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Gareth Montgomery
19 Years Teaching • 15 Years at Belfast Met CELTA Qualified (2007) • 2,100+ 1-to-1 Lessons

Calm, precise English for the moments that matter.

Hi, I’m Gareth. Whether you’re aiming for Cambridge C1/C2, trying to get past Band 6.5 in IELTS, or tired of translating in your head during meetings, we’ll work together in calm, structured 1-to-1 lessons built around your goals and your voice.

Speaking from minute two (no passive lectures) Now booking the January 2027 intake £35 trial deducted in full from 10- and 12-lesson packs
Gareth Montgomery, CELTA-qualified Cambridge and IELTS English tutor, in his home office in Northern Ireland
Hear my accent & approach
Watch
“Patient, attentive, and corrects mistakes with great kindness.”
— Sandro S., Optometrist & Academy Founder • Read reviews →
Online 1-to-1 lessons delivered
2,100+
Online lessons
Years teaching English
19 yrs
Continuous Practice
Lecturing experience
15 yrs
Belfast Met Lecturer

University of Stirling graduate • 2007 Cambridge CELTA

Typical Milestones: Band 6.5 Ceiling Band 7.5+ Security CEFR B2 Plateau Cambridge C1 / C2 Pass Translating in your head Speaking with confidence
Practise Live in the Interactive Lab →

Built around what you want to achieve

Whether you are working toward an exam deadline, preparing for international meetings, or simply want to enjoy speaking English without hesitation.

Cambridge FCE, CAE & CPE

Structured preparation for B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency. Master Use of English, essays, reports, and speaking parts.

  • Built around Cambridge’s published criteria
  • Full timed speaking mocks

IELTS 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.

  • The 3-Act Story Arc for Part 2 Long Turns
  • Line-by-line essay feedback between lessons

Business, Academic & Professional English

For professionals, researchers and post-exam learners who want to speak with calm precision in meetings, conference Q&As, interviews and pitches, and to say exactly what they mean rather than a simpler version of it.

  • Diplomatic phrasing, persuasion and nuance
  • Rehearsal for keynotes, pitches and interviews

Grammar & Writing Coaching

Detailed line-by-line feedback on essays, reports, and professional writing so you understand why a phrasing works better.

  • Natural C1/C2 sentence structures
  • Clear explanations without jargon

Presentations & Pronunciation

Rehearse conference talks, academic lectures, or panel Q&As with focused work on pacing, word stress, and clarity.

  • Intonation & natural rhythm
  • Slide & script rehearsal

Conversation & Fluency

Relaxed, engaging discussions tailored to your interests. Ideal for lifelong and heritage learners who want to stop translating in their heads.

  • Natural idioms & everyday phrasing
  • Kind, constructive corrections
This Coaching Is Built For You If…
  • You are an intermediate-to-advanced adult (CEFR B1+ to C2) who wants honest, specific feedback rather than generic textbook exercises.
  • You need a Cambridge B2/C1/C2 pass or IELTS Band 7.0–8.5 and want line-by-line writing markups plus timed speaking practice.
  • You use English professionally and want to speak with calm, natural precision in meetings, pitches, and interviews.
This Coaching Isn’t For You If…
  • You are a complete beginner (CEFR A1–A2) starting from zero — my 1-to-1 methodology requires a conversational foundation.
  • You are looking for low-cost group classes or passive lectures where the tutor talks for 45 minutes.
  • You want “memorised exam tricks” or a 48-hour miracle before an exam without writing practice essays.

Hear my accent, teaching style & approach

Choosing a tutor is personal. Watch this short introduction to see how our lessons work and how we build your confidence.

How I mark your writing

How a B2 draft becomes C1 / Band 7.5+ writing

Generic feedback fixes a typo and says “Good job.” In our lessons we go through your writing line by line and swap everyday phrasing for the structures and collocations examiners reward.

