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European languages, math, writing, and test prep specialist
Les V.

5.0 (159 ratings)

397 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $50
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Response time: 7 hours

About Les

Bio

I grew up speaking Hungarian and German and graduated with a Master's degree in French, taught French at Cal State L.A, English, writing, math and languages at high schools in the San Francisco area, and Survival French and Italian at various colleges.

I became very interested in helping students do better on tests such as the SAT, ACT, HSPT, and SSAT because they are frequently asked about content that they have not yet had. Since I teach a variety of subjects, I can quickly bring them...

I grew up speaking Hungarian and German and graduated with a Master's degree in French, taught French at Cal State L.A, English, writing, math and languages at high schools in the San Francisco area, and Survival French and Italian at various colleges.

I became very interested in helping students do better on tests such as the SAT, ACT, HSPT, and SSAT because they are frequently asked about content that they have not yet had. Since I teach a variety of subjects, I can quickly bring them up to speed.

The most important tool in learning a foreign language is understanding how grammar works. Grammar has patterns that can be applied throughout a language. Once you learn some patterns you can start speaking, writing, and understanding. My students have greatly improved their English grammar skills also from learning other languages.

I greatly enjoy helping people learn and really have fun doing it. I find out what you are doing, both right and wrong, what your goals are, and then help you reach them. Please let me know how I can help you!

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Education

BA, Cal State Los Angeles
French
cal state los angeles
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Accent Reduction

Accent Reduction

I speak and teach English, French, German, Hungarian, and Italian. Each of these languages has a particular set of vowel and consonant sounds that differ from other languages. I teach students how to create the sounds so that they will sound authentic.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I teach algebra, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, and precalculus as well as English, French, German, Italian, and Hungarian. I also prepare students for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, HSPT, ISEE, PSAT, and NMSQT, helping them with the math, grammar, and writing sections. My students include middle school, high school, college, and adults.
COOP/HSPT

COOP/HSPT

I have been teaching test prep for 4 years. I am a credentialed secondary teacher and specialize in all levels of math, reading, writing, grammar, literature, and foreign languages (French, German, Hungarian, and Italian). I have been teaching on Wyzant for over 3 years and have an excellent rating.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I teach English, French, German, Hungarian, and Italian at the high school and adult levels. I have written ~50 essays and term papers in a number of languages. I specialize in grammar and worked as a book editor.
French

French

I have a BA and an MA in French, specializing in 17th and 20th Century literature. I have been a lecturer in French at California State University at Los Angeles. I was the developer of Survival French classes taught in the San Francisco Bay Area at colleges and adult schools.
Geometry

Geometry

I teach high school math all the way from pre-algebra through pre-calculus. Geometry tends to be one of the most confusing subjects for students. I cut through the mystery and show the student the facts.
Grammar

Grammar

I speak English, French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish and have had to learn advanced grammar in college in all of these languages as compared to the minimal high school levels. I have also written over 100 term papers, edited 5 computer manuals, and written 2 cook books. I know grammar well!
High School Placement Test

High School Placement Test

I am a credentialed high school teacher and test prep tutor with years of helping students taking HSPT, SSAT, DSAT, and ACT tests to maximize their tests scores. Students learn how the tests are constructed and then various hands-on ways of determining the right answer in a minimum of time. Since these tests cover a broad spectrum of topics, frequently students come across ones that they have forgotten or never learned. I make sure they are familiar with all the topics.
Hungarian

Hungarian

I grew up speaking Hungarian even before learning English. I have tutored travelers going to Budapest 3 times. I read, write, and speak Hungarian. A nevem Villányi László és még mindig beszélek magyarúl a növéremmel. Van több Magyar barátom, de a legtöbb sokkal idösebb mint én.
Italian

Italian

I have taken four years of Italian in college, taught Survival Italian at a number of San Francisco Bay Area junior colleges, tutored private students, and direct an Italian chorus. I belong to several Italian affinity groups where Italian-only is the rule.
Literature

Literature

I have a Master's Degree in French literature and have written ~50 essays and term papers along with writing 2 cookbooks, teaching high school English, tutoring SAT and ACT, and working as a book editor.
Precalculus

