

John profile and its contact details have been verified by our team.
John
- Rate $40
- Response 4h
-
Students5
Number of students John has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
Number of students John has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

$40/h
1st lesson free
- Philosophy
- Ethics
- History of philosophy
Philosophy, Socials and Business Studies tutor (M.Phil) Grade 11-Postgraduate (continental philosophy, ethics, philosophy of science, history of philosophy, integral and multi-disciplinary studies. A
- Philosophy
- Ethics
- History of philosophy
Lesson location
- online
-
at home or in a public place : will travel up to 50 km from Delta
Recommended
John is a respected tutor in our community. They are highly recommended for their commitment and the quality of their lessons. An excellent choice to progress with confidence.
About John
Unlock Your Potential with a Passionate Polymath
Are you ready to transform your learning journey? With over 30 years of experience, I am here to guide you in discovering your true potential. Inspired by great mentors, I believe in nurturing the unique capabilities within every student.
Imagine shifting your mindset from merely earning a living to truly 'learning a living.' I have taught students aged 5 to 75 across diverse settings, from schools and universities to businesses and NGOs. My passion for teaching and love for diverse cultures and age groups make each lesson a unique experience.
Join me, and you'll not only master the content you signed up for but also achieve high grades and pass rates, as evidenced by numerous student evaluations and references. Curious to learn more? Let's embark on this educational adventure together. Book your lesson today and start your journey to success!
About the lesson
- High School
- College
- University
- +3
levels :
High School
College
University
Adult Education
Masters/ Graduate School
MBA
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
Unlock Your Potential: Transformative Learning Awaits
Ever felt misunderstood in your learning journey? I have, too. My own struggles with undiagnosed learning disorders became the foundation of my teaching philosophy. Now, as an award-winning teacher, I specialize in revealing the hidden potential within every student. There are no boring subjects or lazy students—only untapped possibilities.
Here's how we can work together to make you the best version of yourself:
1. Let's Connect: Begin with a free, no-time-limit interview. Ask me anything about my teaching style, experience, and philosophy. This is your chance to see if we're the right fit.
2. Discover Your Learning Style: Complete simple questionnaires to uncover your learning preferences, goals, and challenges. Whether you're preparing for an exam, pursuing a qualification, or exploring a hobby, we'll tailor the approach to suit you.
3. Personalized Learning Plan: We'll create a unique learning plan (ULP) that adapts to your lifestyle, making learning easy and effective. We'll track your progress and provide constructive feedback.
4. Customized Lessons: Your lessons will be based on your ULP. For example, if you're studying Plato's Metaphysics, I'll explain the basics, use films like The Matrix to illustrate concepts, and engage you in discussions to apply Plato's ideas to your life. You'll receive tailored support for academic writing or concept testing.
5. Flexible Interaction: I focus on the student's learning experience, not the clock. If life interrupts, I won't bill for lessons running over by about 30 minutes. I expect the same understanding from you. Communication is open and confidential, fostering a fear-free environment where questions and truth are welcome.
Ready to embark on a personalized learning adventure? Book your first lesson today, and let's unlock your potential together!
Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the tutor.
I had the pleasure of having John as my Philosophy lecturer at University; he is a phenomenal teacher who imparts knowledge in a brilliant manner. He is most definitely trustworthy and always makes you feel comfortable to ask questions. He keeps you engaged and really makes you think about what you are learning. Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom. I would highly recommend John; he is exceptional in his field!
I took his marketing class back in 2016 at a private business school in Vancouver, Canada.
I remember him being one of the kindest and most considerate tutors of all, giving life lessons based on his own experiences - he had lived through a lot of unique experiences as far as I remember.
He would also attend each student's academic interest thoroughly. The insights he shared through class were simply eye opening, giving many a new perspective towards every aspect of life as well as towards the subject of business marketing itself (which was what his class was about back then).
Overall, I would totally recommend anybody to try taking his class - you will get what I was trying to say once in class!I was fortunate to have Mr John Ballam as a lecturer in Strategic Studies some time back. More fortunately I have had occassion to reach out for guidance on occassion, and found a willing ear and wisdom.
As a lecturer he encompassed a style that was as engaging as it was thoughtful. A balance between the theory, which forms the base, and the practical or application of knowledge.
Teaching requires knowledge, the ability to impart that knowledge, and passion.
John has all 3 in abundance.
I may be an experienced teacher myself, but I know a master when I meet one. That's exactly what John is, though he's far too humble to ever consider himself as such.
