Ex-Oxford admissions examiner, Oxford PPE (First) and Philosophy Masters. A-level Philosophy, 13 years' experience

Find out more about Sean

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  Once I had finished my Masters in Philosophy at Oxford, I started teaching at Westminster Tutors, in South Kensington. I realised that I loved teaching! It combined all the interesting topics that I had been studying with the emotional task of trying to empathise and explain them to a student. I especially love it when I see massive improvement (which happens quite often!). I have seen students of mine, especially when it comes to university or school admissions, transform their performance.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach University/school entrance, Philosophy and Drama.
  
  With Entrance interviews and tests, they differ, depending on whether it is for school or University, on the University, and on the subject. But they have some things in common. The entrance tests all are gauging how good you are at critical thinking, at analysing arguments, and explaining your own ideas. Interviews are, in some ways, more fun, because they involve how you emotionally present yourself, which is a skill! And you can get better at it, often in a short period of time.
  
  Philosophy was my first love, and I still enjoy teaching and reading it. I enjoy Ethics and Philosophy of Language the most, particularly the work of the German and French Philosophers of the last 200-300 years. Plato also gets me going.
  
  I studied at a Drama School after leaving University, and I have incorporated what I learnt into my tutoring in general. I now tutor LAMDA, Drama School entrance and Drama A-level.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  One of my teachers at primary school seemed to always know what to say at the right moment. I still remember many moments where he spoke and something clicked into place.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Empathy: you have to always start from where the student is, not where you are.
  
  Enthusiasm: you have to enjoy teaching!
  
  And, to be more specific, you have to be specific. Vague words and ideas rarely help. I try to be very specific: what precise word would fit here? what exact line of thought didn't help? what is this objection specifically an objection to? etc.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I didn't like Philosophy (or reading, or school work!) until I left secondary school. I worked very hard at my exams, but I didn't do much the rest of the year, and didn't enjoy any of it particularly. But I started to read in my gap year, and realised I had this love for Philosophy. And this love spread to other subjects, and slowly to learning in general. I guess I feel like it's not too late for anyone, and you can spark inspiration at any moment.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  At this point, I have been teaching these subjects for so long, and understand the examination process, that I sort of think that it's the examiners who have the challenge. I know how it works!

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I write and direct short films and theatre, often about topics in Philosophy.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions) ?

  I care about how my students do. And I love teaching!