Rui
Certified Tutor
I'm a MA candidate in International Economics and China Studies at Johns Hopkins, and an aspiring foreign policy professional. My approach to tutoring emphasizes big picture ideas and building a student's sense of intuition. My best professors and teachers have emphasized that it takes more than memorization to be a good learner. Likewise, I try to make students comfortable with the subjects that they learn and help them feel like they're capable of navigating subjects on their own when studying, practicing, or doing homework.
Some of my subjects include Economics, English, World History, and Chinese. Because my professional field emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, I like to stay curious about these subjects and consider myself a lifelong learner of just about any subject, both quantitative and qualitative. Outside of tutoring and projects in my field, I enjoy reading novels and short fiction, watching baseball and baking batches of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
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Undergraduate Degree: Emory University - Bachelors, International Relations
Graduate Degree: Johns Hopkins University - Masters, School of Advanced International Studies -China Studies
- ACT Composite: 34
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1520
- SAT Math: 770
- SAT Verbal: 710
- SAT Writing: 740
- GRE Quantitative: 162
- GRE Verbal: 164
Reading, Baseball, Baking
- ACT Writing
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP U.S. Government & Politics
- AP US History
- AP World History
- Business
- College Economics
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American History
- College World History
- Conversational Mandarin
- Economics
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Essay Writing
- GRE Analytical Writing
- High School Economics
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- High School World History
- History
- Homework Support
- Languages
- Literature
- Macroeconomics
- Mandarin Chinese
- Mandarin Chinese 1
- Mandarin Chinese 2
- Mandarin Chinese 3
- Mandarin Chinese 4
- Microeconomics
- Other
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Chinese with Listening
- Social Studies
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- World History
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
To understand and work at the pace the student needs, providing just enough challenges. Making sure that they walk away from tutoring knowing how to do something new.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
My first session with a student will prioritize getting to know what they need my help on the most, and formulating a plan for how to productively use our sessions, as well as a study plan the student can use for homework and assignments.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I'm a big believer in the power of organizing and planning. If you plan well and plan according to how you learn, it'll make it that much easier to process information.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Sometimes, I like to tailor games, exercises, and sample questions in accordance with a student's interests.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Step-by-step lists, mnemonics, and extra practice. I also like charts and visual aids.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Marking up a reading is something that I like to do in order to single out important pieces of information. I'm a big fan of color-coded notes.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Keeping information organized and planning ahead for assignments and assessments as early as possible.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
If applicable, I like to tailor questions to what a student is interested in.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I regularly check students' understanding by asking questions and engaging them in getting the relationships between concepts, particularly in subjects in the humanities.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I like to check if a student is getting the material through Q&A. If the student isn't getting something, going through an issue or problem step-by-step is my go-to for getting the student to understand an academic topic.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I like to look at what changes about how a student approaches a problem or how they're performing on assignments or projects they want to get done, so I ask questions of the client and parents, if applicable.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I can find relevant readings as needed, but like to have a good understanding of the materials a student currently works with.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Listening is important for me.