Karen Elwis – Founder and Tutor

I’m passionate about supporting and encouraging students of all ages who want to learn – and even a few who don’t!

After obtaining an Honours degree in Interpreting and Translation from Heriot-Watt University, I embarked on a career as a professional translator, writer, editor and proofreader.

In 2004, a chance request from a friend to tutor her son for an English exam started a journey that has seen me work one-to-one with a host of amazing and interesting people of all ages. Every student has different requirements, and the bespoke nature of tutoring allows me to focus on these.

The written word has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. As a child I devoured books under the duvet by torchlight, and I’m still obsessed with adding new words to my vocabulary (as any of my pupils will confirm!).

My linguistic training and my infectious enthusiasm for learning allow me to convey information in an innovative and engaging way, making even the stodgiest topics interesting.

Karen helped both my boys hugely with English. My elder son struggled for years before getting tuition, and he would never have passed without Karen. With my younger son, after one lesson with Karen he got the grasp of things and ended up with an A. I cannot recommend Karen enough – she is an amazing tutor.
Parent, Milnathort
From the perspective of a parent, I really can't recommend Karen highly enough. She has the ability to connect with her student right from the start and tap into what works for them. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she engages at just the right level. My son blossomed throughout their sessions together – she helped clarify everything he was learning at school and then added another layer to it. Karen gave him the confidence to believe in his own abilities and to trust his intellect. My son was diagnosed with an audio processing problem and told he would always struggle with languages – with Karen on board he not only won the French prize at school but went onto achieve an A* at GCSE and A at Higher. It has been a pleasure to watch my son grow intellectually, and I know Karen has been very much at the heart of that process.
Parent, Perth
I have used tutors for my children at all ages, from 17 to 9, and have been impressed and encouraged at all times! As a parent, I have found that the one-to-one learning environment is an incredible support for my children. Tutors can either build on knowledge to further increase understanding, or can go right back to basics to provide the foundations which were maybe missed in school and are causing subsequent issues or lack of progression. I cannot recommend Karen highly enough for her enthusiastic teaching style, which builds confidence as well as knowledge and understanding.
Parent, Perth
Karen helped my son to get a 'B' grade in English Higher. (He had been awarded a 'D' grade for his prelim prior to having her as a tutor.) She assessed his learning needs and learning style quickly and accurately. My son responded very well to Karen's tutoring and was quick to give me succinct, positive feedback after each tutorial he had with her.
Parent
As a student I have found having a tutor for certain subjects to be very helpful. It has allowed me to work at my own pace and understand more fully what I was taught in class. There's no doubt that my exam results have improved as a result.
Pupil, Crieff
Working with Karen was an absolute pleasure. I enjoyed her well-structured teaching method, which made getting through lots of content a breeze, and we covered everything I needed to know for the courses I was studying (Higher and subsequently Advanced Higher English). Her knowledge of English, as a subject, is boundless. She helped answer every question and solve every problem I had. My skills in English have dramatically improved, and I'm now a very confident writer. I could not recommend anyone more highly.
Law Student, Glasgow
Working with Karen benefited me in so many different ways. She is incredibly motivating and encouraging, and managed to get the very best out of me. I looked forward to and very much enjoyed our sessions together and really feel it helped clarify and cement what I was learning in class and my confidence in the subject grew as a result. I enjoyed every minute of our lessons together and I will always be very grateful for the help she gave me – you never forget a teacher like Karen.
Pupil, Edinburgh
Working with Karen helped me not only to improve my grades and exam technique, but allowed me to walk into my exam knowing that I would be able to achieve my potential. I have learned skills that I can transfer into other subjects and that will help me when I go on to further education.
Pupil, Kinross
You have been wonderful for F. and her confidence and skill levels have not only improved in English but in all her subjects. You have also transformed her view of herself and her abilities. She views herself as someone who can achieve good exam results. Actually she now believes she can sit any exam with confidence. This is a very long way from the girl you started with. Even more exciting is her attitude to her academic subjects. She enjoys them! She likes working at them and this improves her abilities thus enabling her to enjoy them more! All her exams so far have been positive. She has come out of each one happy with her performance and confident in how she did. By this I don't necessarily mean she will have achieved straight a grades. By this I mean something far far more valuable than mere grades. I mean that she knows she has studied as hard and as well as she can. That she answered each question to the best of her abilities. That she is confident that her exam performance was as genuinely good as it is possible for her to be. No fears. No panic. No what if. Now that is true success. You have enabled her to achieve this and we will for ever be deeply grateful.
Parent, Kinross-shire