Before I met him, I didn't have much interest in philosophy (other than the fortune cookie kind), but his irrepressible passion and enthusiasm, coupled with an uncanny ability to make it relevant to our current age, made me want to explore more topics with this modern sage.
Technically, he was a boss and I was a not-boss, but he always made me feel like my ideas, analysis and interpretations were worthy and welcome (even when I was clearly out of my depth).
Anyone who has the opportunity to work with John will come away with a MUCH stronger ability to not only examine the nature of beliefs and philosophy, but more importanly to share them with others in a light, yet profoundly meaningful way.
Go for it. He really is one of a kind.John is an amazing teacher, tutor and mentor. I have seen him first hand guide groups of people though team dynamic coaching, always using intentional create session designs that helps the attendees reach valuable insights. Brilliant.
John is extremely perceptive. When I started my sessions with him I had an idea of what I wanted to achieve, but John spotted things about me that I didn't even know myself. He helped me reframe my perspective and understand things from a different perspective. I can't think of any other person I recommend more than John!
View more recommendations
Rates
Rate
- $40
Pack rates
- 5 h: $180
- 10 h: $380
online
- $40/h
travel fee
- + $1
free lessons
This first lesson offered with John will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hrs
Details
1. Travel to destination:
There is no charge up to 5km; beyond this distance, I charge 60 cents/km, plus half my hourly rate ($40 ÷ 2 = $20) based on the average time taken for a return trip. Time and distance are calculated using Google Maps.
(If students require tuition necessitating me travelling during rush hour, it might be more, as the journey takes longer.)
Example of travel time and vehicle usage calculation
Distance to student's house and return home 20km: 20 × 60 cents = $12
Average time taken for round trip 1 hour: 1 hr × 20 (half my teaching rate) = $20
Total travel costs per lesson (1-4 hrs): $12 + $20= $32
2. Printing course notes:
Priced to order, single-sided, bound, etc, use UPS prices as a guideline.
3. Lesson Time and Fees:
The minimum lesson time is 1 hour, the maximum is usually 4. If you need more than 4 hours per session, this is possible and can be negotiated with me at the same rate or part thereof. Nothing extra will be charged for study breaks within reason during this time.
My fees range from $40 to $90 per hour, depending on the complexity of the tutoring request, subject, services, and the time frame a student requires. All of this will be discussed upfront in the first lesson, so there are no surprises.
An example of how my fees are calculated
For 1 hour of tuition at the student's home, 10 km from mine.
total travel time to students home and back 60 minutes @ $20/hour + distance @ 60 cents/km + tuition @$40/hour:
$20+ $12 + $40 =$72 total cost for one hour of tuition
4. Payment arrangements
Payments by EFT are preferable. Email address: (concealed information)
Payments can also be made by cheque or cash. Please let me know which you would prefer.
Unless another arrangement is made, I will issue an invoice to students at the end of the month. The invoice will detail all expenses (e.g. travel, tuition, grading that have been agreed upon in advance according to the signed teaching contract. Payment must be made within 1 week. When I receive the payment, I will issue the student a receipt.
5. The first lesson, lasting one hour, is free
We must establish a solid foundation right from the start so that we are crystal clear about our mutual expectations and deliverables. If we take the time to begin this way, we will both feel more secure and enjoy our time together.
Purpose: to get to know each other, to establish the student's needs, and to negotiate a teaching schedule, style and fee payment schedule that works for both of us, to explore your prior knowledge of the subject and if possible, provide a basic introduction.
6. Grading:
If you'd like, I can grade larger pieces of your writing and provide feedback. I will look over each piece before grading it, and the additional cost will be given to you upfront. The grading is on a Word document you submit. It will include extensive written feedback and a video recording that summarizes the key strengths of your writing and areas for improvement.
If a student requires me to grade a piece of work exceeding one page outside of tuition time, my standard tuition fees apply, and I will let the student know in advance what the charge will be. A rough estimate is $15 per page.
7. University and College Assignments and Papers
Under no circumstances will I write an assignmnet or term papaer for a student. However, if the university a student is studying at permits the student to use the services of academic coaches, I can grade a paper before it is submitted and suggest edits.
Should a student request this, I will need to review the institution's academic policy as well as the course briefing that the student's teacher has provided.
However, I will not do any substantial grading reviews until we have had at least two lessons together and better understand each other.
8. Cancellations and rescheduling
Just so you know, 24 hours' notice is required, and I will do the same. If there is an emergency that is understood, lessons cancelled or rescheduled by the student within 24 hrs will be charged for. I would also be able to provide those lessons at no charge if I did not do the same, should I not be able to make it, and do not let the student know within the 24-hour time frame.
