A FORMER teacher and examiner has released his second textbook in the hopes it helps children struggling with their learning before or after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peter Inson, 74, from East Mersea, is a retired teacher who taught English.

He decided to become a teacher after appreciating his own during his time in school.

Mr Inson said: “I thought my teachers have done such a good job for me that I wanted to do the same.

“In my opinion it is the most important job in the world.

“Ironically the one O-level I failed at 16 was English Literature, which is what I later became an examiner for.”

He published his first textbook in 2009, which was a GCSE English textbook.

Now, he has published his second, What, How, Why: A Manual of Better English, which is aimed at anyone who worries about or struggles with their English and anyone who wants to help them.

Mr Inson describes as a more personal textbook, less conventional than his first.

He said: “It is a much more personalised textbook.

“I put what sounded like my voice into writing, so it is like me standing there talking.

“I worded things differently, using terms like ‘us’ and ‘we’ as if we are having a conversation with the pupil, making them feel comfortable and encouraged.

“I wanted to give the idea that if they read the book, they will help themselves.

“English is an important subject, and I believe if you want kids to work hard at something, you have to teach them how important it is.”

The response to the second textbook has also been good after being tested in various schools and even Colchester’s Military Corrective Training Centre.

Mr Inson hopes this book can be of help to those who already struggled or have fallen behind during the months of remote learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “I wanted to see and teach things from the point of view of someone who had been kicked out of schools, or told they were no good.

“I really think it can help a huge variety of students.”