Oxford Classics undergraduate, teaching Latin and Classical Greek to A level online; can also teach university entrance (e.g. Oxbridge, CAT).

Learn more about Alexander

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

  The two are very closely linked! I developed an interest in Classics through studying Latin and Greek at school at the hands of some very inspiring teachers, which prompted me to go on to study the subject at university - the reason I love tutoring so much is to have that opportunity to spark the same enthusiasm in other people!

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

  Because of the nature of the British education system, most of the tutoring I do is necessarily focussed on the grammar and syntax of the Latin and Greek languages. However, what I really enjoy doing, once a student has a solid grasp of the language, is to use that to read interesting texts which give us unique insights into how the Romans and Greeks lived and thought about their world. Unfortunately, though, that often isn't exactly what people are looking for when they turn to tutoring, so it happens more rarely than I would like!

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

  Too many! In particular, I remember one teacher at school who would teach us our set texts so well that we'd spend all our lessons discussing interesting and quirky things about the text which seemed only tangentially related to the syllabus - and then would realise upon leaving the classroom that we'd 'accidentally' learned all the boring bits as well!

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

  An ability to listen to one's students, ascertain exactly what they know and what they struggle with, and then with that insight use what they know to teach them what they don't understand. It's easier said than done, but getting better and better at that process is a fascinating way of getting to know your students better!

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

  I remember once, at an A level subject talk, one of my Classics teachers stood up and gave a presentation about all the fields in which a knowledge of Latin comes in useful, and I was flabbergasted! Up until then I'd only considered it as a bit of fun, but never actually realised quite how transferable the skills you learn from studying Classics really are!

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

  The quantity and length of the texts I cover in studying Classics at degree level can be very difficult; however, it's an exciting challenge to undertake! And the feeling that you get once you've mastered a passage of one of the ancient authors is tremendous - the insight you have into their way of looking at the world makes it all worth it.

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

  I realised when I started tutoring that, against all my expectations, I enjoyed the process of teaching much more than even the nitty-gritty of my subject! As I mentioned above, that ability to lead a student from ignorance to understanding of anything interesting or useful is a beautiful experience to have!

• What makes you a Superprof?

  I think that's for my students to judge! I try to engage with each of them on an individual level, using their unique situation in understanding the subject as a springboard for further teaching, and hoping to inspire them with a passion for the subject along the way - whether I succeed or not, you'll have to ask them!