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Katherine S.'s Photo Katherine S.'s Photo Katherine S.'s Photo

Effective Accent-Reduction, ESL, Writing, TOEFL, and Language Tutor
Katherine S.

5.0 (259 ratings)

917 hours tutoring

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About Katherine

Bio

I care about your success.

As an ESL educator, my commitment extends beyond teaching language skills. I strive to empower students to pursue new opportunities and navigate challenges with confidence. Having lived and worked in different countries, I understand firsthand the challenges of adapting to new cultures and languages. This perspective inspires me to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed.

I provide...

I care about your success.

As an ESL educator, my commitment extends beyond teaching language skills. I strive to empower students to pursue new opportunities and navigate challenges with confidence. Having lived and worked in different countries, I understand firsthand the challenges of adapting to new cultures and languages. This perspective inspires me to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed.

I provide personalized language lessons and coaching for adults and adolescents seeking to strengthen their communication skills for academic, personal, and professional success. With a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and over 20 years of teaching experience, I specialize in developing English fluency, confidence, and proficiency, as well as academic writing. I also offer beginning-level Korean and Spanish, TOEFL preparation, and academic thesis writing coaching.

My international teaching career has taken me to Venezuela, China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, as well as various institutions in the United States. I have worked with learners at the University of Florida, the University of Pennsylvania, Portland State University, the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, Sogang University, and Korea University.

I work with learners at all proficiency levels, from beginners building foundational skills to advanced speakers refining their communication. My specialties include accent reduction, natural conversational flow, public speaking, academic and professional writing, TOEFL preparation, and thesis development, with an emphasis on clear arguments, effective organization, and polished scholarly writing.

My lessons are built around your individual goals, with personalized guidance, practical activities, and constructive feedback to help you make meaningful progress. I look forward to supporting you on your language-learning journey!

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Education

University of Florida
Spanish and ESL
Portland State University
Masters

Additional Languages

Korean
Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $45
  • Rate details: I offer the following course packages: 8 classes for $42/hr; 16 classes for $40/hr; 20 classes for $37/hr; 24 classes for $35/hr. Please message me for additional pricing options.
  • Lesson cancellation: 6 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 8/6/2026

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

Accent Reduction

Accent Reduction

As an effective American English accent reduction coach with a Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, I guide students in mastering the patterns of vowel and consonant sounds at both the word and sentence level. I use targeted exercises to help students internalize the rhythm of English, a stress-timed language. My instruction also focuses on intonation and the use of thought groups to enhance clarity and naturalness in speech. Through personalized, structured practice, I support learners in building confidence and improving their overall intelligibility.
English

English

I hold an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and have over 20 years of experience teaching English to students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. My expertise includes American English pronunciation and accent modification, grammar, vocabulary development, academic and professional writing, conversational fluency, and effective communication. I have taught at universities and educational institutions in the United States and internationally, working with learners at all proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. My teaching approach emphasizes individualized instruction, practical communication skills, confidence-building, and helping students achieve their personal, academic, and professional language goals.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I hold an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and have over 25 years of experience teaching English to speakers of other languages in both classroom and one-on-one settings. My experience includes teaching international students at universities and language institutes in the United States, South Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on academic English, professional communication, grammar, vocabulary development, pronunciation, and conversational fluency. I have worked with learners at all proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, tailoring instruction to their individual goals and linguistic needs. My teaching approach emphasizes practical communication, clear instruction, personalized feedback, and building students' confidence in using English in real-world and professional settings.
Grammar

Grammar

I excel at teaching grammar by breaking down complex rules into simple, relatable concepts, ensuring learners can grasp and apply them effectively. My approach combines clear explanations, practical examples, and engaging exercises to reinforce understanding. I adapt to various learning styles, making grammar accessible and enjoyable for beginners and advanced learners alike. With a focus on real-world usage, I help students build confidence in their writing and communication skills.
Linguistics

Linguistics

I have strong expertise in the core areas of linguistics typically taught at the undergraduate level, including **phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics.** My approach combines theoretical knowledge with practical analysis, helping students understand the structure and function of language at every level. By using clear explanations, real-world examples, and engaging exercises, I make complex concepts accessible and applicable. Additionally, I emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics, connecting it to fields like psychology, anthropology, and computer science to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of language.
Reading

Reading

I have over 20 years of experience teaching reading to English language learners at various proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced. My expertise includes reading comprehension, vocabulary development, identifying main ideas and supporting details, making inferences, analyzing tone and author's purpose, and developing critical reading skills. I have extensive experience helping students work with academic texts, literature, informational articles, and professional materials, with a particular emphasis on strengthening analytical skills and reading fluency. My approach combines explicit reading strategies, guided practice, and individualized instruction to help students become more confident, independent, and effective readers.
Spanish

Spanish

I hold a BA in Spanish Language and Literature and have studied Spanish extensively, developing a strong foundation in Spanish grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural studies. I have lived in Venezuela, where I gained valuable firsthand experience with everyday conversational Spanish and Latin American culture. My academic background includes the study of Spanish linguistics, literature, and language acquisition, allowing me to understand the structure of Spanish and its relationship to English. Combined with my 20+ years of experience teaching English as a second language, my knowledge of Spanish enables me to explain language concepts, identify common learning challenges, and make meaningful comparisons between English and Spanish.
Spelling

