What is your teaching philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is very straightforward and simple. I use whatever helps the student to progress quickest with his character, tendencies, skill sets and preferences.

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

I will usually find out first what level they are on, and if they are not beginners, I will ask them to write a little paragraph about themselves or about something they are passionate about, and I will see where they stand and accordingly prepare. I will find out more in this first session about the student's strengths, skills, preferences, preferred learning style, etc. Often, I will use games, and I always use a form of interaction with the language.

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

I would find out what best helps to overcome this difficulty, and also work with it. Accept it, and then try to grow from it and transform it into a strength.