What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that learning a new language should be fun and exciting! Having to learn a second language myself (when my parents moved us to Europe) has made me realize what the most effective ways to grasp a new language are! I am patient, fun, and persistent! I will not back down until you master the lesson!

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

First and foremost, get to know exactly what the student is looking to get out of the session. Are you looking to learn the basics for an upcoming trip, learning a particular subject matter for an upcoming exam, or preparing for an international business trip, etc.? I will let start slow and ease into the full on lesson. I will ask each student if they would prefer each lesson in the language of study, English, or a mixture of both! It's your lesson - I am just here to guide you!

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By giving them the tools, resources, and recommendations to continue the enrichment experience!

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement, a smile :), and encouragement!

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

Assess what exactly the student isn't grasping and go back for review! We can talk through it together to ensure that you will get it!

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Coach them on how to point out the basics- the 5Ws - who, what, where, when, and why is/are going on! Learning to recognize WHO and WHAT are what is critical for grasping the overall idea of the reading passage.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Getting to know them, their needs, why they want to learn a second language - and asking them to repeat/review throughout the lesson before layering more on!

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Show them how exciting learning a new language can be and showcase my empathy for them in their current situation! I have been there, and I overcame it - so can they!

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Engaging conversations, probing questions, review/revision, and recapping!

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Positive reinforcement and enthusiasm mixed with empathy and patience. :)

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Thoroughly observing the students strengths and weaknesses mixed with getting to know them and the reason or motive behind learning the foreign language.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

I think it is important to understand the student's learning style right from the beginning of the lesson; are they visual learners? step by step learners? etc. - I will then adapt my style to meet the needs of my students.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

Flashcards Visuals Questions Fill-in-the-blanks Music Video Photos Etc.