Our Philosophy
A manifesto written by Nelson Luo, founder & principal of NL English Academy
Most tutoring is a waste of your time and money.
I know that's harsh, but I've seen it happen over and over.
Parents spend thousands on tutoring. Their kid shows up to sessions. The tutor teaches. Weeks go by. And nothing actually changes.
The grades stay the same. The understanding doesn't improve. The kid is just as lost as before.
Here's what I've figured out about why this happens:
Most tutoring companies run classes of 15-20 students per tutor. Sometimes more. They call it "group learning" or "collaborative sessions." It sounds good on paper. But in reality? The tutor can't give individual attention. They teach to the middle. The struggling students stay struggling. The advanced students stay bored.
Nobody wins.
In my opinion, this is what I've realised about the tutoring industry.
It's built to scale, not to actually help students.
Big classes mean more revenue per tutor. More students per session. Better unit economics. But learning doesn't care about unit economics.
Learning requires attention. Real attention.
A student needs to be able to ask their specific question and get a specific answer. Not a generic explanation that sort of addresses what they're confused about.
They need someone to notice when they're pretending to understand but actually don't.
They need space to struggle with a concept without 19 other kids waiting for the tutor to move on.
You can't do that in a class of 20.
This is why NL English Academy was founded. To genuinely mentor our students towards academic success.
We strictly limit our classes. We could fit way more students per tutor. We choose not to.
Because I've seen what happens when tutoring centres prioritise scale over actually helping.
One of our parents told me her daughter had been in group tutoring for six months. 15 kids per session. Zero improvement.
She switched to us. Smaller class. More attention.
Three weeks in, her daughter asked a question she'd been too intimidated to ask in the big group.
That one question unlocked everything. She finally understood the concept she'd been faking for months.
That's what real tutoring looks like.
If your kid's in a class with 15+ other students, they're not getting tutored. They're getting lectured to in a smaller room. That's why nothing changes.
Real tutoring is individual. It's adaptive. It's responsive to the specific student in front of you. And that only works when class sizes are small enough for the tutor to actually see each student.
If you're paying for tutoring and not seeing results, ask yourself: How many students are in the session?
Because if it's more than 5-6, you're probably wasting your money.
At NL English Academy, we do things differently. We were founded on one strong belief: real intelligence is not learned in a crowded room. Intelligence is built through close guidance and powerful discussion.
We don't just prepare students for a test. We exist to guide the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators, equipping them for a successful future.
What We Stand For
Student Mentorship.
We don’t just hire tutors, we curate mentors. Every mentor is an ex-student from a top NSW selective high school, not simply for the prestige, but because we have walked the path and mastered the mindset. We have succeeded in the same system your child is in, and we know what it takes. We carefully choose our mentors for their ability to inspire, challenge, and build the confidence of our students.
Small Classes, Always.
We believe real learning happens in discussion, not when you are lost in a crowd. The mass-market, 30-student 'lecture hall' model is counterintuitive to real learning. Our classes are intentionally and unapologetically small. This is non-negotiable. It ensures every student has a voice, every idea is scrutinised, and every question is honoured. It’s the only environment where your child's genuine intellectual growth is possible.
Depth Over Breadth.
The syllabus is just our starting point. While other centres teach students to pass the test, we teach them how to think so well that the test becomes easy. Our curriculum is designed to deconstruct the core principles of literary analysis & critical thinking, so students can understand any text and build any argument. We build thinkers who don't just learn the answers; they learn how to find the answers for themselves.
Our Invitation
We extend an invitation to students and parents who share our convictions.
NL English Academy is for you if you believe:
- That sustained effort is more valuable than natural talent.
- That asking "why?" is the beginning of all understanding.
- Challenges are necessary for intellectual growth.
- That a formidable education is the most important investment you can make in a future leader.
Do not apply to NL English Academy if you are looking for:
- A last-minute "cram" to patch up grades.
- A passive learning environment with simple worksheets.
- The cheapest option available.
- Results without the willingness to be challenged.
Take The Next Step
NL English Academy is on a mission to help young, ambitious students achieve top academic goals, all whilst building an enjoyment towards learning. We have a goal of touching as many young students’ hearts as possible through mentoring them both academically and holistically.
If the NL English Academy philosophy resonates with you, we invite you to begin the application process.
We are looking for students who...
✅ Possess a growth mindset: We are not solely looking for students who are already academically strong. We value students who have a strong desire to improve, grow, and learn. Their potential and willingness to put in the effort are key.
✅ Consistently meet homework deadlines and maintain an organised approach to their studies.
✅ Actively listens to and seeks out constructive criticism, uses it to improve their work, and demonstrates a willingness to adapt and grow.
✅ Treats peers and tutors with respect, contributes positively to group work, and understands the value of diverse perspectives in learning.
We are NOT looking for students who...
❌ Possess a fixed mindset: Are defensive when receiving criticism, dismiss suggestions for improvement, and show little to no change in work habits after receiving feedback.
❌ Frequently miss deadlines, struggle with time management, and often scramble to complete work last minute.
❌ Are complacent with their current abilities and do not demonstrate a genuine desire to improve or challenge themselves.
❌ Show a lack of respect for peers or instructors, or engage in behaviour that disrupts the learning of others.
Admission to NL English Academy is highly selective and by application only. We have a limited number of places each term, as we seek to build a cohort of students who demonstrate not just academic potential, but a genuine desire to think deeply and engage fully.
We will only invest in dedicated students who we are confident we can help. This model is what allows NL English Academy to sustain our leading success rates.
Our students achieve top bands, cohort rankings & entry into their dream schools.
IMPORTANT: To maintain our leading success rates, not all student admission applications are accepted. We carefully review applications on a rolling basis.
We're proud to be the main sponsor of North Sydney Boys High School Football Club.
- Since 2025 ❤️
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