With 11 years of Spanish language and cultural studies, 3 years of Japanese language study, and 1 year of informal Mandarin language study, I have a strong background in foreign language inspired by my interest in literature.
After receiving a Masters degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2009, I was employed as a teacher of Mandarin Chinese by a British program called Dragons in Europe. I traveled throughout Scotland and engaged elementary school children with Chinese language and culture through songs, flash cards and games. In addition, I signed up with the UK Tutors site and tutored adults and children in Spanish and English conversation and grammar in my free time.
In March 2011, I was accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, and became employed as an Assistant Language Teacher in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. I taught English language, grammar, and American culture to high school students and night school adults. I decided to return to the United States in July 2012 and employ the skills I have learned while living abroad in my home country.
Through my own experience with learning foreign languages I have found that an approach which combines cultural and lingual lessons can prove most effective. Music, current events (in the form of online or physical clippings of magazines and newspapers), literature, and even television programs can all be employed to foster a familiarity with a different language. Above all, I find that tailoring the tutoring session to the individual and approaching the tutoring session with enthusiasm, patience, and positivity will help the tutoree reach their ultimate goal.
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