Today I had the pleasure of observing a fellow tutor teach Year 9 English, giving me the opportunity to identify new strategies that I can implement into my own sessions.

The session was focused on essay structure, particularly the overall strategy in an exam. What stood out to me immediately was the tutor’s ability to seamlessly jump between building rapport with the student throughout the session and ensuring that sufficient learning was still occurring. Seeing as this particular student was quite social, the tutor employed a strategy the two called “lock-in time”, where a clear task was given and a timer was set in which talking was not allowed (other than asking related questions).

The student didn’t resist the shift; in fact, they leaned into it. They were surprisingly engaged spent every second of the time making significant progress to preparing her draft essay response. The social times gave the student a sense of respite between the real work, while the structure of the timer helped maintain discipline and focus. During and afterwards “lock-in time”, the tutor was sure to provide feedback and help the student improve their essay response.

What I loved about this strategy is how it supports both the relational and academic sides of tutoring. It reminds me that students are more than just learners, they’re children. When we acknowledge that by building in time for connection, they’re often far more willing to meet us in the learning space with focus and effort.
As a fellow tutor, I walked away not just with ideas of how to ensure students stay focused, but with a reminder of how powerful it is to create an interpersonal relationship with each student. Motivation to learn isn’t something we can force; it’s something we can inspire through connection encouragement.

I’m looking forward to incorporating some of these strategies into my own sessions and seeing how they influence the way my students engage with learning.

Connor Kalis

Today, I observed Eleni tutoring Bianca for a maths session. Bianca is currently in year 7 and preparing for her upcoming end of term math exam, therefore the session today was based on preparing her for this upcoming exam!
Eleni initially went over all the topics with Bianca, doing a pre-quiz on the board, this quiz had questions from all the topics that will be covered in her exam, this includes, fractions, decimals and percentages (completing conversions), area and perimeter and geometry. Through this pre-quiz, Eleni was able to understand where Bianca is confident in and where she needs further improvement/ remembering some of the topics for the exam. Eleni re went over the formulas for area especially in harder shapes such as the trapezium, parallelogram and rhombus as well as composite shapes and how to split them up in order to find the total area. She further went over worded problems, as they were harder to solve, and went through the formulas/working out slowly and clearly to ensure Bianca was understanding well and able to complete them on her own. Eleni was very encouraging and patient when teaching these concepts, which made Bianca feel more motivated and confident to try the challenging questions. Eleni further used the resources and gave her homework based on both topics to allow for Bianca to complete further study at home at her own pace to reinforce the concepts taught in class.

Daniella Antoun

Today I observed Airi’s session with her primary school student. This student can be highly distractable and often finds it difficult to concentrate. Working with these types of students requires considerable skill, patience, and understanding. Airi does an incredible job keeping the student on track and guiding him to get back on topic when he becomes distracted. One of the main strategies that I noticed her utilising is the prize box. When students work hard, they can gain stars for the lesson and their homework (up to 10 each session) which they can put towards ‘buying’ something from the prize box. Airi does a great job of reminding the student that staying focused will benefit them as they will eventually be able to earn a prize. I believe this is a highly effective method moving into later years of school, because the motivation of doing well, getting a particular job, or striving for a particular goal will become the prize, but the objective stays the same – it is rewarding to stay focused and learn. She also effectively utilised brain breaks throughout the session to allow the student to work in bursts – working hard when they are working and taking a good break by playing a quick game such as uno.

Riva Burkett

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Emilia tutor her student.

