Thomas

Certified Tutor

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The French poet and writer Paul Valry said : "An education which does not raise questions is a bad one". When I teach, I intend not only to transmit knowledge, but also to generate a process which allows the student to grow.
I strongly believe in a good balance between theory and practice. As a French national, and a former student in France, in political science, and then film production, I am both pragmatic and attached to a certain kind of structure. I thrive for the French language and I will seek to teach it to you through adapting to your needs, and also to open you up to the French culture, way of life. Indeed, learning a language is not about mastering a mere translation of your own, but it is about discovering a whole new way of expressing yourself. I look forward to meeting you!

Thomas’ Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Catholic University of Paris - Bachelors, History

Graduate Degree: Grenoble Institute of Political Studies, Audiovisual National Institute (Paris) - Masters, Political Science, Audiovisual Production

Tutoring Subjects

Conversational French

French 1

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is to listen to the student's needs and to use various techniques adapted to different kinds of learners.

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

I use the first session to understand the goals of the students, to get to know the person, and to introduce myself.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I help a student become an independent learner by providing tricks to learn faster and with more efficiency.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I teach a student to accept that learning is not a linear process and to adapt to the phases that can seem more difficult.

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

When a concept is especially difficult to the student, I try to present it in a different way and make it appear not as difficult as it may seem for the student.

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

I help students who are struggling with reading comprehension by reading with them, reading aloud, and repeating with them without pressuring them.

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

I have found it successful to have empathy and to understand which kind of learner the student is.

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

I keep a student engaged by making references to other aspects of the subject, such as cultural references, books, or films.

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

I make sure a student understands the material by presenting it in slightly different ways to be sure I am understood as a teacher.

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

I increase a student’s confidence in a subject by increasing self-esteem.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate the student’s needs through a discussion to help in understanding the student's objectives.

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

I adapt my tutoring to the student by getting to understand the techniques that work the best on the specific individual.

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

Materials used include text, music, and videos.