Sheri Chriqui, PhD, English Tutor and Writing Coach

For some, the A-Level results released last Thursday brought a lift—a sense of arrival. The results presented hard-won letters that reflect hours of effort, revision, and resilience. If that is you, I hope you pause to feel it fully. Let the relief, the pride, and the quiet satisfaction land. You’ve earned it. 🎓🙌

For others, the page may look different from what you’d hoped. Know this: no single set of results can contain the fullness of your thinking, your voice, or your becoming. Marks matter, but they are not everything. 🦋

I’ve spent the past months with students unpicking texts by writers such as Shakespeare, Austen, and Woolf. We’ve pursued clarity in analysis, crafting arguments that speak with purpose. I’ve seen the transformation that happens when someone begins to trust their own mind, when a sentence begins to feel like a self-portrait.

Students, whether your path continues as planned or takes a new turn, I see you. You have grown in ways no letter grade can hold.

And to every parent who stood quietly supportive behind the scenes: your steadfastness made the difference.

There are many ways to succeed. Some of them come strategically, while others unfurl more slowly.

If you’re mapping out next steps—or wondering where to begin again—feel free to reach out. I’ll be here.

It’s been a while since I’ve written here.

This has not been a silence born of neglect, but one shaped by immersion followed by recuperation.

I’ve spent the past months with students on the cusp of transition. Some arrived afraid of English, reducing it to terminology and strategic acronyms to make it navigable. They were lost in the mechanics of analysis, never having been taught to see beyond the scaffolding. Others arrived brimful of insight without the structure to hold it. Some joined already alight with thought, and were simply looking for a place where their curiosity and intellect would be met and stretched.

Together, we’ve courageously confronted ourselves in literature’s mirror. We’ve refined the shape of a sentence until it rang true. We’ve asked how language remembers and how it persuades. We’ve sat with Shakespeare’s ghosts. We’ve watched self-belief form, slowly, sentence by sentence.

🏹 Sometimes, the victories have been quiet: a comma placed with intention, a quote chosen for precision rather than by rote, an essay that finally breathes.

🎯 Sometimes, however, they have been seismic: a student who no longer says ‘I’m bad at English’ because she has seen herself, at last, in control of her argument.

This is what I teach. This is what I return for.

If you’re new here, welcome.

If you’ve been here a while, I’m glad you’ve stayed.

💌 And if you’re a parent who wants this kind of teaching for your son or daughter, my door is open.

Did you know that Valentine’s Day as we know it owes its roots to poetry? While today, social convention proposes the gifting of chocolates and flowers, the original Valentine's story begins with medieval romance, matchmaking birds, and literary genius.

💌 Geoffrey Chaucer is the earliest known writer to link love and St. Valentine’s Day! In his 14th-century poem 'The Parlement of Foules', he imagines birds gathering on February 14th to choose their mates: 'For this was on seynt Valentynes day/ Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make' (l.309-10). In the poem, a female eagle refuses to select a suitor and asks Mother Nature to allow her an extra year to decide on her mate–and Mother Nature agrees to her request!

This poetic vision gave rise to centuries of love-themed literature. Shakespeare, never one to miss an opportunity to explore love, picked up the tradition in 'Hamlet', when the grief-stricken Ophelia sings 'Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day', and laments that the song’s speaker waits 'at your window,/ To be your Valentine', only to be 'Let in the maid, that out a maid/ Never departed more' (4.5.53-60). Cloaked in madness, Ophelia insinuates that she, like the song’s speaker, may no longer be a maiden.

We then fast-forward to the Victorian era, when the first mass-produced Valentine’s cards emerged. By this time, love letters and poems were all the rage--but unlike today’s candy hearts, these cards often featured long verses of carefully crafted poetry.

💡 As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, why not dive into a love poem that has stood the test of time? Whether it’s Wordsworth’s tender sonnets or Carol Ann Duffy’s sardonic ‘Valentine’, poetry captures love in all its shades.

✨ Share with us: What’s your favourite romantic (or unromantic!) line in literature? Let’s celebrate the enduring power of words to capture the heart.

