I’m Gareth. I spent 15 years lecturing at Belfast Met before moving my 1-to-1 teaching online. Whether you’re working towards Cambridge C1 or C2, aiming for IELTS 7.0 or higher, or want to speak without hesitation in meetings, we’ll find the habits holding your English back and work on those.
Speaking from the first few minutes • Your £35 is credited in full toward any 10- or 12-lesson pack
Whether you are working toward an exam deadline, preparing for international meetings, or simply want to enjoy speaking English without hesitation.
B2 First • C1 Advanced • C2 Proficiency
Structured preparation for B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency. Master Use of English, essays, reports, and speaking parts.
Academic & General • Band 7.0–8.5+
Moving past a Band 6.5 plateau for university, professional registration (GMC/NMC) or relocation. We work on the structures examiners reward and a clear academic voice, with line-by-line essay feedback between lessons.
C1 / C2 Spoken • Live Phrasing Review
For professionals, researchers and advanced speakers who are tired of settling for a simplified version of their thoughts in English. We hold real conversations—from work and research to culture and philosophy—backed by live phrasing upgrades so you can say what you actually mean.
Choosing a tutor is personal. Watch this short introduction to see how our lessons work and how we build your confidence.
Whether it’s an essay draft or something you just said in our conversation, good feedback shows you exactly how to express the full weight of your idea.
Rather than + V-ing ..., Subject + ought to + Verb, thereby + V-ing ...
“Universities should focus more on practical skills instead of just theory, because this will help graduates find jobs much faster after they leave.”
“Rather than prioritising abstract theory, universities ought to anchor their curricula in practical training, thereby equipping graduates to navigate an increasingly competitive job market.”
How would you rewrite the draft on the left using the pattern above?
Cambridge C1, IELTS and workplace English, with my comments.
I qualified with my Cambridge CELTA at Belfast Metropolitan College in 2007 and have spent the 19 years since helping students feel genuinely comfortable, accurate, and confident in English.
After starting out at an international summer school at Queen’s University Belfast and spending a year teaching in Japan, I returned home to join the faculty at Belfast Metropolitan College, where I taught for 15 years.
At Belfast Met, I taught everyone from newly arrived refugees building a life from scratch to international professionals and exam candidates. For over eight of those years, I specialised in Cambridge exam preparation (B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency), helping hundreds of college and private students pass Cambridge exams and reach the IELTS score they needed by finding clear, practical ways to explain tricky grammar and essay structure so lessons never feel dry or intimidating.
Since moving online in 2020, I’ve delivered more than 2,100 one-to-one lessons. My students often tell me our sessions are a relaxed highlight of their week: I always bring a clear plan to keep us focused on your goal, while giving you the space to speak naturally and express what you actually mean.
From Cambridge exam passes to everyday professional and conversational confidence.
Passed Cambridge C2 Proficiency • Grade A
Full marks in two papers“I have been learning English with Gareth for the past two years, and I can honestly say that I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher.
Gareth is a fantastic teacher who always comes well-prepared to his lessons. He explains things clearly, adapts to your individual needs, and makes learning English genuinely enjoyable. He also helped me prepare for the Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam, which I managed to pass with flying colours thanks in large part to his guidance and support.
What I particularly appreciate about him is that, besides being a great teacher, he’s also a really friendly, open-minded, and easy-going person. You always feel comfortable asking questions or having a conversation with him. I would definitely recommend Gareth to anyone looking to improve their English, regardless of their current level.”
Weekly Conversation & Phrasing Coaching
“When I started working with Gareth, I didn’t want a tutor who just handed out grammar exercises — I wanted to stop translating in my head and just speak. Gareth got that right away. We focused heavily on exploring different parts of natural conversation, talking about absolutely everything from philosophy to everyday life. But it was never just aimless chatting; Gareth always had the perfect lesson ready to give our discussions just the right amount of structure.
A year later, I live and work completely in English, and our sessions are genuinely one of the highlights of my week. Thank you!”
Passed Cambridge FCE
“Gareth is an amazing teacher! He is incredibly encouraging and always finds fun ways to explain grammar and writing. My confidence in English has improved drastically—I successfully passed my Cambridge FCE exam and am now working as an accountant living in the UK. If you are looking for a teacher who makes a difference in student progress and makes the learning process interesting, I cannot recommend Gareth enough!”
Professional English for Tech & Meetings
“Lessons with Gareth are incredibly easygoing and enjoyable. We’ve found a format that works perfectly for me: no homework, just conversations about grammar or areas where I feel my vocabulary is lacking.
After just 8–10 lessons, each only 30 minutes long, I’ve noticed a significant change in how I speak English. Previously in work meetings, I would often settle for a slightly distorted version of my thoughts because I had to rephrase them using simpler words. Now, my speech has become much more precise. I can finally express exactly what I mean, rather than settling for less. All of this is happening naturally through relaxed, enjoyable conversations with Gareth.”
Passed Cambridge C1 Advanced
“Gareth helped me prepare for my C1 exam, which I passed. He was always well prepared and his lessons were never boring. What I really appreciated was that whenever I started chatting too much or going off topic, he always managed to bring me back to what we were supposed to be doing. He kept me focused on my goal, which I think made a real difference. I can definitely recommend him!”
3+ Years of Weekly Coaching
“Taking weekly lessons with Gareth for over three years has played a fundamental role in my professional growth. My work involves attending international conferences, delivering scientific presentations, and collaborating on the board of a European academy. Gareth is patient, attentive, and corrects mistakes with great kindness without ever making me feel judged. He hasn’t simply helped me improve my English; he has given me the confidence to actually use it worldwide.”
