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Portuguese, English, Reading, Writing, Spanish (intermediate) Tutor
Celina F.

493 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $30
Celina F.'s Photo

Portuguese, English, Reading, Writing, Spanish (intermediate) Tutor
Portuguese, English, Reading, Writing, Spanish (intermediate) Tutor
Celina F.

493 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

493 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

About Celina


Bio

Learn with a native! I am a Brazilian born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I am also an American citizen. I have a Master's degree in Education with a background in English as a Second Language from the University of Mary Washington, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Translation from PUC-RJ university, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am a trained Berlitz Portuguese instructor, and can also teach English as a Second Language, reading and writing. If your child has trouble understanding Spanish at...

Learn with a native! I am a Brazilian born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I am also an American citizen. I have a Master's degree in Education with a background in English as a Second Language from the University of Mary Washington, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Translation from PUC-RJ university, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am a trained Berlitz Portuguese instructor, and can also teach English as a Second Language, reading and writing. If your child has trouble understanding Spanish at school, I can also help them! I have been a translator of Portuguese, Spanish and English for over 30 years now, working for several translation companies and publishers. If you need a translation from Spanish and Portuguese into English, or vice versa, contact me. While working for WyzAnt, I have helped different students to reach their goals, even if their goal is a capstone project for a master's degree. I especially like to use creative methods to help students acquire vocabulary while having fun, like card games, videos and songs. I really like to use music, if the students feel like including it in the lessons, to help them increase their vocabulary and understand structures.

My experience teaching religion comes from being an aide and sub for four years at St. Patrick Catholic Church CCD program, and singing in the St. Patrick church choir. I have also plenty of experience as a CCD aide. I have completed a Theology and Philosophy course online at the New St. Thomas Institute.

Students in Fredericksburg, VA and Stafford, VA are welcome, as well as in surrounding areas (Locust Grove, King George, Bowling Green etc.). Contact me for available time slots. I have a 24-hour cancellation policy, so please send an e-mail to WyzAnt or a text to my cell 24 hours before the session is scheduled to cancel a class. If you want to have a make-up class I will be happy to provide you with one!).

Omicron Psi professional inducted in 2012


Education

Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro
English translation
University of Mary Washington
MEd
Art Instruction Schools
Enrolled

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $30
  • Rate details: The rate for spring/summer 2024 for new students is $30.00.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 12/29/2011

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Business

Microsoft Word

Computer

Microsoft Word

Corporate Training

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Portuguese,

Portuguese

I am a native speaker of Portuguese, I have taught Portuguese in Berlitz for many years to government students, and I have studied in Brazil (college degree from PUC-RJ - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro). I am currently translating from English into Portuguese and vice-versa for Transperfect and other companies. I speak Portuguese at home daily with my family (children and mother). I speak Portuguese with my sister's family who lives in Canada and keeps in contact with the Brazilian community there. I keep in contact with my local Brazilian community through Facebook and in person.
Grammar, Microsoft Word, Proofreading

Elementary Education

Reading,

Reading

Reading is a skill that is basic to be able to learn and understand all academic disciplines, but with children, it must be presented as a kind of hobby, something they will enjoy doing in their free time. Reading should not be a chore, but something nice and good to do. I encourage students to choose their own stories and books to read in the classes. I also use some methods that have been successful with struggling readers that make sense to me to remind students about the sounds of the letters (because they have a name - and several sounds associated to each one). Their names are not what they sound like, and this leads to many problems in spelling and reading. The English language is not phonetic and this baffles even the native speakers when they learn to read. Apart from that, vocabulary must be expanded so students do not struggle with comprehension on top of not knowing how to pronounce words. I use several ways to expand vocabulary: poetry, scrapbooking, flash cards, memory games, play scripts etc.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.
Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary

English

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Reading,

Reading

Reading is a skill that is basic to be able to learn and understand all academic disciplines, but with children, it must be presented as a kind of hobby, something they will enjoy doing in their free time. Reading should not be a chore, but something nice and good to do. I encourage students to choose their own stories and books to read in the classes. I also use some methods that have been successful with struggling readers that make sense to me to remind students about the sounds of the letters (because they have a name - and several sounds associated to each one). Their names are not what they sound like, and this leads to many problems in spelling and reading. The English language is not phonetic and this baffles even the native speakers when they learn to read. Apart from that, vocabulary must be expanded so students do not struggle with comprehension on top of not knowing how to pronounce words. I use several ways to expand vocabulary: poetry, scrapbooking, flash cards, memory games, play scripts etc.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Master in Education specializing in ESL (English as a second language).
Writing,

