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
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.
University of Stirling graduate • 2007 Cambridge CELTA
Whether you are working toward an exam deadline, preparing for international meetings, or simply want to enjoy speaking English without hesitation.
Structured preparation for B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency. Master Use of English, essays, reports, and speaking parts.
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.
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.
Detailed line-by-line feedback on essays, reports, and professional writing so you understand why a phrasing works better.
Rehearse conference talks, academic lectures, or panel Q&As with focused work on pacing, word stress, and clarity.
Relaxed, engaging discussions tailored to your interests. Ideal for lifelong and heritage learners who want to stop translating in their heads.
Choosing a tutor is personal. Watch this short introduction to see how our lessons work and how we build your confidence.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
Inspect before/after shifts for Cambridge C1, IELTS Task 2, and Executive Business English.
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.
From Cambridge exam passes to everyday professional and conversational confidence.
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!”
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!”
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.”
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!”
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.”
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!”
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.
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.
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 preparation course or a full term of weekly workplace coaching.
Need focused feedback before an exam or interview without committing to a multi-lesson pack?
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.
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.
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 →Everything you need to know about lesson delivery, time zones, levels, and booking.
Select a 30-minute trial lesson on the live calendar below, or request an asynchronous essay audit or course access.
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.
Need fast feedback before an exam? Submit an essay for line-by-line band analysis within 24–48h. No live slot required.
Start learning today: 12 interactive literary units mastering C1 inversions, clefts, and past deductions with 60 exam drills.
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