kai" meant, as I thought I'd never seen the word before. My teacher looked absolutely scandalised when she told me that it translated to "and". Somehow I'd gotten through an entire year of lessons without absorbing this!

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

  Contemporary Classical scholarship is more dynamic than it initially seems from the school syllabus. There are a range of diverse perspectives on classical cultures and the relevance of the classical world today. For me, the challenge is always in finding new ways to bring these perspectives into my daily teaching, inviting students to think critically about the subject.

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

  My passion is definitely education (I'm studying to become an Educational Psychologist), particularly working with students who are not neurotypical, or who have barriers in the way of their learning. Combining this with my passion for Classics has truly been a win-win.

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

  I'm as dedicated to my students' studies as I am to my own and I'm truly sensitive to their needs. No two of my worksheets are identical - each student will receive tailored resources and my full attention 😊