For the last twelve months I've been tutoring 12 and 15 year old sisters in Maths.
Yes. That's maths with an 's'. Don't get me started!
I'm not a professional tutor, and teaching is not something I'd ever take on full-time but when the wife gets asked if she knows any English or maths tutors, she'll generally 'volunteer' me as I do have a degree in engineering, have CELTA certification to teach English as a foreign language and in the past, have done voluntary tutoring at adults' literacy classes.
It is work though, and I do try and avoid that terrible four letter word but in this case, the family and the kids were lovely and they fully understood that they weren't getting some square old bloke in a tweed jacket and plaid tie reading put of a textbook.
I've also enjoyed our the sessions. The kids worked hard and wanted to improve. The 'international' schools here on the island are generally poor due to them struggling to attract proper teachers with poor salaries but the young ladies did me proud, leaping from struggling 'C's to both proudly hitting 'A's in their end of year exams. Kids happy. Parents happy. Martin happy.
Sadly, the family are moving to Bangkok so I'm not going to be able tutor them any longer and I was rather looking forward to the eldest sitting her iGCSEs next year and getting a grade she'd never imagined she was capable of just a few months ago, but at least now she has the tools and techniques so she'll do just fine solo.
It's still always sad to say goodbye though but at least innthis case, we have a standing invite for dinner the next time we're in Bangkok and due to mum being a professional chef, the chocolate brownies I received as a parting gift were absolutely sublime. If only I could have taken a photograph worthy of them!
Wednesday today, keep going and the week is all downhill from here!
Best wishes to all
Martin
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