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Multi-Subject Tutor
Barbara R.

4.9 (424 ratings)

2,234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $60
Contact Barbara
Barbara R.'s Photo
Barbara R.'s Photo Barbara R.'s Photo

Multi-Subject Tutor
Multi-Subject Tutor
Barbara R.

4.9 (424 ratings)

2,234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
4.9 (424 ratings)

2,234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

About Barbara

Bio

What I bring to my students:

I have been a coach for many years and worked with students of all ages and skill levels.

I tutor English and German, teach ESL, and coach students in their test preparation (GRE, SAT, ACT, EPPP, CBEST).

Study strategies include time management,concept learning, and relaxation.

My tutoring is informed by:

• my expertise in Science of Education and Counseling
• Berlitz Language Schoo l(speak 50% in the new language starting out)
San Ramon...

What I bring to my students:

I have been a coach for many years and worked with students of all ages and skill levels.

I tutor English and German, teach ESL, and coach students in their test preparation (GRE, SAT, ACT, EPPP, CBEST).

Study strategies include time management,concept learning, and relaxation.

My tutoring is informed by:

• my expertise in Science of Education and Counseling
• Berlitz Language Schoo l(speak 50% in the new language starting out)
San Ramon Valley German School
BAKS+ German School
• my experience with students of different cultures
• the life-long journey through my own experiences with learning

I am dedicated to a personalized approach and know that relaxation and positive thinking are key for success.

I am a tutor by choice. Tutoring for me means teaching the best way to learn.

About me:

I love people and children of all ages, words, languages, different cultures, writing, music, and cooking; I have lived in the Bay Area since 1979.

Credentials:

Graduate degree in Science of Education, University Marburg, Germany
M.S. in Counseling from CSUH
Certified trainer for Quan Dao Power Exercises, mind-body conditioning.

Read more

Education

Philipps university Marburg/ Germany
undergrad
Philipps university Marburg/ Germany
Other
CSUH
Masters

Policies

  • Tutor’s lessons: In-person
  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Travel policy: Within 25 miles of Concord, CA 94518
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/27/2012

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Barbara hasn’t set a schedule.

Approved Subjects

Corporate Training

German,

German

German is my language of origin. Although I have been living in the U.S. for over thirty years, I regularly travel to Germany and keep current with the literature. I have taught German at Berlitz Language School and enjoy sharing not only the language but also German culture with my students. German is a language of writers and poets, and brings a special richness to anyone who studies it.
Grammar,

Grammar

Over the years, I have been working with students of all ages and levels of proficiency, native speakers as well as students for whom English is a second language. Helping them edit and revise their essays not only for content but also for general and specific usage, I have been able to provide my students with a better understanding of the grammatical ins and outs of the English language. English is my second language as well, and I understand the struggles ESL students sometimes have. But even grammar can be fun!
Proofreading

Proofreading

Writing and literature is my hobby. I have served as an editor for all of my students, who had to write essays and personal statements for school and college, and books. Besides content and clarity, I proofread for grammar and spelling.

Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I work with elementary school children as a private tutor. My degrees in science of education and counseling have given me this tools necessary to work with this age group. My successes are based on a creative contextual approach to teaching as well as on my ability to provide a supportive and motivating environment. I use multiple media and interactive learning to make knowledge accessible.
Grammar,

Grammar

Over the years, I have been working with students of all ages and levels of proficiency, native speakers as well as students for whom English is a second language. Helping them edit and revise their essays not only for content but also for general and specific usage, I have been able to provide my students with a better understanding of the grammatical ins and outs of the English language. English is my second language as well, and I understand the struggles ESL students sometimes have. But even grammar can be fun!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of the important areas of any language. For the English student it is important to not only correctly understand the meaning of the written word but also to have a grasp on the context. I work with students on a variety of strategies to decipher and carve out the meaning of, for example, test and essay questions, which does require vocabulary and grammatical knowledge.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Words are power. For the ESL learner as well as for the native English speaker, expanding the vocabulary is an important part of any English lesson. Every lesson includes certain new words; and depending on the study section it will be the main focus. To get a grip on vocabulary I work with my students by looking at synonyms, antonyms, sentence completions, analogies; flash cards can be made into a game.

