He basically tells you what he wants to see in a written essay. Pretty chill teaching style, easy-going class, and ideas are always up for discussion. Remember this one rule: "Always refer back to the text", and you will pass. Just show up to class and do the readings, and you basically can't fail.

Toby is a great prof. He is enthusiastic about English and grammar and often has lots of energy and makes funny jokes. He makes learning fun. He is a fair marker so you actually learn from the mistakes you make. And he is very willing to take time aside and give advice and tips for class assignments. I would recommend his class to anyone!

Toby is great at what he does. His class isn't necessarily 'easy' but it's all about the learning process, right? He's equal parts constructive criticism and positive feedback, and that really helps develop your writing skills. His class is really discussion-based, so it's a great forum for critical-thinkers. Just come to class prepared to discuss!

toby was a great teacher, although he was a bit of a hard marker he was always available to help. i would highly recommend him to any student

Toby is a great teacher. He explains everything in great detail and even uses popular things as teaching aids, such as Dr. Horribles sing along blog. I mean, really, how awesome is that? He was a hard marker, but as long as you understood what he was teaching, then you would get a great mark.

Toby was an amazing teacher; the first English teacher I've had in my post secondary career who actually taught me something useful on essay writing. You need to attend every class, and follow the reading schedule in order to do very well in his class.

Toby teaches at a university level--if you can't handle that, pick a prof who hands out pity marks. If you actually want to write better, and read and discuss literature, this class is for you. Not picky with spelling, attendance mandatory, be respectful (ie, no cell phones), keep up with assigned reading. Straight-forward and easy A.

I'd say he is a good prof. He is very insightful, especially when it came to lit. If you want to actually learn something I think this is a good teacher to go with. I thought his marking was fair for the most part. If you fail this class you probably shouldn't be in college to begin with.

Toby is awesome. his lectures are funny and most importantly informative. When he repeats himself (due to someone asking or because after handing back work) the advice/tip on writing is said differently. Toby's tips on writing is a must have checklist and since this class has proven helpful.

Toby, Is an amazing teacher, I enjoy his classes and must say before attending one of his lectures, I have never been interested in english. I love it now! Though I must say the Readings (though much) are not too scandelous, but HIS MARKINGS! it's a nightmare! HARD MARKER! which I don't know if it is a good or a bad thing. Cheers!

If you're just want to pass with good grades then Toby may not be the teacher for you, but if you want to actually learn something no matter what your major is Toby is great. He is passionate, is always willing to help, and really controls the class well. He appreciates effort and puts a lot of effort into making the class interesting for everyone.

Very humorous and helpful teacher when you need it, however he tends to put people down in class without realizing he's doing it. If you want to just float through first year English, I wouldn't suggest Toby's class. It's good if you want to actually learn something... which I can promise you will!

Wonderful teacher! His class is funny and interesting. I've learned some useful techniques when it comes to essay writing, and analyzing "ethos", which you'll know if you take his class.

Toby was a funny teacher. His discussions were interesting, even though my comments got shot down a lot.He is a hard marker, but its a university-transfer class so what do you expect? If you show up and try hard you will do ok. I failed my first essay in this class but ended the course with a B- because I worked super hard to improve.

Can't understand half the things he says, he talks a mile a minute. If you REALLY want a challenge then have him, but I will NEVER take another class with him again.

I'm currently taking his class and I BARELY get by. However it BARELY helps that talks a mile a minute. If you want a challenge get him for a professor. However he is VERY understand. I will NEVER take another class of his.

Toby is tough only because he quizzes his students every day and expects participation in class. However, Toby is incredibly helpful if you are struggling with an assignment or, in my case, need help narrowing your thesis. I would definitely take Toby's class again.

Really good teacher I think, although he is hard to understand at some points but he doesn't mind if you tell him to slow down, and he will. He gives many quizzes on the readings but it motivates you to actually do the readings and they are not that hard if you have done them. I totally would take another class of his.

Very good person and a little bit cool. I wanna make friends with him. He helps me so much. If you come to his office or contact with him, he will give as much help as he can. He marks maybe hard, but 1121 is a precourse for 1127. It is better to study hard before taking 1127. I will stand by you, Toby

I know it is just first year English and it is easy to slack, but if you go to all the classes and ask questions when you don't understand, you can do well. Some people think he is a little mean, but I think he is funny and he doesn't mind if you joke back. If you want to slip by, don't take it. But if you wan to learn, I highly recommend him!

LOVE HIM! don't know why, probably the hawaiian print shirts. Or the satire in everything he says. His class is interesting, he knows what he's talking about. He is a hard marker but you'll get over it! Take his class! NOW

I love Toby! I miss English with him! I wish he had taught my second year classes, as well. If you come to class prepared, listen and ask questions, then you will be absolutely fine.

