Tanya B.

Very responsive
Private Tutor

Tutoring near Geelong, Melbourne, VIC & Newtown, Melbourne, VIC & Torquay, Melbourne, VIC & East Geelong, Melbourne, VIC & Leopold, Melbourne, VIC

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Rate

$150 per hour

Services

  • One-to-one tuition
  • Teaching studio
  • Phone help
  • Online help
  • In person

Subjects

Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Extracurricular

About

Hello! I am a secondary teacher of three decades' experience, specialising in VCE English. I work with students who are following both traditional school pathways and home-schooling. I am friendly and approachable, and my students have always commended my amiability, dedication, kindness and generosity in helping them to find academic success, wellbeing, and a deeper appreciation of the ideas they are curious about. I offer both face-to-face and remote-learning options (via Zoom and Google-docs); therefore, students do not need to feel constrained by location. I can help with homework; units of study; deeper analysis and revision of set texts; exam practice; mentoring on assignments and essays; revision of school curriculum; and practising grammar and essay-writing, and am keen for students to bring the tasks they are working on so that we can build unique skills together. (Ask me about a no-obligation, complimentary 30-min “meet-and-greet" session to see if we're a good tutoring match!) I mark practice essays and exam papers, offering extensive feedback and conferencing. I also write curriculum programs for home-schooling students on various English topics, such as set texts; persuasive and creative writing; and analysis of argument and language. I have some limited availability for "on the spot" (sudden) tutoring for those who require immediate, one-off assistance with an English quandary, via Zoom ... Just ask me: I might be available RIGHT NOW! I love creative writing and reading and am always up for a good book discussion! (Bonus points if the book has an accompanying film!) ☺️ ___________________________________________________________ AVAILABILITY & LOCATION: • Monday 4.00pm-6.30pm • Tuesday 8.00am-6.30pm • Wednesday 8.00am-6.30pm • Thursday 11.00am-6.30pm **Face-to-face in East Geelong (in the estate opposite Eastern Park), or via Zoom. ___________________________________________________________ **2026 NO LONGER AVAILABLE! After-school and evening spaces are currently FULL; similarly, day-time spaces (to suit students’ school-timetabled “free-study” periods) are also now FULL (of course, changes can occur: it’s difficult to predict if and when vacancies may suddenly appear). The kindness of my families sharing word-of-mouth recommendations usually fills my diary by September! 📔 **(Limited) ON THE SPOT (sudden) tutoring (some evening, (rare!) weekend, and daytime slots - suitable for students with study lessons/free periods). 👩‍🏫 **STAND-BY (waitlist) available for last-minute cancellations. 📞 **Day-time options available for HOME-SCHOOLERS (however, please note spaces are FULL for 2026). 🏡 **(Limited) Preparation for SCHOLARSHIP TESTS (waitlist capacity only, as all ongoing appointment times are FULL for 2026). 🎓 **2027 APPLICATIONS welcome (yes, already! Based on a decade of personal experience, these spaces will book out by the end of Term 3! Please note that 6 enrolments for 2027 are already confirmed). 🥰 ___________________________________________________________

Education

• Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Deakin University, Geelong (1994) • Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), Australian Catholic University, Ballarat (1995) • Graduate Certificate of Religious Education, Australian Catholic University, Ballarat (1995) • VIT-certified (details available upon request) • CECV-accredited • Years 7-12 English • VCE-qualified • IB-qualified • NAPLAN and EduTest specialist I have held consistent full-time teaching positions in secondary schools in both Geelong and Mildura. I have worked with students enrolled in various programs at the Australian Institute of Language (both one-to-one and small group tutoring), as well as university students. I help to create curious, enthusiastic and competent life-long learners, guiding students to consolidate their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Interests

  • • Reading
  • • Author Encounters at Geelong Regional Libraries
  • • Writing (Writing Retreats and Workshops)
  • • Copy-writing (through Australian Writers' Centre)
  • • Freelance Writing
  • • Curriculum Development

