What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe that learning a language is a gateway to learning about people. Why do we learn other languages? To be able to communicate with others from different cultures. Language learning should be fun, interactive, and centered around effective communication skills.

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

In a first session with a student, I will discuss their history with the language. Have they studied it before? If so, for how long? We will then discuss their goals, and create an individualized plan to help them achieve their objectives.

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

To help a student who is struggling with reading comprehension, I would first work to discover wherein the breakdown in comprehension lies. Is it the vocabulary that is causing the confusion? Or is the larger concept difficult to understand? I would help the student use different strategies such as making predictions, visualizing, retelling, and summarizing.

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

To help a student get excited/engaged in a difficult subject, I have found it takes a series of small victories. It is discouraging when you work hard at something only to get the wrong answers. I would start with "baby steps" and celebrate every little advancement. When a student feels empowered, they can then become more engaged and excited about the subject.