Experience Summary
Though I studied Psychology while attending Utah Valley University, I spent two and a half years tutoring college students in English. I spent my senior year editing a scholarly journal for the School of Business Management. As a tutor, I helped students who were learning English as a second language to comprehend and properly use idioms and phrases in their writing, as well as helping them with spelling and grammar. I also helped students whose writing lacked polish to improve papers written for many different subjects. I helped an otherwise smart dental student who struggled with composition write an application for dental school, and he got in.
Teaching Style
I prefer sitting at the student's elbow, with the assigned work in between us, focusing on it together. I talk about "it" rather than "you" to avoid making the student self-conscious. Writing can always be improved, and each student has areas of strength and weakness. I try to pick one area that needs the most attention, and focus on it. When there is significant improvement, I move on to the next area of weakness. Pointing out all of a student's mistakes and weaknesses at once drains morale, and that is counterproductive. Working on one area at a time keeps the student from being overwhelmed. I like to have the student read out loud to me, so that we can both see what needs improvement. I also point out what was done correctly to boost confidence. Goals are important, as well as establishing a time frame for achieving them.