Search
Christoph D.'s Photo

Highly Experienced Language Tutor — ESL, Hindi, Urdu, TOEFL, IELTS
Christoph D.

3,301 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 3 hours

About Christoph


Bio

Online tutoring isn't a second job for me—it's what I do! I invest 100% in my teaching, allowing me to cater the experience to each student's unique needs.

I have more than 15 thousand hours of experience teaching English, Hindi, and Urdu. Because every student is different and requires a unique approach, I continually adapt to the learner's needs regarding how the material is presented and the type and frequency of practice work.

In addition to general language teaching, I specialize...

Online tutoring isn't a second job for me—it's what I do! I invest 100% in my teaching, allowing me to cater the experience to each student's unique needs.

I have more than 15 thousand hours of experience teaching English, Hindi, and Urdu. Because every student is different and requires a unique approach, I continually adapt to the learner's needs regarding how the material is presented and the type and frequency of practice work.

In addition to general language teaching, I specialize in test preparation classes for the TOEFL, IELTS, and OPIc English proficiency tests. I also work with Hindi and Urdu students preparing for foreign service exams in the US or abroad.

I earned my TESOL certification from Seattle University in 2008 and completed several master's level courses in teaching and language learning. My Hindi and Urdu studies began in 2006 at the University of Washington. Four intensive quarters of study there were followed by the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) Advanced Hindi Language Program in Jaipur, India, where I did two intensive, advanced-level programs back-to-back. In 2008, AIIS hired me as the first-ever non-native speaker to teach in their Basic Hindi Program.

In 2009, I cofounded a language school in New Delhi (India), which has become a world-class place for language learning. There, I gained more than 10 thousand hours of in-class language instruction experience, working with students of all ages and backgrounds from dozens of countries. After living and teaching in India for eight years, I returned to Seattle with my family.

One thing that sets me apart as an English language teacher is that I have become fluent in second languages and know what it's like to live in an entirely different culture.

I am generally available for online classes between 6 - 10 am and 4:30 - 10 pm (PST).

If you have any questions about my experience or approach to teaching, feel free to get in touch anytime!


Education

University of Washington
Asian Languages and Literature
Seattle University
Graduate Coursework
City University of Seattle
Graduate Coursework

Additional Languages

Hindi
Urdu

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $80
  • Rate details: You may cancel a class more than 24 hours ahead at no charge while cancellations less than 24 hours are charged. If Christoph cancels less than 24 hours before, he teaches your next class for free.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 6/4/2024

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat


Approved Subjects

ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I am a certified ESL teacher and have taken several master's level teaching courses. What sets me apart as an English language teacher is that I have become fluent in second languages myself and know what it's like to live in an entirely different culture. I can work with ESL students using both communicative and grammar-based teaching methodologies.
Grammar

Grammar

My knowledge of grammar really developed when I began to study foreign languages. After studying Spanish, German, Sinhala and Sanskrit, I then thoroughly learned Hindi and Urdu and eventually began to teach Hindi, Urdu and English. Through more than 12,000 hours of in-class language teaching experience working with a wide range of students and with a wide range of learning materials, my own understanding of grammar has deepened as has my ability to teach it.
Hindi

Hindi

I'm passionate about the Hindi language and consider it my number one teaching specialty. While the language is undoubtedly vast and learning it continues for a life time, I feel confident in my ability to teach Hindi up to advanced levels. For beginners, while I always stress the importance of learning the Hindi script, I can also work with students who would rather use Roman letters. My own Hindi studies began more than a decade ago. I completed Basic and Intermediate Hindi at the University of Washington in Seattle. I then completed two advanced-level Hindi programs at the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). The following summer AIIS hired me as the first-ever non-native speaker to teach in their Basic Hindi Program, where I co-taught a group of American university students. After co-founding a language school in 2009 in New Delhi, India, I went on to teach a total of around 8 thousand in-class hours of Hindi from the basic to advanced levels. My wife is a native speaker and she and I communicate almost exclusively in Hindi and we are also raising our children bilingually.
IELTS

IELTS

While teaching full-time at Zabaan Language Institute in New Delhi, India, from October 2009 to February 2016, I regularly taught IELTS prep classes through private instruction to students wanting to apply to a university in the UK. Since then, I've been familiar with the test format and the most popular preparation materials.
TOEFL

TOEFL

I've worked with several students who have successfully achieved their target scores on the TOEFL to become professionally certified or to gain university admissions. I've taught hundreds of TOEFL prep classes in-person and online since 2012. I am thoroughly familiar with the test, including which parts are the most challenging for students and the most effective prep materials available. I take the TOEFL myself to ensure I'm up-to-date on its format and to better empathize with students' experiences.
Urdu

Urdu

My Urdu studies began in 2008 after achieving advanced-level competency in Hindi at the University of Washington. I continued to expand my knowledge of Urdu and eventually began to teach it at the language institute I co-founded in 2009 in New Delhi, India. My wife and I have communicated almost entirely in Hindi-Urdu since 2010, and we are raising our children bilingually.
Writing

Writing

As a language teacher who has spent more than 12,000 hours in the classroom teaching the English, Hindi and Urdu languages to a wide range of students from all over the world, I've learned how important writing skills are for students and have developed effective strategies to raise students' performance in writing, whether it be for general proficiency, performance in school, or in preparation for a specific test.