Precalculus

I am a high school math and English teacher. I teach algebra-calculus and believe in learning how to do a problem generically. Once you see a pattern, everything is easier. As far as SAT and ACT prep, I teach students to understand how these tests are constructed and then to maximize their scores by quickly recognizing patterns in the questions.
Proofreading

Proofreading

I worked as a book editor and proofreader for a software company.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I have been a test prep tutor for SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT in math, English, grammar, and reading for the past 4 years. I specialize in teaching strategy and short cuts. These tests are not like what students take in class but are structured similarly and designed to confuse the student. I help remove the confusion.
SSAT

SSAT

4 years of coaching SSAT/ISEE/ACT/SAT students in not only how to do the test but also in teaching the students any content they have not yet had or have forgotten. This content includes algebra, geometry, statistics, and trigonometry as well as reading skills and vocabulary.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

I teach all levels of math from Algebra 1 through Precalculus. I especially enjoy teaching trigonometry and Algebra 2. Whether you are learning Common Core or traditional, I can help.
Writing

Writing

I have a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in French Language and Literature, have written two cookbooks, worked as a book editor in the software industry, and also teach high school math, English, French, and Italian. I have written well over 50 term papers and enjoy helping students improve their writing. For me, clear and concise communication is so important!
Prealgebra
PSAT
Vocabulary

Examples of Expertise

Les has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Les V.'s Photo

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Response time: 7 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (159 ratings)
5 star
(157)
4 star
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3 star
(0)
2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

Excellent Tutor

My son was preparing for the HSPT exam and approximately one month before the test he decided he needed a tutor. We found Les online at Wyzant. They had about 10 sessions each lasting an hour. My son needed help in knowing what was on the exam and learning some of the fine points. And he also needed a lot of confidence. Leading up to the test he was glad that Les was helping him and his confidence was improving. After my son finished the HSPT exam he came home and said dad I think I did pretty good. And that’s not something he usually says after a big exam. Today I received his test scores. He finished 90 percentile or above and six of the seven categories. I think that’s fantastic and we appreciate the support and confidence that Les gave in helping to get this excellent score.

Brian, 7 lessons with Les

great job

My son has been improving a lot, thanks to his techniques and patience. Thank you for all the support Les.

Jeni, 14 lessons with Les

Just had one lesson with les and we were very happy with him very patient and helpful and good technique and lesson planning. for sure i recommend him as a tutor.

Thank you very much for the effort you have put into teaching chloe she enjoyed and learned from lesson you have taught her

Reem, 25 lessons with Les

Just had one lesson with les and we were very happy with him very patient and helpful and good technique and lesson planning. for sure i recommend him as a tutor.

Thank you very much for the effort you have put into teaching chloe she enjoyed and learned from lesson you have taught her

Reem, 25 lessons with Les

Very Patient

My son just started with him and he is very patient, take his time to make sure he advances.

Jeni, 14 lessons with Les

Great Tutor

He knows a lot about geometry and how to do the work. Love his work ethic and everything about the lesson

Aiden, 1 lesson with Les

Highly recommended, patient, knowledgeable & effective

As parents, we are very happy with Les's tutoring. Over the last 3 months or so, he tutored our daughter for the SSAT, to help her with strategy, tips and strengthening any weak areas. He was very patient, and flexible whenever we sometimes needed to change schedule or work focus. A very nice personality & our daughter was very at ease working with him. Highly recommended.

Sean, 19 lessons with Les

Amazing!!

He was amazing and very patient with me. Anything I didn't understand he took time to explain it to me step by step and ensured I understood the approach. He was a great tutor!! As someone who struggles in math a lot, he started slow and made sure I understood the basics.

Tanvi, 2 lessons with Les

He is first class!

Mr. Les Villanyi is preparing me for a very important engagement in Europe. I must be well versed in many different aspects of the Hungarian language. Les is very exacting in pronounciation and patiently waits until I get it right. He also has a gentle sense of humor and great warmth. I recommend him highly. Ludwig

Thomas, 5 lessons with Les

Knowledgeable and patient!

Les taught my son things like congruent angles and more. My son was failing math and had one month to get a passing grade. Les actually helped my son get an A on his math final!!!! It felt like a Christmas miracle :) We will definitely be using him next year for Math 2.

Laura, 25 lessons with Les
Hourly Rate: $50
Response time: 7 hours
Contact Les