Writing

Masters in Education specializing in English as a second language. Poet and book author. Translator for over 30 years. Writing and Reading tutor.
English, Grammar, Literature, Proofreading, SAT Writing, Spelling, TOEFL, Vocabulary

History

Bible Studies,

Bible Studies

I have a Theology and Philosophy certificates from The New St. Thomas Aquinas online school. I have been an aide at a religious education course on and off since 2004. I am an active member of St. Patrick's church. I was in a youth group at my parish and we used to study the Bible with emphasis on its interpretations. At that time, I was in several weekend courses in which we meditated on the Bible texts. I also coordinated some of these courses. I have always taken part in the celebrations of the different holy days in my Parish. I am currently going to weekly services and helping with the choir in my Parish. I took several religious education courses at college while I was studying to be a translator because it was a Catholic college. The courses were: Science and Faith, Christianity, Christian Ethics, Social Christian Thought I.
Religion,

Religion

I specifically teach Catholic doctrine, and I have obtained Catholic Philosophy and Theology certificates from online school The New Thomas Aquinas Institute (2016/17). This year I helped teaching a 1st communion class at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, VA. I have been helping the Religious Education program at St. Patrick Catholic Church - VA, Fredericksburg on and off as an aide and substitute teacher (2004-2017). Taught 2nd grade at a summer Bible school in 2005. Studied at the Catholic University - PUC - RJ in Rio and we had some religious subjects there. Have been practicing the Catholic Religion since I was a girl and go to Mass every Sunday. Was a member of a Youth group, organized youth encounters, and have been in church choir since I was a child.
World History

World History

I have taught World history in the past, to two students (brothers) who needed to pass their tests and they successfully passed them. I have world history books to teach students with special needs. I have an MEd in Education from University of Mary Washington. I learned some strategies to teach American and World History there, and am still in contact with some professors from the university.

Homeschool

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Reading,

Reading

Reading is a skill that is basic to be able to learn and understand all academic disciplines, but with children, it must be presented as a kind of hobby, something they will enjoy doing in their free time. Reading should not be a chore, but something nice and good to do. I encourage students to choose their own stories and books to read in the classes. I also use some methods that have been successful with struggling readers that make sense to me to remind students about the sounds of the letters (because they have a name - and several sounds associated to each one). Their names are not what they sound like, and this leads to many problems in spelling and reading. The English language is not phonetic and this baffles even the native speakers when they learn to read. Apart from that, vocabulary must be expanded so students do not struggle with comprehension on top of not knowing how to pronounce words. I use several ways to expand vocabulary: poetry, scrapbooking, flash cards, memory games, play scripts etc.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Master in Education specializing in ESL (English as a second language).
Study Skills,

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.
Writing,

Writing

Masters in Education specializing in English as a second language. Poet and book author. Translator for over 30 years. Writing and Reading tutor.
English, Spelling

Language

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Portuguese,

Portuguese

I am a native speaker of Portuguese, I have taught Portuguese in Berlitz for many years to government students, and I have studied in Brazil (college degree from PUC-RJ - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro). I am currently translating from English into Portuguese and vice-versa for Transperfect and other companies. I speak Portuguese at home daily with my family (children and mother). I speak Portuguese with my sister's family who lives in Canada and keeps in contact with the Brazilian community there. I keep in contact with my local Brazilian community through Facebook and in person.
TOEFL

Most Popular

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Reading,

Reading

Reading is a skill that is basic to be able to learn and understand all academic disciplines, but with children, it must be presented as a kind of hobby, something they will enjoy doing in their free time. Reading should not be a chore, but something nice and good to do. I encourage students to choose their own stories and books to read in the classes. I also use some methods that have been successful with struggling readers that make sense to me to remind students about the sounds of the letters (because they have a name - and several sounds associated to each one). Their names are not what they sound like, and this leads to many problems in spelling and reading. The English language is not phonetic and this baffles even the native speakers when they learn to read. Apart from that, vocabulary must be expanded so students do not struggle with comprehension on top of not knowing how to pronounce words. I use several ways to expand vocabulary: poetry, scrapbooking, flash cards, memory games, play scripts etc.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.
Writing,

