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Award-Winning TOEFL Tutors

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

AM
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning

I am a retired teacher who tutors and writes and who has had decades of success motivating and preparing people for a range of tests and tasks. I also walk/jog 50-plus miles a week, do yoga, and exercise my critical thinking skills regularly. My students since 1979 have ranged from middle school ur...

Education

Yale University

AM

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

PhD
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
TOEFL
SAT Reading
ISEE- Middle Level

After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fictio...

Education

Princeton University

PhD

William

Certified Tutor

2+ years

William

PhD
William's other Tutor Subjects
SAT Subject Test in World History
TOEFL
SAT Reading
ACT Reading

I have a lot of teaching experience in both high-school and college settings, in the United States and abroad. I cover subjects ranging from ESOL, German, literature, and essay writing to most of the humanities topics that arise in AP and IB courses.

Education

Yale University

PhD

Georgetown University

PhD

Kimberly

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Kimberly

Master's/Graduate
Kimberly's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
Elementary School Reading

Ivy League professor offering customized academic support. I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Columbia University, where I have taught writing, literature, and literary translation. I have been helping students hone their writing skills in various formats since 2005. Through cust...

Education

Columbia University

Master's/Graduate

Columbia University

Bachelor

Molly

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Molly

Bachelor's
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
ACT English
ACT Reading
English Grammar and Syntax

Hello! I enjoy working with students because it delights me to see them realize their true potential, and all that they are capable of! I have over 15 years of experience working with students at the middle school, high school, college, and graduate levels. I hold teaching certification in English, ...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Adam

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Adam

MRE
Adam's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

I have been tutoring for over 12 years. I have worked with many different students in many different subjects. I've worked as a classroom teacher and instructional content creator, as well. My favorite part of tutoring is knowing that I am making a real difference for my students. I am looking for...

Education

George Mason University

MRE

University of Mary Washington

MRE

Bibhash

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Bibhash

Bachelor's
Bibhash's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Pre-Calculus

I am a CFA Charter holder, an MBA in Finance, and a Certified Risk Manager. I have been teaching the CFA course over the last 5 years. I also teach college level and school level Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Maths, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics Statistics, Corporate Finance and, Personal Fin...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Brooke

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Brooke

AM
Brooke's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
Quantitative Reasoning

Preparing for the TOEFL means mastering academic English across reading, listening, speaking, and writing — and Brooke's background in building vocabulary and thought structure for different writing styles translates directly to this exam. She spends particular time on the integrated writing task, w...

Education

Georgia State University

AM

New York University

AM

Karin

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karin

MFA
Karin's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
SAT Reading
GED
ACT Writing

Karin McKie, MFA, compiles curriculum and personalizes teaching for a broad spectrum of students. I know there is no better, nor more crucial, calling than helping learners communicate their voices and realize their educational dreams. I specialize in tutoring all standardized tests, including t...

Education

San Jose State University

MFA

James Madison University

MFA

Reem

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Reem

MBA
Reem's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
AP English Language and Composition
English Grammar and Syntax
Phonics

I am a positive facilitator who strives to engage all types of students in the subject matter in a fun way. I have been teaching and tutoring for over 35 years, and my students tell me I am a natural teacher. Working with students as independent individuals, exploring their aspirations, supporting t...

Education

Lebanese American University

MBA

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Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Erin

PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +31 Subjects

It is magical to me to see a student "get it" - to make that connection towards which they have been working so hard, to feel the satisfaction of achieving their goals. To be part of that process is an honor and a privilege that I never take for granted.

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Alireza

TOEFL Tutor • +2 Subjects

I have 19 years experience in teaching general English, IELTS, TOEFL, and other international exams. I obtained my MA 16 years ago and am currently a PhD student in English teaching. I love to share my knowledge with my students in a friendly, warm, and culturally comfortable atmosphere I create all through my classes. I am particularly good at teaching speaking and writing in a smooth and exciting way. My students receive step-wise instructions in writing and clear feedback on their work. For speaking, I mostly focus on what my students want English for. This, I believe, maximizes our class efficiency.

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TJ

TOEFL Tutor • +17 Subjects

Hi! I'm a passionate Spanish, English, and History teacher here in the Phoenix area. I have lived in Europe for 3 years and have 5 years of high school and middle school teaching experience. I have been teaching students for the last 10 years of all levels. I have many great references available and people say that I'm patient, flexible, knowledgeable, kind, and willing to go the extra mile so that the student understands the information. I am also currently completing my PhD in Spanish Linguistics.

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Syed Farasat

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +222 Subjects

As a graduate student in Artificial Intelligence at Western University with a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from LUMS, I bring a rich and multidisciplinary perspective to tutoring. My journey spans engineering, mathematics, computer science, creative writing, and the artsdiverse fields that I draw on to inspire students and make learning relatable and engaging. I have extensive teaching experience across a variety of settings. I've taught high school students individually, helping them prepare for exams, and delivered crash courses for standardized tests like the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and SAT. In professional environments, I've trained interns and new recruits in object-oriented programming and design patterns during my tenure as a lead software engineer. Academically, I've served as a teaching assistant for computer science courses at Western University, where I taught concepts like pointers and object-oriented programming through tutorials, instructional materials, and assessments. My favorite subjects to teach are Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and English. I prioritize helping students develop strong learning methods, linking abstract concepts to tangible examples, and building a solid foundation for self-sufficiency and lifelong learning. Beyond academics, my hobbies, such as game development, playing guitar, and exploring esoteric music, enrich my teaching approach with creativity and enthusiasm.

