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Award-Winning Pragmatics Tutors

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Miriam
I am a current student at Washington University in St. Louis, and have been tutoring for the last four years. While I most commonly worked with younger students in the beginning, I gradually took on an influx of older students as my teaching style developed. Because of this, I have experience teachi...
Washington University in St Louis
Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
Victoria
I have wanted to help make a difference in a child's education my entire life. I am currently studying to become an Elementary School Teacher and cannot wait to help you with what you might struggle with. We all have our struggles but with a little help and practice, they can become a strength.I gra...
Georgian Court University
Master of Arts, Elementary School Teaching
Georgian Court University
Bachelor in Arts, English

Certified Tutor
Thomas
INTRODUCTIONHi! My name is Thomas. My passion for working with students stems from my own struggles as a young person in school. My inspiration to serve by assisting them in achieving their educational goals. This drive finds its source in my desire to see them conquer the same obstacles with which ...
Walden University
Master of Science, Psychology
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science, Religious Studies

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Heba
I am a graduate of the University of Houston, receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and minor in Biology. After graduation, I applied to dental school, and currently I am a third year dental student. During my time in undergrad and dental school, I have tutored on the side helping...
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene

Certified Tutor
Angi
My teaching and tutoring experience began when I became frustrated by the public school system for my own children. Sometimes they needed extra help, while in other cases they were surpassing the curriculum available in both public and private schools. This experience opened my eyes, and I began hom...
Brookhaven College
Associates, Undeclared

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Jamie
I am a sophomore at New York University, studying TV and Playwriting. Before that, I attended high school at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North in Princeton, New Jersey.I tutor English and German and most love teaching a new language because it's exciting and fun. My favorite thing about tuto...
New York University
Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Kira
Hi! My name is Kira and I am a recent graduate from High Point University. I earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Computer Science and Game Design and graduated with minors in Math and Business Administration. I have been tutoring and instructing math (more specifically Calculus and Algebra) since...
Clemson University
Master of Fine Arts, Digital Arts
High Point University
Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Margaret
I am a friendly tutor who specializes in writing. I am a graduate in Marine Biology and Environmental Science and Management, B.S. I have always had a passion for education and teaching kids of varying age groups. This started with teaching kids to swim as a lifeguard and swim instructor and has sin...
University of Rhode Island
Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Madyson
Hi! I'm a biochemistry major at Northeastern University. I love math and science, and like to work with kids and teens on those subjects. I have also worked in an ESL classroom, and am available to help with reading and writing skills. I look forward to working with you!
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

