Tutoring English has shown me that the subject is often misunderstood by students as something rigid, when in reality it’s deeply interpretive and personal. Many students come in thinking there is always a single “right” answer, especially when analysing texts. What I’ve observed, however, is that their initial ideas are often insightful, they just lack the confidence or structure to express them clearly. A large part of tutoring English, then, becomes about validating their interpretations while guiding them to refine and support those ideas with evidence.

One of the most noticeable challenges is helping students move from basic comprehension to deeper analysis. They can usually summarise what happens in a text, but struggle to explain how or why it matters. I’ve found that breaking this barrier requires shifting their focus from “what” to “how”—how language creates meaning, how techniques shape tone, and how context influences interpretation. Once students begin to see texts as constructed rather than just written, their responses become more sophisticated and original.

Another key observation is how much vocabulary and expression impact performance. Some students understand a concept but can’t articulate it effectively, which limits their marks. Teaching them how to write analytically, using precise language, embedding quotes, and structuring arguments, often leads to noticeable improvement, even if their underlying ideas haven’t drastically changed.

Perhaps most importantly, tutoring English has highlighted the emotional side of the subject. Students can feel exposed when sharing interpretations, especially if they’re unsure. Creating a space where their ideas are taken seriously encourages them to engage more openly. Over time, I’ve seen that confidence in expressing an opinion is just as important as understanding the text itself, and often the key to genuine progress.

Lara Venn Jones