Maria

Certified Tutor

I have a great passion for communicating and understanding humans. This is why I have developed my language skills and knowledge to communicate better and reach as many people as possible. I am a certified CELTA teacher for ESL and ESP students, and also a Native Latin American Spanish teacher. At the same time, I have a Bachelor's in Psychology and a master's degree in Neuroimaging for Neurosciences. Having studied these degrees has helped me understand aspects of human behaviour and psychology, and how they relate to our biology. From my studies, I have become more aware of how individual differences impact learning differently for each person.

I studied Psychology at Pontifical Xaverian University and did my master's degree at The University of Manchester in Neuroimaging for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience. These studies have taught me how to learn about human psychology, behaviour, and neurobiology, and I would be delighted to share those wonders with my students.

I have taught English and Spanish to all levels and all ages, so I understand each group has its particularities, and I as a teacher have to adapt my teaching to best address the student's needs.

From my academic background, I can say that I have always been a passionate student, and I would like to convey that feeling of loving learning to my students.

I am an enthusiastic and empathetic tutor; I understand academia and how to navigate the language labyrinth of deciphering papers. Additionally, I have experience teaching students with learning disabilities or cognitive deficits, so I understand that planning for accessibility is done by analysing each individual's needs.

Language learning in my experience is done through a compelling context, and what we learn is tied more strongly to what we need to use and for which purpose. Therefore, my classes are based mainly on a context from which the class derives the specifics of a language topic: Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Grammar. I often adapt my materials to the specific interests of my students, because knowing that they have an interest in the matter helps them understand the concepts better and for longer.

I pride myself on being a flexible type of teacher. I have a base methodology; however, I understand that individual differences are relevant and so I adapt my classes to the needs of my students by understanding what is more effective and what is not for them particularly.