About
What is Eleven Plus English?
Eleven Plus English is a website dedicated to supporting young learners who are aiming to take selective entry exams. The most common such exam is the 11+, but such exams are not limited to 11+. The website aims to offer resources, practice papers, guides, articles and information that will be of use both to learners and their parents.
Who am I?
I’m Philip O’Hanlon. I have been an English teacher and tutor for over 25 years and have a wealth of experience. I have taught in a wide variety of educational contexts, including state schools, private schools, companies, universities and even militaries. I have taught internationally and domestically in the UK and I have taught all ages, from 5 - 65. In addition to teaching, I have worked both as an English language consultant and as an examiner.
Qualifications.
BA First Class with Honours (Warwick University)
MA (Manchester University)
PG Cert (Liverpool University)
MSc (Huddersfield University)
PhD (Queen’s University, Belfast)
TESOL (Trinity College, London)
Specialisms.
I have taught a variety of subjects over the years but these days I focus mainly on GCSE English and 11+ test preparation. As a private tutor, I have a history of supporting learners to realise their full potential. Most recently, I have supported young learners to gain entry into a variety of schools including Winchester College, St Paul’s Girls School, Sevenoaks, Charterhouse and Eton College.
My Teaching Philosophy.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education is a transformative and empowering experience. I view myself as a facilitator of knowledge, striving to create a dynamic learning environment where students are not only recipients of information, but active participants in their own learning journey. I emphasise the cultivation of critical thinking skills, the fostering of curiosity and the development of creativity. I aim to inspire a love for lifelong learning by connecting course material to real-world applications and engaging students in meaningful discussions. My international experience means I am able to recognise and respect the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and learning styles of my students.
Over the years, I have found that the best approach to teaching is a flexible one. Teaching is a craft and a good craftsperson will keep abreast of the latest tools, choosing different tools for different types of tasks, adapting to student needs and different learning styles. As well as being a teacher I have worked as a practising psychologist and have a firm grasp of the psychological dynamics of the learning process. One of the techniques I advocate is that of spaced repetition, a memory technique to assist with the retention of new information.
Generally speaking, if you want to book me as your tutor then it is my expectation that you will be prepared to produce written work for me. Examiners assess you on your written work so developing writing skills is a central requirement of student progress in the subjects I teach. Experience tells me that the students who benefit most from private tuition are those that are prepared to put in a bit of extra effort themselves alongside the tuition.
Note: any parents of a Chinese language and heritage who would like to consider booking private lessons for your child, please go through my Chinese partner, Star Education, who can be contacted here: lesson@stareducation.cn
Just a few of my happy customers