Economics student teaching maths and additional mathematics and further mathematics for GCSE and A Level online and in Manchester!

Find out more about Kian Hng

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

  I develop the interest in mathematics and economics when I was 15, I mean mathematics is something that I've been exposed to since young and I believe it's the same for everyone. As for economics, my interest grew when I first read a book about the fundamentals of economics. I realise that economics is very relevant to daily life when you think about demand and supply. It just makes sense and you don't have to memorize the concept because it is easy to comprehend. As for math, the field that I'm most interested in is algebra, because I believe everyone just like me hate it at the start because you can't work out the answer. But once you've gotten the concept, you get addicted to it and you feel the sense of satisfaction whenever you are able to find x and y. I started private tutoring 3 years ago and I have more than 5 years of tutoring experiences. I started by teaching in a non profit organisation to help students who suffer from their studies and then started with my own private tuition and I have taught more than 50 students.

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

  The subject that I'm teaching is mathematics, but I do offer tuition for economics, Malay language and Chinese language too. As I've mentioned, the topic that I like the most is algebra because it is very satisfying when you are able to get them sorted. I also enjoy solving trigonometry questions, and I believe this is a field that perhaps a lot of students suffer with but I believe with my way of teaching, my students can grasp the concept easily.

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

  My role models is my mathematics teacher back in high school. He is a very patient teacher and he explains things really well. He doesn't just know his stuff, but he's able to explain it well too and his way of teaching is fun and interactive and keeps everyone engaged in the classroom! This is one of the reasons why I am so fascinated with mathematics because he makes maths so fun and also encourages us to dive deeper into the subject and do more research on our own. I am learning from him his teaching style and I hope that my students will enjoy learning with me, just like me enjoying listening in his class.

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

  One of the qualities would definitely be patience. It is because you don't always get brilliant students, and sometimes there may be some students who are slow learners. Therefore, you really need to be patient and understand their need to ensure that they are learning effectively with you. Apart from that, a good tutor should also be good at expressing himself and with the use of languages, it would be a plus point if he could speaks multiple languages, because it makes communication easier especially for students whose English is not their native language. Good language skills also ensures that you are able to express yourself effectively.

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

  I'll say a valuable anecdote with my teaching is definitely when my student come to me and tell me that he has gotten an A for his final exam, coming from a fail from his previous exam. I really feel the sense of satisfaction and empowerment when I heard that news because I'm able to help him to achieve academic excellence!

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

  I used to find it hard to solve algebra especially when it becomes more complex and involve more and more variables. However, I put in efforts to understand it and constantly doing exercises and now I'm confident to say that I'm an expert in algebra.

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

  My passion is definitely in teaching. Despite getting turn down quite often when I was young by my parents, you know that's what usual Asian parents does, they say no always especially to things that doesn't make money. My parents always tell me that teaching is not a good idea because it's tiring and you don't get paid well. Well, they are not wrong! But I think teaching is more than just the pay, it's the responsibility and the sense of accomplishment when you are able to help someone and nurture the young minds! So, I'm still into teaching right now and I'm always looking into nurturing the future leaders of the world!

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

  What makes me a Superprof would be my way of conducting classes because it's always going to be interactive and interesting! Apart from that I guess my ability to communicate fluently in multiple languages also makes me a Superprof. I am able to speak in English, Malay, Chinese, Cantonese, Hokkien and intermediate French! So, can't wait for you to learn with me very soon! It's not about how well I'm promoting myself, you come and find it out!