Spelling

With a MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, I have 20+ years of experience teaching spelling to international students. My teaching approach emphasizes building a strong foundation in English spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary. I tailor my lessons to meet each student's individual needs, helping them develop confidence and accuracy in written English. I am passionate about creating engaging, supportive learning environments where students can strengthen their language skills and achieve their academic and professional goals.
TOEFL

TOEFL

I assist students in mastering all sections of the iBT TOEFL test by walking them through test-taking strategies, completing practice exercises, quizzes, and tests, and providing ample feedback. For every hour of class, students are required to work an hour or more on assignments on their own. They are encouraged to ask questions about answers they have gotten wrong and to learn and review any grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation features they wish to have a more complete understanding of.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

I am an experienced English instructor with a strong ability to teach effective vocabulary memorization techniques that enhance retention and recall. My methods cater to diverse learning styles, making vocabulary acquisition engaging, efficient, and lasting. Five Effective Techniques: 1. Mnemonic Devices – Use associations, acronyms, or rhymes to remember words. 2. Spaced Repetition – Review words at increasing intervals for long-term retention. 3. Word Mapping – Create visual connections between words and meanings. 4. Contextual Learning – Learn words through real-life sentences and usage. 5. Physical Engagement – Write, say, and act out words for multisensory reinforcement.
Writing

Writing

I am highly skilled in teaching all the main styles of writing: **narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, creative, academic, scholarly, and technical.** My approach emphasizes understanding the unique structure and purpose of each style, guiding learners to craft compelling stories, vivid descriptions, clear explanations, convincing arguments, or precise and well-supported academic and technical documents. Through tailored lessons, practical examples, and constructive feedback, I help writers at all levels develop their voice, clarity, and confidence. By focusing on audience, tone, and purpose, I ensure students can adapt their writing to meet the demands of any context effectively.
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (259 ratings)
5 star
(257)
4 star
(1)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Fantastic teacher

Katherine is one of the greatest teachers that I’ve ever had. She is very detailed and she listens carefully to what i say and how i use proper words and expressions when i speak. Since i started with her my speaking, listening, reading and even writing is improved. I really recommend her to anyone who wants to improve their language from any level; Bigger, intermediate or advanced. I plan to have more classes with her and i recommend her to you as a professional and expert teacher in teaching english. You can expect great tangible results even after you first class with her.

Soheil, 12 lessons with Katherine

Grammar Scientist

I had a good first session. I’m looking forward to a long term commitment with Katherine. Katherine is exactly what I’ve been looking for.

Devins, 1 lesson with Katherine

Excellent accent coach

Katherine is an excellent accent coach and always comes well prepared, which I really appreciate. She took the time to understand my pronunciation and set clear, personalized goals. Her lessons are structured and practical, with detailed exercises that build toward natural speech. She also shares written lesson notes so I can review and practice afterward. I've really appreciated the thought and preparation she puts into our classes. Highly recommend!

Angela, 4 lessons with Katherine

kind and patient tutor!

I’ve always wanted to get better at speaking English, and Katherine’s been super helpful. She picks fun topics every time we talk, so it never feels boring. We’ve also gotten to know each other really well. She’s honestly just a really nice person.

Ashley, 6 lessons with Katherine

Katherine is in the world but not of it

Katherine incorporates both grammar and writing practices during the session, and as a result, my son gets A+ on all subjects. It is like a light shine through the darkness, and the darkness transforms itself into a light.

SUNG, 1 lesson with Katherine

Katherine is in the world but not of it

Katherine incorporates both grammar and writing practices, and my son gets A+ on all subjects. It is like a light shines through the darkness, and the darkness transforms itself into a light.

SUNG, 1 lesson with Katherine

Knowledgeable

My English teacher is a calm, punctual, and patient educator who eagerly shares knowledge, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for all students.

Mary, 8 lessons with Katherine

Experienced and knowledgable tutor

I've been having lessons with Katherine for more than half a year to advance my English to a native speaker level. The help she provides with my accent and understanding of English culture is tremendous. Katherine is able to break down my accent issues into manageable pieces and provide bite-sized, digestible corrections. Her extensive knowledge and clear explanations of English vocabulary greatly help me develop a deep and intuitive understanding. Learning with Katherine is a very rewarding process.

Xin, 27 lessons with Katherine

knowledgeable and patient tutor

Katherine is an excellent tutor! As a non-native speaker, I was struggling with pronunciation and conversation. During our first lesson, Katherine identified the areas where I was lacking and helped me improve my English skills accordingly. She also assisted with pronunciation correction and helped me correct mistakes in the expressions I used while speaking English. Additionally, she provided valuable support in using various English expressions, which greatly contributed to improving my English. I highly recommend Katherine as a tutor.

Sanghoon, 12 lessons with Katherine

Great tutor

How to speak english well, and also a part of the culture of the United States of America. The lessons was really good and I always have a feedback to work on at the end

Idriss, 6 lessons with Katherine