Rebecca: Layton tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a recent Barnard College graduate with a major in French and Francophone Studies and Human Rights. My passion for the French language began in middle school and extended to my studies in college. I studied abroad in Paris for a semester and have spent the past 2 summers conducting research in Senegal, a French-speaking West African country. Other French-speaking countries I have visited include Morocco and Canada, but I am always looking to include more!
Fun fact: Last summer in Marseille (south of France), a woman mistook me for being a native French speaker!
I have tutored the subjects of both English and French, and have worked with students ranging from 5th grade to university age and above.
After 8+ years of rigorous grammar and many years of interest in French and Francophone culture, I can cater to whatever your language needs may be. In addition to vocabulary and grammar quizzes, I enjoy analyzing songs, watching news clips, and reading articles from French sources to acclimate my students to the French language.
When I'm not tutoring, I enjoy singing, dancing, yoga, rock climbing, and reading!
Connect with a tutor like Rebecca
What is your teaching philosophy?
Be attentive to the needs of each student. Everyone learns differently.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Evaluate your language needs. If you are a beginner, going over vowel sounds, pronunciation, and introduction is key. If you are at a conversation level, a simple conversation to figure out strengths and areas for improvement.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Music! Translating song lyrics is something I always did as a French student to help me understand better the language and how it is used in culture.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Weekly assignments that we would go over in person.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Spend extra time learning the skill, and then practice practice practice!
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
French is a difficult language. Reading many things, highlighting the words you don't know, and then reading again is a good way to increase comprehension. Also patience- language takes time! It won't come overnight.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Contextualizing language both - historically and culturally - is a good way to get students to engage with the subject. Linking French roots to words we have in English, showing the origins of certain political practices, etc. Depending on the student's personal interests, there are so many amazing things about the French language that can be applied. Also, learning about French food is always a plus...
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
For grammar, practice with questions and exercises is always key. Moving on from there, reading comprehension and oral communication are very important. Understanding has a lot to do with how comfortable the student is with the language. My goal is to make you as comfortable as possible using French as a means of communication.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Have them combine language with their own interests. Write a paragraph about what you like to do in French, and then read it to me. Working on poems, maybe a figure in French history, etc.