I teach literature and creative writing to children, young people and adults. I teach group and individual classes and run online courses throughout the year.
Classes are tailored to individual and group interests. You might want to cover a particular book, author, genre or period, or work on a specific writing project. You might also be coming fresh to reading fiction (or coming back to it) and want some guidance.
I can suggest reading, or we can put a course together based on your interests.
My classes are relaxed and lively, and usually consist of a mix of close reading, discussion and creative work.
Tuition and exam preparation
I prepare children and young people for exams (11+, 13+, GCSE/IGCSE, A-Level, IB, IELTS) and university application. I’ve helped students gain places at leading schools and universities in the UK and US, including Eton, St Paul’s, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard and Stanford.
I create a full learning plan and provide ongoing reports for parents and guardians where desired.
Courses
I run courses across world literature. These usually run for 8 weeks.
Previous courses include:
- Shakespeare for kids: an introduction – Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare
- Short fiction: global gothic – Baudelaire, Bruno Schulz, Dostoyevsky, Fleur Jaeggy
- The comic novel: Cervantes, Rabelais, Sterne, Gombrowicz, Kundera.
- Microfiction: generative workshop – Kafka, Borges, Lydia Davis, Lispector, Robert Walser
[Please note: new courses will run from January 2027 and will be advertised here]
Practicalities
Classes take place online, usually on Zoom or Google Classroom.
Individual classes are £80/hour. Small-group classes are charged at the same rate, divided between participants.
An 8-week course costs £250 per student.
I keep a small number of reduced-fee and free places for those who couldn’t otherwise attend – please ask about this.
About me
I have a first-class BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford and an MA from the University of Kent, where I was awarded a full scholarship.
I’ve been teaching for fifteen years. I’ve taught literature, film and creative writing at City University of Hong Kong, on summer courses at the University of Oxford, and in schools across the UK, Europe and Asia.
I also worked as a researcher in the Literature department at the University of Edinburgh, helping to develop creative writing education for young people.
Contact me at simonlouisfirth at gmail dot com.
I’ll get back to you within 24 hrs.
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