Barbara-Jean

Rate $44
Response 1h

$44/hr

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ESOL
English speaking
English vocabulary
English Reading
English listening
English accent reduction

Teacher/Tutor in Kalamazoo, MI with 20 years experience offers ESL lessons virtually.

ESOL
English speaking
English vocabulary
English Reading
English listening
English accent reduction

Lesson location

- online

About Barbara-Jean

I hold a Masters degree in English with an emphasis on writing and communications. I have been giving lessons to both native English speakers and ESL students for over 20 in a classroom setting and have provided face to face tutoring for ESL students to help them communicate in English more clearly and effectively in speaking and writing.

About the lesson

If a label were applied to my teaching philosophy, it would be progressivism. As an English teacher, I have always believed that it is my responsibility to develop in students the ability to use the English language effectively and confidently to communicate with other people, to freely express their own ideas, and to receive the ideas of others. In order for such an exchange of ideas to take place, a knowledge of a common language which is clearly articulated and understood is necessary. I believe that students learn by doing; therefore, my approach to teaching is based on the needs of the student as demonstrated in both speech and writing. For example, the only way to improve a student's written communication abilities is to write, write, write, and while I don't believe that it is necessary to "correct" each piece of writing, I do feel that it is important to provide some feedback each time so as to encourage future efforts.

My teaching methodology is student-centered: the student takes an active role in discussion sessions. Although some comprehension questions to ascertain reading comprehension are necessary, the majority of these discussion sessions focus on the student’s interpretations, values, and experiences in relationship to the reading. I do not believe that there is only one possible interpretation of a piece of literature; I encourage my students to explore fully, to ask questions, to support their interpretations and ideas. As their tutor, I am there to direct them at times, to help them to discover possible answers, to make suggestions, to guide them, and to provide encouragement. My goals as a teacher are to help students to learn to speak and write clearly and correctly, to listen intelligently, and to appreciate "good" literature and writing. To these I would add the goals of helping students to learn to think, to evaluate, to grow, so that they will have a positive effect on the world. I want my students, before they make a decision, to make certain that they not only understand the issue but also what the different sides are saying.

Respect is the most important thing in the student-teacher relationship. It is important that I respect a student's individuality, talent, ideas, and that I not belittle them. If an idea needs to be re-thought, I want to show the student where the problem lies and to encourage and help him/her to accept new ideas and possibilities. At the same time, I expect my students to respect me. It is only through respect that students will be willing to listen to and accept the ideas and lessons of others, both necessary components of effective education.

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

5h: $38
10h: $35

online

$44/h

Details

For lessons cancelled with 24 hours notice, there is no charge. For lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or no notice, the charge is $25.

Teacher/Tutor in Kalamazoo, MI with 20 years experience offers ESL lessons virtually.

Lesson location

About Barbara-Jean

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

online

Details

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Teacher/Tutor in Kalamazoo, MI with 20 years experience offers ESL lessons virtually.

Lesson location

About Barbara-Jean

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

online

Details

Similar ESOL tutors in Portage

Gerry

Avni

Jiya

Pauline

Joan

Megan

Mark

Alexander

Séverine

Simon

Stephen

Philip

Nicholas

Mel

Françoise

Andrea

Micayla

James

Sam

Joël

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