What is your teaching philosophy?

Learning a new language is nothing more than cultural communication. Students may feel silly themselves at the very beginning though that is not because they are stupid, but quite the opposite: they are smart enough to take a challenge in life and come prepared to conquer it. Just the spirit is worth applauding! I admire people who are willing to start from scratch, as I know they are architects of their own future success. I would be more than happy to make friends with each and every one of my students and help them enjoy learning and practicing to the fullest. As to language learning/teaching, I give priority to listening: both listening to what students have to say about their feelings and needs, and encourage students to listen to the new language they are learning. After all, babies listen before they speak.

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

I listen to students first! I will listen to each student's learning motivation and inspiration, so I can personalize the classes.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Students have to be resourceful to become independent learners. I would recommend helpful resources and give students encouragement.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Let them see their own progress and how much they have achieved.

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

I would try different ways on different platforms to exemplify the skill or concept. I would simplify it and make it easy to understand.

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

I would break things down and do sentence-to-sentence analysis.

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

Be equals with students. Be friends.

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

Show them something new/surprising they have never imagined could happen.

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

body language; vivid digital demonstration

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

Tell them they do great, and they would do even better.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I talk with students and observe their needs in a way that would not embarrass them.

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

I would first communicate with students to see where they are at, and then I would ask for their preferences in terms of ways and platforms of learning. I would design learning plans according to what students express and make it easy for them to learn.

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

If students have materials they prefer, I would love to check up on the materials and continue using them if they are suitable to students' needs. Otherwise I would go out of my way to find resources for specific and individualized needs : )