Cambridge C1 Advanced / IELTS Task 2 Transformation
Illustrative example: B2 draft → C1 rewrite
Student Draft (B2 Baseline) Everyday Phrasing
“Cars cause a lot of pollution, and they also waste people's time every day. If the government makes train and bus tickets cheaper, people might leave their cars at home.”
Relies on basic conjunctions (‘and they also’) and conversational verbs.
Gareth's Line-by-Line Upgrade (C1/Band 7.5+) Examiner Standard
“Not only do private vehicles exacerbate urban air pollution, but they also erode daily productivity. First and foremost, heavily subsidising rail and bus fares would allow authorities to widen commuter adoption.”
Negative Inversion Nominalisation Academic Lexis
Want to test the full 3-context breakdown with interactive commentary?

Inspect before/after shifts for Cambridge C1, IELTS Task 2, and Executive Business English.

Gareth Montgomery teaching an online English lesson from his study in Northern Ireland

Hi, I’m Gareth — 19 Years Teaching, 15 of Them at Belfast Met.

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)—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.

  • Career English Educator
  • Cambridge CELTA (Belfast Met, 2007)
  • 2,100+ Online 1-to-1 Lessons
  • 8+ Years Teaching Cambridge FCE, CAE & CPE

What my students say

From Cambridge exam passes to everyday professional and conversational confidence.

Named 1-to-1 students & international professionals — published with their permission

Result: Full-Time English Immersion & Natural Fluency

“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!”
Arkady Dymkov-Weinstein
Netherlands • AI Platform Product Owner

Result: 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!”
Ingrida Syed
UK • Accountant

Result: Workplace Precision & Active Lexis

“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.”
Igor Slinko
Cyprus • Senior AI Researcher

Result: Passed 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!”
Lenka Mikulova
Netherlands • Lawyer

Result: 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.”
Sandro Sciacca
Italy • Optometrist & Academy Founder (Vision in Progress)

Result: 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!”
Noemi Pittaluga
Italy • Art & Cultural Professional

Straightforward fees, no hidden extras.

Every lesson is one-to-one with me, with no junior tutors and no surprise add-ons. Lessons are 50 minutes (the trial is 30). Start with a trial, then choose the pack that fits your target date.

Recommended First Step

30-Minute Trial Lesson & Study Plan

£35 one-off

15 minutes of live speaking practice, followed by a clear 15-minute study plan mapping where you are losing marks and what we need to focus on to reach your target grade.

  • Pinpoint where you are losing marks against the assessment criteria or hesitating at work
  • Leave with a clear written study plan and shared Google Doc (zero pressure to continue)
  • Risk-free start: Your £35 trial fee is deducted in full from any 10- or 12-lesson package you join within 7 days
Book 30-Min Trial Lesson (£35) →

5-Lesson Pack

5 × 50-Min 1-to-1 Sessions
£75 / lesson £375 total — Save £50 vs single sessions

Ideal for focusing on a single area: Speaking Part 3 fluency, Use of English transformations, or an upcoming job interview or presentation.

  • 5 tailored 50-minute 1-to-1 lessons
  • 3 between-class essay/report reviews in Google Docs
  • Shared class notes, error logs & vocabulary lists
  • Full access to custom grammar & exam practice tools
Reserve 5-Lesson Pack (£375) →

12-Lesson Pack

12 × 50-Min 1-to-1 Sessions
£65 / lesson £780 total — Save £240 + 8 Essay Markups

Designed for completing a full 12-unit IELTS or Cambridge preparation course or a full term of weekly workplace coaching.

  • 12 comprehensive 50-minute 1-to-1 lessons
  • 8 between-class Google Doc essay/report markups (24–48h turnaround)
  • 3 full timed mock speaking assessments with detailed feedback
  • Complete 12-unit exam or workplace communication syllabus
  • Reserved weekly timetable slot & £35 trial credit eligible
Reserve 12-Lesson Pack (£780) →

À La Carte & Async

No Package Commitment
£39 / £85 Written Essay Audit (£39) or Single Lesson (£85)

Need focused feedback before an exam or interview without committing to a multi-lesson pack?