Writing

Masters in Education specializing in English as a second language. Poet and book author. Translator for over 30 years. Writing and Reading tutor.
English

Music

Voice (Music)

Voice (Music)

I've been with several different choirs since I was a kid at the church in Brazil and then here, in Fredericksburg. I had several different directors and learned a different thing with each one of them. I have studied four years of piano and learned to read music, and about rhythm and most of the several aspects of reading a music sheet. Currently we work with Maureen McClure at the choir of St. Patrick's Church in Fredericksburg. We do religious hymns and work on classical pieces at Christmas and Eastertime or other holy days and special occasions. I was a member of a company choir when I worked for Petrobras (a Brazilian oil company) and we even were in some small shows and recorded a CD. At first I was an alto but evolved to sing with the sopranos, so I learned about harmony and melody and I am able to sing both parts. I feel I could explain to a beginner how to breathe when you sing and how to read sheet music. I still have some of my books I used to practice at the time I studied piano. Main thing about singing is that you have to feel it and also learn how to project your voice so it doesn't sound dull and restrained. Also, if you are in a choir you don't want to sound louder than the others. You have to control your voice volume. I knew people who were not able to do this and sang louder than the rest of the choir. To sing solo is different from being in a choir. I also learned some exercises with a director we had at the Research Center at Petrobras which are very useful to warm up your voice, too. Even if your current director doesn't warm you up, you can do them by yourself, and be fine. They are still useful for me today. Even if I cannot teach an advanced student I can give a beginner some good advice I learned from experience.

Other

Bible Studies,

Bible Studies

I have a Theology and Philosophy certificates from The New St. Thomas Aquinas online school. I have been an aide at a religious education course on and off since 2004. I am an active member of St. Patrick's church. I was in a youth group at my parish and we used to study the Bible with emphasis on its interpretations. At that time, I was in several weekend courses in which we meditated on the Bible texts. I also coordinated some of these courses. I have always taken part in the celebrations of the different holy days in my Parish. I am currently going to weekly services and helping with the choir in my Parish. I took several religious education courses at college while I was studying to be a translator because it was a Catholic college. The courses were: Science and Faith, Christianity, Christian Ethics, Social Christian Thought I.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Religion,

Religion

I specifically teach Catholic doctrine, and I have obtained Catholic Philosophy and Theology certificates from online school The New Thomas Aquinas Institute (2016/17). This year I helped teaching a 1st communion class at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, VA. I have been helping the Religious Education program at St. Patrick Catholic Church - VA, Fredericksburg on and off as an aide and substitute teacher (2004-2017). Taught 2nd grade at a summer Bible school in 2005. Studied at the Catholic University - PUC - RJ in Rio and we had some religious subjects there. Have been practicing the Catholic Religion since I was a girl and go to Mass every Sunday. Was a member of a Youth group, organized youth encounters, and have been in church choir since I was a child.
Study Skills

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.

Special Needs

Study Skills

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.

Sports/Recreation

Cooking

Cooking

I can make typical Brazilian dishes and treats like brigadeiro, pão de queijo and others, and also feijoada, farofa, and couve mineira. I can teach you how to cook tongue with mashed potatoes (língua com purê de batata), quibe (kind of meatloaf made with bulghur wheat of arab origin but Brazilian style), and bobó de camarão (shrimp) etc. I use a hands-on method, and it can be in the student's home or mine. I will provide them with the list of ingredients before the lessons to make their own, but the ingredients for the lesson are on me. If the student wants to practice by doing, he/she will bring his/her own ingredients. Otherwise, he/she can just watch and tape or write down what to do. He/she gets a sample, so he/she knows what is being taught.

