Cambridge graduate, qualified teacher & former head of department providing English literature & language tuition. My tutoring package includes monthly blogs, revision videos & podcasts.

Find out more about Thiru

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

  My late maternal grandfather once taught literature, drama, and geography in Sri Lanka and had been a bastion of integrity within his local community. His legacy inspired me throughout my childhood and when I was 17 years old I was presented with an opportunity to mentor younger students at my school. I had always loved reading up until that point but the mentoring process illustrated how much I enjoyed reading to others. Mentoring soon evolved to teaching and private tutoring, and I honed my tutoring practice throughout my time at university and beyond.

• 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 looking at the historical and political motivations behind key literary texts. Be it Shakespeare, Priestley, or Dickens; you cannot truly grasp the significance of a text and achieve the highest marks unless you are able to see the politics behind the words, the symbolism behind the characters, and the morality behind the plot development.
  
  In terms of creative and transactional writing, I love discussing the key elements of structuring a text. Too often, teachers and tutors focus on techniques and flowery imagery and neglect structure and form. As I often tell my students, you must first bake the cake before you think about the icing on top.

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

  Two teachers immediately spring to mind.
  
  Mr. Madhani was my maths teacher from Year 7 all the way up to Year 13. I was quite a naughty kid back then and he taught me the true value of discipline and equality: it didn't matter if the student was a behemoth or a minion, we were all treated the same.
  
  I met Mr. Lee when I was 16 and he taught me so much more than A-Level History. He coached me to confront my weaknesses and channel my creativity in a way that was more structured and comprehensible. I went from receiving 5/100 in my first practice test to go on to achieve 100% in my first official A-Level history exam.

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

  First and foremost, a tutor must spend time planning. As with teaching, the meticulous planning of lessons is the single most important aspect of tutoring. I have seen many teachers and tutors complain about student behaviour and motivation and I have always pointed toward better planning as the solution.
  
  Secondly, a tutor must enjoy teaching. It doesn't matter if it is law, literature, or history, I cannot ever imagine myself not teaching or tutoring. Even if I were rich beyond my wildest dreams, I would still teach and tutor part-time.
  
  Thirdly, a tutor must be introspective. If a student isn't improving at the rate expected, a tutor must first blame himself and ask himself what he could be doing better. Introspection leads to accepting responsibility which leads to change, often for the better.

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

  The largest fictional text ever written is the 'Mahabharata'- an ancient Indian epic poem. It is the size of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. In it, King Yudhishthira is asked a series of questions that he must answer in order to cross a river and save his kingdom. One such question was: 'What is the greatest victory in the world?'. To which Yudhishtira replied: 'defeat'.
  
  I regularly encourage my students to share their ideas and have a go and to never fear criticism or defeat, but rather embrace it. Victory teaches us nothing but how to celebrate. Defeat is the greatest teacher we have.

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

  In terms of teaching and tutoring English literature, I faced many challenges in the form of sticking to my own ideas and innovations. Five years ago, I decided against giving students quotes and opted to provide them with logographs and pictures that symbolize key quotes. Initially, this was met with scepticism by my peers but over time I feel I have been vindicated. I have met former students who still remember 30+ quotes for each literature text to this day. The logographs have also proved incredibly useful for helping students plan their essay answers.

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

  I am half-nerd; half-sportsmen. I love reading and I enjoy creative writing even more although I have ghost-written several short stories, I am yet to garner the confidence and discipline to finish my projects and publish works under my name.
  
  In terms of sports; I love strength training, football, and martial arts. All three activities require discipline and observational skills as well as the humility of learning from others who are miles better than me!

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

  I have never taken a shortcut when it has presented itself. I take the long winding road because hardship brings humility and experiences that shortcuts do not.
  
  Taking the long road has given me years upon years of experience. I have worked as a teaching assistant at primary, secondary, and sixth-form levels. I have tutored English at primary, secondary, and sixth-form levels. I have taught and tutored law at the sixth-form and undergraduate levels.
  
  I did not seek out a promotion in my first three years of teaching English at a secondary school in London. Whilst my peers applied for leadership positions, I quietly crafted my teaching methods and began experimenting with various techniques until my students regularly excelled in their examinations.
  
  I am still walking the long road when it comes to tutoring. I initially struggled with adapting to online tutoring and running my own tutor company but I have since devised my own digital revision guides, educational blogs, revision videos, and podcasts- all of which I offer as part of my tutoring service.
  
  In sum, I believe I am a Superprof because I am constantly evolving to ensure I offer the most holistic tutoring practice that is available.