English

English,

English

I tutor English at all levels, from elementary school through college.I work with students on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, essay writing, topic discussion, and personal statements for college and graduate school applications. Some of my students are ESL learners. Having started out as an ESL student myself and being fluent in two languages, I bring understanding and patience to the lesson as well as a sensitivity to translation and cultural issues. Knowing other languages besides English (German; French; Latin)helps me identify and deal with issues that are based on the different structure of a student's language of origin. My Chinese students have had the benefit of my beginning studies in Mandarin, which made it clear why they had specific difficulties with preposition and personal pronouns.
Grammar,

Grammar

Over the years, I have been working with students of all ages and levels of proficiency, native speakers as well as students for whom English is a second language. Helping them edit and revise their essays not only for content but also for general and specific usage, I have been able to provide my students with a better understanding of the grammatical ins and outs of the English language. English is my second language as well, and I understand the struggles ESL students sometimes have. But even grammar can be fun!
Proofreading,

Proofreading

Writing and literature is my hobby. I have served as an editor for all of my students, who had to write essays and personal statements for school and college, and books. Besides content and clarity, I proofread for grammar and spelling.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of the important areas of any language. For the English student it is important to not only correctly understand the meaning of the written word but also to have a grasp on the context. I work with students on a variety of strategies to decipher and carve out the meaning of, for example, test and essay questions, which does require vocabulary and grammatical knowledge.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

I help my students approach test questions and answer choices in the most efficient way. There are "tricks to the trade" of taking tests that are based in the structure of standardized tests, which are practical and save time. With my background in science of education and counseling, I also address issues of moods and anxiety, if necessary. A relaxed and positive approach tends to guaranty the most successful results.
Vocabulary,

Vocabulary

Words are power. For the ESL learner as well as for the native English speaker, expanding the vocabulary is an important part of any English lesson. Every lesson includes certain new words; and depending on the study section it will be the main focus. To get a grip on vocabulary I work with my students by looking at synonyms, antonyms, sentence completions, analogies; flash cards can be made into a game.
Writing

Writing

Writing is part of the English Language Arts. I facilitate free-style and creative writing for my students as well as structured essay analysis and composition that is required for standardized tests like ACT, SAT, GRE, etc. I especially enjoy helping students with personal statements for their college application. For students who find writing especially difficult, I focus on a personal connection to the subject at hand and have been successful with encouraging personal travel journals.

Homeschool

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I work with elementary school children as a private tutor. My degrees in science of education and counseling have given me this tools necessary to work with this age group. My successes are based on a creative contextual approach to teaching as well as on my ability to provide a supportive and motivating environment. I use multiple media and interactive learning to make knowledge accessible.
English,

English

I tutor English at all levels, from elementary school through college.I work with students on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, essay writing, topic discussion, and personal statements for college and graduate school applications. Some of my students are ESL learners. Having started out as an ESL student myself and being fluent in two languages, I bring understanding and patience to the lesson as well as a sensitivity to translation and cultural issues. Knowing other languages besides English (German; French; Latin)helps me identify and deal with issues that are based on the different structure of a student's language of origin. My Chinese students have had the benefit of my beginning studies in Mandarin, which made it clear why they had specific difficulties with preposition and personal pronouns.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of the important areas of any language. For the English student it is important to not only correctly understand the meaning of the written word but also to have a grasp on the context. I work with students on a variety of strategies to decipher and carve out the meaning of, for example, test and essay questions, which does require vocabulary and grammatical knowledge.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

I help my students approach test questions and answer choices in the most efficient way. There are "tricks to the trade" of taking tests that are based in the structure of standardized tests, which are practical and save time. With my background in science of education and counseling, I also address issues of moods and anxiety, if necessary. A relaxed and positive approach tends to guaranty the most successful results.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.
Writing

Writing

Writing is part of the English Language Arts. I facilitate free-style and creative writing for my students as well as structured essay analysis and composition that is required for standardized tests like ACT, SAT, GRE, etc. I especially enjoy helping students with personal statements for their college application. For students who find writing especially difficult, I focus on a personal connection to the subject at hand and have been successful with encouraging personal travel journals.

