The Clara James Approach to learning
When it comes to learning we are all individuals.
The past 20+ years have taught me that no matter our learning style if the child is engaged and relaxed they are more likely to learn.
If we just keep giving them the same resources, varied over and over again, all we are doing is giving them one place in their brains to find the information. However, by giving them a variety of resources we can make it more interesting, more relevant, and help them to create multiple memories so that when they need to recall the information, they have more places they can go to in order to find it.
If we can boost their confidence as well as their knowledge we will make their life and ours easier.
For 20 years now I've been fascinated by different learning styles: ASD, Dyslexia, ADHD. The purpose of this podcast is to share my findings with you, so that maybe what I've learned will be of help to you too.
Episodes
67 episodes
Where to get advice to grow your tutoring business when you're starting out
Thinking back over the years some of the best advice I have had has been a nugget of something from a book or audiobook, or a child I have been working with.We can listen to everything, but if it doesn't work for us sometimes it's best n...
Why would you help your competitors?
Why would you help your competition? In a Facebook group that I am a part of about tutoring, someone recently asked why were people looking for help from their competition?That seemed like a bizarre concept that we wer...
A day in the life of building Clara James Tutoring
Thinking about becoming a tutor?In this episode, I walk you through a real day in my life as a tutor and what I do, how I structure my time, and what the role truly involves beyond the act of tutoring itself. It's ...
Sunshine, BBQ's and Tutoring
Something you may not consider when you start tutoring is the weather!This past weekend the weather has been incredible (by the usual standards of the UK in April). The sun was shining and many of the neighbours were having BBQs.
What makes a good tutor?
If you had asked me a couple of years back what makes a good tutor, I would have answered with what I thought a tutor needed to be. Confident, a qualified teacher, great subject knowledge and the degree to prove it.After 14 years of buil...
3 bits of advice I would give someone when their tutoring business is looking for a boost
There will be days when you are working on growing your business that you will feel like you have slogged away all day and question what you have achieved. Then other days you will do something that takes you seconds but will have you swinging ...
Getting started as a tutor: The highs, lows and in-betweens
Tutoring was never something I intended doing, however a friend talked me into it. I had no business experience (my background was education, specifically working with neurodiverse children). So a friend and I brainstormed what we would expect ...
When should I start tutoring?
As with most things there is no perfect time to start tutoring, so start today!That's a confident statement, but the reason I say that is because initially people will be oblivious of what you are doing. It will take time for people to r...
A Simple Way I Grew My Tutoring Business (That Cost Nothing More Than My TIme)
When I first started tutoring I hired a room for a couple of days (though I guess I could have done it here) for free through a local organisation, and offered free tutoring. My request was that the family put a donation into the tin instead of...
Growing Your Tutoring Business Without Losing Your Standards
I was speaking to a tutor who has been building his business over the past few years and is now considering taking voluntary redundancy to grow it full-time.He mentioned that many of the families he works with have started asking if he o...
Listen to everyone, but only hear what's relevant (when marketing your tutoring business)
Over the years I have found that there are so many people offering you advice on how to market your business. Each person saying something different. Each one equally justified because it's worked for their business. But is that business a tuto...
Why we started offering online lessons as well in person lessons
When I first started the tutoring business in 2012 I was very opinionated that every lesson should take place in the comfort of the child's home. They would be in an environment where they felt comfortable and it would make life easier for the ...
Why we do 1-1 tutoring sessions in the child's home
In this podcast I explain why we made the decision to do our 1-1 tutoring sessions in the child's home rather than expecting them to travel to us.The easier we can make things for the family, the more likely it is that they will chose y...
Use your story to grow your tutoring business
Every day someone else makes the decision to start tutoring. Some will be excellent, others will still be learning. But with so many people promoting themselves as a tutor, how can you be the one that stands out as different?Is the answe...
Tutor the child not the label
This is by no means meant as being derogatory towards getting the support a child needs to help them cope in the education system in life in general. Instead, it is meant as a reminder that behind every label is a child and it is important that...
Clara James Tutoring - 14 years in the making
14 years ago, I went to the home of the first person I ever worked with. It was probably one of the most terrifying events I have encountered through work.I’ve told the story many times about the first lesson I ever went to. I was told go t...
Can tutoring provide a full-time income?
The honest answer is yes, but it isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, commitment, and hard work. There are often adverts popping up on social media explaining how you can tutor from anywhere in t...
Solving equations with an x on both sides
Recently a few people have asked about how to solve equations with an x on both sides.When I did my GCSEs many, many years ago dad suggested that I imagined a set of scales. Whatever I did to one side, I had to ensure I did to the other sid...
The hardest part of tutoring
I love tutoring, it has completely changed my life. Not just financially, but also the confidence I have in myself and my abilities. I’m still not an outwardly confident person but I am no longer the timid, quiet person I was before. Through tu...
My child hates reading!
Why do some children love reading whilst others detest it.Generally speaking, it’s rarely just about not liking books, there’s usually a deeper reason and the word “Hate” can be a cover for feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, or bored especia...
Support your child with their times tables - and make it fun
Are you looking to support your child with their times tables in a fun yet effective manner?Listen on.In this podcast we will look at how we learn. How by using a variety of resources we are helping our children to create multiple...
Untitled Episode
Prior to tonight's workshop I recorded myself as a trial run. In this video we talk about 1. Use Colour and CreativityUse at least 5 colours when revising — it engages more neural pathways and helps you remember.Colourful notes...
How do we learn?
In this Podcast we explore what I have learned over the years about supporting children with their learning. Learning is unique to each one of us. Yet, there are some principles which we can use to support any child’s education that will prove ...
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How can I support my neurodiverse child through home education
In this podcast we will look at how you can support your home educated child without it becoming a cause of overwhelm for the whole family.Making the decision to support your child’s education at home is a huge decision but at the same t...
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