  • Written Essay Audit (£39): Submit 1 exam essay or workplace text (up to 350 words) for line-by-line Google Doc markup & band notes within 24–48h
  • Single 50-Min Lesson (£85): One-off mock interview, speaking test, or live essay clinic
  • Pay securely via Stripe Payment Link
Multi-currency billing (GBP/EUR/USD), 6-month pack validity & pro-rata refund terms

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 trial credit applied). Read our full Cancellation & Refund Terms.

Interactive Practice & Self-Paced Study Portal

Practise Live in the Interactive Lab

Alongside 1-to-1 coaching, I build interactive exam modules, grammar games, free study guides, and a self-paced Gothic literature course. My 1-to-1 students use the Lab between classes—and independent learners can try the free tools anytime.

Interactive Study Hub
Try the Free Practice Tools

Includes free Cambridge B2/C1/C2 modules, IELTS Band 7.5+ essay builders, browser games, and downloadable study guides, plus optional self-paced courses.

Enter the Interactive Lab View all study guides & model essays →

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-to-1 sessions take place online via Zoom or Google Meet with HD audio and live screen sharing. Based in Northern Ireland (UK time), I teach weekday and weekend slots that suit students across Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
How does a typical lesson run?
Each 50-minute session is relaxed, interactive, and focused on getting you speaking. Depending on your goals, we might work on natural conversation and vocabulary, unpack specific Cambridge or IELTS tasks, or rehearse upcoming presentations. We finish with clear feedback, pronunciation tips, and a shared Google Doc of notes.
Which English levels do you accept?
My 1-to-1 coaching is designed for intermediate-to-advanced adult learners (CEFR B1+ up to C2 Proficiency): exam candidates targeting Cambridge or IELTS, professionals using English at work, and lifelong or heritage learners who want to speak more naturally.

Teens & Young Learners: Inside our Interactive Lab, teens (B1–B2 PET/FCE) can play Chronicle ’88 (our 80s visual novel & 2d6 grammar adventure series), while younger learners (A1–B1) can explore Professor West’s 3D Study.
Do you provide lesson materials and writing feedback?
Yes, all lesson materials—custom interactive slides, official Cambridge English sample papers, official IELTS sample test questions, and writing prompts—are provided free of charge. Every student gets a shared Google Doc for class notes, and students on 5-, 10-, or 12-lesson packs (or our standalone £39 Written Essay Audit) also receive between-class markups on essays or emails.
What is your cancellation and package refund policy?
Life happens! Any lesson can be rescheduled or cancelled with at least 12 hours' advance notice at no cost. Multi-lesson packs are valid for 6 months from your first lesson, and any unused sessions in a pack 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 trial credit applied).
How does payment work?
When booking your £35 trial lesson on the calendar below, payment is handled securely at checkout via Stripe. For 5-, 10-, or 12-lesson packs, single sessions, or Written Essay Audits, you can pay securely via Stripe Payment Link (with Wise or PayPal available on request).

Reserve Your Place at the Desk

Select a 30-minute trial lesson on the live calendar below, or request an asynchronous essay audit or course access.

Current Availability Updated for Autumn / Winter Term
Weekly slots reopen: Mid-January 2027

Weekly lesson slots are booked through December 2026

I keep my timetable small so every student gets proper writing feedback between lessons. Recurring slots are full this term, but 30-minute trial lessons are open on the calendar below, so we can map out your study plan and you can secure a place for the January intake.

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View cancellation & pro-rata refund policy

12 hours' notice to reschedule at no cost. Unused pack lessons are refunded pro-rata at the per-lesson rate of your pack (£75/session on the 5-pack; £65/session on the 10- and 12-packs, minus any credited trial fee). Full details in Cancellation Terms.