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TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
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Award-Winning TOEFL Tutors serving San Francisco, CA

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

AM
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning

I am a retired teacher who tutors and writes and who has had decades of success motivating and preparing people for a range of tests and tasks. I also walk/jog 50-plus miles a week, do yoga, and exercise my critical thinking skills regularly. My students since 1979 have ranged from middle school ur...

Education

Yale University

AM

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

PhD
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
TOEFL
SAT Reading
ISEE- Middle Level

After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fictio...

Education

Princeton University

PhD

William

Certified Tutor

2+ years

William

PhD
William's other Tutor Subjects
SAT Subject Test in World History
TOEFL
SAT Reading
ACT Reading

I have a lot of teaching experience in both high-school and college settings, in the United States and abroad. I cover subjects ranging from ESOL, German, literature, and essay writing to most of the humanities topics that arise in AP and IB courses.

Education

Yale University

PhD

Georgetown University

PhD

Kimberly

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Kimberly

Master's/Graduate
Kimberly's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
Elementary School Reading

Ivy League professor offering customized academic support. I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Columbia University, where I have taught writing, literature, and literary translation. I have been helping students hone their writing skills in various formats since 2005. Through cust...

Education

Columbia University

Master's/Graduate

Columbia University

Bachelor

Adam

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Adam

MRE
Adam's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

I have been tutoring for over 12 years. I have worked with many different students in many different subjects. I've worked as a classroom teacher and instructional content creator, as well. My favorite part of tutoring is knowing that I am making a real difference for my students. I am looking for...

Education

George Mason University

MRE

University of Mary Washington

MRE

Molly

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Molly

Bachelor's
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
ACT English
ACT Reading
English Grammar and Syntax

Hello! I enjoy working with students because it delights me to see them realize their true potential, and all that they are capable of! I have over 15 years of experience working with students at the middle school, high school, college, and graduate levels. I hold teaching certification in English, ...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Karin

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karin

MFA
Karin's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
SAT Reading
GED
ACT Writing

Karin McKie, MFA, compiles curriculum and personalizes teaching for a broad spectrum of students. I know there is no better, nor more crucial, calling than helping learners communicate their voices and realize their educational dreams. I specialize in tutoring all standardized tests, including t...

Education

San Jose State University

MFA

James Madison University

MFA

Reem

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Reem

MBA
Reem's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
AP English Language and Composition
English Grammar and Syntax
Phonics

I am a positive facilitator who strives to engage all types of students in the subject matter in a fun way. I have been teaching and tutoring for over 35 years, and my students tell me I am a natural teacher. Working with students as independent individuals, exploring their aspirations, supporting t...

Education

Lebanese American University

MBA

Alireza

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Alireza

PhD
Alireza's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
English Grammar and Syntax
IELTS - International English Language Testing System

I have 19 years experience in teaching general English, IELTS, TOEFL, and other international exams. I obtained my MA 16 years ago and am currently a PhD student in English teaching. I love to share my knowledge with my students in a friendly, warm, and culturally comfortable atmosphere I create all...

Education

Shahid Beheshti University

PhD

Mary Rose

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Mary Rose

AB
Mary's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
Public Speaking
English Grammar and Syntax
ESL/ELL

I am an English language coach with 30 years of experience teaching ESL/EFL in schools, universities, and private settings. Since May 2022, I have tutored for Varsity Tutors, consistently earning high ratings. I hold a BA in English (Film and Communication) from McGill University and a diploma in Co...

Education

Mcgill University

AB

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Frequently Asked Questions

The TOEFL reading section requires processing dense academic passages quickly—a challenge many students face. Personalized tutoring helps you develop strategies tailored to your reading level, such as skimming for main ideas, identifying key transitions, and recognizing question patterns before diving into passages. Tutors can work with you on vocabulary building and help you practice retrieving information under timed conditions, which research shows is more effective than passive reading.

TOEFL speaking requires real-time organization and clear pronunciation—two areas where personalized feedback makes a significant difference. Tutors can conduct mock speaking tasks, record your responses, and provide immediate feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and coherence. Regular practice with a tutor helps you develop templates for structuring responses while maintaining natural, spontaneous delivery, which is exactly what TOEFL scorers evaluate.

Most students see measurable improvement in writing within 4-6 weeks of focused tutoring, though results depend on starting level and study frequency. The TOEFL writing section assesses your ability to synthesize information and develop arguments—skills that improve through targeted practice with feedback. A tutor can identify specific weaknesses like argument clarity or grammatical patterns that hold you back, then help you practice with increasingly challenging prompts until these skills become automatic.

Yes—exposure to diverse accents and speaking styles is a major focus of TOEFL listening preparation. Tutors can work with you on accent adaptation techniques, help you recognize common pronunciation patterns in academic English, and provide practice with authentic TOEFL listening materials featuring speakers from various English-speaking backgrounds. With personalized instruction, you'll develop strategies to predict content based on context, which helps you maintain comprehension even when unfamiliar accents appear.

Integrated tasks require you to synthesize information across multiple skills simultaneously—reading passages, listening to lectures, then writing or speaking about connections between them. This is fundamentally different from traditional classroom instruction, where skills are often taught separately. Personalized tutoring lets you practice these tasks repeatedly, develop note-taking strategies specific to your learning style, and receive targeted feedback on how well you're integrating information. This focused approach builds the cognitive stamina needed for test day.

Most universities in the United States require TOEFL scores between 80-100 on the iBT (out of 120), though top-tier universities often expect 100+. Your target score depends on your specific programs and schools. A tutor can help you set a realistic goal, create a study plan to reach it, and focus intensive preparation on your weaker sections—whether that's speaking, listening, or integrated tasks. Personalized instruction ensures you're not spending time on sections where you're already strong.

TOEFL scoring prioritizes clear communication and fluency over perfect grammar. While grammatical accuracy matters, natural flow and the ability to express complex ideas are weighted more heavily, especially in speaking and writing. Tutors can help you shift from obsessing over every grammatical detail to developing confidence in expressing yourself accurately. This means practicing speaking and writing in real-time conditions, building automaticity, and learning to self-correct—skills that come from personalized feedback rather than grammar rule memorization.

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