Certified Tutor
Lani
I'm a recent graduate of Williams College, a small, prestigious liberal arts college in Massachusetts. I received my Bachelor of Arts in History and minored in International and Africana Studies. Due to my profound interest in Spanish, I was the recipient of a research fellowship in Guatemala and ea...
Williams College
Bachelors, History
Top 20 English Subjects
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Aubrey
Algebra Tutor • +10 Subjects
I graduated from Stonehill College with degrees in mathematics, education, and computer science, as well as a teaching license. Since then, I've been teaching high school mathematics, although I'm passionate about a broad range of other subjects as well. I've never had the opportunity to tutor professionally before joining Varsity Tutors, but I'm excited to help students meet their education goals and spark their curiosity for learning. I love to be creative in everything I do, which shines through in my work, both professionally and in my personal creative endeavors and passion projects.
Eli
Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
I am the graduate of an international bilingual medical school (MD degree). I have a bachelors degree in Biology from Florida International University. I consider myself a strong academic achiever with an excellent track record in the health sciences. I began tutoring in high school for numerous honor societies that range from Math to Spanish. While I can tutor in a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about the sciences, Spanish language/literature, and writing. I have had to pleasure to worth with various individuals from the preschool to the professional school level.
Michael
AP Spanish Language & Culture Tutor • +46 Subjects
I am originally from Buffalo, New York and am a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with two minors: International Relations and Central and Eastern European Studies. I cemented my fluidity in Spanish by studying abroad in Cadiz, Spain and taking a wide variety of linguistics courses at the Universidad de Cadiz. I have been a bilingual teacher in Arlington ISD for the past three years and have been tutoring in various capacities since 2007, having tutored college students in all levels of Spanish and German, volunteered to teach Spanish-speaking migrant workers English, and tutored international students at my college's ESOL Center during my college experience. After graduating, I performed one-on-one, in-home tutoring for students in grades K-12 in Math and English Language Arts. I also worked as a tour guide in New York City for three years, teaching tourists from all around the world about the city's unique history, architecture and culture. I currently work as a bilingual sixth grade teacher, teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies. All of these experiences have definitely made my passion for working in education grow, and have shown me that I have an aptitude for helping people of all ages to understand the concepts that they need to reach their goals and improve their quality of life. I love what I do and hope to be able to use the knowledge and skills that I have accumulated to help my clients fulfill their dreams. In my spare time, I love to travel to new places and to learn more and more about other languages and cultures.
Juliet
Academic Coaching Tutor • +30 Subjects
I'm an upstate NY based tutor, Harvard prefrosh and Interlochen Alumnus. I'm here to make learning simple, engaging, and sometimes (shocking I know) even fun! In all seriousness I think that learning should always be fun, and I'm here to get you there. I am here help out with essays, applications, self presentation, and visual art/drawing. I have a deep love of language, be it comprehension, literature or reading. I also tutor high school Algebra 1 and Geometry.
Tom
10th Grade Math Tutor • +26 Subjects
With a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Rice University and a PhD in biophysical chemistry from Stanford University, I have passion for science and mathematics that I love to share as a teacher and tutor. I am firmly of the belief that learning a technical subject like chemistry, physics, or math is much like learning a foreign language: listening and reading is much easier than speaking and writing. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of believing that if you come to class and understand what the instructor is saying, you don't need to practice the material. Accordingly, I emphasize the need to practice "speaking" the language on a regular basis and to receive immediate feedback on one's learning. In my free time I enjoy woodworking and playing with Legos with my small children.
Erin
ACT Reading Tutor • +20 Subjects
Hi my name is Erin, and I am currently finishing up my MA in History and Literature with Columbia University. I am friendly and approachable, and I believe in the importance of developing a good rapport and on emphasizing every inividual student.
Margaret
Algebra Tutor • +17 Subjects
As a physics major at Barnard College of Columbia University, I've worked as a tutor since I was in high school, helping peers and younger students with physics and math. I love helping people understand my favorite subjects and can't wait to do more work as a tutor.Outside of tutoring, I spend a lot of time exploring New York, reading, and doing community service.
Maria-Dolors
4th Grade Tutor • +30 Subjects
I believe that learning should be an enjoyable experience. I share my passion for knowledge and critical thinking, with enthusiasm and empathy, and I effectively impact learners and connect them to their passion and lifelong learning. I direct students to overcome any difficulties that their particular subject by first, helping them to take responsibility for their learning in order to engage; and I also emphasize the use of didactic (real-life) examples and get them involved by asking questions in class. I also believe that one of my best qualities, as a teacher, is my ability to inspire confidence, so that students feel comfortable expressing themselves regardless of their level of competence. Looking forward to help students achieve their best!!
Ethan
American Literature Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am an undergraduate student studying Economics and Public Policy at the University of Chicago. I attended the Horace Mann School in New York City. I love teaching and working with students because I feel that there is nothing more rewarding than being able to provide the extra push that students might need to be successful. I am passionate about helping students learn and making sure they are having fun doing so. I'm also happy to talk about anything a student might want to talk about, academically, extracurricularly, or otherwise.
Sarah
ACT Science Tutor • +18 Subjects
I began tutoring just after graduating from my undergrad program. I have picked it up again after just finishing graduate school--I'm now a Doctor of Chiropractic. I have been an athlete all of my life, and a coach for most--I have a coaching mentality and bring it to tutoring...I like to think I am a pretty nice coach ;)I'll try my best to bring as many tools to the table as possible, so we can work as a team to work through any problem that may arise.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Students often struggle with pragmatics because it requires understanding language in context—not just grammar rules, but how meaning shifts based on situation, tone, and social dynamics. Common challenges include:
- Distinguishing between literal and implied meanings
- Understanding indirect requests and politeness conventions across different contexts
- Recognizing sarcasm, irony, and figurative language
- Applying pragmatic principles consistently in their own writing and speaking
Personalized tutoring helps students build intuition for these nuanced language uses through targeted practice and real-world examples.
Pragmatics is essential for success on reading comprehension and writing sections of standardized tests, where understanding author intent and rhetorical strategies matters as much as grammar accuracy. Students must interpret implied meanings, recognize when language serves persuasive versus informative purposes, and understand audience awareness in their own writing. Strong pragmatic skills also improve analytical essays, where students need to explain not just what a text says, but why the author made specific word choices and what effect those choices create. Tutors help students connect pragmatic concepts directly to test-taking strategies and academic writing expectations.
The best pragmatics tutors combine linguistic knowledge with an ability to make abstract concepts concrete. They should:
- Explain the 'why' behind language conventions, not just the rules
- Use diverse, relatable examples that show pragmatics in real conversation and literature
- Help students analyze authentic texts to identify pragmatic patterns
- Connect pragmatic principles to students' own writing and speaking
- Adapt explanations to each student's learning style and current understanding
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in pragmatics and understand how to build this skill progressively.
Pragmatics improvement depends on your starting point and study frequency. Many students see noticeable progress in understanding context and implied meaning within 4-6 weeks of consistent, focused tutoring. However, developing the ability to apply pragmatic reasoning consistently—especially in high-pressure test situations—typically requires 8-12 weeks of regular practice. The key is working with a tutor who can identify your specific weak areas (like sarcasm recognition or understanding rhetorical devices) and create a targeted practice schedule. More frequent sessions accelerate progress by allowing immediate feedback on your interpretations.
Effective pragmatics study combines active analysis with repeated practice:
- Close reading: Analyze published writing and speeches to identify how authors convey meaning beyond literal words
- Context analysis: Practice determining how setting, tone, and relationship between speakers shifts meaning
- Annotation exercises: Mark implicit meanings, author's tone, and intended audience effect as you read
- Peer discussion: Explain your interpretations aloud—articulating reasoning strengthens understanding
- Timed practice: Apply pragmatic reasoning under test conditions to build speed and confidence
A tutor helps you prioritize which strategies work best for your learning style and ensures you're applying concepts correctly.
Expert tutors start by assessing where you stand through diagnostic conversations, reading passages, and writing samples. They look for patterns in how you interpret implicit meaning, respond to figurative language, and explain author intent. Some students grasp the concept of audience awareness easily but struggle with sarcasm; others excel at analyzing speeches but misread subtle tone shifts. By identifying these specific gaps, tutors create a focused learning plan rather than generic review. Regular check-ins and practice exercises throughout tutoring help track progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Confidence in pragmatics grows from two things: understanding the underlying principles and practicing with varied examples. Work with a tutor to solidify your grasp of key concepts (context, implicature, speech acts), then do timed practice on realistic passages and prompts. As you see yourself correctly interpret author intent and explain pragmatic choices, your confidence naturally builds. Tutors also help you develop self-checking strategies—like asking "What is the speaker really saying here?" or "Why did the author use this word instead of a simpler one?"—so you can trust your interpretations independently. Regular feedback on your reasoning, not just your final answers, reinforces that your thinking is sound.
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