Language

German

German

German is my language of origin. Although I have been living in the U.S. for over thirty years, I regularly travel to Germany and keep current with the literature. I have taught German at Berlitz Language School and enjoy sharing not only the language but also German culture with my students. German is a language of writers and poets, and brings a special richness to anyone who studies it.

Most Popular

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I work with elementary school children as a private tutor. My degrees in science of education and counseling have given me this tools necessary to work with this age group. My successes are based on a creative contextual approach to teaching as well as on my ability to provide a supportive and motivating environment. I use multiple media and interactive learning to make knowledge accessible.
English,

English

I tutor English at all levels, from elementary school through college.I work with students on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, essay writing, topic discussion, and personal statements for college and graduate school applications. Some of my students are ESL learners. Having started out as an ESL student myself and being fluent in two languages, I bring understanding and patience to the lesson as well as a sensitivity to translation and cultural issues. Knowing other languages besides English (German; French; Latin)helps me identify and deal with issues that are based on the different structure of a student's language of origin. My Chinese students have had the benefit of my beginning studies in Mandarin, which made it clear why they had specific difficulties with preposition and personal pronouns.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of the important areas of any language. For the English student it is important to not only correctly understand the meaning of the written word but also to have a grasp on the context. I work with students on a variety of strategies to decipher and carve out the meaning of, for example, test and essay questions, which does require vocabulary and grammatical knowledge.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.
Writing

Writing

Writing is part of the English Language Arts. I facilitate free-style and creative writing for my students as well as structured essay analysis and composition that is required for standardized tests like ACT, SAT, GRE, etc. I especially enjoy helping students with personal statements for their college application. For students who find writing especially difficult, I focus on a personal connection to the subject at hand and have been successful with encouraging personal travel journals.

Other

Study Skills

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.

Science

Psychology

Psychology

Psychology has been a major in my studies for the degree in Science of Education in Germany as well as played the leading role in my studies for my M.S. in Counseling. I am an excellent sounding board and discussion partner for Psychology students; I bring practical experience in the realm of Counseling and Psychotherapy to the lessons. My training has made me a great active listener and given me respect and understanding for personal learning styles.

Special Needs

Study Skills

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.

Summer

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I work with elementary school children as a private tutor. My degrees in science of education and counseling have given me this tools necessary to work with this age group. My successes are based on a creative contextual approach to teaching as well as on my ability to provide a supportive and motivating environment. I use multiple media and interactive learning to make knowledge accessible.
German,

German

German is my language of origin. Although I have been living in the U.S. for over thirty years, I regularly travel to Germany and keep current with the literature. I have taught German at Berlitz Language School and enjoy sharing not only the language but also German culture with my students. German is a language of writers and poets, and brings a special richness to anyone who studies it.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of the important areas of any language. For the English student it is important to not only correctly understand the meaning of the written word but also to have a grasp on the context. I work with students on a variety of strategies to decipher and carve out the meaning of, for example, test and essay questions, which does require vocabulary and grammatical knowledge.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

No need to fear the endless hours of staring at your books; studying does not have to be a drag! I especially enjoy designing study plans that meets the individual needs of a student using a holistic approach, in collaboration with the student and the parent as the situation requires. The basic ingredients of efficient studying are tailored to the student's individual situation. My expertise in the area of study skills is based on the course and successful completion of two graduate degrees(Science of Education and Counseling) and the guidance and coaching of my own children towards their own educational successes.
Writing

Writing

Writing is part of the English Language Arts. I facilitate free-style and creative writing for my students as well as structured essay analysis and composition that is required for standardized tests like ACT, SAT, GRE, etc. I especially enjoy helping students with personal statements for their college application. For students who find writing especially difficult, I focus on a personal connection to the subject at hand and have been successful with encouraging personal travel journals.