9. Supplementary resources and written work
There is no extra charge for these services, including grading any written work that I set for the student.
Whilst working with students, I utilize a wide variety of resources to help them improve their academic performance. These include, but are not limited to:
learning assessments and profiles, video clips, academic papers, PPTs, class notes, etc.
I may require students to complete short assessments or written assignments. To gain the maximum benefit from the tuition, I strongly advise students to complete all assigned tasks.
10. Refunds are issued under two conditions
(a) No measurable academic improvement
If a student can clearly demonstrate that thye have conscientiously completed all the tasks assigned during the tuition period, and have provided me with a realistic benchmark of their academic performance before engaging me as a tutor. We both agree on this benchmark (e.g., the student was obtaining an Average of 30% for their written assignments) that their academic performance has not improved during the tutoring received. I will issue the student a full refund.
(b) Urgent life circumstances and a withdrawal from the tutoring
If a student has paid in advance for a series of lessons to take advantage of a 70% discount, 70% of the tuition fees paid in advance for tuition sessions that the student has not yet taken with me will be refunded within a month of cancellation.
11) Our "classroom," and costs
a) The student's venue
I charge for travel; please see section 1 for the rates.
If a student asks me to travel to teach them at a venue of their choosing, it should ideally be: quiet, confidential (the student and I are the only ones in the room), well-lit, with a table for us to sit at and a place to plug in my laptop.
b) My Venue
I do not tutor from my home because I have a very busy family and not enough space for a student's privacy.
However, if a student has an urgent need to meet face-to-face and would prefer it at my venue, I can check availability and sometimes hire a venue close to where I live. If there are venue-hire costs, I will discuss them with the student, depending on what is available.
c) Online
There is no extra charge for online teaching unless a student specifically requests a non-standard platform that I have to purchase a subscription for, in which case an admin fee of $50 + the subscription fee applies. The admin fee compensates for my time learning a new platform.
I am experienced in online teaching and can easily provide students with an interesting and stimulating online tutoring experience. At the end of the day, this option is most cost-effective for students. Online classes can be held on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or any other platform that offers the same applications.
If students choose to be tutored online, they need to be in a private, distraction-free environment, seated at a desk. I will not normally tutor stduents working from cafes or public places.
d) Blended Learning
Students can choose to have some classes with me online and some face-to-face. Let's alternate between each lesson. Travel expenses will be charged for face-to-face time if applicable.
Alternatively, if a student has to travel but wants to continue their tuition while travelling, I can make these arrangements with them, provided the time zone provides reasonable contact hours. If there are exceptional circumstances, a student can request abnormal time zone contact hours (e.g., 2 am Vancouver time). In such instances, I charge double to triple my standard tuition fee of $40 per hour.
e) Group Learning and my rates
Sometimes students request to learn with a group of friends, usually 5-10 students. I am happy to discuss this, but I need to point out the following:
Group learning progresses more slowly than individual tutoring; therefore, to achieve the same results as individual tutoring, more tutoring hours will be needed. If this extra time is found, I will consider offering this service.
I do not offer any discount for group learning because it is actually far more work for me. Here are the rates for group learning.
1-5 students $40-$60/ hour
5-10 students $70-$90/hour
10+ students arrangements to be made with me.
If the group learning sessions are held at a venue, travel expenses will also be charged.
Lastly, each group must have one student who agrees to be the leader of the group, in case I need to communicate with them for any logistical arrangements and support.
Other tutors in Philosophy
Jamal
Richmond & online
- $21/h
- 1st lesson free
Angel
Burnaby & online
- $25/h
- 1st lesson free
Rajin
Surrey & online
- $22/h
- 1st lesson free
Treydon
White Rock & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
AJ
Toronto & online
- $40/h
Alex Hartman
Toronto & online
- $80/h
Anne
Toronto & online
- $45/h
- 1st lesson free
Trisha
Moncton & online
- $45/h
Lopez
Toronto & online
- $40/h
- 1st lesson free
Sara
Montreal & online
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
Chris
Toronto & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
Emma
Toronto & online
- $40/h
- 1st lesson free
Zach
Squamish & online
- $85/h
- 1st lesson free
Phillip
Airdrie & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
Dick
Calgary & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
Roxana
Toronto & online
- $40/h
- 1st lesson free
Mitchell
London & online
- $25/h
- 1st lesson free
Ben
Nanaimo & online
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
Gareth
West Vancouver & online
- $50/h
Marley
Toronto & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
-
More Philosophy tutors
