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

I like to get to know my students to see what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses. I like to set objectives for our session so the student knows exactly what to expect and how they will benefit from our time together. At the end of the session, I would want to ensure the student's questions were answered and see if they would like anything to change the next time we meet. Again, I want to make sure students feel comfortable and confident in the material we cover.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It takes practice to become an independent learner. You have to constantly work on techniques to master this. I will help guide students in the beginning, and I will teach them techniques to help them become independent learners.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement helps students to stay motivated. Also, relating what they are doing to something in their everyday lives also helps in making an assignment make more sense. This can help a student to get excited about an assignment and thus stay motivated.

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

If a student is having difficulty with a skill or concept, I would ask what about it they were having trouble understanding. I would then break it down and really start from the beginning. I would also find a way to relate it to something they are familiar with, which usually helps make sense out of something that seemed confusing at first.

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

Reading comprehension is something I have found even my college students struggle with at times. I first ask how students were taught to read an essay. I introduce the SQ3R method - Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. This method helps them break down how they should begin to read an essay or article. Too many students attempt to read something once and think this is enough. Students must slow down when they read, read a piece several times, and create marginal notes while reading. There is a lot to help students with reading comprehension. It is something that must be practiced.

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

Relating a subject to something in the student's life, or potentially their future career, is typically how to get students engaged in what they are learning. They need to see why it is relevant. If you make it relevant to them, chances are they will become engaged and more willing to learn.

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

Questioning the student frequently is one way to make sure they understand the material. It is easy for anyone to say "I understand," but they have to show you they understand. Sometimes that is through practice/demonstrating their knowledge, and other times it is through questioning and asking the student to recall what they learned.

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

Students focus on the negative far too much. They simply can't use the word 'can't' because that word itself can drop their confidence. We focus on what they do know and what they can do, and we build from there which ultimately helps boost their confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I review their work, I talk to them about the material they are working on, and I ask questions to decipher exactly what they need.

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

每个学生都是不同的。我有各种techniques that I use depending on what the student's learning style is and what he/she needs. I get to know the student's learning style first, and I then decide how best to meet his/her needs. As a teacher, I constantly have to adapt my teaching methods to meet the needs of my students.

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

It all depends on the subject/material that the student needs help with. I have various handouts, essays, and other materials that I have created to assist students.