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Mary Rose

TOEFL Tutor • +11 Subjects

I am an English language coach with 30 years of experience teaching ESL/EFL in schools, universities, and private settings. Since May 2022, I have tutored for Varsity Tutors, consistently earning high ratings. I hold a BA in English (Film and Communication) from McGill University and a diploma in Community Services from Centennial College. I help students improve English for academic, business, and social purposes, including exam prep and college essays. My diverse interests, multicultural background, and positive approach make lessons engaging and adaptable to individual learning styles.

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Colin

Middle School Math Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am an excellent tutor with a wide range of expertise. I am persistent, patient and inquisitive. I have been a teacher for more than fifteen years and I am sure if we work together, we can find a way to improve your academic performance.

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Rachel

Middle School Math Tutor • +55 Subjects

As a passionate educator with a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia, I am excited to bring my extensive experience to support students in their academic journeys. I have over 5 years of teaching and tutoring experience, specializing in Biology and English, as well as test preparation for the SAT and GRE. My approach to tutoring focuses on creating engaging, meaningful connections to the content, utilizing fun strategies such as mnemonics and relatable examples to make learning enjoyable. Having taught both in the U.S. and abroad, I've learned to adapt my methods to meet students where they are, fostering a supportive environment that encourages curiosity and growth. I believe that when students see the relevance of what they are learning, they become more invested in their education, leading to lasting success. I look forward to inspiring students to discover their potential and develop their skills in a dynamic and enjoyable way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you work with a tutor. Students typically see 10-20 point improvements over 8-12 weeks of focused study, though some see larger gains if they're addressing fundamental gaps in English proficiency. The key is identifying which sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, or Writing) need the most work and developing targeted strategies for those areas.

A tutor can help you move beyond simply taking more practice tests—they'll diagnose exactly where you're losing points and create a customized study plan that addresses your specific weaknesses.

The Reading section is where most students struggle with pacing. You have 54-72 minutes to read 3-4 passages and answer 12-14 questions per passage—that's roughly 10-12 minutes per passage if you account for question-answering time. Many students spend too long on difficult questions and rush through easier ones, losing points unnecessarily.

A tutor can teach you strategic skimming techniques, help you identify which questions to tackle first, and show you how to quickly locate evidence in the text rather than re-reading entire passages. With practice and the right approach, you can cut your reading time significantly while maintaining accuracy.

Speaking anxiety is common because you're recorded and can't revise your answers—but it's highly manageable with preparation. The Speaking section rewards clear organization and fluency more than perfect grammar, so knowing what to expect reduces panic significantly.

A tutor can help you build confidence by having you practice speaking out loud repeatedly (not just in your head), teaching you templates for structuring responses, and simulating the actual test conditions so the day itself feels familiar. Recording yourself and reviewing mistakes also normalizes the process. With consistent practice, most students move from anxious to confident within 4-6 weeks.

It depends on your timeline and starting score, but generally you should prioritize your weakest sections while maintaining your strong ones. If you're weak in Reading and Writing but strong in Listening and Speaking, spending 70% of tutoring time on those two sections makes sense. Your tutor can help you allocate time efficiently based on your goals.

That said, don't completely ignore your strong sections—students often plateau when they only focus downward. Your tutor will ensure you're using an 80/20 approach: deep work on weakness areas, maintenance on strength areas, and some time on test-taking strategy that applies across all sections.

Integrated tasks require you to combine information from reading, listening, and speaking or writing—they test your ability to synthesize multiple sources. Independent tasks ask you to draw from your own knowledge and experiences. Most students find Integrated tasks harder because they require managing information from multiple sources while also producing language under time pressure.

The good news? Integrated tasks are also the most learnable with practice. A tutor can break down the note-taking strategies, help you organize information effectively, and give you templates for structuring integrated responses. Once you understand the predictable format and practice 15-20 integrated tasks, they become significantly easier.

The answer depends on your stage of preparation. Early on (weeks 1-4), take one full practice test to establish a baseline, then focus on targeted section practice and skill-building. In the middle phase (weeks 5-8), take full tests every 1-2 weeks to apply what you're learning. In the final 2-3 weeks, take a full test every 4-5 days to build endurance and identify last-minute gaps.

Taking practice tests too frequently without review wastes time; taking them too rarely means you won't catch patterns in your mistakes. Your tutor can help you find the right frequency and, more importantly, help you review and learn from each test so you're not just going through the motions.

Look for someone with specific TOEFL expertise—not just general English proficiency. Your tutor should understand the exact format of each section, know common student mistakes, and be able to diagnose weaknesses quickly. They should also be able to teach test-specific strategies (like skimming techniques for Reading or note-taking for Integrated tasks) rather than just assigning practice tests.

Equally important is someone who understands that TOEFL preparation isn't just about language skills—it's about managing anxiety, pacing, and test strategy. The best tutors combine deep content knowledge with the ability to build your confidence so you can perform your best on test day.

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