When I first started observing, I immediately noticed the patience Emilia emulates, and this was prominent throughout the entire lesson. Emilia came prepared to the lesson with worksheets and activities planned to ensure her student was engaged, despite her student being tired and, at times, distracted from the lesson. The lesson was centred on sentence construction, with a particular focus on description. Emilia encouraged her student through the promise of having a ‘brain break’ to allow the student to have the option to complete an activity of her choice, on the basis that she completes the tasks set. Emilia also worked on spelling with her student and encouraged the technique of sounding out the word as she wrote it down in order for her student to understand how various letter pairings produce different sounds. It was apparent to me that the student felt very comfortable being in the presence of Emilia and openly expressed that she was finding the content challenging. This allowed the lesson to run smoothly and was very productive. Another technique I noticed was Emilia’s use of colour coding when moving to different tasks, increasing the student’s engagement. Although her students’ attention was turned to many other topics (showing her inquisitiveness), Emilia demonstrated an exceptional amount of patience and maintained control throughout the entirety of the lesson. Overall, it was insightful and enjoyable to watch Emilia conduct a smooth-running lesson filled with motivation, patience and encouragement.

Well done, Emilia!!

Marina Nouris

Today, I observed Razan tutoring Joel for maths session, Joel is in year 7 and has an upcoming maths exam in less than a week, therefore the session today was based on all prep for his upcoming exam. Throughout the hour, Razan went over the topics that will be covered during his exam, this includes fractions, equations, integers and geometry. In this block she gave him practice questions and exams to test his knowledge on these topics to see what he remembers or where he needs further help/improvement, after gauging what he knows and what he struggles with, she helped/went over the topics with him to ensure he remembered the content that was previous taught. Razan was very patient when teaching him, especially when he was completing harder and more challenging questions, she encouraged him and to give them a go and then they could work it out together, after he had completed them to the best of his ability. Joel struggled mostly with fractions, and therefore razan planned most of the time during the session to ensuring he understood the concept of simplifying, adding, subtraction, multiplying and dividing fractions as well as worded problems. Through going over the content joel understood more of the work and was able to answer questions with much more confidence and understanding of what is being asked. Razan further gave him homework to aid in his preparation for his exam, with the homework incorporating all the previous topics he learnt that will be examined on his exam day. After the session was completed, razan and joel played a game on uno to end the session after a lot of work was completed.

Daniella

Writing an essay for HSC English can feel overwhelming, but it is a skill you can develop with practice. A strong essay comes down to understanding the question, building a clear argument, and supporting it with well-chosen evidence.

The first step is to carefully read the question. Identify the directive words such as “discuss”, “evaluate” or “to what extent” and underline the key concept being tested. Rephrasing the question in your own words can help you stay focused as you write.

Next, develop a thesis. Your thesis is your main argument and it should directly answer the question. For example, if the question asks about the conflict between individual desires and society, your thesis could argue that the text demonstrates how social pressures suppress individuality and lead to destructive consequences.

Once you have a thesis, plan your body paragraphs. A useful structure is PEEL: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. Each paragraph should open with a clear topic sentence, include specific evidence such as a quotation or technique, analyse how this evidence creates meaning, and finish by linking back to the thesis and question. Aim for three strong body paragraphs in an exam essay.

Evidence is most effective when it is analysed rather than listed. Focus on techniques such as imagery, symbolism, or narrative perspective, and explain how these shape the reader’s understanding. For example, instead of stating that a metaphor shows fear, explain how it positions the audience to view a character as vulnerable or powerless.

Finally, write a concise introduction and conclusion. Your introduction should restate the question, present your thesis, and outline your main points. Your conclusion should briefly summarise your argument and reinforce how it answers the question.

With consistent practice, timed responses, and familiarity with your texts, you can approach HSC English essays with confidence.

Emily

The HSC is one of the most significant milestones in a student’s academic journey. Preparing effectively for the HSC, particularly the 2 English papers, requires more than just memorising essays — it’s about developing the skills to think critically, write clearly, and adapt responses to a range of questions.

Building a deep understanding of prescribed texts is essential when preparing for exams. Students should focus on analysing how techniques are used to convey meaning. Using palm cards with the quotes, techniques and a brief analysis can help ensure a student memories a number of quotes needed for each paper.

Students should practise restructuring their arguments under timed conditions, ensuring they can confidently adjust responses to any question. Similarly, creative, persuasive, and discursive writing benefit from practice and flexibility — experimenting with different techniques, tones, and structures gives students the ability to approach tasks with originality.

