Experienced A-level economics tutor/examiner. Improve your exam technique and reduce your stress

Learn more about Barnaby

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I was interested in history from a very young age and when I realised how fundamental economics was to the study of history, I became fascinated in economics too.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Economics is fundamentally about people. When I am teaching students some of the more dry, economic theory, I like to emphasise the human dimension. Apart from anything else, it's always easier for students to learn a topic when they can relate it to a real-world example.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I remember a teacher who used to be very strict about preparation and precision at the start of, and during any lesson. It seemed very unnecessary and over-the-top at first but the teacher himself was quite entertaining and it soon became clear that this structure and self-discipline created the space for us all to have fun and enjoy the classes. Looking back, I think that's quite a good lesson for life: Take care of business and get things done so that you can then relax a bit and have fun later.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Listening and observing. The better you become at this, the more you are able to adjust to the specific needs of individual students, whenever necessary. Tutors need to plan carefully for lessons but these plans must be flexible because all students are different and they all have both good and bad days - as we all do.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Economics essays require students to consider different perspectives in order to score highly. I think a good rule of life is: If you don't understand the other side of the argument, then you don't understand the argument.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  In my first few years of being a tutor I used to stress about trying to get through as much as possible, especially if time was limited and the student had an upcoming exam. However, this can sometimes mean covering lots of things inadequately when it is in fact better to cover a few things really well. You do not have any control over the fact a student has contacted you late in the year and they are really behind. You have to accept this and focus on doing the best you can for them with the time that you have. A classic case of "don't let the perfect get in the way of the good".

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Economics is one interest. Others include history and psychology. All of these very much overlap and again, it's really about the study of people and why we do what we do.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  Superprof is better than many of the agencies and websites out there and some of those charge up to 50% commission. I honestly don't know how they are still in business but I usually recommend Superprof if I'm asked.