Do you want your GCSE or A-Level teen to rise two levels in English, gain confidence in timed writing, and improve their chances of securing admission to their top university choice? 🤩

But right now you're noticing your teen is:

❌ Overwhelmed by complex English concepts and terminology
❌ Anxious about writing academic essays
❌ Losing confidence and struggling to maintain competitive grades
❌ Stressed about missing the mark on university entrance requirements

Why is this happening?

As you know, recent disruptions in education have caused students to miss critical lessons, leading to dwindling confidence and widening academic gaps... 📉

But there is hope...

✅ Let me introduce you to the Grade Elevation Method for GCSE and A-Level English Excellence – a unique system designed to transform English struggles into standout success.

Opportunities like this are rare!

I have just opened ten exclusive spots in my GCSE and A-Level English programmes tailored for students who need a focused boost. 🌟

Eager to see your teen double their learning rate and shine in GCSE or A-Level English in as short as twelve weeks?

Discover how my Grade Elevation Method can be the game changer your teen needs. 🙌

✅ Interested? Send me a message to learn more.

The name Lettered for my tutoring service reflects my deep commitment to fostering joyful participation in literary learning and culture. 📚😍

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "lettered" means educated, literate, or learned, embodying the values I aim to instil in my students. It also connects to the idea of literary culture—the appreciation and mastery of literature, critical thinking, and the written word.

Additionally, "lettered" symbolises the permanence of knowledge, as something that is inscribed or written down, leaving a lasting impact on a student's education and intellectual growth.

In America, the word “lettered” also indicates varsity athletic achievement. It signifies merit and quality earned through discipline and practise.

At Lettered Tutoring, I aim to cultivate not just academic success but a profound appreciation for the world of literature and learning.

Interested in working together? Please send me a message to find out more about how my services can help instil a love of English literature and language in your child. 🌱+ 👩🏻‍🏫=🌳

I’m humbled to share a heartfelt testimonial from Eton College, where I had the privilege of teaching English to some truly talented students. I’m incredibly proud of the progress my students made and the impact I’ve had on their learning.

Here’s what members of the English faculty at Eton College had to say about my year there as a Maternity Cover teacher:

"SC has given each of the Divisions she has taught a remarkable insight into the workings of literature. If their annotated poems bear any relation to the workings of their intellectual understanding, then her former pupils are well set for literary success…

I have yet to mention that Dr Chriqui is seen as a fascinating person to her students. She has proved herself tremendously strong in Eton, being thrown in at the deep end, mid academic year, taking over other teacher’s classes, and then adapting rapidly to teaching online as well.”

It’s been an honour to work at such an historic institution and to have played a role in shaping the futures of bright young minds.

Now, I bring this same level of dedication and expertise to my Lettered Tutoring clients. Through my Grade Elevation Method, I continue helping students reach their highest potential in English.

If you’re ready to see the same kind of progress and success for your child, feel free to reach out and learn more about how I can support them on their journey! 📚🎓

⭐ Did you know?
In Latin, the word "Vale" means "farewell" or "goodbye" and is often used as a way to express a formal or heartfelt parting. It comes from the verb "valere," which means "to be strong," "to be well," or "to be healthy." When saying "vale," you are essentially wishing the other person to "stay well" or "be strong" as you part ways. This term is frequently used in classical texts and farewells, especially in more formal or literary contexts.

As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child’s education, and choosing the right tutor is a big decision. As an Oxford graduate, I bring a level of expertise and dedication that goes beyond standard tutoring services. Here’s why my premium tuition service is worth the investment:

1️⃣ Proven Academic Excellence: I’ve been trained at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. I know what it takes to excel in competitive academic environments, and I can pass that knowledge and experience directly to your child.

2️⃣ Tailored One-on-One and Small Group Support: Unlike large tutoring companies, I offer a truly personalised experience. I take the time to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges, creating a customised learning plan that targets exactly what they need to boost their English skills and confidence.

3️⃣ Premium Quality & Results: My students have achieved remarkable improvements, from jumping two grades in GCSE and A Level English to securing spots at top universities. With my guidance, your child will not only improve academically but also develop the skills and mindset needed to thrive in higher education and beyond.

