About
I am a portuguese native tutor that lived in several countries across Europe and in the United States since 2011. This life experience have teached me new cultures, different professional skills and most of all helping me acquire a unique international background. I am fluent in 5 different languages and my extensive cross cultural background makes it easier for me to work successfully with clients of all ages and nationalities.
Teaching foreign languages is my passion, especially portuguese. I have several years of experience teaching European and Brazilian Portuguese to adults and children at all levels from beginner to advanced, in both private and group sessions.
I carefully evaluate language progress and adjust coursework to students' needs and demands, such as teaching language through history, geography, culture, food, politics, business, current issues, helping on a vacation, etc...everything that makes learning portuguese fun and interesting!
I'm very flexible and I adapt my class location to the student needs. I tutor at the students home or students can come to me, either at my place or meeting at a public place of their choice or convenience.
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Elena P.
Paula P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I consider my first class as a trial class where I assess the student level and needs ( depending on what is the student goal in learning the language). Depending on the age and motive, I talk about a lesson plan and how will be the most adapted and motivated way of delivering the future lessons (material to be used, time, frequency, etc). Normally I bring and supply all the learning materials such as a student book, flash cards, language games, videos, etc. I can also use and adapt any other material already existent material.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Master Degree in Business Administration (specialized in Human Resources Management and Occupational Psychology ) from ISLA-Superior Institute of Languages and Administration, Lisbon, Portugal. Although my professional background is quite different and that I have been working primarily as a Manager with much higher responsibilities, in this capacity I have interfaced frequently with several challenges. This has instilled multi-dimensional communication skills and an ability to recognize, act upon, and fulfill needs in order to achieve my goals.
Also, other aspect that is very important to my foreign language teaching experience is the fact that I've lived in several countries across Europe and finally in the United States since 2011, teaching me new cultures, different professional skills and most of all helping me acquire a unique international background. I am fluent in 5 different languages (learning also Japanese currently) and Portuguese is my native language. My extensive cross cultural background makes it easier for me to work successfully with students of all ages and nationalities.
As a student myself (learning Japanese now) and have experienced living in foreign countries, I can understand more deeply how difficult can be to learn a new language and so, always try to adapt and use the best methods to teach and motivate.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Pricing to be adapted depending where the class is held (my address or students address) and if it's private or semi-private.
How did you get started teaching?
I have started teaching when I was living in Europe, Principalty of Monaco. A company CEO that I knew asked me if I could give some lessons of Italian and Portuguese. Later, a brazilian family working at the Brazilian consulate asked me to tutor their 2 kids, aged of 6 and 8. Since I had such a good feedback and such a pleasure teaching, I've started to teach whenever I had the occasion.
What types of students have you worked with?
Young students from 6 to 13 years old and adult students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
It is very important to have excellent spoken and written communication skills and/or be a native person from the language you're learning.
The teacher should have creative skills and ideas for planning practical and interesting lessons.
Very important also is to have cultural sensitivity, tolerance and patience.
A strong emphasis is always placed on dialogue and role-playing, but more formal exercises language games and literature should also be used.
Have a fun moment learning!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Knowing exactly what is their goal about learning a new language, what purpose, what they want to achieve. There is different ways and methods to be aplied depending on what is the reason to learn a new language.