What is your teaching philosophy?

Everybody learns differently, every person has his own approach to learn a language: my teaching philosophy is about finding the appropriate way to explain and teach to every single person.

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

As a foreign languages teacher, I start to define with the student his goals, his background, his challenges and if possible, start a regular conversation to understand the work I will have to provide.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I would help him giving him tips, as I speak 4 different languages; then I would give him ideas of tasks that are about having fun and improve his skills at the same time.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

The best way to keep him motivated is to show him the progress he has done, what he achieved after the classes, and how useful in life could be his new language skills.

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

I would first remind him that we're here to learn and to take our time; then I would decrease the level, or change the document that we're using.

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

There are two key elements: the best strategy is definitely to identify very early his goals and his difficulties, to make sure he's progressing without carrying any doubts. Then assessing him in every class to make sure the information has been processed.

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

I use either humor, useful examples, phrases, or words that he could use on an actual situation.

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

I assess him in either oral or written "exercises," and most importantly, I make sure the student is able to use a new skill in any situation/environment.

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

Building the confidence is delicate. It's always important to highlight what has been done and achieved and dismiss the "mistaking" aspect. As a foreign languages teacher, having an actual conversation, being able to write or talk about himself is a very good feeling and a unique way to build self-confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate them by asking them directly what they want to focus on, or in case of homework help, I check the material used in their school and make sure we work on it.

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

After years of teaching and tutoring, after years of learning languages myself, I have many kinds of material to focus either on written, reading, oral, or comprehension skills. I also spent many years in the private sector, abroad and can expand my classes to international or private sector questions with adults.

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

I usually use audio materials, exercise sheets, a grammar book; according to the students, it can also be press articles, movies, or songs.