Katerina
School
Lady Eleanor Holles School (2005-2010), Westminster School (2010-2012)
Pre-U: German (D2/A* equivalent), Latin (D3/A equivalent)
A-Level: Economics (A*), History (A)
University
University of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall College
BA German Language and Literature (First-Class)
Teaching and tutoring experience
Katerina has been tutoring German and English literature and language (primarily German language and literature) in person and online since August 2017 alongside her full-time job. Most of her pupils have been long-term engagements. She has received very positive references in writing from the parents of these long-term pupils. During the pandemic, all her lessons have of course been online. Prior to this, however, she tutored frequently on the MyTutor.com website. On this website, she has received 47 5-star reviews from the parents of pupils.
Teaching style and philosophy
Structure – Katerina’s tutorials begin with establishing the area that is in need of clarification or consolidation. They continue with exercises, examples, tasks and challenges and thorough explanations whilst, of course, stopping throughout to take time for the student’s questions.
Preparation – she has kept all her German work from school through to university including everything for the Oxford entrance and interview process. This will ensure focus using previous questions and essay questions and past papers. However, in order to keep tutorials exciting and fresh she also prepares her own questions and tasks tailored specifically to the student.
Delivery – she believes it is imperative to understand that every student is different and has specific ways of understanding and methods of learning so it is important to listen to the student’s individual needs. She also finds it crucial not to lecture a student, but to keep sessions exciting by posing interesting and challenging questions in order to engage them fully in the learning process.
Encouraging learning – It is important that learning continues outside of the tutorial so she provides something to be prepared for each next tutorial as a way to draw out the student’s greatest potential and secure the best results.
Additional information
Whilst studying for her A-Levels at Westminster School, she taught children from Bangladeshi and Albanian backgrounds English once a week on a voluntary basis. She has also worked with a vast range of individuals from all corners of the globe. In 2015, she was selected from over 100 applicants as a Director for a ‘Model United Nations’ conference in Shanghai operated by ‘Oxford Global’ (https://www.oxfordglobal.org/), a social enterprise led by students and alumni of the University of Oxford that organises educational conferences and summits. She moderated debates about global political issues alongside other Directors in which hundreds of international pupils took part in order to further their understanding of international relations. In 2016, she was promoted to ‘Director-General’ for the conference in Beijing and was responsible for liaising with the Chinese partners. She is based in London and willing to teach across the city. She is also very happy to tutor online. Katerina is a lover of film, theatre, literature and art and a keen reader. She also hosts a podcast in her spare time as a hobby about life, work and taking risks in your twenties, which is available on Spotify. She thoroughly enjoys having interesting conversations with people of all ages and hopes that she can share her own knowledge to help others - a reason why she has continued tutoring throughout the years.