4 Years of Weekly Cultural & Conversational Coaching
“An excellent English teacher: knowledgeable, patient, cultured and proactive. The lessons are engaging and you learn the language through a variety of activities — such as reading, grammar, writing, expansion of vocabulary, reading comprehension and pronunciation practice — which also provide the student insight into English-speaking culture and society.
Focused on achieving specific goals and skilled at creating a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, Gareth tailors every lesson to the individual person, targeting their specific linguistic weaknesses... highly recommended!”
Every lesson is one-to-one with me, with no surprise add-ons. Lessons are 50 minutes (your starter session is 30). Start with a 30-minute starter session, then choose the pack that fits your target date.
We talk so I can hear how you use English now, and I’ll look at a short essay if you’ve sent one. You leave with a clear plan for reaching C1/C2 or IELTS 7.5+ in a shared Google Doc. There’s no pressure to continue.
Deducted from 10- or 12-lesson packs booked within 7 days
Ideal for focusing on a single area: Speaking Part 3 fluency, Use of English transformations, or an upcoming job interview or presentation.
Structured progression to move up a full grade boundary (B2 → C1, C1 → C2, or IELTS 6.5 → 7.5+) with regular writing feedback and mock speaking tests.
Designed for completing a full 12-unit IELTS or Cambridge course, or for professionals booking a full term of weekly conversation and live phrasing review.
Need focused help before an exam or interview without booking a pack?
Send me one essay, report, or work text (up to 350 words). Within 24 to 48 hours it comes back in a Google Doc with my comments on every line and notes on how an examiner would see it.
A standalone 50-minute 1-to-1 session for a live conversation review, job interview rehearsal, conference presentation run-through, or full mock speaking test.
Currency & Checkout: All fees are billed in GBP (£) via Stripe checkout (Wise or PayPal available on request). Your card provider or bank converts local currencies (EUR, USD, CHF, etc.) automatically at their standard exchange rate.
Fair Package & Cancellation Policy: 5-, 10- and 12-lesson packs are valid for 6 months from your first lesson and can be rescheduled with 12 hours' notice. If your schedule changes, unused pack lessons are refunded pro-rata at the per-lesson rate of your pack (£75/lesson on the 5-lesson pack; £65/lesson on the 10- and 12-lesson packs, less any £35 starter session credit applied). Read my full Cancellation & Refund Terms.
Fifteen self-paced lessons combining five classic novels (Dracula, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Alice in Wonderland), British narration (synthetic voice), C1/C2 grammar, and 15 practice questions in every lesson (225 in total, including 75 Cambridge Part 4 Key Word Transformations). Try five lessons for free, or unlock the complete course for £24 with no subscription.
Optional 20m Stretch: Each lesson also includes an optional IELTS/Cambridge speaking prompt and an 80–150 word writing practice box when you want a full 45-minute session.
I build interactive practice tools and study guides for my 1-to-1 students to use between lessons. Open any guide or tool below for free.
Because this will help graduates find jobs...
..., thereby equipping graduates to...
Real student paragraphs alongside the exact C1 structural upgrades that lift Band 6.5 to 7.5+.
What + Clause + is + Noun Phrase
Not only + Aux + Subj + Verb...
Five clean syntactic shifts examiners reward without memorised Band 9 vocabulary lists.
Keyword: INTENTION
had no INTENTION of apologising
The 4-step elimination method for scoring 2/2 on every transformation sentence.
Seldom + do we see →
“Seldom have researchers observed...”
How to use Not only, Seldom, and Little did without sounding unnatural or forced.
1. Depersonalised Thesis
2. C1 Concession & Topic Sentence
Step-by-step paragraph planner, thesis balance checks, and Band 7.5+ model comparisons.
Two prompt points evaluated
✓ C1 Structural Check Passed
Interactive Part 1 essay workshop with C1 structural checklists and live word-count pacing.
Unlock each chamber by solving authentic Cambridge Key Word Transformations under pressure.
Diplomatic pushback, interrupting politely, and steering international calls with calm authority.
Everything you need to know about lesson delivery, time zones, levels, booking, and the self-study course.
Five of the 15 lessons (Lessons 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13) are free to try in your browser first. When you pay £24 via Stripe to unlock the full course, Stripe redirects your browser back to the Course Hub, unlocking all 15 lessons and the printable study guide right away and showing your backup access code on screen for your phone or other devices (alongside your emailed Stripe receipt).
If you close the checkout tab early or don’t see your code, use the Help with a receipt, access code or refund link below with your checkout email and I’ll reply within 24 hours with your code.
Each lesson uses a British synthetic voice for the novel scenes and vocabulary audio. Because digital access starts straight away, you confirm before checkout that delivery begins immediately and that the 14-day statutory cooling-off period ends once unlocked (see Digital Content Terms).
Pick a time for a 30-minute starter session on the calendar below, or ask for £29 written essay feedback or course access.
I keep my weekly timetable small so every student gets proper writing feedback between lessons. Choose a time on the live calendar below for your £35 starter session, or pick one of these options if you prefer to start without a video call:
Send one full essay or work text (up to 350 words). Returned in 24–48 hours in a Google Doc with line-by-line examiner feedback.
Start today: 5 free lessons (15 total) from classic novels with British synthetic narration and 75 Key Word Transformations.
Not sure which option fits? Send a message below — and include one short paragraph of your writing if you’d like a quick free note from me.
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Select a lesson pack above or let me know your goals below. You can pay via Stripe Payment Link, Wise or PayPal.