English Teacher for Adult Learners!

Elizabeth P.

English

I tutored English for three semesters at various 2-year community colleges in Southern California. My tutoring included one-on-one and group lessons, specifically focused on: grammar and syntax; reading comprehension; reading analysis; the writing process in its entirety; essay instruction comprehension; and any issues that the student(s) had questions about regarding English language and English writing. I also taught freshman-level university English for two semesters. I designed and implemented: my own syllabus, daily lesson plans, writing prompts, and grading system. I took into account each student and their general abilities and understanding of English when editing and grading student work. I work with English Language Learners and English as Second Language students, and I typically start with a foundational understanding of English before assuming the student has intermediate to advanced grasp of English.

Literature

I have a Master's degree in English, and the foundation of my degree was studying English and non-English literature from various periods of time. I studied prose, poetry, and literary theory/analysis extensively, and I have been featured as a panelist speaker at a literary conference focusing on identity and self. Additionally, my Bachelor's degree is in Italian, and that degree focused specifically Literature and Language. I analyzed Italian and Italian-influenced literature, from Dante to modern-day punk lyrics, while writing and speaking almost exclusively in Italian.

Reading

I tutor students of various skill levels with reading in English. Most of my students are English Language Learners and English as Second Language students, so I am comfortable starting with a foundational understanding of the reading. We can work our way through the text by reading aloud and answering comprehension questions aloud, and then go through the text more carefully, usually with a written prompt or additional questions from the reading. I taught and tutored at various 2-year community colleges for five semesters, and I also taught 2 semesters of freshman-level university English at a California State University.

Vocabulary

I have taught and tutored a variety of students using reading-based vocabulary. Many of my students are English Language Learners or English as Second Language students, so I start with the basics of age-appropriate vocabulary: what the word is, how to pronounce the word, how to define the word, how to use the word in a sentence, and words similar to and opposite of that word. Vocabulary words are not simply memorized and then forgotten; I encourage my students to build a wide foundation in English, and then use and re-use the words we've already studied.

Writing

I currently teach and tutor students of various skill levels with writing in English. I tutored at various 2-year community colleges for three semesters, and I also taught two semesters of freshman-level university English. I teach and value all aspects of writing, including: pre-writing (brainstorming, prompt reading), writing drafts, editing drafts, and formulating/re-formulating when the writing process hits a snag.