Toby Smith
Engage in personalised ESL sessions with a Lancaster University Graduate with over 15+ years of linguistic experience!
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Toby Smith
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
Toby - Know your english tutor
I'm Toby Smith, a Master's educated ESL tutor with over 6 years of experience. My classes cater to ESL students of all levels and ages, be it beginner, intermediate, or advanced learners, those who have learned a language before, or those who have no experience with them. I specialise in a wide variety of subjects, such as Business English, Conversational English, and Accent Correction, and my over 15+ years of study in linguistics, alongside my Bachelor's and Masters in English Literature and Translation respectively, allow me to adapt my classes to the goals and weaker areas of any student. Whether you are needing help with homework, looking to enhance your listening skills, or are hoping to work in an English speaking country, my classes are designed to set you up for success, using a custom curriculum that is built around you and the way you learn best!
Toby graduated from Lancaster University
English tutor specialities
Accent coaching
Test prep strategies
Speaking fluency
Grammar fundamentals
Visual learning
Student types for english classes
ADHD
ESL for adults
ESL for kids
ASD
ESL for intermediate
ESL for beginners
Home schooled
ESL for advanced
Anxiety or Stress Disorders
English classes overview
My classes are custom from start to finish. I don't do one size fits all teaching, as no two students are exactly the same. I create custom tailored programs for each and every student, that adapt to your preferred learning method and preferred areas of study, in order to maximise the speed at which you learn. As someone who has studied languages for many years, I know that the process can be stressful, tedious, and, if not done properly, boring. As such, I streamline the process, removing the typical repetitive drills, vocabulary tests, and endless grammar, in favour of a more practical approach that allows you to get speaking in your chosen field quickly and confidently. If you are looking for a teacher that will push you to be the best speaker you can be, while simultaneously staying aware of the things you struggle with and the difficulties you face, then my lessons are for you!
English tutor also teaches
Business English
English Reading
ESL
English Grammar & Vocabulary
English Pronunciation & Accent
English Culture
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15 days Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
ESL 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)
Practical tools used in english classes
Writing prompts
Interactive quizzes
Translation tools
Game based learning tools
Language simulations
Dynamic english lessons
Parent feedback
Record lessons
Open Q&A
Note taking
Weekend lessons
ESL tutors on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.