Personal Description:

I'm a linguaphile, fluent in five languages and training in a sixth. I have been studying languages my whole life, I truly believe they are a key to both personal and professional opportunities. I am of Portuguese heritage and have lived in Spain, Italy, and England. My language skills were essential to feeling at ease in new places, finding work, and building friendships. I am passionate about helping people learn to communicate effectively in other languages. Whether the focus is on conversational fluency, business communication, or understanding grammatical components, I want to help you get closer to your linguistic goals.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been tutoring elementary school children in French as a second language in Ottawa, Canada for the past ten years. I began teaching English as a second language to business professionals while living in Italy and Spain. I then tutored Spanish and Italian to business professionals and high school students in London, UK.

Tutoring Approach:

My approach to tutoring is to:
1. Assess the student's current language proficiency and specific objectives.
2. Develop lessons using a balanced approach, including the four core language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
3. Prioritize speaking and conversation early on, even for beginners, to encourage students to use the language in meaningful ways.
4. Positive reinforcement. Learning a language can be frustrating. Keeping a positive attitude can go a long way!
5. Regular feedback and correction to continuously make improvements, and avoid reinforcing common errors.
6. Adapt to each student's learning style to make sure we are maximizing our time together.