The Clara James Approach to learning

Dawn Strachan

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. 

  1. 1d ago

    My biggest piece of advice if you want to become a tutor - be helpful

    This probably sounds like I am stating the obvious, but if you are looking to start a tutoring business the biggest/best piece of advice that I can give you is to be helpful.  By this I mean: if you are commenting on a social media post where someone is asking for help, offer them help and not just the option of taking you on as a tutor.  If you are giving out fliers, put a valuable tip / suggestion (such as revision tips, ways to learn a specific times table, quotes from a GCSE text book), or whatever it is so that they have a reason to hold on to that piece of paper and not just put it in a drawer. It also holds you as an expert with valuable information to share and not just someone who is trying to grow their business. If someone calls you looking for help, ask if they mind if you share a couple of ideas with them that you use and you hope they might find useful. Some might go, no thanks I can’t work with my child, but many will say thank you, that would be really helpful. But in doing this you are helping to build up a strong relationship from the outset. You are proving that you are doing this because you care and not just because you are trying to increase your numbers… I hope this helps. I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at info@clarajamestutoring.co.uk or fill in the form below and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you

    8 min

  2. Jun 2

    If you want to start tutoring in a couple of months time - bare this in mind

    The other day I organised a "Tutoring coffee and chat". The idea being that people who were thinking of becoming a tutor or looking to grow their tutoring business could join the call and we could share ideas that could be helpful to get them started. A point that repeatedly came up was that they were looking to start in September. The new school year. If this is your plan, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE start telling people now that you will be available, because: 1) there are so many people promoting themselves as tutors that it will take time for you to be heard above the noise. 2) People will be entrusting you with their child's education. They will want time to get to know you, like you, trust you before inviting you into their lives. 3) People are starting to look for tutors now for September so that it is something that is organised and they can put to the back of their minds before the summer holidays begin. If you would like a free copy of my book: Become a Tutor: Build Confidence. Change Lives (no strings attached what-so-ever) please do drop me a line: info@clarajamestutoring.co.uk and I will more than happy to send you one in the post. (I wrote it with the goal of answering the questions that I had when I got started) I wish you every bit of success on your journey

    6 min

  3. May 26

    The Rollercoaster of Tutoring

    At times tutoring can feel like a rollercoaster: its nonstop. Then suddenly you hit a bank holiday weekend, and the breaks are slammed on and somehow you have to pick up momentum again. You are running down the racetrack at a million miles an hour and a parent will declare that actually, we’ve been looking at dates and thanks for your help, but I think we’ll leave it there! That change in direction wasn’t something you had braced yourself for and you fall flat on your face. At first, you celebrate the time to yourself and then you start a new relationship with free-time, and you never want it to end… But you know the reality is that this cannot last for ever.   When I find myself in this situation, I have an image by my desk of the things I strive to achieve so that I can remind myself what it is I am striving for. Why I get up in the morning and head straight to the computer. Then (I confess) I am a list person. I love lists. It had gotten to the stage that I had lists to remind myself of my other lists, but I have become more disciplined now. But I have lists of different books, YouTube videos, podcasts that I can refer to that motivate me. They can be on fixing up the house or garden. They can be travel related or based on building a business. They may just be people who inspire me. Often, I will take myself for a walk and think back to what incredible parents I had and the values that they instilled in us.  It is whatever works for you in that moment. And it’s not about making a huge splash on that day, it’s about doing something. Anything, that will get the wheels turning again because that is what builds momentum. Whilst you are static your business can not grow, but 1 small step can become the start of many that will take you on the journey that you dream of. I am giving away copies of my book “Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives” if you would like a (completely free, no strings attached) copy, just drop me a message and I will more than happily drop one in the post for you: info@clarajamestutoring.co.uk I hope it helps. If you are looking for more tailored support in growing your tutoring business check out this link to discover other ways that I can help: Become a tutor

    5 min
  4. Become A Tutor - the book's introduction

    May 20

    Become A Tutor - the book's introduction

    I've been trying hard to give away copies of my book "Become a Tutor" as a free gift.  No strings.  But it is proving so hard! So, I thought if I recorded the introduction people would know what it was about and might be more tempted to take a copy. So, please if you are thinking about becoming a tutor or growing your tutoring business and you think this might be of help, please do go to the link below and I will get one in the post for you as soon as possible: Become a tutor - Free copy of my book

    8 min

  5. May 19

    A community for tutors

    When I first started tutoring I asked tutors in the local area if they wanted to create a group where we could share ideas/highs/lows of tutoring. Work together and support each other. The response was a unanimous "no!" Yet it seemed bizarre that people would rather work in isolation rather than build something stronger if we worked as a team.  For them "team" meant competition. But I am sure that if we work together our businesses will grow and strengthen as a consequence which in turn will lead to better profits (which at the end of the day is why most of us are in business...) That is also why I am turning towards supporting people grow their tutoring businesses so that they can be a part of a team, a part of something bigger. If you would like to know the different ways we can help, may be starting with a copy of my free book: Become a tutor - Free copy of my book or something more click here to find out how I can help: Become a tutor

    5 min

  6. May 13

    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 not to hear it. But what I have learned is that sometimes those who charge the most and offer the biggest promises actually provide the least.  In this podcast I'll talk you through some of the experiences I've had over the years - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also mention that if you would like me to pop a copy of my book in the post for you (completely free, no ties) I am more than happy to. It's the steps I wish I had been given when I was starting out as a tutor. If wanted, or if you have any other questions, please do ask: info@clarajamestutoring.co.uk If you do enjoy these episodes and you find them helpful, it would mean the world if you subscribed. Good luck on your journey into tutoring

    8 min

  7. May 13

    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 were competition as there are so many people looking for support in so many areas that we couldn’t possibly support everyone that needed it alone. We all also have different approaches to tutoring, so although I may offer “this”, it could be that families are looking for “that”, like you do it. Parents aren’t looking for ‘a tutor’. They’re looking for the right tutor for their child. But surely, the only way we can continue to improve and offer something better is by seeking help and advice and surely the best people to gain that from are often those who are slightly further along the journey than we are.  Often, the children themselves are some of our greatest teachers. They are the ones experiencing the education system every day, and their reactions, frustrations, and successes teach us a huge amount about how learning really works in practice. Wherever you are finding inspiration and help from, can I suggest that you never stop learning and looking to grow and improve. My late mum was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known. Not because of qualifications, but because she never stopped learning. She was constantly reading, listening, watching documentaries, and exploring ideas about people and the world around her. Curiosity never left her. Wherever you are in your tutoring journey, I genuinely believe we grow faster when we are willing to learn from others rather than trying to do everything alone. None of us know everything. The important thing is staying open to learning, reflecting, and improving. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about building supportive spaces for tutors who are starting or growing their journey. If you are looking for support, guidance, or simply someone to walk alongside you as you build your tutoring business, feel free to get in touch. I’d love to help if I can.  Become a tutor

    3 min

  8. May 5

    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 not glamours or a jet set lifestyle but I have to be honest and I say that I wouldn't change it. When the time is right, if you would like help building your own tutoring business, here are some ways that I can help: Become a tutor

    9 min
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About

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. 

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