If you work hard, attend lectures, do the readings, and speak with Toby if you're having difficulty, then you will succeed in his class. If you don't attend lecture, don't do the reading, don't voice your difficulties with Toby, then you will not succeed. Pretty simple. He is a good lecturer and a fair marker.

Love this guy. Extremely intelligent. Am a much better writer because of him. Go to class, do your readings and speak out in class once in awhile. If you're lazy, don't show up for class, you'll fail. You never know what your mark is but if your a C student and try hard in his class, you'll get a B. I would take another course with Toby.

Awesome teacher! this guy is tough as nails when it comes to marking but he's always happy to help during his officer hours. Helped my essay writing and essay analysis tremendously. You get what you put into this course!

Take him if you don't care about your gpa

Horrible!!! Quiz and reading every week. Tough marker!!!

Toby expects class discussion. Requires reading for almost every class. He gives reading quizzes. He hates cell phones and does not allow people to us laptops. He's really funny and tells good stories.

Toby comes off as blunt and rude to students, but his criticisms are 100% valid and very well phrased. If you're too sensitive then avoid him. He doesn't reward BS writing, so you really do need to put in a lot of effort. Like I got a C on the first essay and an A- on the last one. Go to his office hours, he really does want to help!

Yes, he's a tough marker. Take this class if you want to learn how to write and research a paper. This class will lay it all out for you, step by step. Don't take it if you are sensitive. Half the class dropped out by the mid-term, but we actually had a really good time. We had a lot of laughs, worked outside and really discussed the lit.

Tough but fair! This is a COLLEGE level class that requires COLLEGE level writing. If you can't follow instruction in regards to providing powerful evidence in response to personal claims and do so in a clear concise manner perhaps you don't belong in a college english class. Bull plop responses won't work like they did in high-school!

Toby is an awesome prof. Everyone who is complaining about his class probably didn't put any effort into his class and probably also received a bad grade. His notes are easy to follow along with but you need to be in class to get them. Go to class, study, and ask lots of questions. Toby is more then willing to help you do well!

I had a blast this semester. I recommend everyone try to get into Tobys Class, I laughed majority of his classes. Just do the readings and you will be fine!

I enjoyed Toby's 1127 class, albeit he does go off topic quite often. He's more than willing to explain/clarify anything, so ask lots of questions. Quizzes and essay-based tests are fairly straight forward. Just make sure you are caught up in readings. Also the final project is not something to be left till the last day (no that is not a challenge)

Toby is a super tough marker. He is helpful and offers many office hours, he really does want to help you though. He gives reading quizzes from what he assigns. Hes a funny guy in lecture but not so funny when your class average is D. Half of the class drops out by the deadline. He teaches based on his own criteria as well, research essay is weird.

Its true that Toby is an extremely hard marker (barely passed) but he was always there to help his students.. aside from his sarcasms and jokes, Toby is extremely well educated in his field and you can really learn a lot from this guy. Among all the profs Ive learned from, I learned the most from Toby and will always remember him as my teacher.

He's very literal, just do everything he says and you'll get a great mark.

So Yes, Toby is brutally hard compared to other English teachers at Langara; but he really teaches you how to write. I've gotten many A and A+ for humanities papers at UBC using the techniques Toby taught and now am grateful that stumbled into his English course. The man may make life tough but you will end up much better for it.

Is this class hard? Yes. Does this class actually teach you how to write? Yes. So many ENGL classes before have been just "copy and paste". Toby actually challenges you. This course will certainly make you a good writer. Toby is the kind of teacher who will tell you exactly what he wants from your writing, you just need to be listening.

Toby has a real passion for English, evident in his humorous and entertaining lecture and teaching style. He makes his instructions and expectations regarding assignments crystal clear, do EXACTLY what he says and you will become a better writer and do well in the course. Participation is a free 10% of your mark. Avoid if you are bad at English.

Yeah Toby is a very difficult marker with a bit of sass, but he does it out of your best interest. If you give him what he asks for, he will give you a decent mark. I've learned more from him in this one class than I've ever learned from any other professor. He seriously made my writing much better.

This man appears to be really passionate about teaching. He is always available for help, he puts in 110% in his lectures and marking and he seems to really want his students to learn what they need to succeed in college. Super grateful for his course! Oh and the guy is TOUGH. Listen to his feedback and apply yourself and you will do well.

Definitely a challenge, but an amazing instructor nonetheless. If you participate and try your best, you will learn, your grade just might not be what you are used to. Follow his criteria exactly, you'll do fine.