Nancy: Arlington tutor
Certified Tutor
I have taught young people the Spanish language and culture for 33 years. I enjoy watching students understand and create in Spanish in all formats, including videos, audios, writing original episodes of superheroes, performing plays, and any way to express themselves with the newly learned language. I look forward to working with students to enhance their appreciation and love for the Spanish language and culture!
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Undergraduate Degree: Furman University - Bachelors, Spanish
Graduate Degree: University of South Carolina-Columbia - Masters, Teaching Spanish
church activities, singing, reading, spending time with family, spending time with grandchildren, movies, concerts
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would ask the student about his family, his interests, and why he wants to be tutored. I would let him know about my Spanish background and reassure him that I will use a variety of methods to help him learn.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I will provide materials and resources that are available for the student to explore on his own, as well as in our sessions.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would incorporate as many sensory experiences as possible, both with the student and with which the student can refer on his own to reintroduce and practice the concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I read a passage with them, ask them to point out important points and get them to make their own questions based on the passage.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Putting the student at ease and getting them to trust that they will be successful is the most important.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would find out the student's interests and show them how Spanish can be used with those interests.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I'd use exercises including question and answer, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, creative writing, and speaking extemporaneously. I'd get the student to explain the concept to me as if he were teaching me.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By letting him create, in Spanish, original writing, speaking, and listening activities.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I listen to what the student feels is his challenge so I can assess his ability.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Once I find what the student's needs happen to be, I then search for materials and methods that will meet those needs and lead the student to be confident with that concept.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Websites that have Spanish exercises, activities, games, worksheets that I create, as well as those that come with the student text, paired practice activities, TPR, and many others.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe anyone can learn the Spanish language and appreciate the Spanish culture. I use a variety of sensory activities to aid in the student's acquiring of Spanish.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Finding the student's interests and including them in the learning process is key. Also, pointing out to the student that he is on his way to reaching his goal is extremely motivating to keep on task.