4️⃣ A Long-Term Investment: Quality tuition is not just about the next exam – it's about setting your child up for a lifetime of success. The skills they learn now will benefit them for years to come, from writing university applications to succeeding in future careers.

When you invest in my tutoring services, you’re giving your child the chance to learn from someone who has walked the path to academic excellence and is committed to helping them do the same.

Ready to provide your child with the best opportunity to excel? Let’s chat about how I can support them in reaching their full potential. 🌟

Send me a message today, and let’s make this investment in your child’s future together! 🚀

Hi, I’m Sheri 🙋🏻‍♀️

I help students to build solid foundations for academic success in English.

With over ten years' experience teaching English at top independent secondary schools in both the US and UK, and seven years of university teaching, I bring adaptive subject expertise to guide your child to excellence.

I hold a Ph.D. in English Literature from Royal Holloway, University of London, an M.Phil. from the University of Oxford, and an M.A. from Clark University.

As an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, I’m dedicated to delivering premium, tailored support that has helped countless students achieve high marks and gain entry into top programs.

Ready to invest in your child's future? Message me today to learn more about one-on-one and small group English tuition! 🚀

Parents who want their child to boost their GCSE English grades by two levels...

Ready to...

Help your child start feeling confident in their English skills?… Help your child start feeling prepared to excel in exams?...

Let me personally show you the Grade Elevation Method I’ve used to help over two hundred students develop their knowledge and increase their GCSE English grades in just twelve weeks, enabling them to feel prepared for A Levels and stand out in university applications.

✔️ WITHOUT wasting time on ineffective study methods
✔️ WITHOUT the frustration of feeling lost during revision
✔️ all in a matter of weeks...

Ready to help your child achieve high grades in English?

✅ Send me a message now and I’ll give you the details on how you can book a call to speak with me.

Are you unsure how to support your child's progress in English while they're learning from home? 🤔

Discover three reasons why online tutoring could be a game-changer! 🚀

Every parent wants the best for their child, and with the rise of remote learning, it's more important than ever to find the right support outside the classroom.

Whether your child is struggling in English, preparing for GCSE exams, or simply wants to get ahead, online tutoring can make a world of difference.

Here's why:

1. Flexibility & Convenience: Online tutoring allows your child to learn from the comfort of their own home, without the need to travel. This saves time and energy, making it easier to fit tutoring sessions into your family's busy schedule.

2. Access to Expertise: With online tutoring, your child can connect with specialised tutors in English from all over the world. This means they can learn from the best, no matter where you live.

3. Engaging & Interactive Learning: Online platforms offer a range of tools and resources that make learning fun and interactive. This keeps your child focused and motivated, leading to better academic performance.

Ready to help your child unlock their full potential in English from the comfort of your own home? 🏠

Comment below with your thoughts or message me directly to learn more about how my Grade Elevation Method can support your child and help them thrive!

Are you worried about your child's progress in English? Are you unsure how to support their learning at home? 🤔

Here are the top five reasons why a tutor might just be the solution you've been seeking!

Every parent wants the best for their child, and sometimes, that means finding extra support outside the classroom.

Whether your child is struggling in English, preparing for GCSE exams, or simply wants to get ahead, hiring a tutor can make a world of difference. 👩🏻‍🏫

Here’s why:

1. Personalised Attention: In a classroom, teachers can’t always provide detailed support. A tutor focuses directly on your child’s unique learning style, providing the individual attention they need.

2. Mastering English: A specialised tutor in English can help your child build a strong foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking, making it easier to understand complex texts and tackle challenging exam questions.

3. Confidence Boost: A tutor can help your child overcome insecurities, empowering them to approach their studies with confidence and motivation.

4. Improved Study Habits: A tutor can guide your child in developing effective study techniques and time management skills, setting them up for long-term success.

5. Support for Parents: Let's face it—parents can’t be experts in everything! By hiring a tutor, you ensure your child gets the academic support they need without stretching yourself too thin.

Ready to help your child unlock their full potential? 🚀

Send me a message and learn more about how I can help your child thrive in English and beyond!