Informal approach to teaching gets results

TEACHING HAS BEEN a passion of mine for more than 16 years. Successful tutorial teaching involves far more than standing in front of a class and simply reviewing a syllabus or bombarding students with information on how to pass exams.

As a teacher, I have to be thoroughly knowledgeable about each topic I teach - or students will not have confidence in me. To do this, I spend time familiarising myself with curricula and preparing class work.

Students who have spent several hours in another classroom in regular day school have to be inspired. I do this by including everyday topics, such as television programmes, fashion and entertainment, in the tutorial or revision lessons.

I believe students appreciate the less formal approach and they respond by playing an active role in the lesson.

Usually tutorial classes run for about an hour, so it is important not to waste precious time. The key is finding the balance between providing students with the information they need and not making the study session too rigid or boring.

The job is not for someone who is shy. To communicate efficiently, I have to learn the latest slang, keep up-to-date with popular TV programmes and know which actors, actresses and Canto-pop stars are popular.

I sometimes consider myself a performer because of the way I try to entertain students and at the same time inspire them to acquire knowledge.