Carla
Certified Tutor
I am a Spanish tutor. I have taught for over six years, mostly middle school level, but I can teach any level from elementary to adult. I enjoy the Spanish language and look forward to sharing my knowledge of it with others. Apart from Spanish, I also am an artist who enjoys drawing and painting and I love baking too.
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Undergraduate Degree: Valdosta State University - Bachelor of Education, Spanish Teacher Education
Baking, art, music, games
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would do an introductory lesson with the student and a few 'icebreaker' activities.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would continue to give positive feedback and other rewards for their efforts.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would do a reteach of the material that they are having difficulty with and try to find another way to teach it that may help them better understand it.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Since I teach foreign language, I would show students words that look and sound similar in both English and, in my case, Spanish. I would also have them repeat these words and tell them to try to get an idea of what the passage is about first through these words before learning it word for word.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Repetition of vocabulary, visual cues through pictures and gestures, games and positive feedback have been most successful for me.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to make lessons based on their interests. For example, if the student is into sports and I was teaching a lesson on describing someone, I would use pictures of athletes they may be familiar with and do the lesson using that.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would do quizzes as well as flash cards and mini conversations based on what they were taught.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that everyone can learn anything with the right motivation and that learning is fun.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Positive reinforcement, even when they get an answer wrong, is the best way to boost a student's confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I learn more about students with each meeting, seeing their personality and interests.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I would consistently allow students to work on their own after each lesson, setting goals and daily procedures to teach time management.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use visuals, text, and audio materials whenever possible.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I teach at a pace that is right for the student to effectively learn.