Toby Smith
English Tutor at Lancaster University | Literature, Writing, Reading, Debate
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Toby Smith
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
Your english tutor - Toby
Hi there! My name is Toby, and I am an experienced, TEFL certified teacher, of both English and Spanish, from the UK. I have over 3 years of experience teaching students of all ages to become the best linguists they can be. If you are looking for a professor to push you in your studies, to tailor the learning experience to you, and provide you with skills that will help you in the real world, not just boring textbook exercises and vocab tests, then look no further! My specialities range from accent coaching, to test prep strategies, to business english, ensuring that each student has a comprehensive grounding that allows them to master English or Spanish to the highest level. Whether you are a beginner, or an experienced speaker looking to refine your English or Spanish skills, I am here to help you succeed. Let’s embark on this language journey together and unlock your full potential in English or Spanish.
Meet Toby
Toby graduated from Lancaster University


English tutor specialities
Test prep strategies
Listening skill
Writing assistance
Cultural immersion
Visual learning
Homework help
Learner types for english class
ADHD
English for Kids
ASD
English for School students
Anxiety or Stress Disorders
English for Adults
Home schooled
English for Beginners
English for College students
English classes quick guide
My teaching methodology is unique in that I incorporate the latest and most up to date teaching strategies within my curriculum. I have eliminated the outdated and actively damaging practises of learning by rote and standardised class structures from my approach, as these have been proven to not only slow learning progress, but also weaken a students adaptability in the target language. As such I employ an approach of fully immersive classes, in which 90-95% of the content is taught in and around the target language, only using translations when absolutely necessary to ensure student understanding. I create a personalised and tailored curriculum for each student, using an initial aptitude test and my own insights in the first few sessions to target the weaknesses within their fluency, and to actively improve the areas that will support the purpose of their learning. With over 100 successful students taught, and over 5000 hours of classes under my belt, I have a proven track record in my style and my ability to accelerate a student’s learning by making lessons engaging and personalised.
Toby - also teaches
English Listening
English Literature
English Speaking
English Vocabulary
English Writing
English

15 days Refund
Free Tutor Swap

English concepts taught by Toby
The student and tutor focused on vocal technique, specifically developing the lower register through warm-ups and exercises. They practiced songs like "Shenandoah" and "Love You To Come Over," working on breath control, vowel clarity, and managing vocal breaks, with plans to use backing tracks in future sessions.
Belting vs. Shouting: Vocal Technique
Gentle Lower End Warm-up (Groaning Technique)
Vibrato Technique: Diaphragm vs. Riff-based
Vocal Phrasing and Consonant Handling in Singing
Breath Control and Pausing in Singing
The Tutor and Student reviewed grammar concepts related to participles and possessives before moving on to independent and dependent clauses and their punctuation. They then practiced test-taking strategies, including time management and question approach, through a timed "blitz test" which will be further reviewed and practiced in future sessions.
Conventions of Standard English: Apostrophes
Strategies for Time Management in Tests
Punctuation for Connecting Clauses
Independent vs. Dependent Clauses
The class focused on vocal techniques, including breathing exercises and breath control during singing. The student practiced maintaining consistent volume across different vocal ranges and worked on specific song passages to reduce tension and improve transitions between vocal registers. The student was assigned practice focusing on challenging sections of a song and experimenting with different vocal techniques.
Overcoming High Note Hesitation with Octave Shifts
Phrase Manipulation for Breathing
Full Exhalation and Deep Inhalation
Diaphragmatic Breathing and Breath Control
Vocal Tension and Posture
Vocal Registers and Transitions
The Tutor and Student analyzed Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, focusing on archaic language and the function of apostrophes. They then engaged in practice problems from difficult SAT writing questions, covering topics like sentence structure, punctuation, and vocabulary, with plans to delve into clause types in the next session.
Apostrophe Usage in Shakespearean English
Sentence Structure and Punctuation in Older Texts
Shakespeare's Contribution to English Vocabulary
Grammar and Punctuation Challenges in Standardized Tests
The student and tutor worked extensively on vocal technique, focusing on pitch accuracy and support in both the lower and upper registers. They practiced scales and song excerpts to improve vocal control, breath management, and the transition between vocal registers. The student was also advised to focus on phrasing and vowel manipulation in their practice of specific songs.
Vocal Register Transitions
Pitch Accuracy in Lower Registers
Vowel Manipulation for Vocal Power
Breath Control and Diaphragmatic Support
The Tutor and Student reviewed various English grammar and punctuation rules, including the use of dashes, colons, semicolons, and commas, as well as sentence structure with independent and dependent clauses. They also analyzed a Shakespearean sonnet for its themes and literary devices. The Student was assigned to find and analyze another Shakespearean poem for the next session.
Subject-Verb Agreement and Complex Sentences
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Colons vs. Semicolons
The Oxford Comma (Serial Comma)
Teaching tools used by english tutor
Writing prompts
Game based learning tools
Language simulations
Translation tools
Speech recognition
Engaging english lessons
Mobile joining
Weekend lessons
Chat for quick help
Note taking
Open Q&A

English tutors on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