Reviews

Couldn’t recommend Tanya more! Her feedback is super helpful, she’s so knowledgeable, kind, and always enthusiastic.
Isabella on 8th November 2025
I've been with Tanya for 3 years now and it isn't enough to merely suggest that she just helped me with English. She completely transformed my ability to write, from someone who could barely write the dialogue for a comic, to an individual who could write 3 quality essays in 3 hours. I sincerely recommend Tanya to all those seeking great improvement in their writing skills and their depth of ideas.
Tahseen Hasan on 28th October 2025
I can’t say enough amazing things about Tanya. She’s truly the sweetest person, the kind of tutor who not only helps you improve academically but genuinely cares about you as a person. She tutored my older brother first, and he’d say the same, she was so good I had to have her too. Every session, she asks how you’re doing and listens with warmth and understanding. It’s rare to find someone who balances kindness and professionalism so perfectly. Academically, she’s been a game-changer. My English grades have never been higher thanks to her deep knowledge and resourcefulness. She explains things clearly, takes her time, and makes things actually make sense. She’s always on lookout to share helpful resources and always happy to look over work/give valuable feedback. Tanya truly cares, adapts to your needs, and lifts you up every step of the way. I’d recommend her a million times over.
Scarlett Moore on 27th October 2025
Tanya was an amazing tutor! She was so kind and helped me improve my English so much. I could recommend her more as an English tutor.
Caitlin on 26th October 2025
I honestly can’t thank Tanya enough for the incredible support she’s given me throughout this year. She has been such a positive, encouraging, and reliable presence during one of the most stressful school years. Her dedication to helping me succeed has made such a difference, not only have I seen a clear improvement in my overall results, but I also feel so much more confident in my writing and analysis skills. What makes her stand out is the way she always comes prepared with every resource imaginable — from practice essays and sample responses to detailed notes and exam tips. No matter what SAC I had coming up, she always had exactly what I needed to feel prepared and calm. She genuinely cares about her students and always goes above and beyond to make sure we understand every concept. I couldn’t have asked for a better tutor, and I’m so grateful for the impact she’s had on both my studies and my confidence.
Mila Haines on 26th October 2025
Tanya has made the whole process of learning English easy and fun as a student who was definitively lacking the skills for year 12 English. I came to her unmotivated due to my low scores throughout the early year and she helped and taught me how to succeed in English to a higher level. I could not recommend her enough for anyone struggling with English, or those just wanting to achieve better results. She got to me enjoy, succeed and achieve high results in a subject I didn't think I ever could.
Katelyn Newcombe on 5th November 2024
Tanya helped me so much with my English this year, she genuinely cares and is always happy, and always tries her best to make time for me when I request an extra session. She is certainly the best tutor I have ever been privileged enough to have, and I would certainly recommend her to anyone. She also will go over time if I need. She is the only reason I was able to excel in my year 12 English, greatly improving my grades and confidence. On top of all this, she has a lot of really helpful resources that she emails to help even further when we don't have a session, and responds to emails very fast, making edits on work whenever I ask her to. Thank you, Tanya, you have had a huge impact on me this year.
Sienna on 1st November 2024
It was not easy trying to find a Year 12 English Tutor for our daughter. Then we were lucky enough to find Tanya. Right from the beginning she was very accommodating in trying to find the best time suitable for us and made the whole process easy. Nothing was too much trouble for her. She was true to her word, made the tutoring session personalised to the needs of our daughter, made herself available to be emailed in between tutoring sessions and emailed my daughter with anything she needed support with. My daughter enjoyed going to Tanya’s for tutoring, she found English easier with Tanyas support. We found Tanya to be warm, caring, patient and supportive, and her passion for teaching was obvious. Highly recommend.
Sue on 14th November 2022
Ms Bistrovic, is an amazing teacher who dedicates her time and energy into making students reach and surpass their potential. She has a very kind manner, understands differing students needs and has an amazing way of making learning fun. I couldn't recommend anyone better suited to tutoring yourself or your child.
Lainey Karlich on 19th October 2021

Character references

I highly recommend Tanya. Her expertise, passion for teaching, and genuine commitment to students' success helped my daughter so much in learning English with enthusiasm.
By Gaya on 20th January 2025
Tanya is a fantastic tutor and a kind, patient and thoughtful person. Tanya has been my 14 year old sons English teacher for the past 12 months. As my son is homeschooled she wrote him a fabulous year 9 curriculum that kept him up to date with his peers and incorporated books and activities according to my sons preferences and abilities. Being neurodiverse, and experiencing handwriting challenges makes English hard for my son, Tanya was able to work around this and help him to succeed in a kind, calm and positive way. I often catch them in deep meaningful conversations around literature and life in general!. He has learnt so much from Tanya this year and and looks forward to their tutoring sessions continuing. I highly recommend Tanya.
By Kristy Seear on 23rd December 2022
Tanya is an excellent, very experienced tutor. She is responsive, flexible, sensitive and takes a problem solving approach with my daughter. Having such a skilled tutor work with our girl has been live saving. Highly recommend.
By Anna Darcey on 20th October 2022
Tanya is an exceptional teacher. She combines a rich knowledge of her subjects with an ability to bring out the best in her students. Tanya models a love of learning through her thirst for knowledge and constant drive to engage with current research. She is a caring teacher who puts her students' needs at the centre of all that she does in an educational setting. She produces engaging materials to support her lessons and shares these resources with her colleagues. Her dedication and drive to provide a rich educational experience for the young people in her charge make her a highly regarded teacher.
By Jan Egan on 19th October 2021
I have known Tanya for over 15 years and have worked along side her in the same English department. She is very thorough and student centered in her approach. She is up to date with the latest developments in education and applies pedagogy in fun and creative ways that engage the students' interest and love of learning. Students feel they have an ally and mentor and there is an easy relationship between student and teacher. Her ability to zoom in on students' specific needs and where the loopholes are in understanding is her gift.
By Marise Dieguez on 19th October 2021

Availability

Around Geelong

Around Newtown

Around Torquay

Around East Geelong

Monday
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Around Leopold

Travel policy

Face-to-face students usually come to me (in East Geelong); online students (both those local to the greater Geelong area and from wider regions, including Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, and China) connect via Zoom (and Google-docs). (I charge a TRAVEL-FEE of $10.00/km (round trip, from my driveway to yours) to work at the student's place or other preferred location; however, this option is rarely available, as travel-time precludes my ability to provide extensive teaching time.)

Tanya can be found among