Welcome to 'My Expert Exam Marker',

a professional service aimed at supporting  students in English studies. 

 

 

 

 

Services

• English examination marking (11+, 13+ and GCSE English and English Literature)
• English email support (all abilities and ages - reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, expanding general knowledge)
• Online skype tutoring with interactive whiteboard (11+. 13+. GCSE English and English Literature)
• Editorial Services: school applications, university applications, proofreading and copy-editing of various documents

 

 

My Background and Experience

 

My name is Nektaria Papanicola and I have over 22 years experience as an English teacher. Having taught in Canada and Greece for the first 4 years of my teaching career, I am now settled in the UK where I have been teaching for the past 18 years. I currently teach at a  fantastic secondary school in Hertfordshire, England. Alongside my teaching, I have always aimed to expand my knowledge of the examinations my students were sitting so I started working as an assistant examiner almost as soon as I started teaching in the UK. I have over 14 years experience as an examiner with various major UK and international examination boards. In addition, I have also tutored online and face-to-face for the past 7 years, supporting students in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, covering all ages and abilities, from primary, 11+, 13+, GCSE and university English language examinations. Many of these students have gone on to study in a wide range of prestigious British academic establishments such as Wycombe Abbey, Cheltenham Ladies' College, City of London, St Paul's, Haberdasher's Boys, Winchester College, Rugby School, Eton College and Harrow.  

 

 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree with Majors in English Literature, French Language and Literature and a Minor in Italian Language from the University of Toronto. I also hold a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto. I have QTS (qualified teacher status) in the UK from Brunel University and a Diploma in English Education from the Institute of Education in London.  

 

Why I teach

 

What I enjoy most about working with young people is seeing their confidence in their own abilities grow and flourish. English is a wonderful subject in that it allows us to explore such a rich variety of topics and experiences. It is a privilege to be part of a young person's journey in exploring the infinite intricacies of our mind and our world. Preparing for English examinations can be tricky exactly because it is such a far-reaching subject. I always encourage my students to discuss, to be curious and to read as widely as possible, experiencing great examples of fiction and non-fiction writing. However, when it comes closer to the actual examinations or mock examinations, what is more often needed is regular practice in timed exam conditions so that students can become comfortable with the timings and requirements for each type of question. It is my goal to help young people prepare for some of the most important examinations in their school career. 

 

How I Can Support Students:

 

Exam Marking Service

 

I offer a reasonably-priced, professional marking service for those students who want to get that extra bit of examination practice before their actual exams or mock exams. This service would also suit students who don't have the time to fit in a regular weekly tutor or who find the cost of a regular tutor prohibitive.

 

I provide detailed feedback with grades, marks schemes, exemplar model answers, targets and tips for improvement.  I will do my utmost to support and guide students through the examination preparation process and I would like take a bit of the stress away! 

 

I will mark any examination papers that students may be working on at the moment at home and I can also provide students  with sample or past papers to work on.

 

English Email Support

 

In addition to examination marking, I also offer an English Email Support service, which is an alternative to traditional face to face or internet tuition. I provide support in reading comprehension, writing, advanced vocabulary acquisition, wider reading to develop cultural capital and grammar. Work is set via email and on a private, interactive, electronic whiteboard. 

 

Online Skype Tutoring

 

I have over 15 years experience as a tutor and I've been involved in online tutoring for the past 7 years. With the aid of an interactive whiteboard, clear instructions and regular communication, online tutoring can be as effective, quick-paced and enjoyable as face-to-face lessons. I provide preparation for examinations in English (11+, 13+, GCSE English and English Literature) as well as general support with English studies. I teach AQA GCSE at my school but I have also tutored using the following exam boards: Eduqas, Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE, IB Diploma. In addition, I have prepared students for school entrance interviews, IELTS examinations and SATS examinations. 

 

Editing and Proofreading

 

I also have had training as a proofreader and I have experience of proofreading documents for technical accuracy and fluency as well as providing advice for dissertations, CVs, independent school applications, Sixth Form entry and University Entry applications. 

 

Please do get in touch if this sounds like it will be helpful!

 

I look forward to working with you!

Nektaria