Maths and Science tutor offering lessons from KS3 to A level.

Find out more about Imran

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed an interest in tutoring and in Maths when I was in sixth form college. I was very keen to improve my numeracy and felt that Maths was letting me down in Chemistry and Physics. I was really lucky to find a private tutor, who went through the entire A level syllabus in eight months. I took my exam and did very well. From that day I thought that being a private tutor can be rewarding and fulfilling. Since then, I have been tutoring off and on.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Having learnt my fundamentals, I went onto to do a BSc in Chemical Engineering. After that, I embarked on a PhD in Chemical Engineering. All this involved Chemistry, Physics, Maths and even Biology. These are the subjects I teach. My favourite subject is Chemistry. It's uses are found everywhere in the world. It's in the food industry, pharmaceutical production, clothes you wear and polymers. I got involved in polymers when I worked in industry. Understanding polymerisation process gave me a good background in dealing with technical situations. Other environments I have worked in, that needed Chemistry was pharmaceuticals, diffusion in membranes and ceramics.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I have two role models from the past. My first role model was my Maths private tutor. He was excellent. I learnt pure Maths in eight months. My second role model was my Mechanics teacher at sixth form college. I could understand him throughout the lesson and never lost concentration. I learnt Mechanics in six months.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor has to be creative, flexible, a listener and patient. Patience is very important as sometimes when a student does not understand a concept. It is worth trying another way. This can apply to students with learning disabilities.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Giving homework sometimes works. I remember in school, once I forgot to do my Biology homework. I thought I was going to get a detention. Instead, I was asked to write the homework out twice for next time. It worked I never missed my Homework since then. The penalty was as bad as a detention.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  The difficulties and challenges faced are continuous. I am always looking for new resources. Learning material can be difficult to develop. Also, I use past papers, regularly during the lesson. All this requires a good lesson plan and organisation.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Away from tutoring I enjoy cooking. I find it relaxing and enjoyable. I also enjoy long walks.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  To be a Superprof is in the title. I have good subject knowledge and impart this knowledge in an interesting way. For a Superprof like me, fantastic communication skills are required, along with good organisational expertise. If I can make a student comfortable in learning, then I have succeeded.