Cambridge Exams
Master CPE, CAE, and FCE. Focused practice for Use of English, essays, reports, and speaking.
- C1/C2 vocabulary building
- Speaking test mocks
15+ Years College Lecturer
Master your exams. Fast-track your career.
Structured, high-impact instruction built around your specific goals. As a former Belfast Met lecturer, I specialize in targeted 1-on-1 preparation for Cambridge C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced, B2 First, IELTS 7.0+, and Corporate Language Coaching.
- Experience
- 15+
- Years Teaching
- Specialism
- C1, C2 & 7+
- IELTS & Cambridge Targets
- Lesson format
- 1-on-1
- Custom Pedagogy
Lesson Options
Structured to fit your goals
Every lesson is carefully structured, focusing on exam criteria, robust essay plans, and accurate speaking practice.
IELTS Preparation
Targeted test-taking strategies, band-specific essay analysis, and simulated speaking assessments.
- Writing Task 1 & 2 fixes
- Timed speaking mocks
Business English
Corporate language coaching focusing on professional communication, presentations, and advanced business vocabulary.
- Presentation skills
- Professional correspondence
Grammar & Writing
Evaluation and refinement of essays, articles, and reports with deep-dive feedback.
- Advanced sentence structure
- Interactive grammar exercises
Meet Your Tutor in 75 Seconds
Hear my accent, teaching style & approach
Choosing a tutor is personal. Watch this short video to see how we evaluate errors, unpack exam questions, and build your confidence.
Formal Qualifications & Background
“Expert guidance drawn from over 15 years in higher education.”
Hi! I’m Gareth. I hold a degree from the University of Stirling and recognized teaching credentials, with over 15 years dedicated to English language pedagogy and exam preparation—including a lengthy appointment as an English Lecturer at Belfast Metropolitan College.
Unlike casual conversational tutors, my sessions are built upon institutional syllabus design and examiner scoring criteria. Whether we are unpicking tricky Use of English inversions for C2 Proficiency, structuring Band 8.0 IELTS essays, or rehearsing executive board presentations, you receive direct, diagnostic feedback designed to move your score.
- CELTA / TEFL Qualified
- University of Stirling Alum
- Former Belfast Met Lecturer
- Cambridge Exam Specialist
Straightforward Pricing
Simple, transparent tuition fees
Book single sessions or save with multi-lesson packs tailored to your exam timeline.
Not sure which fits? Start with a 30-minute trial lesson (£20).
Pay As You Go
£45 / 50 mins
Ideal for quick essay evaluation, report proofreading, or targeted exam questions.
- Flexible scheduling
- Customised lesson plan
- Written post-class feedback
Most Popular
Exam Readiness
£210 / 5 sessions
£42 per lesson. Best for noticeable progress in speaking structure and exam strategy.
- Everything in Single Lesson
- Essay and article reviews
- Priority timetable selection
- Interactive grammar materials
Cambridge / IELTS Intensive
£400 / 10 sessions
£40 per lesson. Complete syllabus for C1/C2 mastery and top-tier exam grades.
- Everything in Exam Readiness
- Full mock speaking assessments
- Essay scoring & line-by-line edits
Verified Proof of Results
Concrete exam breakthroughs from real students
Measured band improvements, Cambridge certifications, and professional fluency milestones.
Result: IELTS 6.5 → 8.0 in Speaking
“Gareth is truly one of the best teachers for the speaking test. I had failed to move past 6.5 twice before. He diagnosed my hesitation patterns and I reached an 8.0 just two weeks later. I highly recommend him to anyone sitting IELTS Academic.”
Maria Rossi
Italy • Master's Applicant
Result: Medical Presentation Flawless
“I needed to prepare an international clinical conference lecture in English. In just a few weeks, Gareth completely transformed my fluency and precision with specialist vocabulary. His constructive corrections gave me total confidence in front of 300 delegates.”
Dr. Korentin Lefebvre
France • Medical Researcher
Result: B2 First → C1 Advanced (Grade A)
“Gareth always comes prepared with tailored exercises and custom interactive slides. He broke down the Cambridge Use of English paper into clear, logical steps. I not only passed CAE, but achieved a Grade A (C2 level equivalent)!”
Ekaterina Petrova
Germany • Corporate Banking
Rated 4.9 / 5.0 based on 49 independent student evaluations. Request references or syllabus review →
Free Study Guides & Games
Featured Lessons & Interactive Tools
IELTS Writing
Task 2 Structure & Model Essay
A reliable 4-paragraph framework, band scoring breakdown, and complete sample essay with analysis.
Read the guide →C2 Proficiency / C1 Advanced
Mastering Negative Inversion
Rule breakdowns, typical traps, and 8 exam-style key word transformations with click-to-reveal answers.
Start the lesson →B2 First (FCE) Interactive
Interactive FCE Review Presentation
An interactive presentation built from real college lectures to sharpen exam technique and grammar.
Open presentation →
Free Browser Game
Play Grammar Crypt →
Grammar Crypt: Can you survive the 20-level syntax trial?
Practice word classes, complex sentence order, and clause hierarchy in an engaging retro adventure with synthesized audio.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about lesson delivery, time zones, levels, and booking.
What platform do we use, and which time zones do you teach?
All private 1-on-1 sessions are delivered online via Zoom or Google Meet with HD audio and live screen sharing. Based in Northern Ireland (GMT / UK time), I offer weekday and weekend slots accommodating students across Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
How does a typical lesson run?
Each 50-minute session is highly interactive and maximizes your speaking time. We start with targeted active recall or error correction, transition into high-intensity exam practice or speech delivery (e.g. Cambridge Speaking Part 2/3 or IELTS Task 2 analysis), and finish with immediate diagnostic feedback, pronunciation polish, and agreed homework tasks.
Which English levels do you accept?
My specialty is intermediate-to-advanced learners: CEFR B1+ up to C2 Proficiency, as well as IELTS candidates targeting Band 7.0+.
Who I'm not right for: I do not currently accept complete beginners (A1/A2). This ensures every session can remain focused on advancing your syntax, exam strategy, and fluency.
Who I'm not right for: I do not currently accept complete beginners (A1/A2). This ensures every session can remain focused on advancing your syntax, exam strategy, and fluency.
Do you provide lesson materials and homework?
Yes, completely free of charge. You get custom lecture slides, authentic Cambridge exam papers, proprietary interactive presentations (Prezis), and structured writing prompts. I also provide line-by-line markups and feedback on writing submissions between lessons.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Life happens! Lessons can be rescheduled or cancelled with at least 12 hours advance notice at zero fee. We simply find another slot in the calendar that fits your schedule.
How does payment work?
Payments are processed securely via Stripe, PayPal, or Wise. You can pay for single lessons on a pay-as-you-go basis, or purchase a discounted multi-lesson package upfront. An invoice link will be sent to you prior to the lesson.
Direct Inquiries & Scheduling
Book Your Trial Lesson (£20 / 30m) or Inquire
Send me a quick note about your targets, timeline, and current level. I will reply within 24 hours to schedule your introductory trial.