Evan
Certified Tutor
I tutor Spanish and French! I have obtained a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Spanish and French at the University of South Alabama, where I tutored college students in Spanish for three years and French for one year. I also fill in for Spanish professors at South Alabama and tutor high school students and adults in both languages on the side.
My style is very interactive, and I focus on challenging students to be able to produce the language on their own, not just telling them how it works, so that they can be ready for whatever exercises their tests may throw at them!
I have lived in France for six weeks, and been to Spain and Chile as well, so I love to travel! I also enjoy playing and watching tennis, and making music with production software and synthesizers.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of South Alabama - Bachelor in Arts, Spanish and French
Making music, Playing Tennis, Traveling
What is your teaching philosophy?
I encourage active learning and studying methods that really exercise the foreign language skill. Actually using what you know will make the vocab and grammar stick!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would expose him or her to some concepts relative to his or her level to determine where to start. I would also consider what the student asks for help with specifically.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can teach the student ways to test his or her own skills and knowledge, and how to properly study a foreign language.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would often find an example or a real-life application of the language that makes the learning experience more colorful.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would break the concept down as far as it needs to be, because I love seeing a concept "click" for a student!
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
It depends on the text, really. For short texts, I would go back to review the necessary vocabulary. For long foreign language texts, its about knowing the right approach to read it.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
My most successful strategy has been asking students to translate English sentences into Spanish that use relevant vocab and grammar concepts.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would integrate fun and interesting cultural concepts, and explain how applicable and rewarding foreign language skills can be.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would employ exercises that likely emulate how they will be tested on their exams.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I always point to the positives and remind the student what progress has been made after a session!
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I simply listen, and often find out what the need is even if the student can't quite verbalize it.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I take note of what is and isn't helping the student until an appropriate rhythm and style is established.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I have typically depended on the materials that the students provide, but also have some texts of my own if needed.