Examples of Expertise


Christoph has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 17 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

Christoph D.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Christoph before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Christoph
Response time: 3 hours

Ratings and Reviews


Rating

5.0 (668 ratings)
5 star
(662)
4 star
(6)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

The best. Period.

I was given the opportunity to begin learning Hindi as a part of my work. I started with zero experience in Hindi. After looking through many Wyzant tutors, I settled on Christoph. Where do I start? He could not be better. He doesn't move too fast nor too slow, and tailors his tutoring to each learner's needs. He is patient, kind, thorough, and more than qualified. He sends us detailed notes after each lesson and gives us just the right amount of homework. I am progressing rapidly on my Hindi thanks to his expert tutoring. I most highly recommend you try your Hindi lesson with Christoph before any other. He can relate to your learning, start you from square one, and easily take you to proficiency.

Matthew, 37 lessons with Christoph

Experienced, knowledgeable, patient

My daughter and I have been taking Hindi lessons from Christoph for about a year now and he's been amazing--patient, flexible, and so knowledgeable. My daughter who had no prior Hindi knowledge can now speak and understand and my own comprehension has grown tremendously. He has gently pushed us to learn the script (which we both have no prior knowledge of) as well and during our first lesson had us reading simple sentences. Would highly recommend Christoph--we feel very lucky to have found him!!

Reena, 50 lessons with Christoph

A tutor whose great at teaching

Christoph is teaching me Hindi but eventually will teach me Urdu. In just the two meetings we have had he’s made it apparent that he’s not only a great teacher but someone who goes the extra mile in ensuring his students understands the material. It’s super helpful that he sends the exact material students learn during virtual sessions directly to them and that he assigns homework material. Couldn’t ask for a more effective teaching method. He definitely goes the extra mile.

Savannah, 7 lessons with Christoph

Kind and smart

Christoph is a great tutor. He made me feel confident. His lessons are very enjoyable and his work ethic is admirable. I definitely recommend him. Thank you Christoph for all your help and patience.

Mayra, 2 lessons with Christoph

Great first lesson

A great first lesson! Looking forward to more lessons with Chris. Very thorough instruction, guided with patience and understanding. See you soon at our next lesson

Shara, 1 lesson with Christoph

A class with Christoph? Absolutely worth it.

I had already taken the TOEFL test twice when I reached out to Christoph. In my first try I got a score of 95 and in the second I got a score of 105. To be qualified to apply for my school of preference in the States I had to get a score of at least 114. I had no idea how to do that, so I decided to sign up for a class with Christoph. I practiced the reading and listening sections on my own but had the chance to ask Christoph for help with them if I needed any, which I did, and he gave me inestimable advice on those sections. For the writing section, he provided me with tasks which I completed out of class and he then proofread. In class he provided detailed feedback and we observed possible areas of improvement. We also practiced the speaking sections in class, which was very helpful, since I do not speak English on a daily basis here in Iceland. Christoph noted down what I said and then he gave me thorough advice on how to better my speaking skills. I cannot recommend Christoph’s services enough. He helped me get a score of 115 in the TOEFL test, which was something I thought I could never do. Furthermore, after the classes my English in general is better than it has ever been. The classes have given me more confidence in all aspects of the English language, and I finally feel ready to apply for a University program in the United States. Apart from being a fantastic teacher, Christoph is also a great guy. He is friendly and patient, so it is easy to study with him. I do recommend that you book a class with Christoph if you want to improve your English, I can assure you it will be worth it.

Ragnhildur, 8 lessons with Christoph

Excellent tutor

I am glad to take classes with Christop, he is so helpful, each class with him it is so great because I can understand much better and improve my writing and reading. Thanks Christoph!!

Luis, 7 lessons with Christoph

Great teacher, very patient

Christoph is a cery decent teacher. He takes the time to understand your needs without being pushing. He is a gentleman. I like his Toefl classes. I recommend him for Toefl if you feel overwhelmed with this particular exam.

Carolina, 8 lessons with Christoph

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Christoph D. have been of great help to my english study and toefl preparation. With the help of his, I got a boost on my score from 103 to 107 points within 2 weeks ( apparently I took back-to-back tests in order to have a high score before application deadlines.) And I think I may have a 110+ score for my next test. Massive thanks to my tutor Christoph D.! I won't be achieving my goal without him

Yufan, 9 lessons with Christoph

Christoph is an AMAZING professor!

With him, I scored 103 in the Toefl. His classes were essential to improve my speaking and writing. I am so grateful for his work. I do recommend him. Thank you so much, Chris!

Ludmila, 7 lessons with Christoph
Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 3 hours
Contact Christoph