Zarina
Certified Tutor
"When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." -Paulo Coelho
What you think about, you bring about. If you put all your focus, energy and positive thoughts toward whatever it is you want, you'd be amazed at what opportunities come knocking.
Whatever it is, however it happens, if you want something badly enough, it's as if the stars re-align and are only too willing to give to you whatever your heart desires. Call it fate, coincidence, beginner's luck or whatever sits best with you, but when you put that time and energy into something with all you have, you will manifest it into your life.
Everybody has their own backgrounds in life, such as their beliefs, experiences, and interests. My main occupation is education. I came to America as an international student from Uzbekistan. I started taking classes and started talking to people to help improve my English. To be more confident at my workplace, I worked hard to speak English more fluently. I believe that I have a positive, strong and helpful type of personality. I believe that my personality, among knowledge and other talents, will help me to encourage students to learn and improve the Russian language.
I graduated from the Tashkent Agriculture University in Uzbekistan and received an economic degree. I worked as an accountant in Uzbekistan. All classes I took in the Russian language. I believe that I can share the Russian culture, tradition with my students. I then studied and worked in Germany for a year. In 2009, I came to the United State of America with the "Work and Travel" program. I was raised by the principles of believing in yourself if you want to achieve something. Believing in yourself is the key part of building relationships, making decisions, deciding who your friends are and where you want to be in life. I can help my students to learn Russian language, even they think it impossible.
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Undergraduate Degree: Tashkent Agriculture univercity - Bachelors, Economie
Graduate Degree: Le Moyne College - Masters, Occupational Therapy
swimming, dancing, walking,helping people
What is your teaching philosophy?
My culture taught me to be respectful to all people and understand their different situations. Culture clash is both a positive and negative asset to society. It allows diverse groups to learn from the way they judge others and eventually appreciate their values and beliefs. I know that no person or group is the same. Everyone is unique in the way they live. People from different cultures will always have differences, but in reality, if they're smart, they take the best from each culture and join it with their own to create their own unique family culture. My teaching philosophy is respect for other people. Don't judge anybody and give everyone a chance to achieve their ability to be better. I believe that practice to speak in another language without having fear makes us better.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
At the beginning of the first session, I will ask about student interests and preferences to study the Russian language. I will spend time inefficiently. When we get to the Russian subject at issue, I want the conversation to be very general. I want my students to do most of the talking. I want to hear what sort of techniques they use to talk about where they're struggling and where they're comfortable. We will try together to figure out the student's learning style.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I will provide for a student with learning resources through online or books. Also, I will show special techniques to learn the language independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Every session will have different techniques of learning the language. For example, one day a student will read a book, another day a student will watch a video, and other days students will have conversations and create dialogues with different native Russian speakers.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Depending on the student, the content in any field can be difficult and demanding. Part of the difficulty derives from what students believe about the course and whether they think it's going to be hard. I will try to encourage the student to move forward and not give up. I am sure he/she will improve in the Russian language. I will redirect his/her ability and use the student's main interest to get better.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
The student will use a dictionary or storyboard, which can help him with visual recognition. Also, finding a right book based on the student's interests could be helpful. The student can read aloud and discuss each sentence with the teacher.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The main strategy is having a positive interaction with a student. Be understandable and have patience.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in the success of students at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a pivotal role in providing and encouraging that motivation in their students. Use positive conversation with the student. Not all students will respond to lessons in the same way. For some, hands-on experiences may be the best. Others may love to read books or to discuss books. In order to keep all students motivated, I will mix up my lessons so that students with different preferences will each get time focused on the things they like best. Doing so will help students stay engaged and pay attention.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Students learn through repetition. For a complete understanding, the idea should be shown in a variety of contexts and should be connected to as many previously learned concepts as possible. One way to provide repetition is through examples. The first examples should be easy, to make sure students grasp the idea completely and to provide confidence. More advanced examples can show the use of the idea in different contexts.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I will reward a student with positive phrases such as "Good job" or "you are very talented." I will admire and motivate students with each work he/she will complete.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Every 5-10 sessions I will ask a student about feedback and his/her opinion about the sessions. Also, we will repeat all learned materials from previous sessions.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
During the lesson: Provide visuals via the board or overhead. Use online resources (video, charts, pictures). Provide written, as well as oral directions. Have the student repeat directions, listen carefully to the student and don't interrupt. Shorten the listening time required. Provide written and manipulative tasks. Provide all materials with motivation and positive interaction.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use Russian children books, Russian grammar books, and Russian newspapers. Also, I am using a Russian website to find more information.