Gwen D.

EXPERIENCED STATE RANKING ENGLISH TUTOR My name is Gwen and I graduated from PLC Sydney in 2020 with a state rank of 6th in NSW for English Extension 2. I also ranked first internally in all four units of English. More importantly, I have over three and a half years tutoring experience at one of Sydney’s premier tutoring colleges specialising in HSC Advanced English, where I developed a tried and tested approach to English tuition. Over the years, I have tutored students from James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, Pymble Ladies College, Sydney Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Hornsby Girls, Girraween, North Sydney Girls, North Sydney Boys and more. Many of my past students achieved marks of 95 or above in Advanced English and one of these students state ranked in English Extension 2. I have extensive experience teaching common HSC text prescriptions such as Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Crucible, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest and Hag-Seed, Henry IV Part I, T.S. Eliot’s poetry and A Doll’s House. ✏️ ABOUT ME ✏️ I graduated high school in 2020 with an ATAR of 99.45 and a state rank of 6th in NSW for English Extension 2. I am currently a fifth year student at the University of Sydney studying a combined Bachelor of Laws with a High Distinction weighted average mark. In 2024, I completed my Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Class I and the University Medal), having majored in History and written my thesis in the discipline of Gender and Cultural Studies. Additionally, I work as a debating and public speaking coach and as a law clerk. My academic achievements at the University of Sydney include: - University Medallist in Gender Studies - Vera Edith Thorpe Prize in Second Year Gender Studies - Prize for Outstanding Achievement in First Year Gender Studies - Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance (×2) - Walter Ernest Savage Prize for Foundations of Law - Walter Reid Memorial Prize II for Foundations of Law ✏️ MY TUITION APPROACH ✏️ Recognising the individual strengths, weaknesses and confidence level of each HSC English student varies greatly, I tailor my approach to your specific needs. This includes any or all of the following: 📚 First, I can guide you in deepening your understanding of your prescribed texts and supplementing what you have been taught at school. We will work through core analysis of your text so that you can identify and better understand the ideas and formal features that will ultimately constitute the focus of your essay responses. 📚 Secondly, I can support you through the process of workshopping your draft essays and creative pieces. One of the ways I can benefit you the most is to serve as a sounding board for your ideas, providing feedback and guidance as you undertake the challenging task of drafting foundational written work. 📚 Thirdly, I can assist your development in the key skill of adaptation. A major discriminator in the HSC is how successfully students are able to adapt their planned ideas and analysis to a given question. Adaptation, and examination technique more broadly, is a key area I can provide expert guidance in. Honing this skill will go a long way towards building your confidence and agility while writing under timed conditions. 📚 Finally, I can provide targeted feedback on your writing. Responding to feedback on your work is the quickest way to make substantial improvements in English, particularly for HSC students. I am able to provide highly specific feedback on your draft responses geared towards highlighting the revisions that need to be made to set you up for a top A-range mark. I can then support you in actioning this feedback. Hourly rate: $100 Online tuition (Zoom) Message me to discuss a rate for one-off marking/feedback. ✏️ NEXT STEPS ✏️ Reach out if you are interested in setting up your first lesson with me. As a first step, we will need to discuss your text prescriptions and goals. I specialise in HSC Advanced English tuition, however, I am happy to provide assistance for English Extension 1 and 2, as well as for students in earlier years of high school seeking enrichment. A discounted hourly rate for lessons with two or more students can be negotiated. I look forward to helping you achieve your English goals! 😊