Matthew

Certified Tutor

I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Translation & Business from Northern Illinois University in May 2013. I have worked professionally as a translator and interpreter for over six years, and I also spent a portion of my undergraduate studies in Madrid, Spain. My formal education in Spanish is what sparked my passion for language in general, but it is my many memories and experiences living and experiencing Spanish culture that drove me to carry out my fervor for the language.

I tutored students at the high school level throughout my undergraduate career, and I believe that as a person who learned Spanish formally myself, it is easier for me to communicate the concepts of the language in an effective manner that is more receptive to the student. My formal education in the language not only allows me to communicate Spanish language principles efficiently, but also gives me the tools necessary to show the connections between all Latin based languages and word origins, which provides a better overall understanding of the way language functions.

Outside of academia, I thoroughly enjoy the arts and am an avid fan of a wide variety of music. I was vocally trained for many years, and have also studied some music theory, as I come from a very musically inclined family. I have always linked my passion for music and the Spanish language together, because in a way, music is just another language.

As a person who has discovered their true passion, I will do everything within my abilities to ensure that my students develop a fundamental aptitude for the Spanish language.