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

Set their phone in target language: German.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

Make connections like text-to-self -- How do the ideas in this text relate to your own life, ideas, and experiences?

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Tell them to tell others that they are learning something new. Combine language learning with doing things you enjoy. Possibilities are endless -- listen to podcasts when exercising, read recipes in your target language if you're into cooking, etc. Offer praise!

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

Setting reachable S.M.A.R.T. goals. S - Specific M - Measurable A - Attainable R - Realistic T - Timely

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

Using a worksheet with three columns. One column is for the student to record what is already known about the subject. The next column is for recording what the student wants to know about the subject, and the third column is for what the student actually learned from reading the passage.

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

There is no magical strategy. You have to get to know your student. Listen, observe and find the matching routine.

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

No matter what life throws your way, keep in mind that there are always options available and actions you can take that will keep moving you forward in the right direction. Breaking the routine, finding out what went wrong, taking smaller steps, and adjusting priorities can help.

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

I structure class time around short conceptual questions, starting with one question which students must first answer individually, then discuss with me, explaining, defending and questioning their answers.

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

Focus on their strengths. Be supportive and offer praise as often as possible.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of a student's abilities and strengths, it is important to look at a variety of information and asking old fashioned questions about: interests, preferences, personal history, daily living skills, etc.

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

First of all, get to know your student. Find playful approaches. An easy way to get to know a lot about students is to have them create a scrapbook page about themselves.

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

It depends on the level. Throwing some authentic materials into the mix is always appreciated: comics, cartoons, magazines, books, movies, etc.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Having an upbeat mood, a sense of vitality and energy, and helping my students succeed.