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College application writing coach, TOEFL prep, 100% USCIS pass rate
Mary U.

151 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $80

About Mary


Bio

*I am a writing coach for high school seniors applying to college, especially to the University of California. Once in college, I support my students as they navigate collegiate level writing by editing papers, theses, and dissertations. I have a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies. I enjoy helping liberal arts students produce their best writing.

* TOEFL test prep. Best student improvement from 17 to 24 points on writing section in just two weeks.

*Ten years experience...

*I am a writing coach for high school seniors applying to college, especially to the University of California. Once in college, I support my students as they navigate collegiate level writing by editing papers, theses, and dissertations. I have a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies. I enjoy helping liberal arts students produce their best writing.

* TOEFL test prep. Best student improvement from 17 to 24 points on writing section in just two weeks.

*Ten years experience preparing students for their USCIS appointments, 100% pass rate!

*While at UCLA, I earned a TESOL Certificate and I learned several different teaching methods, which I incorporate into my lessons so that I can adapt to your learning style. I have studied Spanish and Chinese. While I am not fluent in either, I can anticipate challenges for students whose first languages are Spanish or Chinese.

Here is a student comment:
I have been taking her class for almost a year now. Mary has a number of strengths to offer as a teacher. She always shows patience to her students and passionate about teaching. Mary has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages and races, especially ELL students like me who knew a little English in the beginning. Her ability to connect with students and her talent at teaching using the languages we can understand to demonstrate into advanced topics are truly superior. She is also an excellent communicator. In conclusion, I highly recommend Mary. -Monica


Education

University of California, Santa Barbara
Anthropology

Policies


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Approved Subjects

ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

With nine years of experience, I am able to use many different teaching methods to help my students reach their goals in a way that is relaxed and fun. I enjoy helping my students to understand American culture while they teach me about their native countries. It's like traveling without leaving the house!
Grammar

Grammar

I have been teaching ESL to adults for nine years. Understanding grammar helps students to become more confident speakers and writers of English. I also have a certificate from UCLA for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). With this experience I am able to use many different teaching methods to help my students reach their goals in a way that is relaxed and fun.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

I am a writing coach for high school seniors who are applying to the University of California, which has several personal interest questions that need to be answered in 350 words or less. These students are often also applying to private schools that require the personal statement in the common app. Within our company, I am often assigned the students who are not already identified as superstars. I work with them to find their special assets that make them an attractive candidate for admission.
Reading

Reading

As I said I have eight years of experience teaching ESL to adults. I also have a certificate from UCLA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I have taught students from all over the world and can adapt my teaching methods to match your learning style so that you can feel more relaxed and have fun while you progress on your journey in the English language.
TOEFL

TOEFL

Even to students whose English skills are good, the TOEFL test can be a challenge because the TOEFL test is looking for your ability to use and understand academic English. My goal is to teach you test taking strategies to manage the time limits and help you be less stressed while you take the test. This way you can do your best! Good luck!
USCIS

USCIS

I am honored to have helped numerous students to pass the US citizenship. It is the most rewarding part of teaching, when a student tells me about their interview and that they have passed the test. We will practice the test questions and role play the interview and all your answers on your N-400, so that you are prepared to pass!
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

As I said I have eight years of experience teaching ESL to adults. I also have a certificate from UCLA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I have taught students from all over the world and can adapt my teaching methods to match your learning style so that you can feel more relaxed and have fun while you progress on your journey in the English language.
Writing

Writing

I started tutoring ESL (after 9 years, I still teach it!) Along the way, I have picked up native English speakers who needed help with a paper, masters' thesis, or, even a dissertation. With my strong liberal arts education, writing in the academic setting is my strong suit. Whether it's "just a paper," or a dissertation, I am here to help.

Examples of Expertise


Mary has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 11 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

Mary U.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews


Rating

4.9 (35 ratings)
5 star
(34)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(1)
2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

Highly recommended teacher

Mary is an amazing teacher . She’s is a very knowledgeable , patient , caring and a thoughtful person. You’ll never be bored at her class. She’s also very flexible with timing. Mary helped me a lot with my TOEFL writing. She has an amazing way of getting the idea to you is a very smooth way. I learned so much in her class. She’s also great at building confidence before I started my classes with her I was very scared to even start writing anything but now I’m actually writing essays! . As a student, you feel pushed to learn and try out new competencies, feel supported in doing so and gain valuable feedback that helps you to improve. I’m thrilled to have found her class! . would highly recommend him/her to anyone interested in learning.

Zahraa, 7 lessons with Mary

Mary is incredible!

Mary's wealth of knowledge only pales in comparison to her patience and compassion! On incredibly short notice she was able to help our beloved employee become a citizen! After failing her first attempt at the civics portion, we enlisted Mary's help, and after only a few sessions, the impact was very evident. They worked together for around three weeks. She helped our employee come up with a studying schedule, assisted in memorization, and maybe most important of all, instilled the confidence needed to pass the assessment in real time! Our employee is a native Spanish speaker with very limited English comprehension, but it was no issue for Mary. She was also extremely patient as we struggled through technical difficulties. 10/10 would recommend. We are forever thankful to you Mary.

Allie, 10 lessons with Mary

Patient and knowledgeable - Strongly recommended

Mary is awesome! She is professional, patient, and knowledgeable. She helped my mom to get ready for her citizenship interview. She is familiar with all the interview questions that you may be asked and goes through every single of them patiently. If you have a USCIS interview coming, I strongly recommend Mary. She is very nice and definitely can help you to get ready for your interview with more confidence.

Zahra, 16 lessons with Mary

Very dedicated and helpful

Mary helped my mother for citizenship interview. She is really professional and helpful. May mother can not speak much English, She worked hard with my mother and I would strongly recommend her.

Sara, 5 lessons with Mary

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Mary taught my parents about the citizenship interview. She is well versed with the material that will be asked in the citizenship interview. She gave my parents good practice with the reading and writing part of the test as well as with the N400 form questions. She teaches in a way that non-native English speakers and someone who has not written in a while can also pick up. I highly recommend her.

Neena, 7 lessons with Mary
Hourly Rate: $80
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