What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching methods will vary and depend on the requirement of the student - still in school, business need, vacation/travel, etc. Make the student comfortable and enjoy the process of learning. Economics can be very dry and boring, hence one must apply the subject to daily use; finance, accounting and financial accounting is straight forward and must be learned, and on a teaching basis apply the subjects to everyday life; German is somewhat different in that the teaching process will vary based on if the student wants only to learn how to speak German and/or read and write the language. A good vocabulary is essential, and learning how to conjugate and utilization of the genders (male, female or neuter) as very important.

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

Obtain their objectives and find out where they are in the education process for the subject they wish to be tutored in.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Make the tutor process interesting and enjoyable.

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

Try three times; if still not successful, try a different approach or go to something else and come back to the problem later.

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

Students can be visual or audio learners. To solve a visual learner's problem, read the text with him/her or read it to the student, provide some interpretation, and then see if the student mastered the text. If not, try again.

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

Explain, repeat and demonstrate/work the problem.

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

Make it enjoyable and fun. Apply the subject to everyday life or application.

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

Ask questions on the material, create a problem to solve, or provide a situation and ask the student how he would respond or resolve the situation.

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

By praise, not criticizing and supporting their effort.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

Initially, by evaluating where they are in the process, and thereafter observing their level of need and competency.

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

Patience, various methods, support and application of the subject matter.

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

Depending on the subject matter - text books, examples and visual aids.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Making the subject matter interesting, informative and adaptive.