Summer

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I currently have a MEd in ESL from University of Mary Washington (2012). I took a course in English with specialization in Translation into Portuguese in Brazil. I have been studying English since I was a child with my mother at home at first (she studied with a British tutor) and then at school and later at the university. My university, Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. I studied English conversation, Grammar and writing, and also English literature as well as British and American Civilization. You cannot truly understand a language if you don't understand the people that speak that language and its origins. I believe that I can help students to better understand English texts and write in English in a clearer, more understandable way. I have experience teaching students to write at the university and some classes I gave at my university too, at the extension level, about technical translation. Basically, we dealt with understanding texts and rewriting them, only in another language. Translation is a very useful way to learn another language. It shows you what the differences are between the other language and the one you wish to rewrite your text in. It also challenges you to find the right way to express yourself and thoughts expressed in your language in a different language. And sometimes there are several ways to say the same thing. I think I can help students that have a problem understanding English to see things the way English-speaking people see them, so they are able to form effective sentences in English and understand texts in English when they read them. I studied the differences between English and Romance languages at the University. If you keep in mind that English and Romance languages, either French, or Spanish or Portuguese, came from different origins, it becomes easier to learn English. It's all about understanding the foreign universe. In my Masters degree coursework I learned how to get students from other backgro
Reading,

Reading

Reading is a skill that is basic to be able to learn and understand all academic disciplines, but with children, it must be presented as a kind of hobby, something they will enjoy doing in their free time. Reading should not be a chore, but something nice and good to do. I encourage students to choose their own stories and books to read in the classes. I also use some methods that have been successful with struggling readers that make sense to me to remind students about the sounds of the letters (because they have a name - and several sounds associated to each one). Their names are not what they sound like, and this leads to many problems in spelling and reading. The English language is not phonetic and this baffles even the native speakers when they learn to read. Apart from that, vocabulary must be expanded so students do not struggle with comprehension on top of not knowing how to pronounce words. I use several ways to expand vocabulary: poetry, scrapbooking, flash cards, memory games, play scripts etc.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

My daughter is an extremely disorganized student. She leaves her things around the room, files papers in her book bag, and has trouble remembering what assignments she has to hand in. I worked with her by trying to give her some space to deal with her things her own way and reminded her of things I knew she had to do. I asked her if she had a schedule for what she was supposed to hand in on which day, and went over it with her to see if she was following it. I studied with her and showed how she could write about what she was studying so she would remember things better. I used to write all the teachers said just be cause the writing is not passive, it's an active thing you do to learn better what is being presented to you. You are taking active part in learning when you write, copy or jot down info. Now she is in college and able to take care of her own assignments and not miss on things she needs to do, and is even helping friends to learn. My son is honor roll but very forgetful. We used PASS to get in touch with the school and teachers and remind them of their assignments (that was another thing that helped a lot). Teachers would send us e-mails letting us know what was due. If the students have a system to get in touch with the teachers, this helps in reminding them of what they need to study and work on. Also, I feel that the agenda is key, updating the agenda daily and having the teacher sign it if necessary helps the student to remember assignments and wise up to what he/she might be missing out on. Organizing yourself might be challenging sometimes, but it pays later on, when life starts to get more complex for the kids, at the time they start college.
Writing

Writing

Masters in Education specializing in English as a second language. Poet and book author. Translator for over 30 years. Writing and Reading tutor.

Test Preparation

SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Master in Education specializing in ESL (English as a second language).
ASVAB, SAT Writing, TOEFL

Examples of Expertise


Celina has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 4 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

Ratings and Reviews


Rating

4.8 (87 ratings)
5 star
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4 star
(16)
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2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

Awesome Tutor

Celina is an awesome tutor. I took accelerated classes and there was absolutely no way I could have passed them without her. She always comes prepared to help you with lessons that she thinks you need to succeed. For example, my first few classes in Spanish were all about grammar, so Celina drilled me with the appropriate tense, conjugation "person", etc, then when my classes moved on to speaking and writing we did drills that focused on helping me with those skills. I will say that if you take accelerated classes like I did, then you need to tell Celina before hand. My classes went so fast that we struggled for a bit to get down a rhythm but once I was able to give her my syllabus before classes started she was more than prepared to bring lessons to help me personally before we covered the subjects in class, so that I was better prepared to participate in my college lessons. She is very patient and yet she pushes you to your limits to make you climb to the next level in your studies. Like I said above, I took accelerated classes and yet I was lucky enough to retain Celina for a year during my studies. She not only was a great tutor, but also became a good friend. She wanted nothing more than for me to succeed. If that took hard studying at one point or a more patient reserved touch the next, she was always there for me. She is able to anticipate what you need, when you need it, and you will learn more with her than without. I highly recommend you hire Celina for your Spanish/Portuguese needs!!

