
Sandra
Certified Tutor
I am a native Spanish speaker proficient and fluent in speaking, reading and writing Spanish. I was born in beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico. I love teaching my native language to kids and adults!
I have taught and tutored at many levels, from elementary school to college and know about the importance of the right atmosphere of trust. I specialize in providing students with the different cultural colloquialism and formal language structures distinctive Spanish, Caribbean and Latin American countries have in communication and understanding of the Spanish language nuances. I have over 10 years of tutoring experience and a lifetime of speaking, reading and writing experience in Spanish.
I am very flexible with location, whether from your home, public library, coffee house or online. I cater to students comfort levels and needs. I have a flexible schedule, providing I am not booked at a particular time slot. I am free in the mornings, afternoons and early evenings; Monday through Sunday.
What better way to learn Spanish than with a native Spanish tutor. Looking forward to sharing my love of the Spanish language ~ hasta que nos encontremos (until we meet)!
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Undergraduate Degree: American Public University System - Bachelors, Legal Studies
Running. Any outdoor activities provided it is not freezing outdoors.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I have taught and tutored at many levels, from elementary school to college, and know about the importance of the right atmosphere of trust. I specialize in providing students with the different cultural colloquialism and formal language structures distinctive Spanish, Caribbean and Latin American countries have in communication and understanding of the Spanish language nuances. I can teach the student on how to prepare for an exam, quiz or test. My greatest accomplishment is your success. All my students have been very successful from my tutoring program. It is impressive how well and fast students learn when they have a very motivated and dynamic instructor. I provide tutoring for business, medical, legal, Spanish as a second language and conversational Spanish.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Introduce myself to the student. Find out what area or problems they are struggling with the subject. Find out what level of experience and knowledge student has with subject.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I make learning Spanish easy by assisting the student in finding ways to recognize words, improve grammar, prepare for test taking and mentor the student during speaking practices. My teaching methods overall boost confidence in my students. Confidence in a skill improves grades.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Interacting with the students either through visual, vocalization and sometimes through touch (in-person). I provide the student with assignments that are fun and that are based on their age group and competency.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Depending on the difficulty, I would persuade the student to work on something easier and then return back to the difficult skill or concept. If the student continues to have difficulties, I would break it down into simpler terms or exercises. It is impressive how well and fast students learn when they have a very motivated and dynamic instructor.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Repetition can help with reinforcing words. I have my students look up difficult words in dictionary as they are reading, and have the student repeat verbally the words read. Ask questions regarding the topic just read. Depending on the student’s comprehension and knowledge, they would either answer them in Spanish or English. I work at the student's pace and comfort level.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Patience and constant repetition helps. If they are an older adult, I ask the student to assimilate themselves into the culture by listening to Spanish news, watching movies in Spanish, singing songs in Spanish, etc.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I emphasize practicing vocalizing the language. Either through songs, puzzles, games, pictures, etc. Students tend to remember and get excited/engaged if the subject matter does not come across as being difficult, and more like fun, while learning the language.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
There is a lot of constant repetition when learning a language. If a student is a regular student of mine, I like to review previous material learned prior to moving forward onto the next lesson/session.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
My greatest accomplishment is my student’s success. All my students have been very successful from my tutoring. It is impressive how well and fast students learn when they have a very motivated and dynamic instructor.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate my student’s needs by doing small verbal/written quizzes to evaluate the student’s progress or needs.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
If the student tends to be more of a visual learner or a verbal learner, I adjust accordingly to what the student's pace in learning is.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use paper, wash board, pictures, songs, music, etc. Any materials that will make my tutoring session successful.