DACA Spanish Lessons
About
Being an avid language learner and a linguistics enthusiast, few things bring me more joy than sharing the passion for languages with others and helping them improve their proficiency and fluency day by day, through the exploration of language aspects relevant to their goals. I have graduate studies in teaching Spanish as a second language and 2+ years of experience in teaching. I also spearheaded an initiative to teach basic Spanish to my colleagues at school.
Simply put, I love languages and I love teaching and learning. As a matter of fact, some of my best memories have to do with being in a language class, both as a student and as a teacher; from opening a book and browsing materials that help unlock new ways to communicate with new people, to discussing common vocabulary across languages, to understanding when and where it is appropriate to speak in a certain way or say certain things. I will be thrilled to share all of this with you and adapt to your goals.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Typically, we will:
1. Get to know each other
2. Quickly assess the student's current level in the language
3. Understand the student's goals, exposure to and experiences with Hispanic culture
4. Tailor a lesson plan adapted to the student's preferred style/pace to help them achieve their goals
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Graduate studies in teaching Spanish as a second language.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I offer the following payment options:
Trial lesson: $20 for 1 hour
Regular lessons:
1 lesson for $30
5 lessons for $140
10 lessons for $270
How did you get started teaching?
My first teaching experience was as a TA in a couple Computer Science courses at college - this led me to discover and nurture my passion for teaching. Later on, I decided to combine two of my biggest passions (languages and teaching) and pursued a graduate degree in teaching Spanish, at the end of which I interned at a prestigious American-Venezuelan school in Caracas.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked mainly with beginners, but I have also have some experience in helping more advanced students in helping to develop their grammar, vocabulary and conversation skills.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A couple of weeks ago, I got new roller skates! It had been a while since I last skated, probably more than 10 or even 15 years. I went to an esplanade nearby to try to see if I could skate as I used to, or at least be able to not fall for more than 2 seconds. After a few minutes, I was able to skate without many issues - it truly felt awesome, like I was flying! Even though it wasn't perfect and I fell once, I am determined to continue improving my skills.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Having had quite some experience as a language student, I have learned that it's crucial to work with a tutor/language teacher that is knowledgeable, patient and honest, and with whom I feel comfortable asking questions, pushing back and making mistakes. Learning a language comes as a result of multiple factors, which must include a supportive/safe environment, relevant content and a good disposition! It's important for a student to assess these factors when deciding to work with a tutor.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
A few come to mind:
1. What is my current level? This helps the tutor make the lessons productive and enriching.
2. Why do I want to learn the language? This will help direct the focus to the student's areas of interest, such as communication in certain contexts, vocabulary/grammar, reading comprehension, writing, etc.
3. What is my goal? This helps set the pace and helps the student stay motivated and on track.
4. What is my style of learning? Some students prefer a more traditional approach, while others want to be exposed to more real-life content from the start.