Dana, 62 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

Thanks so much, Dana, you are so easy to teach. Such a dedicated student and a very kind person. I loved the time I got to spend in your home with your family and your wonderful pets. I can't forget how much Remington loved to enter the room and try to participate in the classes! You all are special to me. Good luck in your studies and may all your dreams come true.

Celina - A Gem

Celina is wonderful and when I am well I plan on continuing my studies with her. I rate her an A+++++++++

Anne, 1 lesson with Celina

Awesome Tutor

Ms. Celina is an excellent tutor. She is always there for me no matter when I email her to ask a question or to ask her to take a look at my paper. She is willing to do that even when she is at home on her time. I could not have asked for a better tutor who is very knowledgeable in what she does, very patient and very helpful. Ms. Celina is also an excellent proofreader and writer. She has done outstanding in helping me with proofreading and editing my paper. She also makes excellent recommendations on other ways to write the paper and how to format it. She is an awesome tutor. 12 Mar 2014, UPDATED. Ms. Celina is an outstanding tutor who is passionate and very knowledgeable in what she does. She is available for the student no matter what. She will email you her status if she stated that she will continue to work on the problem while she is at home. She is awesome in writing, editing, and sentences structure. Ms. Celina is very patient and will work with the student until he or she understands it, and she will also make recommendations if the subject is writing. Ms. Celina has the student's best interest at heart. She wants to see the student do well, and she is always willing to go beyond the duty of her tutoring to help the student get it right no matter how long it will take. My writing is bad, but Ms. Celina patiently edited it and structure the sentences so that it is clear. I recommend Ms. Celina to all students that are searching for an outstanding tutor no matter what the subject might be. She is passionate, patient, very knowledgeable, and wants the best for the students. Ms. Celina is that tutor. Thanks you Ms. Celina for being my tutor and working with me. You are the best!

Shipley, 19 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

Hi, Shipley same here, you have great ideas and you are an awesome and caring professional. I could feel how much you care for what you do, and that helped me help you. Wish you well and good luck in all you do, please let me know how you did in your paper.

Good, flexible, and reasonably priced.

I worked with Celina for seven weeks. During this time I was able to grasp enough Spanish to navigate most basic social transactions. I was not the easiest person to work with due to an erratic work schedule which required me to work long hours, and did not afford much time for practice. In spite of these complications, Celina was able to craft a lesson plan that accounted for my schedule as well as the attainment of my learning goals. Also, on a personal note, I found her to be a pleasant person, which made learning a new language much less of a chore.

Gabriel, 16 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

Thank you Gabriel hope all is looking up for you! You were a great student and hope you are successful in your life and work!

Wonderful Tutor!

Celina helped our son with his Spanish II work both at her home and while he was on homebound education for six weeks due to a medical problem. She was patient, kind, firm, and he thoroughly enjoyed the hours he spent with her. He is 15 and asked that I share that Celina is a great tutor and if he ever needed her tutoring expertise again, he would not hesitate to contact her for help again. Celina is very easy to work with, dependable, and her kindness is precious. Highly recommend!

Trent, 8 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

Thanks for your review, and you are a great family, it was an honor to work with you and help your son through this difficult time in his life, but he is heading to a bright future! Wonderful boy!

Celina- The Best Tutor Ever!!!

Celina is an awesome tutor, because of her I have been seeing a great deal of progress in my daughter's reading. She takes time to ensure my daughter understands what she is reading. Also, she makes her lessons interesting; therefore, my daughter remains excited throughout the lesson. I recommend Celina to anyone who needs a reading tutor.

SHAKIMAH, 41 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

Thanks, Shakimah, I love your family and working with your child was a pleasure. I am sure she will do just fine in school and grow up to be a wonderful professional some day. With that name, Justice, maybe she will be a judge! Who knows... But she may also become a writer or a scientist. She is that bright!

Great Spanish, Portuguese, and ESL Tutor

My daughter was struggling with High School Spanish III and Celina did a great job improving her grades through one-on-one personal tutoring. She takes the time needed to make sure the student has a good understanding of his or her homework assignments and language requirements. She was hired through WyzAnt on short notice and was very reliable. I highly recommend Celina for anyone needing assistance with Spanish or Portuguese.

Joseph, 6 lessons with Celina
Tutor responded:

How is she doing now? I hope she has graduated (or almost there) and have a great college experience. Thanks for the kind review!

Hourly Rate: $30
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