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Patient and Knowledgeable English as a Second Language & Spanish Tutor
Gretchen D.

4.8 (169 ratings)

1,055 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $32
Contact Gretchen
Response time: 10 hours

About Gretchen

Bio

Hello! I am a former high school Spanish teacher who has discovered that I much prefer smaller group settings or one-on-one. Knowing a second language is a must in today's society and I also include ESL tutoring in my subjects. I took 5 years of Spanish in public school and more in college, and could write Spanish and speak simple Spanish phrases, but really could not converse or understand spoken Spanish. I attended a 2 week immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and was amazed at how...

Hello! I am a former high school Spanish teacher who has discovered that I much prefer smaller group settings or one-on-one. Knowing a second language is a must in today's society and I also include ESL tutoring in my subjects. I took 5 years of Spanish in public school and more in college, and could write Spanish and speak simple Spanish phrases, but really could not converse or understand spoken Spanish. I attended a 2 week immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and was amazed at how the immersion experience dramatically improved my comfort level in speaking and hearing Spanish!

I would like to provide that on a smaller scale by setting up the student to understand and respond to phrases and commands. Individual problem areas will be addressed through repetition, simple explanations if needed, accompanied by real-life examples and applications. I also care a lot about giving children and adults a positive, enjoyable language learning experience. And for those who come from another country, I am extremely empathetic towards those whose first language is not English and I understand the fears, insecurities and difficulties in acquiring English. I've developed some techniques and activities designed to lessen those fears and instill confidence to go out and use English and communicate with it. I would like to tutor home-schooled as well as other students, children and adults. I will provide a discount for those who can meet more than one hour a week! I will also provide a discount if you can meet me at Mitchell Library in Palo Alto because it is only a 5 minute drive from my home!

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Education

New Mexico State University
undergrad

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $32
  • Rate details: For small groups of 2 or more, my rate is $25/hr/individual.
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 10/13/2015

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I am very interested in helping speakers of other languages learn English. Although my experience is in teaching Spanish, French and Russian, I realize teaching ESL is quite different. But my teaching abilities and foreign language knowledge have been a big aid in ESL. I have been tutoring ESL since June 2011. I have extensive knowledge about how to teach ESL, through Internet research, reading numerous books and I have collected/developed many varied activities for learning English as a Second Language. Please let me know if I can be of help to you or your child!
Grammar

Grammar

I have been interested in and very competent in English grammar throughout my school and adult years. My experience is that I majored in English for a year in college and taught sophomore English for one year.
Proofreading

Proofreading

My strengths in school and work mostly involved written communication. This includes grammar, proofreading and sentence structure. I am a former teacher of high school Spanish and English as well as elementary age home-schooled students. This experience helps me to tutor the subjects patiently, calmly and with positive reinforcement.
Reading

Reading

I am very qualified to tutor reading. I am not impatient or pushy but gentle and calm in guiding my student to deciphering the words being read.
Spanish

Spanish

I taught 4 years of high school Spanish, 1st & 2nd year. I also have experience with small, home-schooled groups and I tutored Spanish 2011 through 2018. I am experienced in teaching reading, writing, speaking and listening through a variety of activities that I can gear towards the strengths and/or needs of the student.
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Response time: 10 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.8 (169 ratings)
5 star
(133)
4 star
(32)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

Good teacher for ESL - 100% recommended

I am having classes with Gretchen for English as a Second Language. Overall experience is very positive. She is very patient and dedicates a lot of effort to ensure that all the concepts are well understood. 100% recommended.

Maya, 21 lessons with Gretchen

Great tutor! Very patient.

Gretchen is working with our 11-year-old son on his writing skills. She makes great lesson plans & keeps him engaged throughout! He’s enjoying the tutoring & making great progress.

Orchid , 26 lessons with Gretchen

Very patient and knowledgeable

Gretchen provided invaluable support and subject knowledge during the first semester of Spanish 1 for my Freshman son. She was incredibly patient and understanding of his needs, and it was exactly what he needed to gain confidence in a language he knew nothing about beforehand. She was able to reinforce his learning in class with her very sympathetic approach to learning.

Jayne, 22 lessons with Gretchen

She is an amazing teacher.

My daughter had studied with Gretchen for over 17 months. She was very knowledgeable and nice to teach. She tried to encourage my daughter to get actively involved in the writing lesson and promoted her confidence. She was very responsible so that she tried to listen to my request. She is a great teacher. Thanks a lot!!!

Sunmi, 58 lessons with Gretchen

First Session -Awesome!

My daughter had her first Spanish 2 session with Gretchen this week. Grethchen did a great job of making my daughter feel comfortable and relaxed. She has a tendency to easily get nervous and concerned about what others think of her. Gretchen knew exactly what to do so my daughter could learn!

Anna, 9 lessons with Gretchen

Good communication, understand the kids very well

Gretchen has been teaching my son for writing, and she always shares the progress of my son, what they have done, and what is the improvement or what he needs to work on. Good communication. Also she understand kids very well, and she looks pleasant to work with kids.

Cindy, 52 lessons with Gretchen

Friendly and Excellent Teacher

My wife and I had her classes for one year before returning our country. She gave us the best class. She is always thinking to have a suitable class for our English level. We are glad to have her excellent class!

Koji, 63 lessons with Gretchen

Great tutor

Gretchen has been my English tutor for almost 3 months, 2 hours daily. My experience was awesome! Great since the beginning; she rapidly identified my areas of improvement and prepared the classes professionally and carefully, always looking for new exercises and games to learn English. She was also very patient with me! I highly recommend Gretchen to anybody who likes to improve his English. Thank you Gretchen!!!!!

Elvira, 17 lessons with Gretchen

Excellent teacher!

Fortunately, I found Gretchen. So far, she have been a really good tutor. She is helping me to increase my confidence in English through her well coordinated and prepared classes. Gretchen is very kind. During our lesson, she always checks my question and encourages me to ask what I don't understand. So far, I'm very happy to find her. Thanks for your patience!

Ana, 11 lessons with Gretchen
Hourly Rate: $32
Response time: 10 hours
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