A photo of Ben, a tutor from University of California, Berkeley

Ben

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I began tutoring part-time to earn income on the side. This part time job quickly turned into a passion. I have been tutoring full-time for the last two years. I love helping students succeed. My favorite moments of tutoring are when students exclaim, "Ohh, I get it!" It brings me joy to see a student excited about learning, and it definitely makes my job easier :)

I have worked with students from all facets of life. Under the Supplemental Education Service (SES) program, I taught language arts to underprivileged, ESL students. I also tutored for various in-home tutoring companies and taught at tutoring centers. The majority of my students are in high school, but I have also worked with students ranging from elementary to the college level. I specialize in math and science courses, as well as SAT/ACT prep.

Ben’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: University of California, Berkeley - Bachelors, Integrative Biology

Hobbies

Playing Basketball, watching Football, watching TV shows/movies, Chess, Gym

Tutoring Subjects

Cantonese

College Biology

Conversational Spanish

High School Biology

SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M

SAT Subject Test in Chemistry

SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1

SAT Subject Test in Spanish

SAT Subject Tests Prep

Spanish 1

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

I firmly believe that no two students are the same. What works for one student may not work for another. Some students learn best by seeing (visual), some by hearing (auditory), others by touching (tactile), or a combination of these. Taken this belief into consideration, I pay close attention to the student during our first couple sessions and determine how the student learns best. I consider myself a Renaissance tutor because of my eclectic approach. I love to draw analogies from topics that interest the student.

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

First, I ask the student what s/he wants to accomplish with tutoring. I then diagnose what problems the students are facing (taking class notes, completing homework, understanding concepts). Lastly, I come up with a plan for a student to follow so that s/he can accomplish those goals.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

ENCOURAGEMENT. I have noticed that a little encouragement goes a long way. I empathize with the student (e.g. “this looks like a tough problem") and downplay the amount of work required for a problem (e.g. "see that wasn't so bad")

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

I would present the concept in a different perspective, making several pauses to check if the student is following or needs me to re-explain a certain part.

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

I would advise the student to read at a slow-leisure pace that allows him/her to understand the reading. S/he should make more pauses while reading, and summarize the material in his/her own words.

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

When starting to work with a student, it is important to establish a special bond with the student. You should make the student comfortable and trusting.

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

Students don't naturally dislike certain math or science subjects. They do so because they don't understand the material and it embarrasses them. To get the student excited/engaged, make sure the student fully comprehends the material in an amusing fashion.