XU MINGJUN
Auckland Grammar School
University of Oxford – PhD in Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology.
XIAO JING GUAN: Auckland Grammar School – I was an international student who registered at Auckland Grammar School in Year 11 in 2012. Initially, I had limited English writing and speaking skills, and lacked confidence. Fortunately, soon after, I began receiving personalised tuition with Mr. Pillay weekly. He helped me develop my essay skills and understanding of the various topics that were taught. Moreover, he helped lift my confidence in speaking and writing, which contributed significantly to my moving up from Form 5K to Form 7A in the following years, and ultimately, I believe, helped me successfully enrol at the University of Oxford. During every tutorial, Mr Pillay was thorough in correcting my essays and offered invaluable guidance on how to improve them, explain my errors painstakingly. Besides his strict routines, his persistence and understanding gave me the assurance that I desperately needed. I cannot recommend Mr. Pillay highly enough to anyone seeking improvement not only in their written and oral skills, but also their confidence. Thank you, Mr Pillay! University of Oxford – PhD in Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology.
ZIXIOA LUCA YANG
Auckland Grammar School
London School of Economics
ZIXIOA LUCA YANG: Auckland Grammar School – Before being assigned to Mr Pillay’s 6th form AS English Literature, I was at the lower end of my streamed classes. I never imagined topping his class, and then going on to top the world. Mr Pillay’s teaching style is characterised by intellectual debate and curiosity, and setting and maintaining high standards. He always had constructive comments to add– picking at every flaw until perfection. Under Mr Pillay’s guidance, I developed writing, argumentative and linguistic skills that were transferable across subjects. Consequently, 6th Form was my turning point. I moved from being an average student in 6D to excelling in 7A. With Mr Pillay’s help, I topped my year-level in both English and History the next year, receiving an offer to study at the LSE. Mr Pillay is a critical, witty, and sincere teacher. I highly recommend him to students who seriously want to improve their English, who want to go beyond the syllabus and extend themselves. Engaging Mr Pillay will benefit students in a myriad of ways, as the days of sitting in his classroom are some of the most stimulating that I’ve experienced. London School of Economics
JASMINE SLOAN
Diocesan Schools for Girls
University of Melbourne:
PhD in Neuroscience, based in the Florey Institute.
JASMINE SLOAN: Diocesan Schools for Girls – I was tutored by Mr Pillay for Level 2 and 3 NCEA English and had an excellent experience. As a current high school English teacher, he has a comprehensive understanding of the NZ curriculum, including assessments and exams. His lessons were always centred around improving writing skills holistically in addition to school assessments, and aimed at getting the best out of me. This meant the skills I gained were translatable to the real world and gave me a robust capacity to tackle university assessments, and eventually my thesis. I highly recommend Mr Pillay to any student needing help with English skills, from writing to English comprehension. University of Melbourne: PhD in Neuroscience, based in the Florey Institute.
JUDD ZHAN
Macleans College
Sydney Double Degree Medicine Student
JUDD ZHAN: Macleans College – Charismatic. Passionate. Inspirational. Mr Pillay is by far one of the best English teachers I have had the pleasure of being taught by. His insight into English texts is original and insightful, and I was quite secure in the knowledge that he had personally read and studied each of my texts. While many students consider writing critical English literature essays a daunting, confusing process, Mr Pillay uncovers all the secrets through his clear and effective teaching techniques and insights which can help any student develop a solid essay writing foundation. Personally, I owe my achievements of an A grade in A Level English Literature and an NZQA Scholarship Award in English to him. I highly recommend Mr Pillay to any student aspiring to A* and Excellences in English, and the acquisition of skills necessary for future study and work. Sydney Double Degree Medicine Student
TANISHA KRISHNAN
AG Strathallan, Karaka
Studying at Manchester University
TANISHA KRISHNAN: AG Strathallan, Karaka – Mr Pillay is an excellent teacher. When I began A Level Cambridge English language at ACG Strathallan, I felt completely out-of-depth, losing confidence and constantly facing writer’s block. When I was first introduced to Mr. Pillay, he walked me through each of the types of questions and was both thorough and patient with his explanations. He encouraged me to attempt practice papers, which he marked carefully with extremely helpful feedback. He gave me valuable and practical direction and ideas, and guided me to be more creative and original. Ultimately, Mr Pillay developed my self-belief and provided me with many invaluable resources, supporting me both academically and emotionally. My A Grade in my final exam, improved from a C, is largely due to him. I strongly recommend Mr. Pillay to anyone who needs help with any area English. I personally regard him as one of the best teachers I have ever had. Studying at Manchester University, School of Business.
SHYMOLIE AND ISHANI MATHUR
Avondale College
Medicine and Biomedical Science at Sydney and Vilnius Medical University, Lithuania.
SHYMOLIE AND ISHANI MATHUR: Avondale College – Mr Pillay taught Cambridge English Literature to both our daughters, who went on to score A & A* grades in their CIE exams. No doubt his expertise and knowledge of the English subject, of the highest standard, was largely instrumental in our daughters’ great results. Mr Pillay structures his tutoring to the individual and can be counted on to exploit any student’s ability to the best. We were fortunate to secure the services of Mr Pillay, as prior to this we had searched in vain for tutors who were familiar with their prescribed texts. We recommend him for his personal interest, competency and professionalism. Medicine and Biomedical Science at Sydney and Vilnius Medical University, Lithuania.
