Bespoke English Tutoring for Ambitious Students Worldwide
Specialist IB, AP, A-Level, IGCSE and university admissions tuition from experienced international educators.
About Us
Austin–Joyce Tutors is a partnership between two experienced English educators with over twenty years of combined teaching experience. We specialise in guiding ambitious students toward success in IB, A Levels, IGCSEs/GCSEs, AP, and university admissions through personalised, high-quality English tuition.
Sean Joyce
Janna Austin
What Students & Parents Say about Sean & Janna
“ Sean is an outstanding educator with exceptional teaching abilities and dedication to student growth… students of all learning styles and abilities thrived in his classroom.”
— Bonnie Cai, Assistant Principal of Shanghai United International School
“Janna is a superb teacher with an ability to make lessons both engaging and highly effective. She has been instrumental in leading many of our students to top English grades and the universities of their choice.”
— Devin Jones, Head of English Department - WFLMA Shanghai
“Sean did a tremendous job in lifting my son’s confidence and abilities, and he would not have got into Boston University without Sean’s expert guidance.”
— Parent of IB Student
“She understands how to support students from international backgrounds. My son’s writing improved dramatically.”
— Parent of AP student
Every student’s journey starts with a conversation.
Or feel free to email us at: [email protected]
Book Your Free Consultation
Or you can email us at: [email protected]
Sean Joyce — Specialist English Tutor
Expert guidance in IB, AP, A-Level & GCSE / IGCSE English, and university admissions.
Sean is a highly experienced English tutor with a track record of helping ambitious students achieve exceptional results. Over the past decade, he has guided students from around the world to top scores in IB, A-Level, IGCSE, and AP English, with many securing places at top universities in the UK and US, including Oxford. In 2018, one of his international school students received the highest IGCSE English Literature score in China. His lessons focus on developing critical thinking, academic writing, and high-level literary analysis.
About Sean
Sean holds an MA in English Literature & Creative Writing, as well as a CELTA and a PGCE. He has taught in leading international schools and tutored hundreds of students online and in person, specialising in advanced literary analysis and academic writing. With over ten years of experience, Sean combines rigorous academic standards with a personable, engaging approach that motivates students to excel. In addition to teaching, he is also an award-winning novelist, and writes a popular young adult mystery series under the pen name S.J. Cullen.
Key Qualifications & Experience:
MA in English Literature & Creative Writing
PGCE, CELTA and over 10 years of teaching experience
Specialist in international curricula (IB, AP, A-Level, IGCSE)
Extensive experience with university admissions
Award-winning novelist
Subjects & Services
Sean offers tailored tutoring and coaching across a range of programmes and academic goals:
IB English A — Paper 1 & 2 strategies, IO preparation, essay development
A-Level, AP English, IGCSE/GCSE — Close reading, comparative essays, literary techniques, exam skills
Literary Analysis & Academic Writing — Develop scholarly thinking and polished expression
University Admissions — Personal statement refinement, interview coaching
Sean’s Approach to Tutoring
Sean believes that outstanding results come from clarity of thought and mastery of expression. His lessons are structured, intellectually engaging, and adapted to each student’s needs. He places particular emphasis on analytical depth and the craft of academic writing, enabling students to move beyond surface-level answers and think like critics and scholars.
“I want my students to write like scholars, think like critics, and perform like top candidates.”
What Students and Parents Say
“ Sean is an outstanding educator with exceptional teaching abilities and dedication to student growth… students of all learning styles and abilities thrived in his classroom.”
— Bonnie Cai, Assistant Principal of Shanghai United International School
“Sean is one of the most talented teachers I’ve had the privilege of working with. Not only is he kind and approachable, but he has a unique ability to bring out the best in his students.”
—Suzanne Hart, Head of IB Pastoral - Dulwich Pudong
“Sean did a tremendous job in lifting my son’s confidence and abilities, and he would not have got into Boston University without Sean’s expert guidance.”
— Parent of IB Student
“His feedback is detailed, honest, and pushes you to think critically.”
— Jacky, A-Level Student
Ready to see how Sean can help you achieve your goals?
Janna Austin — Specialist in IB & AP English
Expert tuition in IB English A & B, MYP, AP English, literary analysis, and academic writing.
Janna is an experienced international English educator with over a decade of classroom and tutoring experience at prestigious schools across Asia. With a background in Drama and English, a PGCE, and extensive expertise in international curricula, she brings both rigour and creativity to her teaching. Janna specialises in IB English A and B, MYP, and AP English, helping students develop advanced literary analysis and academic writing skills that set them apart in competitive academic environments.v
About Janna
Janna holds a degree in Drama and English, as well as a PGCE. She has taught at some of Asia’s most respected international schools, working with students from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Her international experience gives her a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by multilingual learners, and she brings a structured, supportive approach to helping students excel in demanding programmes like IB and AP.
Key Qualifications & Experience:
Degree in Drama and English, PGCE
10+ years of teaching at prestigious international schools in Asia
Specialist in IB English A & B, MYP, and AP English
Expertise in literary analysis and academic writing
Subjects & Services
Janna offers tailored support for students in:
IB English A (HL & SL) — Textual analysis, essay writing, Paper 1 & 2 preparation, IO support
IB English B & MYP — Language development, reading comprehension, written assignments, exam strategies
AP English Language & Literature — Rhetorical analysis, timed writing, essay structure, close reading skills
Academic Writing & Literary Analysis — Developing clarity, analytical depth, and precision for top-level exams and essays
Janna’s Approach to Tutoring
Janna’s approach blends academic rigour with creativity and personal engagement. Drawing on her background in drama and art, she encourages students to explore texts critically while finding their own voice as writers and thinkers. Her lessons are structured and goal-oriented, but she brings a lively, imaginative energy to the classroom that helps students feel confident, curious, and motivated. She has extensive experience supporting both native and non-native speakers in thriving in IB English A & B, and MYP contexts, focusing on clarity, analysis, and the development of authentic academic writing.
“I want my students to approach texts with curiosity and confidence — and to express their ideas with clarity, depth, and originality.”
What Students and Parents Say
“Janna is a superb teacher with an ability to make lessons both engaging and highly effective. She has been instrumental in leading many of our students to top English grades and the universities of their choice.”
— Devin Jones, Head of English Department - WFLMA Shanghai
“She understands how to support students from international backgrounds. My son’s writing improved dramatically.”
— Parent of AP student
Janna helped me go from a 5 to a 7 in IB English A. Her feedback was clear, structured, and encouraging.”
— Susie, IB Student
“Her lessons are creative and rigorous — she pushed me to think critically and express myself clearly.”
— AP Student