Renee: Dolton tutor
Certified Tutor
Hello. I love the French language and all things related to learning and teaching language. I hold a B.A. in French from Montclair State University and I worked as an English Teaching Assistant in a French high school in Bourg-en-Bresse, France in 2003. Since then, I have worked in social services but am studying now to become a French Teacher, including taking several French classes where we discuss literature, politics, and art. I have worked as a tutor during college and I truly enjoy sharing my love of the French language and French culture. I live in East Brunswick and am happy to travel up to roughly 25 miles for tutoring sessions.
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What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in the traditional style of lecture, practice, and repetition. However, where I differ a bit is I start by asking the student to explain to me what they understand about the topic, especially if they have already experienced a lecture in school. Then I can expand upon that and we can begin to practice together.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I try to assess where they are at by looking at their materials if they are in a class and quizzing them. If they are not already in a class, I would quiz to assess their level.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
To help a student become an independent learner, I would give them supportive documents (verb charts, pronoun charts, etc.) that they can refer to when needed.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I always give positive reinforcement (praise, compliments) by recognizing correct answers, especially if they have been struggling. I also try to use metaphors to tie concepts to things they might be interested in, like sports, music, or other subjects they might excel in.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would ask them to describe to me what they do understand and then break it down. I'm a big fan of using metaphors and memory devices to help students remember a skill or concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would recommend them to slow down and ask questions while reading. This is called active reading. The reader engages with the text by asking themselves questions regarding possible outcomes and explanations for what they are reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I use metaphors and memory devices. Then I use practice drills that I work with them together. An example of a memory device: for the verbs that are conjugated with etre, we use the phrase Dr. & Mrs. Vandertrampp. Each letter stands for a verb that gets conjugated with etre.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I create ties to other subjects like sports, etc. If needed, I will use songs and jokes to get them laughing or engaged.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To ensure a student understands the material, I quiz them and check their answers on drills.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I assure them the topic is not so scary as they think. I use a technique called scaffolding - building off of things they already understand. I always use praise and positive reinforcement.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Quiz them in the beginning. Then I observe to see where they are struggling. Is it pronunciation or is it grammar? I work from there.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Some students are more visual. Some are more auditory. I try to adapt to their style.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I might use a textbook or some documents giving an explanation or examples of a topic. Then I would use exercises. The tutoring company has an extensive library of educational materials to make use of, including examples, guides, questions, and quizzes.