Time management is equally important. Setting up a study schedule that balances English with other subjects prevents last-minute cramming.

Preparing for HSC English is about consistency, adaptability, and resilience. With structured practice and a focus on skills over rote learning, students can step into the exam room ready to tackle any challenge.

Tamiah Mahoney

Tutoring English has given me a unique perspective on how students approach language and communication. Unlike subjects that are more formulaic, English requires students to think critically, express themselves clearly, and often interpret ideas that do not have one single correct answer. As a tutor, I see my role as guiding students to develop confidence in their own voice while also building the technical skills necessary to succeed in both analytical and creative tasks.

One of the most rewarding aspects of English tutoring is witnessing the gradual improvement in a student’s ability to articulate their ideas. Many students initially struggle with structuring essays, embedding evidence, or analysing texts in depth. At first, they often focus too much on “getting the right answer” instead of developing their reasoning. I spend time breaking down essay writing into manageable steps—crafting a thesis, building cohesive paragraphs, and refining expression—so students begin to understand that writing is a process rather than a single moment of inspiration.

I also emphasise the importance of close reading. Often, students overlook the nuances of language, but by slowing down and examining techniques, tone, and context, they begin to uncover deeper layers of meaning. This not only strengthens their analytical writing but also enhances their appreciation for literature.

Equally important is helping students gain confidence in their communication skills. Many are hesitant to share interpretations for fear of being “wrong.” I make it clear that multiple perspectives can be valid as long as they are well-supported. By encouraging discussion and fostering curiosity, I aim to create a space where students feel comfortable exploring and experimenting with ideas.

Ultimately, English tutoring is not only about preparing students for exams or assignments, but about equipping them with lifelong skills. The ability to think critically, argue persuasively, and communicate effectively will benefit them far beyond the classroom. Being part of that growth as a tutor is both fulfilling and motivating.

Kassandra Pegios

I did an observation for Sienna’s tutoring session with a year 5 student. I noticed immediately how energetic and easy going her teaching style was, which the student responded too well. The student was very relaxed and laughing throughout the session which meant that they went through the content in a relaxed manner. Although the session was laid back Sienna ensured the conversation was about the content.

I thought Sienna’s explanation of difficult a concepts was noticeable as she was able to make the concepts sound simple and digestible to a primary student. This was evident when the student was taught mean, median and mode. Although he was initially confused Sienna simplified the process, and the student was able to complete questions about the topic. The tutoring session was successful as they covered a significant amount of content in a professional manner while maintaining a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

William Kelleher

As a tutor, one of the most common things I work on with students is essay writing. Regardless of the subject, the principles are the same. And I always begin with this: an essay is not about what you know, it’s about how clearly you can communicate your ideas.

The biggest misconception students have is thinking essays are about showing off everything they’ve memorised. Instead, I encourage them to focus on making a clear argument. I say, “Your job isn’t to dump information – it’s to guide your reader through your thinking.” This means having a clear thesis, a logical structure, and topic sentences that signpost where the essay is going.

I also stress that planning is not optional. Even five minutes of planning can save twenty minutes of confusion mid-way through writing. When students take the time to outline their argument before they start, the result is always more focused and coherent.

Another key tip? Paragraphs must do work. I often ask students, “What is this paragraph proving?” If they can’t answer, it usually means the paragraph is vague or off-topic. I show them how to build strong paragraphs using PEEL or TEEL structures – whatever works best for them.

And finally, I tell them: editing matters. It’s not enough to write a draft and hit submit. Reading it aloud, cutting unnecessary words, and checking transitions can turn a good essay into a great one.

Most importantly, I remind them that essay writing is a skill – no one is born knowing how to write well. It takes practice, feedback, and patience. But with time, students who once dreaded essays often discover they have something powerful to say—and the tools to say it clearly.

Carmen Yuen