GOUTHAM SIVASUTHAN
Macleans College
Practicing Doctor: Bundaberg, Australia
GOUTHAM SIVASUTHAN: Macleans College – Mr Pillay was my English tutor during my Cambridge AS level exams at which I scored 94%, and the profound impact he had on my learning is something I carry with me to this day. English is often a difficult subject as the freedom in analysing texts which it gives you is also one of its many challenges. Detailing responses in a structured yet creative way was one of the lifelong lessons that I took away with my tuition under Mr Pillay, along with a genuine curiosity to learn more about whichever prescribed text I was studying. These skills in expressing myself and critical thinking are invaluable in my daily life as a doctor and I would highly recommend Mr Pillay. Practicing Doctor: Bundaberg, Australia
LUKE HAN
Auckland Grammar School
Started Commerce at Melbourne University
Now at London School of Economics
LUKE HAN: Auckland Grammar School – Mr Pillay has been pivotal in my development as a CIE English Literature student. His teaching style is based on discussion, and he delivers in-depth and insightful interpretations of texts. Mr Pillay has a thorough knowledge of the requirements of the course, and provides excellent guidance in essay writing. The high-level resources that he makes available, such as critical articles and commentaries, are excellent and invaluable, especially at A Levels. Regardless of current ability, Mr Pillay will bring his vast experience and competence to bear in helping any student achieve his or her goals. Started Commerce at Melbourne University before acceptance at London School of Economics
JAMIE WU
Macleans College
Jasmine Chen (Research Scientist)
JAMIE WU: Macleans College – My son is in the accelerated class student in Macleans College, and has always achieved straight A*s, except in English. This was his weak point and he could never get over 80% at it, until Mr Pillay tutored him. We have seen him improve tremendously, especially in his interpretations and critical thinking, since then. He achieved A* in IGCSE and an A in AS level English Literature. Mr Pillay is very professional and highly efficient, and helped Jamie gain in confidence and understanding of the texts, as well as essay writing skills. He is not only a skilled tutor, but also encouraged Jamie to set and achieve higher goals. Thank you so much, Mr Pillay! Jasmine Chen (Research Scientist)
THUSHARINI PUSHPAKUMAR
Sancta Maria College
Studying Biomedical Science
THUSHARINI PUSHPAKUMAR: Sancta Maria College – Mr Pillay is an inspirational teacher who helped me to attain constant Excellence grades from Level 1 through to Level 3. He worked unstintingly to help me reach my potential, and made a point of studying the texts I was assigned and producing quality notes, annotations, exemplars and practice questions. I now complete my Biomedical science university assignments and essays with ease, producing good quality, sophisticated writing, using the expertise Mr Pillay helped me develop. I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t be writing with fluency, sophistication and confidence had it not been for his assistance. I unreservedly vouch for his ability and commitment to his students, and am happy to recommend him to students with high aspirations.Studying Biomedical Science
MITHUN THEIVENDRAN
King’s Preparatory School, Remuera
Will probably study Medicine
MITHUN THEIVENDRAN: King’s Preparatory School, Remuera – Mr Pillay has been teaching my son since primary school. Currently in Year 8, Mithun has made tremendous progress in English grammar and writing over these years. His essay writing skills have improved dramatically and his teachers have commended his latest essay “A letter to the Prime Minister persuading him to avoid World War One”. One of his teachers commented that she had not seen such a quality essay from a Year 8 student previously. Mr Pillay is a well-organised teacher and has been tutoring my son online using Skype for the past 7 months. This method works really well for us, saving a lot of time and travelling costs. Mr. Pillay emails the necessary teaching material and corrects any homework in advance. He is flexible with his teaching, patient and encouraging, and identifies Mithun’s specific areas of need and works to address them. Plans to study Medicine.
NILOGEN SUTHARSAN
Macleans College
Plans to study Medicine
NILOGEN SUTHARSAN: Macleans College – I have just completed Year 13 student at Macleans College, studying CIE A Level Literature. Before I was tutored by Mr Pillay, I hated writing essays and wasn’t good at them as I didn’t know the basic structure or content of an excellent essay. Thanks to Mr Pillay, I was guided to write content-heavy, insightful, original and well-structured essays consistently awarded scores of A*. I progressed from a student who’d barely passed Year 9 English, to one who achieved 94% in IGCSE, 95% in AS , 95% at A2, and 95% at A Level Literature, all A* grades. I believe that Mr Pillay is an excellent teacher who can transform a struggling student to a good one, and a good student to an outstanding one. Plans to study Medicine.
THOMAS HUANG
St Kentigern’s College
Art Degree – Auckland University
THOMAS HUANG: St Kentigern’s College – On moving to New Zealand, the language barrier was a great obstacle for me in my studies – reading, writing and speaking was frustrating. As I approached the final three years of high school, the pressure to improve my English was greater than ever. It was then that Mr Pillay was recommended to me for one-on-one tutoring. Within a short while, I saw a dramatic improvement in my grades and confidence levels. To the great relief of my parents, I was achieving merits and excellences in assignments, results I had thought were impossible. Not only did my tutoring help me academically, but it also benefited me after I graduated. I am able to communicate in a professional manner in written and spoken language, essential tools to have in the workplace, especially in New Zealand. Mr Pillay taught me skills that will last me a lifetime. For that, I am truly grateful. Art Degree – Auckland University