Hi Reader

As a mum, as well as a tutor, I am only too well aware of the madness that is the run up to Christmas.

We're shattered, the children are exhausted: it's been a very long term. Yet in the run up to the big day, we're expected to keep going at a pace rivalled only by our heart rate when standing in yet another interminable queue, waiting for a harried-looking Christmas elf to get his/her act together.

Suffice to say, as parents, we need a break. Our children, particularly if they're in year 11 also need to rest.

Now, you might think a GCSE English tutor would NEVER come out with a statement like this. Rest? When GCSE exams are only 14 academic weeks away (yes, you did read that right).

But it is necessary, precisely because the weeks from January until April will be intense. When we get to Easter, I won't be suggesting your teen rests. I will be recommending that they join my revision classes instead. However, for now, some down-time is essential.

Rest does not have to mean dozing in front of the TV though. It can be purposeful, but calm. Your year 10 or 11 child needs to take this opportunity to reflect and make plans for the next few months, so that they have the best chance of success going forward.

Here are a list of questions they need to be reflecting on over the next couple of weeks (once they've had a proper Christmas break with all the trimmings).

Year 10 students need to be asking themselves:

Do I really know the books I'm studying? Could I write a carefully crafted essay on them? Could I reel off key quotations?

If not, do I need to buy some study guides? ​

How did my mock exams go? Was there anything I really struggled with in English?

What can I do to improve my inferencing skills or expand my vocabulary, or come up with ideas in my creative writing so I don't get stuck again?

Do I know what I need to do to move myself on from my current grade to my predicted grade?

Year 11 students need to be asking themselves:

Have I put a clear revision timetable together to make sure I'm not trying to cram everything in at the last minute?

Have I planned lots of timed practice of papers? Have I downloaded as many English literature and language papers from the relevant exam board website as I can?

Are all my texts fully annotated?

Can I put some time aside to create quotation and vocabulary flashcards over Christmas?

Where are the gaps in my knowledge in English literature? Are there any texts that I need to prioritize revision of?

Is there one area of English that I struggle with and I need intensive support in?

If the answers to any of these questions induce panic in your teen, it's better that they do so now than later. Email me with any questions they can't work out the answer to, and I'll do my best to help.

I too will be doing my own reflection over the Christmas break. It's been a very busy year on the tutoring front so far, and it's important to reflect on my student's biggest wins, and evaluate their challenges, so that my focus and lesson plans are as targeted as possible next year.

Keep an eye out for a blog in January about this.

In the meantime, as next week is last my tutoring week of 2024, I'll be sending you a very special Christmas gift.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

All the best,

Verity

p.s.

To find out more about my tuition, visit my website - Verity Bell, The English Educator​

To book a free initial consultation, just click here.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

All the best,

Verity

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