COBOL: 25 years' experience; ancient languages a hobby!

I am a seasoned veteran of COBOL programming in manufacturing, education, and insurance/financial. I have worked with Honeywell (yes, the temperature control people), IBM, Burroughs (Unisys), and HP (Hewlett-Packard). I have experience not only in straight-run COBOL, but also in structured COBOL. For the past few months I have been studying Java and C++, so I am acquainted with Object Oriented design and programming as well, (but I would not consider myself a tutor in those languages.)

In addition, I have a strong background in classical Latin and classical Greek. This is important for two reasons:
1) the grammar, syntax, and usage concepts upon which classical languages are built closely mimic those same aspects of computer programming languages.
2) I am also a tutor in Latin and Greek!
Following upon Latin and Greek, I am also a casual speaker of Spanish (I've done church mission work in Ecuador and Guatemala; I have a Spanish-speaking son-in-law), and I am a certified Spanish tutor as well.

It follows that I am well-schooled in English: grammar, spelling, usage, and rhetoric. It follows that I am a tutor in vocabulary, English grammar and usage.

Dale's Subjects

English:	grammar, proofreading, reading, vocabulary, writing
Computer:	COBOL
Language:	Greek, Latin, Spanish
Elementary Education:	grammar, reading, vocabulary
Corporate Training:	grammar, Greek, Latin, proofreading, Spanish
Homeschool:	reading, Spanish, writing

Vocabulary

As a student of several languages: Latin, Greek, German, Spanish; I have an extensive vocabulary in English because I have a firm basis in the root languages which have formed English.

Grammar

My study of grammar began in 1950, in a one-room country school. There was no room for nonsense, and errors were not tolerated. (We were not beaten for errors, but we knew we must always pay attention and do our best; what we studied was very important!) I continued to do well in all aspects of grammar, spelling, and usage throughout elementary school (yes, we called it Grammar School!), into High School, and beyond in College. I still amaze my friends at what I know about grammar and proper usage... Read More

Latin

I began Latin studies in 1957, at a Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I studied Latin formally for 6 years. I studied the great named authors: Vergil, Ovid, Caesar (Julius), Cato, Horace. My formal studies included both reading and writing. In my sixth year I had to give an original speech, in Latin, of an historical figure. I chose Copernicus. Then our studies took a turn and I used Latin as a language, in my study of Scholastic Philosophy, in Latin, with Latin texts and Latin lectures, for... Read More

Reading

Although I took my time learning to read for pleasure, reading has now become my favorite passtime. I read for enjoyment, for discovering new truths, new ways of doing things, new disciplines. I read not only in English, but also in Latin and Spanish, and some little bit in Greek. As a result, I can now read with great facility, and my retention is remarkable. Folks often are amazed that I recall something that I have read even decades ago. What goes in, sticks. My goal is to get in all in! Read More

Spanish

I studied Spanish for two years in High School; then during two summer vacations I worked with Mexican migrant workers in rural Michigan, ministering to their spiritual needs. I then studied more advanced Spanish in San Diego, CA for another year. After that, I maintained my interest in Spanish by reading for pleasure. Then in 2000 and 2001 I visited Ecuador and Guatemala for two weeks each as a translator and worker in the Spanish language for a ministry program for our church. My son-in-law... Read More

Writing

Since I hold both a BA and an MA, I have had considerable practice in writing: essays, speeches, research papers, and poetry! Of course, my college studies in Philosophy have required extensive writing of essays and research; but my recent experience at Baker College has also provided me with a venue for research papers. Each class required some sort of research and reporting. I am versed in gathering the information as well as presenting it in any of several formats and styles.

Proofreading

My training in the English language began very early, perhaps even prior to entering school. I caught on easily to the concepts of grammar, usage, spelling and meaning. Moreover, I retained nearly everything that I learned in "grammar school". When I furthered my education in high school and college, I studied not only English, but also Latin, Greek, Spanish, German and some French and Hebrew. Each of these studies in language helped in my understanding of the others. I credit the study of other... Read More

Greek

I have studied classical Greek formally for 5 years. I read Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Xenephon, Sophocles, plus much of the New Testament in Koine. While in graduate school studying western philosophy, I did a term paper which consisted of a translation and exposition of a passage of Aristotle. I continue to read Septuagint, Homer, Xenephon, and others. I have three respected grammars, an 1880 edition of Liddel and Scott Greek Lexicon (the lexicon for serious students) as well as a Smyth grammar... Read More

COBOL

I have been a COBOL programmer since 1976. Other than a few projects in Assembler, I have coded exclusively in COBOL that entire time. I was trained at Control Data Institute in 1975, receiving top honors from that school. Then I worked for a manufacturer for 9 years, moving up to senior programmer. I then moved on to education, performing system and data conversions. Finally I worked for a major insurer doing two system and data conversions, coding and implementing the Y2K fix (also in COBOL),... Read More

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

Athenaeum of Ohio Ohio State Univ (Master's)

Hourly Fee

Standard Hourly Fee: $40.00

With Prepaid Discount: $34.00 - $38.00

Save up to 15%

Cancellation: 24 hours notice required

You don't pay until after your tutoring and there are no hidden fees or charges. The price you see here is the price you pay.

Your first hour with any tutor is always 100% refundable. You must be completely satisfied or we will gladly issue you an instant refund.

Travel Policy

Dale will travel within 25 miles of Lansing, MI 48911.

Email Dale

Send Dale a message about your needs and you will receive a response to the email address entered below.

Message

Tutoring Subject (ex: algebra, chemistry)

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Confirm Email

Zip Code

Phone Number (optional) ( ) -

Have other tutors contact me

I have read and agree to the terms of use.

Please indicate that you agree to the WyzAnt terms of use.

Credit	For Only	You Save
$200 - $399	$190 - $379	5%
$400 - $999	$360 - $899	10%
$1,000 +	$850 +	15%

Dale G.