Carlos: Merrillville tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a Senior at Lipscomb University majoring in Political Science and International Relations. I also have a minor in Philosophy and Criminal Justice. I was born and raised in Colombia, so as a native Spanish speaker I have the knowledge and experience to teach this language, and as a college student I know the way students want to be approached and the importance of the involvement of the students in a class.
I love tutoring History and politics, but especially Spanish, and I want to assist my students in reaching their full potential and achieving their goals, as well as in providing new ideas and perspectives for them.
I want my tutoring sessions to be a dialogue because I think the best way to learn, especially a new language, is through a casual conversation with lots of questions asked by the student and by me, therefore I think it is really important to know closely the process the student is going through and provide particular approaches to particular situations.
I've had experience in tutoring before. For a couple of months I volunteered to teach English to elementary school children in Colombia. I think that has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, because as a tutor you not only teach but you also learn from your students. Interacting with those children definitely opened my mind and made me want to share the knowledge I have with other people and at the same time learning from what the people have to teach me.
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Undergraduate Degree: Lipscomb University - Bachelors, Political Science: International Relations
I enjoy playing soccer, going for a walk and reading a good book.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I think the process of tutoring is enriching for both student and tutor. I want to have an open dialogue with the students and I want them to feel free to ask any question they may have. I think people learn easily by having discussions about the topic they are studying and by asking questions that lead to other questions, I think to have doubts is a sign of learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first and most important step is to know the student, to know what are their interests and their goals, and also to know the previous knowledge of the student about the topic that is to be studied. Thus, in a first session I would ask a lot of questions to the student so I can know what is the best approach to have and the best academic tools we can use.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I think the best way to help a student become an independent learner is motivating him/her. Helping them realize that knowledge is a powerful thing, and that with effort and discipline it is possible to achieve one's goals.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By being aware of the process the student is going through. By letting the student know the progress he/she has had, and by encouraging him/her to keep pursuing the goals he/she wants to achieve.