Test Preparation

CBEST,

CBEST

The best way to know how to do it is having done it yourself. I have taken and passed the CBEST and can help you prepare for the test tailored to your individual needs. Having taken a variety of tests during the course of study for my graduate degrees, I have developed helpful strategies for test taking that I am glad to share.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I help my students approach test questions and answer choices in the most efficient way. There are "tricks to the trade" of taking tests that are based in the structure of standardized tests, which are practical and save time. With my background in science of education and counseling, I also address issues of moods and anxiety, if necessary. A relaxed and positive approach tends to guaranty the most successful results.

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (424 ratings)
5 star
(385)
4 star
(34)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

Wonderful German tutor

Barbara is a great German tutor. She is very patient and very nice. My daughter enjoyed her class very much. We look forward to the next class.

Richard, 2 lessons with Barbara

Knowledgable tutor

Gave a lot of meditation techniques that helped me focus. Thanks a lot for your help. I also had trouble doing math equations with averages. I know feel confident in that department.

Joaquin, 2 lessons with Barbara

Awesome!

I came to Barbara with no knowledge or German - and was not even enrolled in a German course at the time. She not only provided materials, but also crafted a lesson and worked with my very limited experience. She was extremely friendly and supportive. Moreover, she was extremely flexible, and quickly adapted to the lesson to fit my needs.

Isabella , 3 lessons with Barbara
Tutor responded:

Thank you for your kind feedback! I enjoyed working with a person as responsive as you are, and I am looking forward to our next lesson.

Friendly and Helpful

Re-visiting my German after many years and Barbara was very personable and prepared to help me with a path for improvement. Looking forward to working with her more!!

Rebecca, 4 lessons with Barbara
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Rebecca; it is a pleasure to work with you!

Highly Experienced Teacher

Barbara is very knowledgeable and experienced. She instantly knew my son's strengths and weaknesses and made a roadmap on how to help him. We are impressed and my son is very happy.

Sri, 87 lessons with Barbara
Tutor responded:

Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to meet you all!

A Great Tutor

Barbara has been my daughter's tutor for over a year now. We feel really grateful for having her. She is very patient, and very knowledgeable. Often my daughter comes back from school with questions, uncertainties, Barbara can always make things easily clarified. "She explained much more clearly than my teacher" is my daughter's frequent comments. With her help, my daughter is more confident now, and her English grade going up to A. Thank you, Barbara! We really appreciate it.

Wendy, 34 lessons with Barbara

Wonderful tutor!

Barbara was a wonderful tutor and great for test prep help! She was extremely patient and gave me the confidence I needed to pass the CBEST. She went above and beyond even after our session was over. She was extremely diligent when explaining a math problem and showing me the best way to come upon an answer. After meeting with her I felt much more confident than I ever thought I could!

Barbara, 4 lessons with Barbara

Very good!

She is very patient and professional. I have trouble filling out my college application form, and she reviews and helps me to revises each section. As an English tutor, she really can give you all you may need in English.

Rebecca, 5 lessons with Barbara
Tutor responded:

Dear Rebecca, I want to thank you for your kind testimonial and tell you that it was a pleasure to work with you. I wish you all the best for your future studies. Regards, Barbara R.

Nice and Kind

Barbara is very kind, and also she's very helpful. She knows what you think and she explains everything very well. I will absolutely recommend her for my friends.

Victor, 3 lessons with Barbara
Tutor responded:

Dear Victor, Thank you for your kind words. I very much enjoyed working with you and wish you the best for your future. Regards, Barbara R.

Hourly Rate: $60
Contact Barbara