If your child has never had online lessons before, “an online English class” might sound vague. What actually happens? What do I do, and what is your child doing? Here’s an honest picture of what a Thorogood English class looks like.
Who Teaches the Class
Every class is taught by me, Jacqueline Thorogood. I’m a qualified English teacher with 26 years of teaching experience, and Cambridge IGCSE English is my main specialism. Your child won’t be passed between different teachers; they’ll work with the same teacher every week, who knows their writing and how it’s developing.
Small Groups, Not a Lecture
Classes run in small groups of around 6–8 students. That’s small enough for every student to be heard and to ask questions, and large enough for them to learn from each other: hearing how someone else phrases an idea, comparing interpretations of a poem, or working through a question together before we look at what makes an answer strong.
For many students, that’s the real benefit. They can ask the question they’d never ask in a class of thirty, without any embarrassment.
What Happens in a Lesson
Lessons last around 1 hour 15 minutes, and each one focuses on a specific skill. Most follow the same three stages:
- See how it works: I model the skill and break down what makes an answer effective. We look at mark schemes so students understand why a technique earns marks, not just what it’s called
- Try it with support: students practise through structured activities, with room to think, discuss and make mistakes. As their understanding grows, I gradually step back
- Use the feedback: students revisit the skill, improve an answer and practise again. The aim is confident, independent work, not memorised stock responses
Throughout, I ask far more questions than I answer. Students learn most when they have to explain their own thinking rather than simply receive information.
Working Together Online
Online lessons have one real advantage over a classroom. When we look at a passage or a piece of writing, everyone sees exactly the same text on screen as I highlight individual words, annotate a paragraph or build a model answer in real time. Nobody is squinting at a whiteboard from the back row.
What Your Child Will Need
- A laptop or computer (a phone screen is too small for reading and writing comfortably)
- A reliable internet connection
- A quiet space where they can talk without interruptions
- Headphones with a microphone, which make a big difference to sound quality
Getting Started
Classes begin in January 2027. Timetables, start dates and prices are being finalised and will be published on the Live Classes page once they’re confirmed. When you get in touch, please include your child’s year group, subject, exam board and time zone, so I can suggest the right group.
Want a taste of how I teach before then? Have a look at my posts on how to revise for IGCSE English and how to analyse a novel extract.
Small groups, an experienced specialist teacher and a clear focus every lesson. Find out more about my live classes, or join the waiting list to reserve a place from January 2027.
